This fall, Bethany's Confirmation class has been exploring the major themes of the Bible and reflecting on stories that reveal the larger story God is telling through scripture. These devotionals follow that same path, inviting you to pause, reflect, and discover how each theme connects to your own journey of faith.
Egypt | Suffering | Wednesday
While in Egypt, the Israelites built bricks day after day after day. Seven days a week for 52 weeks a year for over 400 years they made bricks in the hot, hot Egyptian sun while slave drivers violently kept them on task. But God saw their suffering and pain and God sent help.
Through a burning bush in the wilderness, God called Moses to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites from slavery to freedom and eventually to the promised land. Every year at Passover, Jewish people tell this story of liberation and freedom and they remember that God still sees our pain and sends healing.
The hymn below reflects this very idea. Take time to use these words as a prayer, or if you like, listen to the recording at
(https:/tinyurl.com/7WondersDevo3) and find hope in this promise: that God sees our suffering and can bring peace beyond our sorrow.
Healer of our every ill,
Light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
1. You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness.
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts (Refrain)
2. In the pain and joy beholding
how your grace is still unfolding,
give us all your vision, God of love (Refrain)
3. Give us strength to love each other,
every sister, every brother.
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide (Refrain)
4. You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing.
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart. (Refrain)
Egypt | Suffering | Wednesday
While in Egypt, the Israelites built bricks day after day after day. Seven days a week for 52 weeks a year for over 400 years they made bricks in the hot, hot Egyptian sun while slave drivers violently kept them on task. But God saw their suffering and pain and God sent help.
Through a burning bush in the wilderness, God called Moses to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites from slavery to freedom and eventually to the promised land. Every year at Passover, Jewish people tell this story of liberation and freedom and they remember that God still sees our pain and sends healing.
The hymn below reflects this very idea. Take time to use these words as a prayer, or if you like, listen to the recording at
(https:/tinyurl.com/7WondersDevo3) and find hope in this promise: that God sees our suffering and can bring peace beyond our sorrow.
Healer of our every ill,
Light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
1. You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness.
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts (Refrain)
2. In the pain and joy beholding
how your grace is still unfolding,
give us all your vision, God of love (Refrain)
3. Give us strength to love each other,
every sister, every brother.
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide (Refrain)
4. You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing.
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart. (Refrain)
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2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...God, I wonder aboutThe Book of Hebrews - The Grand Story of SalvationBlessed Jesus, help me to let go ofHoly Jesus, we pray for your church
April
Preserving Lord, save me fromAwesome God, I am amazed byThe Joy of LentThe Book of 2nd Samuel - God's Redemptive PowerCompassionate God, I Weep ForThe Book of Acts - Being the ChurchPalm Sunday Spoken WordGenerous God, open my eyes to see...God, I needCursing the Fig Tree Spoken WordMaundy Thursday Spoken WordGood Friday Spoken WordHoly Saturday Spoken WordThe Book of 1st Kings - Wisdom and DivisionSing - Practice ResurrectionClean - Practice ResurrectionDo a Good Deed - Practice ResurrectionGrieve - Practice ResurrectionGive Thanks - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of Romans - The Saving Work of GodLive BoldlyPlant - Practice ResurrectionForgive Yourself - Practice ResurrectionCare for a friend - Practice Resurrection
May
Enjoy a Good Meal - Practice ResurrectionListen to Music - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Kings - Hope in ExileWorship - Practice ResurrectionAppreciate Art - Practice ResurrectionLaughter HelpsDrink Water - Practice ResurrectionWatch a Sunset - Practice ResurrectionStretch - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Corinthians - Hope in the TurmoilThe Lord is My ShepherdBreathe - Practice ResurrectionRead - Practice ResurrectionCreate - Practice ResurrectionWalk or Run - Practice ResurrectionCall a Friend - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Chronicles - God's Presence in HistoryLove in ActionFor Aging GracefullyForgive - Practice ResurrectionLearn - Practice ResurrectionWash - Practice ResurrectionExplore - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Corinthians - The Importance of ReconciliationGod Our ParentAdvocate - Practice ResurrectionLight a Candle - Practice ResurrectionTaste - Practice ResurrectionTake a Nap - Practice ResurrectionDonate - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Chronicles - Consequences of Unfaithfulness
June
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