5-Day Devotion

Pastor Adam McDowell • July 7, 2025

Sermon by Pastor Adam McDowell

Day 1: Proclaiming God's Peace

Reading: Luke 10:1-12

Devotional:  Jesus sent out 72 disciples to proclaim peace and the nearness of God's kingdom. As we read this passage, let's reflect on the rich gift God has given to us: He has called people to bring His peace and kingdom into our lives. Think back to those who have impacted your faith life and give God thanks for His work through them. How did these people help you to understand God better?


Day 2: Knowing God Intimately

Reading: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Devotional:  The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that our greatest boast should be in knowing and understanding God. As we meditate on this passage, let's examine our own relationship with God. How are we seeking to know Him more deeply each day? Reflect on God's steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. How have you experienced these attributes of God in your life? Take time to praise God for His character and ask Him to reveal more of Himself through His word to you today.


Day 3: The Joy of Salvation

Reading: Luke 10:17-20

Devotional:  When the disciples returned from their mission, Jesus reminded them that their greatest joy should be that their names are written in heaven. This speaks to the assurance of our salvation through Christ. As you read this passage, consider the incredible gift of eternal life that God has given us. How does this assurance impact your daily life and decisions? Reflect on the times when you've been tempted to find your identity or joy in earthly accomplishments rather than in your relationship with God. Thank God for the gift of salvation and ask Him to help you live each day with the joy of knowing your name is written in heaven.


Day 4: God's Comfort in Suffering

Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Devotional:  The sermon touched on difficult questions and hard truths, including the reality of loss and suffering. This passage reminds us that God comforts us in all our troubles, enabling us to comfort others. As you read, reflect on times when you've experienced God's comfort in the midst of pain or loss. How has God used those experiences to equip you to minister to others? Consider someone in your life who might be struggling and pray about how you can extend God's comfort to them today.


Day 5: Called to Serve

Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16

Devotional:  The sermon highlighted various roles within the church, all working together to build up the body of Christ. As you read this passage, consider your own gifts and calling. How is God inviting you to serve in His kingdom work? Reflect on the importance of unity and mutual support within the church community. How can you encourage and support others in their spiritual growth and service? Pray for discernment in recognizing your role in the body of Christ and for the courage to step into that calling fully.


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Most of us are familiar with Jesus’ parable of the Samaritan which was the text for Pastor McDowell’s sermon this past weekend. In the training for our Friends of Faith program, we use a slightly modernized version of the story. This version comes from the The Companionship Movement℗ training materials.  A person is beaten, bloody, and unconscious on the side of the road. A pastor comes along, sees the person, and hurries by on the other side of the road. Likewise, a law professor walks along and sees the unconscious man. She stops for a moment, shakes her head, and then rushes by. Soon after, an undocumented woman sees the man and rushes over to see if he is breathing. He is. She picks up her phone to call the police but pauses, considering what might happen to her if she does. The woman calls 911 for an aid car, despite the risk. Riding with the man to the emergency room, she gets him admitted to the hospital and assures him that she will visit him tomorrow. In our training, we certainly talk about how the woman who is providing care is truly loving her neighbor, helping others even if it means risk to her. Then we take a deeper look at the two who did not stop. What is your initial reaction to the pastor and law professor? What if you learned that the pastor was running late to conduct a seminar at his church on domestic violence? How might your opinion change if you knew the law professor is on her way to testify to city council regarding the uptick of homelessness in the city. The goal of this exercise is that we are not to judge the care that others are able to provide but to consider the care that we ourselves can provide. You might not be able to lead a seminar, testify at city council, provide counseling, or heal a wound. However, you may be able to walk alongside someone who is struggling, not fixing the problem but simply showing love and compassion. Notice in our story that the woman does not attempt to provide medical care for the person. She instead guides him to the resources he needs. Companionship, compassion, and love are the focus of our Friends of Faith program. Individuals within our St. Peter’s family have been trained to walk alongside someone in need. They simply listen when someone needs a friend. If you would like to be a part of the Friends of Faith program, please reach out to Pastor Nate or Michelle Leahy (mleahy@stpetersfw.org or 749-5816). One final point about our Samaritan story, our woman who was able to provide help could only do so because she was paying attention. Had she been rushing through her day, thinking only of herself and her task list, she might never have seen the unconscious man. If you really pay attention to the people around you, you will likely find many who need care. The St. Peter’s Community of Care has a wide variety of resources we can offer to help when others are in need. You can be a Good Samaritan, connecting someone in need with resources that can help. For assistance with this, please contact the church office, either pastor, or Michelle Leahy.
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You are invited!