St. Stephen Lutheran Church ELCA

St. Stephen Lutheran Church ELCA Please join us Sunday mornings at 9am for Sunday school and 10am for worship!

05/29/2026

The Anchor of Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." — Proverbs 9:10

In our modern context, the word “fear”often conjures images of cowering or terror. However, the Hebrew word used here, “yirah”, carries a much richer weight. It describes a profound sense of awe, reverence, and respect. It is the feeling of standing at the edge of a vast ocean or looking up at a star-filled sky—recognizing your smallness in the presence of something infinitely greater.

Wisdom is more than just "being smart" or having a high IQ. Information is knowing a fact; wisdom is knowing how to live rightly in light of that fact. Proverbs 9:10 suggests that if we don't start with God, our logic will eventually hit a dead end.

When we acknowledge God first, our perspective shifts. Decisions are no longer based solely on "What do I want?" but on "What is true and eternal?”

To fear the Lord is to admit we aren't the center of the universe. This humility is the "soil" in which wisdom grows.

Fearing God actually removes all other fears. If the Creator of the universe is our ultimate authority, the opinions of others or the uncertainties of tomorrow lose their power over us.

Wisdom is a journey, not a destination. We move from simple "knowledge" to true "understanding," understanding takes reflection, reflection takes time to process and learn. When we learn, we grow.

05/28/2026

Heart-Led Giving: A Devotional on 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians shifts the focus of generosity from the “amount” to the “attitude”. In the ancient world, as in ours, giving was often driven by social pressure, guilt, or the desire for recognition. Paul sweeps those away with a single phrase: "what you have decided in your heart."

True biblical generosity isn't a reaction to a high-pressure pitch; it’s a pre-meditated act of worship. It happens in the quiet space between you and God before the plate even passes by.

Paul identifies two specific "heart-killers" that drain the joy out of giving:
“Reluctance:” Giving while looking backward, wishing you could keep the resources for yourself. It’s the "clutched fist" approach.

Giving because you feel you “have” to, or because you’re worried about what others will think. It’s the "guilty conscience" approach.

When we give under these conditions, we might fulfill a duty, but we miss the blessing. God isn't looking for "forced" funds; He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He is looking for a heart that mirrors His own.

We can ask ourselves, “Do I need to give?”, or “Do I get to give?”. When we move to an arena of decided giving, whether that is time, materials, or energy, we are exhibiting the behavior that God wants. Putting Him above our own material possessions, and a life of service of others. Amen.

05/27/2026

The Mind of Christ: A devotion on Philippians 2:5

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."

In this letter to the church of Philippi, Paul is issuing a command that sounds simple, but yet is very profound.

Paul is commanding us to “check our egos at the door” and be a humble servant as Christ was. To replace our pride and self-interest with humility.

Paul defines this mindset through the specific actions Jesus took. To mirror Him, we look at three distinct movements: Emptying, Assuming, and Humbling.

Jesus “emptied” himself of all self-divine prerogatives. He “assumed” the nature of a servant, putting the needs of others above all. He became “humble” and obedient in the face of death as a final act of self sacrifice.

Today, identify one "right" or "privilege" you feel you possess. It might be the right to the last word in an argument, the right to a quiet evening, or the right to recognition for a job well done.

Tomorrow, consciously choose to set that right aside in one specific interaction today, mirroring the humility of the One who set aside everything for you.

05/26/2026

The Two-Fold Work of the Shepherd

Psalm 23:3 provides a profound look at how the "Good Shepherd" handles our internal restoration and our external direction. The verse reads:
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

This verse describes a rhythmic cycle of the spiritual life: the Shepherd brings us inward for healing before leading us outward for service.

“He restores my soul"
In the original Hebrew, the word for "restore" (*shub*) literally means "to bring back" or "to cause to return." For a sheep, this often referred to a "cast" sheep—one that had rolled onto its back and could not get up, leaving it vulnerable to predators and gases.

The Shepherd doesn't just offer a pep talk; He physically reaches down to right us when we are stuck. Restoration isn't about getting back to a "busy" state; it's about the replenishment of your core identity and peace.
“He leads me in paths of righteousness"
Once the soul is upright, the Shepherd provides a map. The "paths of righteousness" were often well-worn, narrow tracks on the hillsides of Judea. Following the Shepherd’s path ensures:

1. Avoiding the steep cliffs of impulsive decisions. Finding the "green pastures" mentioned earlier in the Psalm.
2. Not just walking anywhere, but walking the right way.
3. “for his name’s sake." Our restoration and our right living aren't ultimately about our own reputation. When we are healed and walking well, we become living advertisements for the Shepherd’s skill and character.

