His footprints are so big

Richard E. Lauersdorf is my favorite devotional writer.  His book, "Together with Jesus," helps me start my day where it needs to start - with a thought about my Savior.  Today's devotion, based on 1 Peter 2:21, included these wonderful words:

I don't have to match Christ's footsteps when it comes to my salvation.  They are just too big and deep for anyone to do that.  And it is not necessary.  When Peter wrote "Christ suffered for you..." He was referring to a done deal.  Christ took that deep step down from heaven, that giant step up to the cross, that horrible step into hell's suffering, and that victorious step out of the grave, He took steps that only God could, and because He did, my salvation is complete.  I don't even have to walk to heaven; the Savior will carry me.

From the devotion for August 5. 

Love is all you need

Down through the ages, many people have tried to define "love."

"Love conquers all."  Virgil

"Love is the only gold."  Alfred, Lord Tennyson

"Who loves believes the impossible."  Elizabeth Barrett Browning

"The first duty of love is to listen."  Paul Tillich

"Faults are thick where love is thin."  An English proverb

"What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork."  Pearl Bailey

Then we have 1 Corinthians 13, what some Christians commonly call "the love chapter of the Bible."  Since love itself is indefinable, the apostle Paul describes how love manifests itself.  When directed toward others - spouse, children, family, friends, strangers - love is forgiving and self-giving.  No doubt, as Paul was describing the fruits of love, he surely had Christ Jesus in mind.  Through faith, dear reader, you have been "caught up" in the love of Christ.  To whom can you show this love to today?

Be Strong and Courageous

Paul had every reason to be afraid.  He had spent the day before the high Jewish court.  Paul's bold testimony about the risen Jesus has filled the members of the court with hatred and rage.  It was this group that orchestrated the death of Jesus.  They have the power to do the same to Paul.  His life hangs in the balance.

While chained and under guard in the barracks, the Lord suddenly appeared to Paul.  The apostle hears the words that the Lord utters to those who are afraid: "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome (Acts 23:11b).

Paul receives reassurance that his mission is not going to end in Jerusalem.  The Lord has another place where Paul will proclaim the good news of the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus - Rome, the seat of the world's power in that day.

The Lord's comforting words remind us of another time when the disciples were filled with fear.  Read Mark 6:45-52.  The disciples were out on the water, caught in the middle of a violent storm.  It was all they could do to keep the boat afloat.  Exhausted from their struggle, the disciples were filled with fear as they saw what they thought was a ghost walking on the water.  Instead, it was the Lord they saw.  "Take courage! It is I.  Don't be afraid."  And as the Lord climbed into the boat, the winds died down.  They relaxed.  The Lord was with them.

The Lord is with you each day.  He is present always, until the end of the age.  (Matthew 28:20)  The next time you are afraid, remember the words God spoke to Joshua.  These words apply to you as well: "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

What kind of worker are you?

In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul writes about the importance of staying busy and not being overtaken by laziness and idleness.  Printed below is an unscientific survey designed to help you determine what kind of worker you might be.  

Initiative: Stronger than a locomotive...stronger than a bull elephant...strong as a bull...shoots the bull...smells like a bull

Timeliness: Faster than a speeding bullet...fast as a speeding bullet...not quite as fast as a speeding bullet...would you believe a slow bullet?...wounds self with bullet when attempting to fire

Communications: Talks with God directly...talks with angels...talk with yourself...argues with yourself...loses those arguments

How did you do? 

Have a great weekend!

God is with you!

"Though you have not seen Him (the Lord), you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."  1 Peter 1:8-9

How is it that the apostle Peter can write with such confidence? How is it that he can be so sure that his readers are filled with a trusting faith in Christ Jesus?

The explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed in Luther's Catechism reminds us that "I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith."

The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts and gives us the saving knowledge of Jesus as my Savior and Lord.  With this faith we can trust Jesus for forgiveness and salvation, rejoice in our new life of faith and find comfort in our Lord in all the seasons of our lives.  With the help of the Spirit, we believe in our Savior even though we don't see Him.

The psalmist Asaph, in Psalm 77, speaks of this same kind of faith.  In the psalm, Asaph complains about the difficulties of his life and the lives of his people.  He and they have suffered so much and without any relief so he is beginning to wonder if God has forgotten about him.

But then Asaph begins to meditate on God's Word.  He remembers God's mighty deeds.  He recalls God's gracious help and deliverance when the people were freed from bondage.  He writes in verse 19: "Your path led though the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though Your footprints were not seen."

Faith enables us to know that God is with us even when our eyes can't see Him.  His Word assures us that God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  Today, offer thanks to the Holy Spirit who empowers you to know and trust almighty God even when you can't see Him.  God is with you.is

Love, love going to church

For as long as I can remember, I have loved going to church.  Sitting quietly in a pew with my parents and sister, I watched as others came to ready themselves for worship.  Many would quietly come and sit, bow their heads and pray.  Some, like my Mom, would check the hymn boards in the front of the church and mark the hymns to be sung with the ribbons in the book.  And finally, as the pastor took his place in the chancel, the church would become still.  It was time for worship.  God was ready once again to bless His people.

Singing the hymns was fun.  Learning to participate in the liturgy was special; over time I came to realize that the liturgy was nothing more than hearing God's Word and repeating His Word back to Him.  I didn't always understand the sermon but I knew the pastor was teaching us about Jesus and that was good.  My parents taught me that I could put some of my allowance in the offering plate and I do so (when I remembered).  Bowing our heads and folding our hands to pray made it feel like I was praying to God Himself! And that's what I was doing! As the service ended, I noticed that people were happy.  Long faces now sported smiles.  People were greeted with firm handshakes and heartfelt hugs.  And off would go my sister and i to Sunday school to learn more about our Friend and Savior, Jesus.  There was no better place to be on Sunday than at church.

David, the writer of Psalm 61 would agree.  In verse three he wrote, "For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe."  David cries out to God to express his longing to be in the Lord's house.  When overwhelmed by life's problems or pressured by wily adversaries, David knew that God's house offered a shelter where he could rest in the peace and comfort that God gives His children.

God will give that same peace and comfort to you.  Go and meet your Lord every Sunday at worship.

Reporting for duty

The story is told that during the early days of the Civil War a union soldier was arrested on charges of desertion.  He could not prove that the charges were unfounded and was declared guilty and condemned to die as a deserter.  A second appeal was made on the soldier's behalf and, as fate would have it, the paperwork ended up on President Abraham Lincoln's desk.  The President was moved by the appeal and signed a pardon, freeing the soldier.  Then the man did a most surprising thing.  He reenlisted, returned to service and fought the entirety of the war on the side of the North.  Tragically, he was killed just as the war was coming to its conclusion.  In looking for some identification, found within the breast pocket of the soldier was the signed pardon of the President.

Romans 5:1-2 read: "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through Him we also have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.  And we rejoice confidently on the basis of our hope for the glory of God."

In these verses, Paul describes the "not guilty" verdict we have received by being declared "justified by faith."  God's pardon of our sins has given us "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Jesus' victorious battle over sin, death and hell has brought peace for all who trust in the Lord.  We can live without fear of God's punishment.  We can enlist in the Lord's service as soldiers of the cross.  We can arm ourselves for battle with the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Holy Word.  We can share the Word with those whose hearts are troubled and confused.  May the rich grace of God move you to faithful service as a soldier of the cross of Jesus Christ!