Wednesday, March 6

Mark 11:15-19

In today’s passage Jesus was enraged to find that the temple had become a place of exclusion and exploitation. Not only was there a fundamental misunderstanding regarding sacrifice, but what we had conjured up was a system that bred greed and corruption and oppression. Sacrifice was to serve as an expression of our obedience, but it was one small piece of an obedient life. For some sacrifices became a channel to make amends for wrongful living in lieu of changing everyday behaviors. It became a manipulative system that distanced and tamed God and took advantage of others in the process.

The Biblical narrative communicates over and over God’s desire for relationship and our desire for something more transactional. God’s desire involves the entirety of our being, moment by ordinary moment. Our desire often involves our own betterment and improved circumstance, a faith that serves as a means to an end and as efficiently as possible.

In some ways, the sheer existence of a temple creates conceptual limitations for the sacred and the ordinary. A distinction is drawn between the sacred places and the common places, the sacred work and the common work. And a subtle message is conveyed that God exists there instead of with us in our everyday lives. But our hearts and our relationship with God were never intended to be reduced to a compartment of our lives. And Jesus came to reawaken us to God’s presence everywhere.

May we share Jesus’ passion for the systems that take advantage of the poor and that further contribute to greed and corruption. May we allow God to cultivate within us trust and right relatedness and generosity. And as we recall the torn temple curtain, may we remember that God’s presence is not something for us to manipulate or a place from which we come and go, but a grace that is awaiting discovery in every facet of our lives.

Holly Yinger

Tuesday, March 5

Psalm 84

We know that the book of Psalms is very similar to a hymnal. It has both praises and prayers. When I glanced over this chapter, I heard at least two choruses that we used to sing in church (in my short half-century lifetime). I think that’s amazing! I am certain our “modern” version did NOT sound the same as the Biblical version but believe that God relished both.

According to my Bible, Psalm 84 was of the Sons of Korah. Admittedly, I just learned more about their interesting history. I encourage you to read it too in parts of Numbers, Chronicles and Samuel! (Contact me if you want the chapters!!) There are a few verses in Psalms 84 that I had previously highlighted in my Bible probably because two of them are included in the modern version of the choruses I learned to sing decades ago.

My heart and flesh cry out for the living God. (v. 2)

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. . . (v. 10)

O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. (v. 12)

If you know these choruses let me know; if you want to listen to them, check them out on YouTube. And maybe Pastor John could squeeze them into a Sunday morning set!

Julie Rosenau

Monday, March 4

1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Good morning (or evening)! Did you experience grace today? Grace – that undeserved goodness of God.

Paul credits God’s grace for allowing him to “lay a foundation” (start the church in Corinth), built on the foundation, Jesus Christ. This sounds like a fairy tale – God gives Paul gifts, the Church [the people in Corinth] is established and everyone lives comfortably ever after? No, that is not how this works.

See, Paul wanted the church to know that the gospel is worth living for: “Each one should build carefully” and worth sacrificing for: “It will be revealed with fire […]” In my life, moments of Holy Spirit revelation and power were always preceded by surrender and holy inconvenience –sacrifice, though quite minor compared to Jesus. Frankly, there were a few times it felt too hard, but “the wisdom of this world is foolish in God’s eyes.” Only by the grace of God could I truly step forward…

Ask yourself honestly today, do I know that I am “of Christ, and Christ is of God?” Starting right now, let’s give God credit and build on the foundation of Jesus Christ (in EVERY area of our lives).

Undeserved goodness. It’s worth dying for; it’s also worth living for.

Chastity Frederick

Sunday, March 3

Exodus 20:1-17

Read Exodus 20:1-17. [For fun, stand and read with a booming voice.]

One of my children is very very serious about rules. When she was young she would be careful to read the rules at the pool and even refused to do something that I suggested because I was suggesting something “against the rules.” It turns out that the pool rules were there not to keep us from having fun, but to keep us safe so we could keep having fun.

Just like the pool rules, the 10 commandments were given for our spiritual, emotional and relational safety so we can enjoy and share the life that God has given. Exodus 20:20 actually says that the commands were given to the people of Israel “to keep you from sinning.” One of the explanations of sin is to violate a relationship. And the first four commands are violations of relationship with God, while the last six commands are violations of relationship with others. While breaking any of the commands might make life more enjoyable for the moment, disobedience disrupts our relationship with God and makes life less enjoyable for the long-term.

