Bent over and obviously in pain, the old man with a cane hobbled laboriously through the sanctuary and into the pastor's office while the choir was practicing.
Ten minutes later came out and walking upright, moving with grace and speed.
"Good gracious," the choir director exclaimed. "Did the pastor heal you by faith."
"No," said the old man with a smile. "He just gave me a cane that wasn't six inches too short!"
God bless your weekend!
I don't remember where the following quote came from. But the writer is spot on -
If you are weak enough to confess your sins, God is strong enough to save you from them.
Thabiti Anyabwile
A couple of weeks ago I wrote that I was going have a single New Year's resolution - memorize Scripture. There are many good reasons for doing so. But one of the best ones is that memorization of Bible verses can add a new dimension to daily prayer time.
For example, using some of the verses I've memorized so far:
Gracious God, heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith that enables me to be sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see. Help me to rely on You more and not on my own understanding. You teach that the prayer of a righteous person is power and effection. Help me to be faithful to set aside time every day for You. You speak to me in Your Word. Open my ears so that I hear Your Word and obey it. I praise You for the love and grace You give me each day. Of this I have no doubt for all who believe in Your Son, Jesus, shall not perish but have everlasting life. Bless this day and all I say and do. May it be done for Your glory and praise. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Do you recognized the verses used in the prayer. In order they are: Hebrews 11:1; Proverbs 3:5; James 5:16 b; Luke 11:28; John 3:16.
I don't know about you but sometimes while I'm praying I can get tongue-tied. I struggle to speak the words of my heart. Having those memorized verses on the top of your head, so to speak, can be the launching pad needed to speak to God about your own needs and the needs of others.
So, give it a try. See how rewarding it can be when you Treasure God's Word in this way. Let me know how it goes for you - gspicer2@cox.net - is a good place to reach me.
God's best to you today!
TGW – Jan. 17-22, 2022
Monday, January 17, 2022 Read Joshua
9:1-15
Many are the people taken
advantage of who failed to do their “due diligence.” Do you suppose that if Joshua had taken a
moment to consult with the Lord, that he might have learned of this deception? Not only that, this agreement saved the
Hivites from being destroyed (Ex. 23:28-33).
Pray: Holy Spirit, remind me to seek Your counsel and help before making
important decisions. Amen.
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Read Joshua
9:16-27
Did the people have every right to
be upset with Joshua? Indeed they did! We expect our leaders to be thorough in
their work. To save face, Joshua makes
the deceivers servants and workers. How
might the decision have turned out differently if first Joshua made the matter
the subject of prayer? Pray: Lord, help me to mean it when I pray, “Thy
will be done.” Amen.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Read: Psalm 15:1-5
A short reading which gives you
much to ponder. David describes what
righteous living looks like. As children
of God, we seek to live our lives in obedience to His Word. But what do we do when we fail? Pray:
Father, although I try, I fail to live as You want. Forgive me for….
Thursday, January 20, 2022 Read Matthew
13:18-23
Here’s some important instruction
for missionaries, pastors and those who share Jesus with others. Not all will be receptive to hearing the good
news of God’s love in Christ. Read vs,
23 again. What joy there is when the
Word produces fruit of faith in another person!
Pray: Lord, may Your Word not return void but always accomplish
what You will. Amen.
Friday, January 21, 2022 Read
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Here we have the Parable of the Weeds
and explanation. Jesus makes several
important points. Despite what some say,
there is an evil one, the devil, whose mission is to turn people into “weeds.” Also, there will be a judgement of the living
and the dead, just as we confess in the Creed.
Pray: God, strengthen my faith so that I not fall to the devil’s
temptations. Amen.
Saturday, January 22, 2022 Read
Galatians 5:1-15
Look at vs. 4 again: We do not
please God by trying hard to keep the Law or living the best life we can. We please God when we trust Christ Jesus who
alone makes us right with God. That is
real freedom. Pray: Lord, help me
to live my neighbors as I love myself.
Fill my heart with Your love tomorrow at worship. Amen.
While doing my devotional reading yesterday, I came across a portion of Philip Melanchthon's discussion on faith from his Loci Communes (meaning "Common Places in Theology"). Melanchthon's writing, heavily influenced by Martin Luther, helped to bring forth the Reformation of the church. Be encouraged by what Melanchthon writes about "faith."
We must carefully consider the term "faith" and see what Paul is doing when he says that we are not justified by our works but by faith in Christ. This is new language to Roman ears, and we must at the very beginning seek the genuine and simple interpretation of it. To be justified by works means to obtain forgiveness of sins and be righteous or accepted before God by reason of our own virtues or deeds. On the other hand, to be justified by faith in Christ means to obtain remission of sins, to be counted as righteous, that is, accepted by God, not because of our own virtues but for the sake of the Mediator, the Son of God...As the Baptist cries, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," John 1:29, so Paul wants to present this doctrine to us, and he teaches that remission of sins and reconciliation are given to us for the sake of the Son of God and not for the sake of our virtues.
Thus, when he says that we are justified by faith, he wants you to behold the Son of God sitting at the right hand of the Father as the Mediator who intercedes for us, and to understand that your sins are forgiven you because you are considered or pronounced just, that is, accepted for the sake of His own Son, who was the sacrifice. Therefore, in order that the word "faith" may point to the Mediator and apply to us, "faith" refers not only to historical knowledge but also to trust (fiducia) in the mercy promised for the sake of the Son of God....
A man went to a church that promised to heal people of their malady. While quietly sitting in the pew, the pastor walked up to him and said, "Today, you will walk!"
The man replied, "There's nothing wrong with me. I can walk just fine."
But the pastor told him a second time, "No, you will walk today!"
The man was insulted and decided to leave the church. He walked outside to the parking lot and discovered that someone had stolen his truck.
I read the Jeanette Oke, "When Calls the Heart" series of four books. The setting is the Canadian northwest, rough and rugged. A school teacher named Elizabeth marries a Mountie and lives a life that is hard but full of adventure. Oke is a Christian and brought some good theology into some of the challenges that Elizabeth faced. I highly recommend the series.
I also reread Katie Schuermann's "Anthems of Zion," series. The setting is a small community in the mid-west. Schuermann's books have been compared to Jan Karon's series; you'll find plenty of colorful characters that you'll learn to love quickly. I appreciated how Schuermann described life in the parish and the challenges the pastor faces. You can get these books from Concordia Publishing House. It would be worth the investment.
For laughs, I read two Dave Berry books, "Live Right and Find Happiness," and "Lessons from Lucy," the latter is about some of the life lessons Berry learned by observing his dog. I've been watching my dog, Jake, to see what I might learn from him. Lesson one - take lots of naps.
Two John Gresham books landed on my bookshelf. "Soolie," has nothing to do with the law and "A Time for Mercy," which had everything to do with the law. If you like Gresham, you'll want to read these two books.
My reading habit is to have two or three books going at once. I read one for a while and when I'm tired of it or want a change of pace I read something else. Now that I'm retired I'm thinking that I should polish off even more books this year. But I've got several things going that will take up my time and attention so I may not read as many as last year. But one thing is certain - I will always have a book to read. I hope you find some enjoyable books to read as well.