5-Day Devotion

Pastor Nate Widener • March 31, 2025

Sermon by Pastor Nate Widener

Day 1: The Father's Unconditional Love

Reading: Luke 15:11-24 

Devotional: The parable of the Prodigal Son beautifully illustrates God's unconditional love for us. Like the father in the story, God eagerly awaits our return, no matter how far we've strayed. Reflect on times when you've felt distant from God. How does it feel to know that He's always ready to welcome you back with open arms? Today, meditate on God's endless love and forgiveness. How might this change the way you approach Him in prayer or view yourself as His child?


Day 2: The Journey of Repentance

Reading: Psalm 51:1-12 

Devotional: The Prodigal Son's journey home began with a moment of self-realization and repentance. David's psalm echoes this sentiment, crying out to God for forgiveness and renewal. Consider areas in your life where you may need to turn back to God. What's holding you back from fully surrendering those areas? Remember, true repentance isn't just feeling sorry, but actively turning away from sin and towards God. Take time today to confess any sins weighing on your heart, trusting in God's promise of forgiveness and restoration.


Day 3: The Gift of Grace

Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 

Devotional: Just as the father in the parable freely restored his son's status, God offers us salvation by grace alone. We can't earn it, and we certainly don't deserve it. Yet, He gives it freely. How does this truth challenge or comfort you? Reflect on the "robe of righteousness" and the "ring of acceptance" Pastor Nate mentioned in the sermon. These symbols represent our full restoration as God's children. How might embracing your identity in Christ change the way you live and interact with others today?


Day 4: Celebration and Gratitude

Reading: Colossians 3:12-17 

Devotional: The father's response to his son's return was to throw a joyous celebration. Similarly, heaven rejoices when we turn to God. How often do you celebrate God's forgiveness and grace in your life? Paul encourages us to let thankfulness rule in our hearts. Today, make a list of specific ways God has shown you grace and forgiveness. How can you express your gratitude, not just in words, but in actions? Consider how you might "sacrifice your fattened calf" - offering your best to God in worship and service.


Day 5: Living as the Forgiven

Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 

Devotional: Having experienced God's forgiveness, we're called to live as new creations in Christ. The Prodigal Son was restored not just in status, but for a purpose. As God's ambassadors, we're entrusted with the message of reconciliation. How can you reflect God's forgiveness in your relationships today? Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? Remember, we forgive because we've been forgiven. Ask God to help you extend the same grace to others that He has shown you.


News & Notes

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By Pastor Adam McDowell July 7, 2025
I want to share a story, actually several stories. I remember when I was young in Tulsa, Oklahoma and in Fredericktown, Missouri, of going up to the altar rail with my parents and receiving a blessing from my pastor. I remember sticking my head in between the posts on the altar rail and the pastor giving me a blessing. I don't exactly remember the words, but I knew it was important and I wanted that blessing. I remember in confirmation learning about what the pastor was actually saying, what those words actually meant. To understand what God was saying in his scriptures and growing in it. Overall, just being absolutely amazed at what my pastors, Pastor Sean and Pastor Beering were teaching me and knowing God better and just the joyfulness of it. And I remember Lyndi going through confirmation, adult confirmation, with Pastor Schueler in Rosenberg, Texas, and then seeing from her eyes what it meant to be Lutheran, to understand the faith. I had grown up in the Lutheran church, so it was all ordinary for me, but for her it was extraordinary to know and to understand and have that time with a pastor. And I'm so thankful for the pastors in my life and all of the other church workers that have been a part of my life who have helped me to understand who God is. I mentioned in this weekend’s sermon that there's an initiative, a program through the LCMS called Set Apart to Serve. It points out that we have a lack of pastors, teachers, and other church workers. Set Apart to Serve reminds us that the Lord asks us to pray for laborers for the harvest, and I encourage you to pray for laborers for the harvest. To pray for those that teach us who God is and to help us to understand how much we need him. If you happen to know some young people considering church work or being pastors, pray for them, encourage them. God has gifted them to us to answer our questions. Pray fervently that the Lord would send workers into his harvest so that we know him. Keep that in your prayers. I encourage you to look for people who would be good to take God's calling into his church. May the Lord provide workers for His harvest that we may know God and how richly He blesses us. Amen.
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