Statistics show that churches in America have been in steady decline for years. While fewer people are going to church, many are still looking for a spiritual community; a place to belong, a place to connect with God, and a place to grow as an individual. Often times, people are not connected with a spiritual community because they simply do not know where to look, or they don’t feel comfortable engaging a new community by themselves. 

Verse for Meditation: Psalms 95:1

Action: Tell a friend why you participate in a spiritual community, then ask them to join you this week. Don’t be pushy or condescending but try and begin a conversation where your friend will feel comfortable asking questions.  Our weekly live-stream service (on www.bethanylive.org) is perhaps the easiest way ever to invite someone to experience your community of faith.

Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds and second for 24- to 35-year-olds? That is a scary reality. And every suicide affects at least 6 people surrounding the person. It can be one of the toughest things to try and make sense of and can stir up big questions about the presence of God in the lives of both the victim and their social network. 

It is so sad to consider that a person can feel such despair that to them death seems the only solution.  

Verse for Meditation: Romans 8:39

Action: Today, pray for those contemplating a decision like this; that they would find the  hope, care, and support they need. Pray also for the families and friends of those left to face the pain after such a loss.

Reading through this devotional can feel a bit overwhelming.  There are so many needs in our world and becoming aware of all this pain and struggle can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless.  

Every Wednesday of this Lenten journey we will pause from our usual “World in Need” devotionals and instead invite you to simply rest and reflect.  

Verse for Meditation: Psalm 56:3

Action: Take time today to remind yourself that God can be trusted, that God is in control.  That while the world is filled with need, it is also filled with the Presence and love of God.  

Conflict is a reality in all of our lives. Countries are at war; we experience conflicts in our day to day lives at work and at home; we get in a disagreement with someone on our drive home etc. etc. Sometimes we may even feel like we are at spiritual war. In all of these situations, it can be difficult to find our connection with God.

And yet, at the heart of Christianity is a clear message of reconciliation. Through Jesus Christ we have forever been reconciled to God and in light of and in response to this gracious truth we are called to work for reconciliation in the world.

Verse for Meditation: Colossians 3:13

Action: Reflect on your life. Think about the areas that are in need of reconciliation. It may be a relationship – whether its with God, a friend, a relative, or a co-worker. It may be ways that you need to reconcile with yourself or a situation. Give special attention to one of these areas today, ask God to help you to find peace with the situation.

The life of faith is not always easy. Often times, even despite our best efforts we can find ourselves in a spiritual desert, feeling disconnected and detached from God. These spiritual deserts are no fault of our own, they spring up without warning and can leave us feeling sacred, alone, and depressed. Often times, the best remedy for these times is to simply commit oneself to a spiritual practice. Even if the change does not come immediately, the commitment to continually seeking connection with God can move us from our desert times. 

Verse for Meditation: Matthew 6:33

Action: Try a spiritual practice you have never tried before. A simple Google search can turn up dozens of possibilities, but also know that the Bethany Together 4 Good Podcast often posts episodes that describe different spiritual practices. You can find a list of all the podcast episodes at www.anchor.fm/bethanydenver    

The first article of the Apostles’ Creed states: “I believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth.” Have you ever thought about the implications of this statement? If we really believe that God created the entirety of this world then care for the planet should be a chief concern of all Christians. Unfortunately, the effects of pollution continually harm God’s creation and the long-term impact of our collective negligence is still largely unknown.

Verse for Meditation: Nehemiah 9:6

Action: Today, fast from driving your car. Ride a bike, take the bus, or simply walk to the places you need to go. View this sacrifice as a form of worship and an honoring of God the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Over 26% of Americans suffer from a mental illness during a given year. But, mental illness effects not only an individual but their family and friends as well. Often times the road to recover is an extremely difficult and long process that can feel hopeless.  

While mental illness is immensely complicated, as with all illnesses, sometimes messages of hope can provide great comfort and relief.  

Verse for Meditation: Romans 15:13

Action: As we reflect on the difficulties of mental illness, take time to look at this website, and read some of the stories of those who are struggling or have struggled with mental illness. Pray for them as well as their family and friends who are affected, that all might find hope amidst their circumstances.  https://www.nami.org/Personal-Stories

Denver is home to many different races and nationalities. Unfortunately, Denver is not immune to racism and bigotry. Dozens of factors contribute to this climate of intolerance, and much is being done to combat our city’s racism and segregation.  

In Leviticus 19:34, God gives the Israelites this instruction: “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." 

This verse invites the Israelites to remember their history, and the ways that God had cared for them when they were foreigners enslaved in Egypt.  Through remembering, they are thus called to have compassion for those who now live as strangers in a foreign land.  

Verse for Meditation: Leviticus 19:34

Action: Take time today to reflect on the prevalence of racism in our community, as well as God’s instructions to the Israelites in Leviticus 19.

Reading through this devotional can feel a bit overwhelming.  There are so many needs in our world and becoming aware of all this pain and struggle can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless.  

Every Wednesday of this Lenten journey we will pause from our usual “World in Need” devotionals and instead invite you to simply rest and reflect.  

Verse for Meditation: Mark 5:36b

Action:  Take time today to remind yourself that God can be trusted, that God is in control.  That while the world is filled with need, it is also filled with the Presence and love of God.  

In our lives of faith, doubt is often characterized in a negative way, however the word ‘faith’ presupposes that some of this will be hard to believe and will need to be taken on ‘faith’.  Rather than ignoring or denying our doubts, it can be very important to wrestle with our questions. 

Philosopher and Author Peter Rollins leads an experience every year called “Atheism for Lent” where he invites people to spend these 40 sacred days of Lent as a time to challenge and question their beliefs and in so emerge from Lent with a faith that is reformed and refined.  

Verse for Meditation: Hebrews 11:1

Action: Take time to journal about doubts. Pray about it and refer back to it occasionally, see what God might be trying to teach you through these questions.

In our world of personalization, and individualization, loneliness is a growing issue. Many have become unknowingly isolated by technology and our digital way of life. 

 As we see our world move further and further in this direction it is poignant to note all the times that those in scripture willingly chose to isolate themselves in order to grow closer to God.   At six different points in the scripture we are told that Jesus went away by himself to pray.   Clearly, time alone does not have to be a destructive experience.  

Verse for Meditation:  Psalm 37:7a

Action: Today, take 20 minutes of prayer and silence in an effort to reclaim your alone time. Challenge yourself to see this not as a time of isolation and loneliness but as a time of solitude and strength.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, Hunger is defined as “a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat.“ For many, this feeling can quickly be quelled with a trip to the refrigerator. However, critical hunger and malnutrition is a growing problem facing an estimated 1 in 8 people around the world. (Specifically chronic undernourishment, as of 2012, source: http://www.worldhunger.org/)

Church historians have found that caring for the hungry was a key commitment of the early Christian Church and this commitment has continued to be a focus of Christians for 2000 years.

Verse for Meditation: Luke 3:11

Action: Today, as we consider those struggling with these situations, we challenge you to skip a meal. As your stomach rumbles and reminds you of your hunger, instead of running to the refrigerator, let it be a time to meditate and pray for those who are unable to eat today, not by choice.