Devotionals
 

Devotionals are short essays written by GSLC members and staff that explore the ways the Holy Spirit works within our every day lives.  There are several ways we invite you to use these devotionals:

  • Make them a part of a prayer practice - read a devotion and consider the ways that Christ has worked similarly in your life or works in unexpected ways.
  • Make them a part of a journaling practice - read a devotion and journal about what the Holy Spirit is stirring in you as you reflect on the essay.
  • Use them as a reminder that God works in all things, the bad and the good.

With over 400 available devotions, you can use these daily, weekly, or monthly.  It's up to you!  We just hope that by reading these inspiring stories provided by Good Shepherd's flock you are able to better see where Jesus is present in all things!  Thank you to all of our members that have provided devotionals throughout the past couple of years!

 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Daily Devotion

by David Dietrichson

by David Dietrichson

Food, water, shelter, health, family, friends and God. I have them all. Unimaginable blessings to much of the world, and I have them all. And yet I get upset about things, irritated at others, or experience an unpleasant situation and react as though I am somehow a victim. That I’ve been wronged.

I move freely about the world without fear of arrest or violence, while much of the world suffers, yet a little snow, or rain, or a virus can make me feel shut in and bring on self-pity. I don’t feel wealthy, but the vast majority of the world certainly thinks I am, yet I worry if I have saved enough, even as I have repeatedly seen in my life that the Lord will provide.

I am loved, whether I deserve it or not. I love, but not as well as I should. I definitely don’t love as often as I should or as many as I should. Have to keep working on that.

How do I reconcile all that I have with what I deserve? This is not intended to be self-flagellation, but reflection. One of the most meaningful parts of the Lutheran liturgy, for me, is The Confession and Forgiveness. In fact, we sometimes used one of the standard confessions from the Lutheran Hymnal as a bedtime prayer when the kids were young (how’s that for uplifting?). These are reminders of my failings and of God’s generosity.

Thank God that I am justified by grace through faith! I can never deserve what I have, but God shares it with me anyway. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving! MY job, though, is to work every day of my life to get as close to deserving it as I possibly can. Wow, do I have a long way to go. Praise the Lord!

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3: 23-24

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4 comments on article "Daily Devotion"

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john soller

AMEN Dave


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Heidi Johnson

So true!


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Sarah

David, really enjoyed your reflection. So very true for most of us.


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Danelle Buelsing

I'm right there with you... so undeserving yet so grateful. Thank you for sharing your reflection.

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