Reflection questions:
Where are you "cast"? Is there an area of your life where you feel stuck on your back, unable to right yourself?

Are you following a path you carved out of anxiety, or the one the Shepherd has worn ?

05/25/2026

Shaken and Sent Out

“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." — Acts 4:31

The early church wasn't praying in a vacuum of peace; they were praying under the weight of a death threat. Peter and John had just been hauled before the Sanhedrin, the same council that orchestrated the crucifixion of Jesus, and were commanded never to speak His name again.

When they returned to the believers, they didn't pray for safety or for the removal of their enemies. They prayed for boldness.

God’s response was both physical and spiritual. The ground literally trembled beneath them—a divine "I hear you"—but the more significant tremor happened internally. They were "all filled with the Holy Spirit." This wasn't a one-time conversion; these were people who had already experienced Pentecost. It suggests that new levels of opposition require new fillings of power.

The immediate result of being filled wasn't a private "spiritual high." It was public action. They spoke the word of God with boldness.

We often wait for our circumstances to "settle down" before we feel we can be effective for God. We want the "shaking" in our lives to stop. But in Acts 4, the shaking was the sign that God was moving *within* the storm.

When you feel the pressure of the world pushing you to be silent about your faith—whether at work, in your family, or in the culture—remember that boldness is not a personality trait. It is a gift of the Spirit. Boldness is simply the outward expression of a heart that is more impressed by God's power than by man's threats.

Thanks be to God

05/24/2026

Day of Pentecost - Part 3
The Breath of Peace
John 20:19–23

In the hours following the Resurrection, the disciples weren't celebrating; they were hiding. John tells us the doors were locked "for fear of the Jews." They were trapped in a room defined by trauma, failure, and the terrifying unknown.

Then, Jesus appears. He doesn't knock; he simply “is”. His first words are not a rebuke for their desertion, but a restorative gift: “Peace be with you."

This passage outlines a specific sequence of how God meets us in our own "locked rooms" of anxiety or guilt.

Jesus stands among them. He shows them His hands and side. Their joy is anchored in the reality of His sacrifice, not just a ghost.

He breathes on them and sends them. Fear is replaced by a commission powered by the Holy Spirit.

The most striking image in this text is Jesus “breathing” on them. This is a direct echo of Genesis 2, where God breathes life into the nostrils of the first man.

This is the "New Creation" moment. Just as God breathed physical life into Adam, Jesus breathes spiritual life into the Church. He provides the Spirit/Breath) necessary to fulfill the mission.

We often try to "do" the work of God—forgiving others, sharing the gospel, living rightly—on held breath. We run until we are gasping. But Jesus shows us that the power to forgive and the power to go comes from “inhaling”His Spirit before we “exhale” our effort.

What fear or past failure has you hiding behind a closed door today?

Before you tackle your to-do list or face a difficult person, take a literal breath. Remind yourself: “I do not go in my own strength; I go in the peace He has already spoken over me.”

Thanks be to God

05/23/2026

Day of Pentecost - Part 2

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." — 2 Timothy 1:7

Before Pentecost, the disciples were characterized by isolation and fear. They locked doors. They spoke in whispers. After the Spirit descended, Peter—the same man who denied Jesus to a servant girl—stood before a massive crowd and preached with such "parrhesia" (boldness) that 3,000 people were baptized in a single day.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just give us comfort; He gives us capacity. He takes our limited human ability and infuses it with divine "dunamis" (power).

Pentecost reminds us that we are not orphans left to figure out the Christian life on our ow

Listen for the Wind: Are you moving under your own steam, or are you catching the "wind" of the Spirit

Tend the Fire: Is your passion for God a flickering candle or a steady flame? Ask the Spirit to reignite your heart

Speak the Language: The Spirit enabled them to speak so others could understand. How can you translate God’s love into a language your neighbors, coworkers, or family can understand today?

05/22/2026

Day of Pentecost - Part 1

The Arrival of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-21 marks a pivotal shift from the disciples’ “waiting” to the Church’s “witnessing.” It’s the Holy Spirit’s arrival, transforming a group of fearful men into a global movement.

Pentecost (Shavuot), a significant Jewish harvest festival, was already bustling with pilgrims from across the Mediterranean. God strategically chose this moment of maximum density to deliver a message of unprecedented reach.

For ten days, the disciples had been confined to the Upper Room. Upon the Spirit’s descent, it manifested in three distinct physical forms:

1. A Sound: A violent, rushing wind, reminiscent of the breath of life in Genesis.
2. A Sight: Tongues of fire resting on each person, symbolizing God’s presence transcending the Temple and residing within individuals.
3. A Speech: Speaking in “other tongues,” a reversal of the confusion at the Tower of Babel.

