Home > Reading > NALC Devotions – October 17, 2017

Today’s readings: 2 Kings 5:19-27; 1 Corinthians 5:1-8; Matthew 5:27-37

Sin and temptation are constants in our lives. Temptation is not sin, yet sin is temptation yielded unto. Temptation once allowed, quickly becomes lust and cravings. Carnal desires left unchecked, destroy lives, families, and communities. Gehazi allowed his cravings for worldly goods and money to lead him to lie to Naaman, as well as his master Elisha.

As God’s children, we often think God doesn’t know our secret sins. We cannot hide our sin from God. We must repent and ask God to help us seek the only true wealth: his grace and forgiveness.

Jesus tells us that the heart is the source of all evil. God is the source of all that is good in the world. Anything that does not come from God is evil. Luther tells us that what we hold close in our hearts, that is our god. It follows that if we love or allow anything into our hearts other than God and his Word, we are in sin.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, create in us clean hearts and renew right-spirits within us, that we may love and choose you and your Word first, at all times and in all places. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by the Rev. Janice Kelly, NALC pastor.

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  • Have you ever wondered why those who serve in the military will follow orders, usually without hesitation. Yet, we have such a hard time following our orders handed down from our Lord and savior? Each day we read our Bible, each week we listen to sermons and participate in Bible studies, yet once back in our world, we will shirt away far too often. We need to follow out our “standing orders” for the day: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”