Do you worry?

If so, join us this Sunday at LICL.  Come and hear what Jesus has to say about the value of worrying. Sunday at 8, 9:30 or 11 am (or attend worship this afternoon at 5 pm).

God bless your day!

Walking across Abbey Road

In 2011, Sherri and I walked in the footsteps of the most famous band in popular music history.  Yesterday, was the 50th anniversary of the day the Beatles were photographed for the cover of the Abbey Road album.  Six photographs were taken of the Fab Four as they went back and forth across the street.  I am barefoot a la Paul McCartney.  After that, we walked over to Paul McCartney's home in St. John's Wood.  He wasn't home.

What counts the most?

It is not ability but faithfulness that counts.

Fredrich Zundel

Preach the Gospel and use words!

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...  Romans 1:16

It is St. Francis who is to have said, "Go out today and preach the Gospel...and if you must, use words."  It is such a nice thought.  Our loving works done for our family, friends and neighbors demonstrates the change Jesus has made in us.  Some believe this is the best witness of the power of the Gospel to others.      

What is the Gospel? The Gospel is all about Jesus Christ - His suffering, death and resurrection for the redemption of the world.  The Gospel is good news, the best news anyone can hear.  The Gospel is all about words - words regarding the salvation that is God's free gift to those who believe in Jesus - the way and the truth and the life.

The life that St. Francis is speaking of is one that is motivated by the Gospel.  The love of Jesus changes us and moves us.  We want to be salt and light to the world.  We want to love our neighbor as Jesus first loved them and us.  We want to let our light shine in a world full of darkness and sin so that more and more people will come to know and trust Jesus to be their Savior from sin and death.

In Acts, chapter 8, Phillip used the words of the 5th Gospel - Isaiah - to help the eunuch see and believe in the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."  Paul wrote to the Romans that the "Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of the world."  The Gospel is all about the Word - Jesus!

Maybe we should think of it like this: Go out today and love your neighbor…and when the opportunity presents itself, speak the Gospel.

Tell how Jesus changed your life in your baptism, washing away your sin and adopting you into His family.  Share how the Holy Spirit opened your eyes to see Jesus in His power and love as you read your Bible daily.  Explain how Jesus gives you hope even when life’s circumstances threaten to drain the hope out of your life.  Speak of Jesus’ promises to forgive sins and mistakes, gives peace and rest for anxious hearts and provides every assurance that His gift of eternal life removes the fear of death.

So, go out today and show the power of God's love at work in your life.  Let people see the difference that Jesus makes.  But also be ready to speak His Gospel of love and forgiveness to those around you.  Preach the Gospel...and use words to do it!

Regarding wisdom

Wisdom involves putting into practice in everyday life the truths God has taught us.

Jane Fryer from the Today's Light Bible, published by Concordia Publishing House

Known by God

O Lord, You have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar…Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.  Psalm 139:1-2, 7-10

Marsha Kaitz, a psychology professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, did a test to see how well mothers know their babies.  According to the Associated Press, the 46 mothers chosen for the test had all given birth in the previous five to 79 hours.  They had all breast fed their newborn.

Each mother was blindfolded and then asked to identify which of three sleeping babies was her own.  Nearly 70 percent of the mothers correctly chose their baby.  Most of the mothers said they knew their child by the texture or temperature of the infant's hand.  The woman apparently learned the identifying features during routine contact, said Kaitz, because they weren't allowed to study their babies to prepare for the experiment.

70 percent of the Moms could identify their children.  That's pretty impressive.  Even more impressive is Almighty God's ability to know His children.  It's 100%!

That's the word from the psalmist David.  David writes it clearly - God knows you through and through.  From the time your alarm clock goes off in the morning until you switch off the bedroom light at night and hit the sack, God knows what you've done, where you've been and what you've said.  There is no place where you can hide from His Spirit.  There is no darkness that can conceal you.  From the moment of your conception until this very moment, God has you on His heavenly GPS screen.

And that's good! When we're honored for our hard work on the job, God knows and rejoices.  When we pound the pavement seeking any kind of a job, God is aware and is with you.  God's searching knowledge of us leads us to put down our guard and be transparently honest with Him.  His Law shows how we have offended the Lord and so His Spirit leads us to repentance and faith.  His Gospel reassures us of the Lord's forgiveness and salvation.  We have His promise - the Lord will lead us in the way everlasting.  Just a few of the blessings that come from being known by God.

Use the forks, Luke!

            The continuing popularity of the Star Wars franchise amazes me.  The first film, “A New Hope” was released in 1977.  Since then, seven more movies have hit the big screen.  Billions of dollars have been spent on Star Wars merchandise.  Contributing to that cash haul are my three oldest grand boys.

They love Legos.  And they love Star Wars.  So what gifts do they want at Christmas and birthdays?  Star Wars Legos!  They spend hours putting together starships and storm troopers.  Their allowances are saved until they can go shopping for – you guessed it – the newest Star Wars Legos sets.  But anything that can keep them off a video device of some kind is fine with me.

            This latest wave of Star Wars mania reminds me of a story.  Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kanobi are in a Chinese restaurant having a meal.  Skillfully using his chopsticks, Obi-Wan deftly dishes himself a large portion of noodles into his bowl, then tops it off with some chicken and cashew nuts.  All this is done with the consummate ease you’d expect from a Jedi Master.

            Poor, old Luke, on the other hand, is having a nightmare.  Unable to use his chopsticks properly, Luke is dropping his food all over the table himself.  Obi-Wan looks at Luke disapprovingly and says, “Use the forks, Luke.  Use the forks.”

            Of course, Star Wars buffs know that the phrase, “use the forks,” is a play on words.  In the first Star Wars film, Luke is constantly reminded to “use the force!”

            We are presently in that time of the church year sometimes known as “The Green Season.”  These Sundays after Pentecost focus on spiritual growth.  Every celebration of Pentecost is a timely reminder for the people of God to let the force – the Holy Spirit – be about His construction work in our lives.  The transformation of the apostle Peter from frightened disciple to powerful preacher and witness demonstrates the real force the Holy Spirit is as we live out our life in Christ.

            Think of it:

·         The Spirit calls us by the Gospel to enable us to take hold of all the spiritual blessing which are ours in Christ.

·         The Spirit gives us the saving knowledge and confident faith to believe that Christ is our Savior and to trust in Him alone for forgiveness and salvation.

·         The Spirit transforms our entire lives so that our desire is to put off sin and live lives filled with the fruit of the Spirit.

The Sundays after Pentecost remind us of the tremendous force the Holy Spirit is in our lives.  Jesus promised His followers that we would not be left alone.  In John, chapter 14, Jesus said: “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.”  (verses15-16)  

            The Father and the Son sent the Spirit to make us holy by bringing us to faith in Jesus and filling us with the desire to show and share the love of Jesus with others.  May the Holy Spirit always be with you!  And if chopsticks give you trouble – use the forks!