Max Lucado tells the story - I like the story of the father who was teaching His three-year-old daughter the Lord's Prayer. She would repeat the lines after him. Finally, she decided to go solo. He listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer. "Lead us not into temptation," she prayed, "but deliver us from e-mail."
From "Anxious For Nothing," page 82
(Jesus) perfect keeping of the Law for us is starkly demonstrated in Gethsemane: "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but Your will be done." (Jesus) both kept the First Commandment and suffered the punishment we deserve for our not keeping it.
Matthew Harrison, "Why I Am Joy:Fully Lutheran" page 14
God's will is your forgiveness. God's will is that His forgiveness ring in your ears so that you believe and rejoice that the blood of His Son has answered for your every sin...
From "Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey," page 90
I'm reading a book entitled, "Where Nobody Knows Your Name." It tells about what baseball players go through when they either never get to the major leagues or get called up to the big team only to be sent down. Some players have had this happen to them multiple times. One player said that he dreads seeing a particular coach. This coach is the guy who informs the player that the manager wants to see him. And that usually means bad news.
Uncertainty is a tough thing to deal with. When we find ourselves in such situations, it creates anxiety and worry. The future doesn't seem clear. And it's not only baseball players who have to deal with uncertainly.
We can face this feeling at work - "with the cutbacks, will I still have my job?" At the doctor's office - "They said the test was no big deal. If that's the case, why did I have to have the test in the first place?" Family finances - "our son starts college this fall; do we have enough money to pay his way?"
Fortunately, there is no uncertainty with God's promises. God's Word does what it says. For example, we never have to wonder if we are forgiven of our sins. 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, God forgives and cleanses us from our unrighteousness. Is God near to us? Matthew 28:20 assures us that God is with us to the very end of the age. John 3:16 reminds us that our salvation is not up for grabs, so to speak. Whoever believes in Jesus will have everlasting life.
There are plenty of things in this life that cannot be guaranteed. There are some situations that will leave us hanging, so to speak. But not with God. We can be certain of every promise He has made. We have His Word on it!
Where God has placed His name, He has placed Himself.
William Weedon, "Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey," page 31
My friend, Suzanne, passed away on Saturday morning.
For as long as I've known her, she has always suffered with her health. In and out of the hospital more times than I can count. She had many more bad days than good ones. Life was a struggle and it was difficult to watch her suffer.
In the life of every pastor there are people who are a source of encouragement. Suzanne was one of those people for me. Things that I took for granted, like visiting her in the hospital or having a prayer with her over the phone were things that she cherished and she let me know it. When I retired, she was disappointed but she still made me feel like I was doing the right thing.
Last September, she and Jim took me out for my birthday. Knowing my love for the Beatles, she gave me a book of their lyrics and a prized record album from her collection. Her thoughtfulness was touching and something I won't soon forget.
My heart goes out to her husband, Jim. He had seen Suzanne through so many of her health issues. Jim is dealing with his own health issues right now so this is doubly hard for him. Keep him in your prayers.
In the book of Revelation, we have the words, "Blessed are they who die in the Lord." Through all her many trials, Suzanne kept trusting in her Lord and Savior. Now she is resting in the arms of Jesus, waiting for the great day of the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting. Then we'll see a new Suzanne - no more pain and no more tears.
What a day that will be. Come, Lord Jesus.
