A Lenten devotion by Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad
I can't count how many people I've talked to recently who are struggling with fear, anxiety, and worry. Isolation, pandemic, and an invisible illness that can infect without one's knowledge is all a bit terrifying and like something out of a novel or the movies. Perhaps that's why Outbreak is one of the top movies streaming on Netflix right now. This weekend we turn our focus from what we are currently enveloped in to see our Savior's powerful hand at work in his early church. As we gather digitally this weekend, we will see how Jesus used signs and wonders to give legitimacy to his apostles while also providing a message so contagious that the region came to experience it, and many were added to their numbers.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 5:12-16 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
This week in our study of Acts we meet two interesting characters: Ananias and Sapphira. They're beautiful names, aren't they? But they rank right down there with Judas in the biography of Biblical characters. Why? For the same reason you've noticed shelves devoid of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Their greed. Our study of Acts is taking us deeply into every area of our lives. It takes courage to let the Spirit do that, but it’s how the Spirit works. Grab your favorite mug and fill it with coffee, tea or, as some do, just hot water. Know that your brothers and sisters around the region are doing the same. May Jesus bless your attention to his Word.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 5:1-11 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
A Lenten devotion by Pastor Tom Wilsmann
People have always known Christians are different. The Book of Acts shows us in the first few chapters two ways that difference was apparent: how they died and how they viewed economics. Christians' drastic and unreasonable generosity was one reason they gained attention and turned the world upside down. God's grace breaks the power of money over us and makes us more generous. God's grace to us makes giving that grace to others our greatest thrill.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 4:32-37 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
A Lenten devotion by Pastor Kelly Huet
Ever since Carole King released Tapestry, one of the top ten selling albums of all time, we've sung, "I feel the earth move under my feet." She was describing a romantic interest, but there are other ways we feel the earth move under our feet. What things are shaking your world today? The early church felt the earth move under their feet because of Jesus. Then they went out and shook their world. We’re glad you’re here today to acknowledge the real reasons our world is shaken, to find hope in the way Christ shakes us, and to find power to go out and shake the world because of it.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 4:23-31 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
A Lenten devotion by Pastor Jon Bilitz.
What do you do when someone criticizes your faith? How do you handle the snide or disparaging comment when someone finds out that you are one of those “Christians”? What do you say, and how do you handle it without feeling guilty or ashamed? How do you confront a friend that thinks they are religious but are holding onto false teachings, or worse, their own version of salvation? It may not happen daily, but when it does it can be challenging. Today we learn from Jesus how to handle such situations, as Peter and John face their first confrontation with boldness and confidence in Acts 4:1-22.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 4:1-22 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.