Ultimately the commands are invitations to trust God and rely on Him. As we do that we realize that nothing compares to Him and He is all we need. When Jesus said the greatest commands are “Love God” and “love others” (Matthew 22:36-40), He summarized the 10 commands and all the commands of the Old Testament. And when he died on the cross, he showed love for God and others in such a perfect way to cover all the times we have sinned and failed to love. So now, by putting our faith in Him, we can live out the commands with His love.

Household Challenge:

• Write out the 10 Commandments and put them somewhere visible in your house to memorize them together.

• Why are the first four commands violations of relationship with God? How are the last six commands violations of relationships with others?

Pastor Josh Kleinfeld

Friday, March 1

Acts 7:30-40

I have always found this narrative to help me reflect on the ways I have rejected Jesus. Stephen was helping the high priests remember they had a history of rejecting those God sent to help and guide them. Joseph was rejected by his brothers, who were the patriarchs of Israel. Stephen points out in Acts 7 that Moses was rejected. Again, I reflect on what God has brought into my life that I have rejected for my pursuits.

It is easy to focus on what we want and have God bless that. That attitude towards God puts him in second place – and that is rejection. I pray that during this Lenten season, we will put Jesus first in everything and every decision. He is more than worth it.

• What areas of your life have you rejected Christ by placing him in second place?

• What changes can you make to place Him first in those areas?

Pastor John Farley

Thursday, February 29

1 Peter 2:4-10

In 1 Peter 2:4-10, we are reminded that we are living stones, chosen and precious in the eyes of the Lord. These verses speak of Christ as the cornerstone, the foundation upon which our faith is built. He was first rejected by his people, then became the cornerstone for all peoples and has given us mercy.

Our worth, that is tied to His ultimate sacrifice, becomes a profound reflection of a love so deep that he was willing to die for us so that we may live. As we think about the significance of being a part of God’s spiritual house, let us recognize the immense value He sees in each of us, a value worth dying for. May this truth inspire gratitude and a desire to live lives worthy of his sacrifice made on our behalf.

How can you show the goodness of God to others today?

Brian Meyers Jr.

Wednesday, February 28

Psalm 105:1-11

This Psalm calls us to remember the importance of prayer, the acknowledgment of pain, and the power of praise.

Have you ever received wonderful news? Did that same news lead to the most devastating news you’ve heard?

Twelve years ago, our family experienced this. We received news that our first grandchildren were going to be born. Four days before delivery, we received a devastating telephone call. One of the twins had died in vitro. It can’t be! How could you do this to our family, God? We love and serve you. We’re your children. These parents are preparing to be missionaries!

In the days following his birth, our grandson was diagnosed with serious health conditions. “He won’t walk or talk” was the prognosis of one specialist. We cried out to God, thanked Him for our blessings, and rallied our village for support. “Blessings” by Laura Story was my prayer.

Today, our grandson is a walking, talking, baseball playing miracle! God is so good! Five years after his birth, we added healthy twin granddaughters to our family! God is faithful; praise HIM in all things!

Have you ever had a situation you thought would not get better? Did you see a blessing in the end?

Prayer:

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon his Name; tell everyone what things he has done.

Deb Staley

Tuesday, February 27

Genesis 22:1-19

Abraham faced a test from God. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son. I can imagine he felt disbelief, confusion, horror, fear, anger, grief, and shock. Abraham was where the “rubber meets the road” in his walk with God. Where all he had was to trust God’s heart and promises. In trust and obedience, he traveled to Moriah, bound Isaac, laid wood, drew the knife and in that moment completely surrendered his son Isaac back to God.

The day my husband was given a terminal cancer diagnosis I was where “the rubber meets the road” in my walk with God. Disbelief, confusion, horror, fear, anger, grief, shock…all of that. All I had was to trust God’s heart and promises, and in that moment, I completely surrendered my husband to God.

Surrendering Isaac changed Abraham and strengthened his relationship with God. Surrendering my husband changed me and strengthened my relationship with God.

This Lenten season what situation or problem do you need to completely surrender to God?

Reflect on the parallel of Abraham binding his son on the altar and God sending His own Son to the cross.

Karon Kagan

Monday, February 26

Hebrews 1:8-12

What a great privilege that we were chosen to be set apart by our joy! Where does this joy come from? This joy comes from our everlasting God who rules His kingdom with Justice. His command is fair and equitable. He calls us to be righteous. When we are, we find joy from God.

