What God's grace does for you

God's grace opened my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my heart to hold my Savior.

"Together With Jesus" devotional, October 19

Norman Nagel on All Saints Day

When Jesus cries, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" have God and Lamb come apart, opposite each other? Yes, for the Lamb is where we are, opposite God, in our place as sinners.  He bears our punishment of sin, the forsakenness of God.  Anyone bearing his or her own sin is finally lost, but not Jesus.  He is bearing not His own sin, but ours; He is not opposite God, but doing the saving will of the Father.  He won't let us go, and He won't let me let go of God.  Out of the ultimate darkness of ultimate death comes the cry, "It is finished."  Jesus is through.  He has done it.  Then He goes through the little death also.  The one who was crucified, the Lamb who was slain, is the risen one who sits on "the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:3).  From that throne God is for us as the Lamb is for us, no other God for us but as He is for us as the Lamb.

"Selected Sermons of Norman Nagel," page 315

C.S. Lewis Wisdom

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.

C.S. Lewis, from "Mere Christianity," as quoted in "Narrative Apologetics," page 85

Living Beyond Pain

It is impossible to live without hope.  Especially those who suffer from chronic pain.

For years doctors and psychiatrists have liberally prescribed opioids for those seriously hurting.  Many received the relief they were seeking.  But many of those became hooked on opioids.  Long after they were needed, the addicted did anything to get another prescription, to take another dose.

Those who find themselves hooked but want to those pills behind them will find hope in "Living Beyond Pain."  

Drs. Mintle and Kribs are experts in the field of helping people overcome opioide addiction.  Those reading this book will find Mintle and Kribs serving as cheerleaders, offering real and practical advice for dealing with pain by implementing techniques and provide hope to keep on living.

Are you living in chronic pain? Know someone who is suffering? Find this book and receive hope!

Why is suffering hard?

"Suffering is unbearable if you aren't certain that God is for you and with you."

Timothy Keller, as quoted in "Narrative Apologetics," by Alister McGrath (page not noted)

In need of reformation

I was there in Wittenberg.  It was 2011 and Life in Christ church allowed me to take time for a three-month renewal.  Sherri and I spent one of those months traveling throughout Europe, attending arts and music festivals.  But along the way we were able to spend almost three days in Martin Luther's town.

We found our way to the Castle Church.  "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was painted around the large spire, seen no matter where you stood in the city.  Finally, there it was  - the door, the door where Luther nailed the 95 Theses and, without intending to do so, launched the reformation of the church.

While admiring the church and the door, I was struck with a thought, one that came by surprise - "I am in need of reformation too."

Like Paul (see Romans 1:16) I am a "chief sinner."  Since Psalm 139 tells me that God knows me through and through, I might as well admit my condition - I am a poor, miserable sinner.  It's unbelievable how often my thoughts, words and deeds are totally out of alignment with God's will for my life.

How about you? Can you relate? If you had to stand before God and offer your best to Him, what could you give.  The Scriptures teach that our good works are like filthy rags before our Holy Lord (see Isaiah 64:6).

Luther might have started the Reformation; there is nothing either you or I can do to bring reformation to our own lives.

So, God did the reforming for us.

His reformation plan centered around the redemption that Jesus brought about.  Jesus bought us back, paid for us not with the Discover Card but with His own blood.  His shed blood covered our sins.  His resurrection spelled death for death and the devil.  On the third day Jesus rose from the dead.  On the Last Day we, too, with all who believed that Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life,"(John 14:6)  will rise from the dead as well.

All those who have placed their faith in Jesus are "a new creation."  (2 Corinthians 5:17)  God no longer sees the "old, pre-Christ person," as one Bible commentator puts it. God no longer sees us as a sinner.  We are a new creation, we have new life in Christ, and we have the Holy Spirit doing His sanctifying work in us through the wonderful means of grace - Word, Baptism, Supper.

One can't visit Wittenberg and then leave without a sense of awe.  The sacrifices Luther made to call out a church that had totally lost the Gospel nearly cost the reformer his life.  But maybe more important is Luther's bold proclamation that a person is saved by grace along, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.

It's all about Jesus, isn't it? Celebrate His redeeming and reforming work in you today!

Feeling appreciated, a priceless gift!

Life in Christ congregation is a generous group of people.  Each year when Pastor Appreciation Month rolls around, Sherri and I are blessed with numerous calls, cards and gifts.  Movie tickets and restaurant gift cards are so nice.  But it's the greeting cards and notes that come with the gifts.  The kind and uplifting words of appreciation from those you serve mean more than a person will ever know.

This past Sunday, included in the Attendance Cards, was a yellow offering envelope; we put these in the chair backs and if a person wants to give an offering they can grab the envelope, insert their gift and place it in the offering plate.

This particular yellow envelope didn't have a financial gift inside.  But it contained a priceless gift anyway.

Written on the outside of the card was the following:

Giv        To  Pastor

Thank you!

You are one of my best friend

 I don't know who wrote this note.  I don't need to know.  It was enough to know that one of the children of the church appreciates me and considers me their friend (one of their best!).

Do you need to hear someone call you a friend today? If so, turn to John, chapter 15 and read verses 9-17.  Jesus calls you His friend.  You are such a special friend to Jesus that He "laid down His life" for you.  Jesus laid down his life so that you can be certain that your sins are paid for and that you will live with Jesus forever in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus is a priceless friend.  He treats us right.  Jesus has withheld nothing from us.  He has made known to us everything He has learned from His Father.  And the Father and Son have sent us the Holy Spirit, the Teacher who will continue to teach us everything we need to know and believe so that we find joy in serving our Friend and Savior, Jesus.

In fact, if you have yet prayed this morning, why not start out like this: Thank You, Jesus! You are one of my best friends, the best friend I could ever have!