5-Day Sermon Devotion

Pastor Nate Widener • May 12, 2025

Sermon by Pastor Nate Widener

Day 1: The Shepherd's Voice

Reading: John 10:22-30

Devotional:  Just as a baby recognizes their mother's voice in the womb, we are called to recognize and respond to the voice of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Today, reflect on how you hear God's voice in your life. Are there times when His voice seems clearer, or when it's harder to discern? Consider how you might "tune in" more intentionally to God's guidance. Remember, Jesus promises that His sheep know His voice. Ask God to sharpen your spiritual hearing and deepen your trust in His leading.


Day 2: Unwavering Love and Protection

Reading: Romans 8:35-39

Devotional:  Pastor Nate's sermon emphasized Christ's promise that no one can snatch us from His hand. This echoes Paul's powerful declaration of God's unstoppable love. Meditate on the depth and breadth of God's love for you. What fears or doubts try to convince you that you're beyond God's reach? Bring these to Him in prayer. Just as a mother's love is fierce and protective, God's love for you is even more so. Rest in the assurance that nothing can separate you from His love.


Day 3: Staying Close to the Flock

Reading: Hebrews 10:24-25

Devotional:  The sermon warned about the danger of wandering away from God's flock. Today's reading reminds us of the importance of Christian community. How has fellowship with other believers strengthened your faith? Are there ways you've drifted from meaningful connections with your church family? Consider one practical step you can take this week to deepen your engagement with your faith community. Remember, we need each other to stay on track with our Good Shepherd.


Day 4: Listening Twice as Much

Reading: James 1:19-25

Devotional:  The advice to "listen twice as much as you speak" aligns with James' wisdom about being quick to listen and slow to speak. In your relationship with God, how much time do you spend talking versus listening? Practice silent meditation on God's Word today. As you read the passage, pause frequently to ask, "Lord, what are You saying to me through this?"


Day 5: God's Presence in Suffering

Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Devotional:  Pastor Nate touched on how a mother comforts her sick child, relating it to God's comfort in our lives. Paul speaks of the God of all comfort, who comforts us so we can comfort others. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's comfort in suffering. How did that experience equip you to help others? If you're currently going through a difficult time, invite God's comforting presence into your pain. Trust that He is with you, just as present and caring as a loving mother with her child. Remember, God provides care through His church as well. Check HERE to see if any of these St. Peter's opportunities could help you.


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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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