Through righteousness, we store up treasure in Heaven as seen in Matt. 6:19-21; treasure and eternal joy. Similarly, both Matthew and Hebrews mention that the Earth wears away. Wears away by moths, by animals that destroy, by mere time passing by. The Earth is growing old and worn. BUT GOD folds up the old and changes it. He alone is the one who stands forever. Outside time and our human understanding of dimension, He exists forever, everlasting, just, and unchanging.

• In what ways do you feel you are actively and daily set apart by your joy?

• What is your intent to be righteous? Is it Earthly focused or Heavenly focused?

• In what ways can you invite God into your day that wears on and on? How can you turn your attention to Him amid a world constantly changing?

Aubrey Shaffer

Sunday, February 25

Mark 9:2-9

Peter, James, and John were given the privilege of accompanying Jesus to the mountain to see His transfiguration and to see Moses and Elijah appear with Him. This moment showed them that Jesus is our Messiah and has come with the divine power to fulfill the Old Testament law and the prophetic promises that Moses and Elijah represent.

I cannot imagine being on this mountaintop at this moment. Would I be frightened as Peter, James, and John were? Would I pass out from the sight and feel overwhelmed? I think I would probably react like Peter and fill the space with a question. Peter, being frightened and not knowing what to say, decided to offer a suggestion on what they could do in that moment to make it special and lasting.

Can you imagine being Peter and having the voice of God respond to you by saying to listen to His Son? I think this is when I would pass out! In this moment, God is reminding Peter, James, and John that Jesus is not just an extraordinary leader, but He is God’s Son and that they should listen to Him.

Do you ever catch yourself overwhelmed by God’s presence that you feel the need to do something or say something to fill that space? I love this passage as it reminds me that just being in His presence and listening to Him is doing something. In a world where we feel lazy when we are not doing things, it is hard to learn to sit and relax in His presence. It reminds me of Psalm 46:10, “be still and know I am God”. Today, take time to be still and listen to what God has to say to you.

Household Challenge:

• Set a timer for 2 minutes and focus on being still with God.

• What challenges did you face during these minutes of silence?

• How do you think you would have reacted on the mountain if you were Peter, James, and John?

Pastor Rachel Zeigler

Friday, February 23

Romans 4:1-12

In this passage, Paul refers to  Genesis 15:6 as he recounts the phrase, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”  In other words, righteousness is seen as moral behavior that conforms to God’s law. This is reflected both in our relationship with God and in our lifestyle.  Simply put, it means being in a right relationship with God that presents its integrity within our daily life.  It’s living our lives as God intended.   

So, how do believing and righteousness connect?  

When Abraham BELIEVED God, he was showing a faith that was not dependent upon his current situation.  Actually, when he believed that God would make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the heavens, he may have seemed irrational.  Yet, he held firm.  

Do you ever struggle to hold firm?  Are there times your faith seems irrational to others?  I’ve been there many times.  As a child and teenager, I attended church camp every summer.  During one of those weeks, the speaker shared that when he struggled with his faith, he would go back to the time when he “knew that he knew God was present.”  The teenager beside me opened his Thompson Chain Reference NIV Bible and wrote that phrase in the front cover.  Coincidentally, I married that teenager and saw that phrase over and over in the front of his Bible.  There have been many times when my faith has been weak, that I have thought of that phrase.  Those times will come, but having anchor events in our past can help prepare us for current and future times of hardship.   As I prepared to write this devotional, I sat down and wrote a list of those moments in my life where I “knew that I knew” that God was faithful, real, and present.  It keeps me steady.  It holds me secure.  
Where are you at on this belief and righteousness pathway?  Make a list of your anchor experiences and tuck it away for when those moments come.  You’ll be steady.  You’ll be secure.   Anchor yourself and the righteousness will mature.

Beth Stark

Thursday, February 22

Psalm 22:23-31

"For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one, he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." (24)

This is a psalm of praise of God's faithfulness to all generations. Do you tend to see life from an "eternal perspective?" I am finding that in the pain of life, my focus must be on the much larger picture, so to speak. In recent years, through waves of pain and grief, I have come to understand that our God is here now- he listens to our cries for help, and he comes as our Comforter. He understands the depths of our pain and suffering, which we focus on during this season of Lent. Yet, he is faithful in all things, and he is our savior for all eternity.

Total faithfulness not just in the here-and-now but for all eternity! He has saved us, he is saving us now, and he will continue to save us for all eternity! But that does not mean he saves us from suffering in the midst of a broken world. It means he has promised to be with us through it- oh, how I love that!

