Month: May 2026

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PWTE Daily Devotion

All We Need

by Kala Loptien

Prepared for what’s next

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3: 5-6, English Standard Version

I keep noting a recurring theme in my Bible readings: God provides what we need for what’s next. When life feels challenging, the road appears to end or an obstacle stands in the way (Israelites), He makes a way. When we are unsure how to face our Goliaths, we’re given the necessary tools (David). When we feel ill-equipped to lead others or use our voice, He offers the assistance of others and gives us strength (Moses & Aaron). Opportunities may feel overwhelming. We may wonder if we are the right person. Then He reminds us that perhaps we were created for such a time (Esther). Our past scoresheets may tip in favor of errors (Saul). Our tallies of doubt, denial and fear-filled moments might outnumber the times we’ve been still enough to trust and obey (Disciples).

We read about the Lord’s purpose for all of these incredible, God-fearing people in His Word. God equips them to be triumphant in their callings. But also notice He is intentional to include some backstory, along with their fears, doubts, stumbles and flat-out failures. This is for our benefit. Not only can we relate with these flawed people, we see how God uses them for His good purpose. It is His power perfected in weakness. Because His grace is sufficient, it is all that we need (2 Cor. 12:9) Through trials and triumphs, all of these warriors recognized the Lord was with them, making a way, giving them strength to face any giant. The Lord gives provision and guidance for what’s ahead.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Isaiah 30: 21, English Standard Version

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Miracles

By Katy Mariotti

Help Our Unbelief!

“And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24

The picture today needs some explaining.  Recently my son needed to come to choir rehearsal with me.  While I directed the choir he occupied himself by throwing a ball around.  When rehearsal ended he came to me much chagrined, to tell me he’d thrown the ball up high and it had become stuck on top of a beam.  I came to look and sure enough, there was the ball, up far higher than I was able to reach.  I looked around for a long stick but did not find one, and then I had the idea that maybe we could throw something else to knock the ball down.  I found a ball and my son started throwing.  Amazingly, after only a couple tries, he landed the ball right next to the original ball!  It made us laugh- what are the odds that he could aim that well and that another ball would stick in just the same place? Although slightly frustrating, it felt a little miraculous too.

How often do we experience miracles?  How often do we expect them?  I know I approach life with a certain amount of skepticism.  I certainly don’t expect miracles to happen.  To be honest with you, sometimes I feel a little hopeless when I pray for something that feels miraculous.

But God tells us that faith can move mountains.  In this verse from Mark, a man whose son was possessed asks for help from Jesus, saying “IF you can…” and Jesus responds that ALL things are possible for one who believes.  All things!

Today I pray for us to expect miracles.  I also want to point out that my dad offered to bring something to help get the ball down, and a coworker also got up on a ladder with a very long pole to get both balls down.  Sometimes miracles are the people around us.  Let’s notice the miracles we already have too!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Just Breathe

by Pastor Mark Moreno

God Has Got You!

One time when I was in Africa, I had the first and only panic attack of my life. I remember it pretty vividly: I was walking down a flight of stairs and my eyes were adjusting from walking out of a building. It was blazing hot and I could see the caked dirt below and hear the sound of my feet going down each step. I think I was light headed as well!

Then this feeling swept over me and I kept repeating the phrase, “I’ve got to get outta here” in my head. I felt a tightness in my chest and I remember thinking, “Just breathe”. The moment passed and I felt so much better. But even in the midst of that attack, it was all emotion, I remember thinking how irrational the whole thing was. But that didn’t matter. What mattered in that moment was the overwhelming feeling.

Have you had a moment like that? A moment where you felt like you just had to get out of the situation or place you were in? There is a Psalm about that! Psalm 46 begins:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”

That Psalm seems to have been written on a pretty hard day. I almost wish I could encourage the writer by saying, “Just breathe!”. But even more importantly, the Psalm offers comfort of it’s own in later verses. It ends with, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress”.

We need a rock when we feel anxious and panicked about this world and life. I am so thankful that the text I went to in Africa was Psalm 46. It pointed me to the fact that I wasn’t alone: God had people in that spot with me and He was THERE.

While I have only had one panic attack (at least as far as I know), I have had SEVERAL moments in life where I felt a bit overwhelmed and need to remember (or be reminded!) that God is my rock and sure salvation, even in a bad or challenging moment.

I encourage you to remember that those moments will pass, and that God Himself is with you and is your fortress!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado