5-Day Sermon Devotion

Pastor Adam McDowell • June 16, 2025

Sermon by Pastor Adam McDowell

Day 1: The Majesty of God's Creation

Reading: Psalm 8:1-9

Devotional: As we read Psalm 8, we're reminded of the vastness of God's creation and our place within it. Just as Pastor McDowell marveled at the complexity of the Mizar and Alcor star system, take time today to observe the intricacies of nature around you. Reflect on how, despite the enormity of the universe, God is mindful of you. How does this realization impact your view of yourself and your relationship with God? Today, practice gratitude for God's personal care in your life, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel.


Day 2: The Mystery of the Trinity

Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Devotional: The concept of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - is indeed beyond our full comprehension, as Pastor McDowell noted. Yet, this mystery doesn't diminish its truth or impact on our lives. The Small Catechism helps us to understand the impact God has in our lives by describing the characteristics of God. As you read about Jesus commissioning His disciples and look at the Small Catechism's teaching on the Apostle's Creed, consider how each person of the Trinity is involved in your own faith journey. How has God the Father created and sustained you? How has God the Son redeemed you? How does God the Holy Spirit guide and comfort you? Embrace the mystery today, and thank God for revealing Himself to us in ways we can relate to, even if we can't fully understand.


Day 3: God's Mindfulness of Humanity

Reading: Genesis 1:26-31, 1 Peter 1:18-19

Devotional: Today's reading reminds us that we are God's greatest creation, made in His image. Despite our failings and brokenness, God still considers us precious. Reflect on times when you've felt small or worthless. Now, contrast those feelings with the truth of how God sees you. How does this change your self-perception? Today, strive to see yourself and others through God's eyes - as valuable creations worthy of love and respect.


Day 4: Christ's Humility and Sacrifice

Reading: Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 2:5-18

Devotional: The sermon spoke of Christ being made "a little lower than the heavenly beings" to become our Savior. These passages in Philippians and Hebrews expand on that idea, showing the depths of Christ's humility in taking on human form. Meditate on the magnitude of this sacrifice. The infinite God became finite, the immortal took on mortality, all for love of you. How does this sacrificial love challenge you to live differently? Consider one way you can emulate Christ's humility in your interactions with others today.


Day 5: God's Word in Our Mouths

Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11

Devotional: Pastor McDowell mentioned how God gives us His word to speak, even comparing us to "babes and infants" in our ability to comprehend His greatness. Yet, God's Word is powerful, accomplishing His purposes regardless of our limitations. As you read Isaiah 55, reflect on the power of God's Word in your life. How has God's Word brought comfort, conviction, or change to you? Today, be intentional about speaking God's truth and love to others, trusting that His Word will not return empty.

News & Notes

By Tim Degen July 7, 2025
You are invited!
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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