When I am hurting, I remind myself of a God who does not turn from our suffering, a God who listens to our cry for help. I know he comforts, he sustains, he helps in the moment and for all the future moments, and I find peace. Even if I do not feel his presence, I know the peace of trusting his faithfulness- the essence of faith is not a feeling but a belief, a trusting that God is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do. Even when we do not feel it, we know it. Peace in his faithfulness. And I love to share this truth with others! When we have a gift, it is to be shared! The faithfulness of God through and to all generations must be shared! Tell of his wondrous deeds of faithfulness in your life, but also in his plan to redeem the world!

With whom can you share God's faithfulness during this Lenten season?

"They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn--for he has done it."

Nedra Lahr

Wednesday, February 21

Matthew 4:1-11

During our Lenten devotional, we are looking at the topics - Worth Dying For and Sacrifice. I looked up what sacrifice means in Webster: 1. an act of offering to a deity something precious, 2. destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else. I was surprised it didn’t have more definitions, but the ones they gave tell us what it means to sacrifice.

When Jesus began His ministry, He always had us in mind. We are “the worth dying for,” and as we know, it cost Jesus His life, the greatest sacrifice ever made. His sacrifice didn’t start when He was hanging on that old wooden cross, it started when He started His ministry. The attack from Satan was one of the first things He faced as He carried out His Father’s will for His life. He went into the desert to pray and seek His Father’s will for 40 days and nights. And as He finished that time, Satan came along and tried to attack Jesus’ weaknesses. He was tired, He was thirsty and hungry, and He was weak physically too after sacrificing those 40 days of fasting. But because Jesus prayed and He read the Bible, and He knew what it said, He could fight off Satan’s attacks and set an example for us.

During this Lenten season, is God asking you to sacrifice something in your life for Him?

Are we following Jesus’ example of reading our Bible and knowing what is says so we can fight off the tempter?

And as we read His Word, it will guide us into the things we should be doing to

help carry out the kingdom’s work. I am glad that Jesus thought we were worth dying for, and He made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

Psalm 100:5, “For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.” And His sacrifice is good forever!

Brad Hankey

Tuesday, February 20

Psalm 77

I read in a commentary Psalm 77, which is described as a psalm for the burdened. The psalmist uses words like groan, faint, and troubled. The MSG version reads like this, “I go over the days one by one; I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together.” I’ve been there, in the darkness of the night, wondering, “How can I get my life together?”

Burdened and desperate look different for all of us. Maybe it’s a diagnosis. Maybe it's an unconfessed and repetitive sin. Maybe it’s a wayward child, loss, or a painful marriage. You know exactly what keeps you up at night, groaning- and so does He.

After the Psalmist expresses his deep anguish, he goes on an emotional tangent—questioning God’s faithfulness, His nearness, and even His kindness. Could it be that the silence we often experience as we cry out in desperation is just a Father who is listening intently, making sure that he gets all of the story, and maybe even silently weeping with us?

Jesus sacrificed so it didn’t have to end in groaning; breathe and recount the deeds of the Lord.

Janell Greer

Monday, February 19

Ephesians 2:1-10

The passage in Ephesians 2:1-10 centers on how we are alive in Christ. God has reconciled each of us to Himself as an act of grace. We are all made alive, given new life, through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I love the ending verse 10 of this passage, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Throughout this Lenten season, let’s dwell in the goodness of God’s grace. What good works has God prepared for you to do? Each day, we have the opportunity to listen and connect with the Holy Spirit wherever we are and in whatever we are doing. These good works might be mundane, like letting someone go before you in the check-out line at the store, a friendly wave and hello, praying with your family or a friend, or sharing a meal. Be encouraged today; you are God’s masterpiece.

Emily Sell

Sunday, February 18

Mark 1:9-15

Read Mark 1:9-15 aloud. [For emphasis, read the spoken parts (v 11 and 15) with power!]

When I was baptized at age 12 there was no parting sky or heaven shaking voice. But I still look back at that day, when Pastor Randy Hodges plunged me under the baptismal waters, with a sense of awe and gratitude. I had repented. I had believed the good news of Jesus. I was publicly committing to Jesus as my King.

But it was always a mystery to me why Jesus got baptized. I needed to be baptized because I had sinned and wanted to show my submission to His cleansing love. But Hebrews 7:26 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 say that Jesus never sinned. So if Jesus did not get baptized for the forgiveness of his sins, why?