The Holy Spirit’s purpose was not to provide the disciples with a “private experience” but to empower them with a “public voice.”

When the crowd accuses the disciples of being drunk, Peter rises to address the situation with a theological explanation. He cites the prophet Joel, clarifying that this is not a random occurrence but the fulfillment of a divine promise.

The Holy Spirit coming down to everyone means power is no longer limited to kings or prophets, the Spirit’s presence is now accessible to everyone. Breaking down Gender, Generational, and Social-Classes.

We often perceive the Holy Spirit as a quiet, internal whisper. However, in Acts 2, the Spirit is portrayed as “loud, disruptive, and outward-facing.”

If you find yourself feeling “stuck” in your own “Upper Room,” paralyzed by fear or waiting for the “perfect” moment, remember that the Spirit was specifically given to empower those who feel inadequate. The same Spirit that transformed a fisherman’s stutter into a powerful sermon is available to you today. This is truly good news.

Praise be to God

05/21/2026

May 21 Devotional

The core of the Christian life isn't just about trying harder to be "good"—it’s about a change in your primary power source. In Galatians 5:16, Paul offers a definitive solution to the internal tug-of-war we all feel.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

We often treat spiritual growth like a game of "Whac-A-Mole." We see a bad habit or a selfish thought (the "desires of the flesh") and we try to beat it down with sheer willpower. But Paul’s advice is surprisingly different. He doesn't say, "Fight the flesh so that you can find the Spirit." He says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the flesh."

This is the “Principle of Displacement.”Think of a glass filled with air. You don't get the air out by vacuuming it; you get it out by pouring water in. As the water fills the glass, the air is naturally displaced.
In the same way, when you consciously "step into" the Spirit—through prayer, gratitude, and yielding your day to God—the space for selfish or destructive desires physically and spiritually shrinks. The flesh doesn't win because it was "fought" better; it loses because it was replaced by something more satisfying.

It’s a step-by-step process. You don't "walk" 10 miles in one jump; you do it one yard at a time. Walking by the Spirit means asking, "What is the 'Spirit-led' way to handle this specific email, this specific conversation, or this specific moment of frustration?"

You don't have to be strong enough to defeat your “fleshy” nature. You just have to be willing enough to let the Spirit lead the way.

Amen

05/20/2026

May 20th Devotional
Will McFarland confirmation faith statement

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!" – Galatians 1:8.

In this passage from Galatians, we see that Paul wrote about how Christians MUST stick with Jesus’s teachings no matter what. However, we all know from personal experience that it is very easy to stray from Jesus’ teachings. Lots of things can lead you astray and these things aren’t always obvious.

Sometimes you may think, “oh maybe skipping church today isn’t such a bad idea. It’ll be ok!” But that isn’t what God wants us to do. God tells us coming to church on Sunday mornings is what he wants us to do.

Those kinds of thoughts, and even the smallest actions can lead us away from God and what God wants for us.

It is really easy to let other people’s actions lead us astray too. An example of this has happened to me when I was visiting my extended family. We ended up not going to church much of the time I was there. I could have asked to go to church, and my Mimi and Papa would have taken me to their church. But I didn’t ask - so we didn’t go to church.

When Paul mentions different gospels, this can refer to anything that leads us away from what God wants for our lives.

This can include putting material possessions before God. If you have some extra money, and you ask yourself - “should I buy some coffee with it? Or should I donate it to my church?” It is tempting to keep all of the money for ourselves.

What we want to do may not be the best option. Sometimes what we want isn’t what God wants for us.

It’s also important to mention, Paul tells us that even if AN ANGEL preaches to us another gospel, we must not listen. You might be thinking, really Paul, an angel? But he's right, and it would not be the first time it’s happened! Think about all of the trouble Adam and Eve got into in the Garden of Eden!

Or think about what happened to Jesus, he was tempted by Satan 3 times. It has happened to many others as well. And guess what? Satan had been an angel.

Its struggles like these that can shape our lives and our faiths. They can make us stronger Christians if we let them.

I feel that without my faith, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. My faith in God has carried me through some of my hardest times, and I can't be more grateful.

I plan to keep coming to Sunday school and church - even after I am confirmed. I know we can never learn too much about God and I want to keep learning about God.

It’s great being able to share my faith and I love being able to help other people like during our monthly Ronald McDonald House visits and when I help at church.

I want to keep growing as a Christian and I hope you will join me!

- Will McFarland

Address

5903 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY
40291

Telephone

+15022397778

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