Genesis 41:1–13; 1 Corinthians 4:1-7; Mark 2:23–3:6 “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy” (1 Cor 4:1-2). Most of us like to think of ourselves as “servants of Christ,” but how often do

Genesis 40:1–23; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Mark 2:13–22 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? … For God’s temple is holy, and that temple is you” (1 Cor 3:16, 17b). No, most of us do not know that we are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells

Genesis 39:1–23; 1 Corinthians 2:14–3:15; Mark 2:1-12 “And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic, carried by four men … and when they removed the roof above Jesus, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith … he said, ‘My son, your sins are forgiven … rise,

Genesis 37:25–36; I Corinthians 2:1-13; Mark 1:29–45 “When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and

“From Ashes to Easter,” the devotional for the 2016 Lenten season based on Year II of the Lutheran Book of Worship,  is now available to download. Written by the Rev. Dr. David Wendel, NALC Assistant to the Bishop for Ministry and Ecumenism, the devotional is available in two printable formats:

Genesis 37:12–24; 1 Corinthians 1:20—31; Mark 1:14-28 “And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit … but Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him” (Mark 1:23, 25-26). In more than

Genesis 37:1–11; 1 Corinthians 1:1–19; John 17:9-19 “I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor 1:10). I once had a one-hour conversation

Daniel 9:3–10; Hebrews 2:10–18; John 12:44–50 The darkness of our sins calls us to account. Our shame calls us back to the mercy of God. To him alone may we turn and discover steadfast love and forgiveness. For he keeps his covenant even when we do not. When we are faithless, “he remains faithful,” (2