Well, it turns out that baptism is also a rite of passage, like when someone goes from being a high school student to a high school graduate or when someone goes from being single to being married. Graduations and weddings are rites of passage to recognize those milestone moments. Baptism was the milestone moment to signify that Jesus was moving from private ministry to public ministry. This ministry would result in his death (which would result in his resurrection!), so it was fitting that God the Father would speak a word of blessing over His Son and that the Spirit would show up. 

As Christians who have been baptized, we are given the affection of the Father and the power of the Spirit to give up everything and follow Jesus as our King.

Household Challenge: 

• Ask: Why was it important for the Father to bless the Son before His public ministry? Take time to say a blessing over each other before the week.

• Share your baptism story. Why did you get baptized?

If you are not yet baptized and are interested, we are doing baptisms on Easter Sunday (March 31). Sign up at www.stillnaz.com/baptism.

Pastor Josh Kleinfeld

Friday, February 16

Psalm 25:10~In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.

In this season of life, I find myself on a daily scavenger hunt, seeking for perfect trust in His purpose and plan for my here and now. I rapidly fall into a pit of despair when I look around at the negative circumstances surrounding me, but HE keeps whispering to me to be still and find rest in Him and to trust that HE is always for me, and HE is always with me.  No matter how dark our day becomes, we need to fix our eyes and focus on the light that HE shines before us calling us to press on and persevere.

This Psalm reminds us to seek His wisdom and grace in verses 4-5: “SHOW me Your ways, Lord, TEACH me Your paths. GUIDE me in Your truth and teach me, for YOU are God my Savior, and my HOPE is in You all day long.”

• Are you struggling to find perfect trust?

• I pray that this Lenten season will teach you to lean in and take a leap of faith to trust the one who thought that YOU and I were worth dying for. What can I sacrifice and surrender to trust in Him today?

Lorraine Lauer

Thursday, February 15

1 John 1:3-10

In this passage, not only is the redemptive power of Christ proclaimed, but the necessity of fellowship, maybe even the commandment of fellowship, is emphasized. After “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (v 7b); we are called to live not only in close relationship with Jesus but also with his body, the Church. God is actively redeeming us and is actively pursuing a relationship with us; if you think you can do this walk on your own, you are wrong.

For a long time in my life, I focused solely on my personal relationship with Jesus. Having a personal relationship is so good and is so necessary, but I was missing out on so much more that God had to offer. When I surrounded myself with a community of faithful friends and had real and vulnerable conversations about my sin, God’s redemptive power was made so much more evident. I once had a pastor tell me, “Sometimes when it’s hard for us to hold onto the hands of Jesus, we have to reach out and hold the hands of those who are holding onto Jesus.”

If we try and walk this path alone, “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” (v 6). During this season of Lent, I encourage you to step out of the darkness; stop trying to do this on your own. Surround yourself with a community of uplifting believers and watch as God works in ways that you’ve never imagined.

Gabe Hurlbert

Ash Wednesday, February 14

Psalm 51:1-17

I cannot think of a sacrifice more significant and monotonous, transformative and slow, refining and humbling than the daily sacrifice of my heart.

Motherhood has been a revealing process for me. It has ushered in immeasurable joy, for which I am grateful. But also, I have discovered that parenthood has a good deal of inconvenience interwoven throughout it: the constant snacks, the perpetual messes, the redirection, the repetition, the emotional volatility, and the demands for attention. And the inconvenient bits revealed a very conditional contentment within me—a contentment that existed so long as I got to be in control. And when things didn’t go according to my plans, I found my patience lacking. My words were harsh, when I longed for them to be gentle.

Loving in this capacity of motherhood has been refining me. In the most ordinary moments, I find myself coming face to face with my selfishness and my pride. But this is the beauty of brokenness: It’s uncomfortable and unpleasant to admit our fallibility, but it is out of the depths of honesty that transformation begins. (To be sure, I would much prefer God to work through my capability than my fallibility, but there is a time and season for both.)

What life thus far has taught me is that we often desire refinement within the context of someone else’s circumstances. Our own often looks too ordinary, too boring, too impossible…but our own hearts, our own desires, our own days and lives are all that we have to sacrifice. And so each day, may we wake grateful for another bit of practice at this ordinary, heart transforming love and whisper a prayer of, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” And may we delight in the discovery that with each passing day, our hearts mean it more and more earnestly.

Holly Yinger