Released from a prison of fear

I've spent some time in prison.  I was there because I put myself there.  It was so stupid.  I couldn't sleep.  I was anxious and distressed.  My heart was restless.  My stomach was tied up in knots.  It was horrible.

I was being held captive in a prison of fear.  Afraid of an individual.  Afraid of the trouble the person might cause me.  Afraid of the hurt the person might cause others.  I didn't want to see the person.  Didn't want to have anything to do with the individual.  I would have been glad if they had just gone away.  But that wasn't going to happen.  And I was going to have to deal with this person.

God had mercy on me, His weak and silly child.  God sprung me from my prison cell.  The key that he used to unlock my cell door was His Holy Word.  I read the words: When I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God, whose Word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4)

In these precious words the psalmist was reminding me that faith trumps fear! There was no reason to pull closed the cell door of my self-imposed prison.  God is greater than my fear.  He is more powerful and wise than any of my adversaries.  According to the psalmist, God had my back, so to speak.  I didn't have to be afraid of the troublemaker.  God was with me.  Praise His comforting Word! How grateful I was to my Lord and Savior for springing me from captivity.

The apostle Peter wrote: Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  Trust God.  He does care for you.  Tell Him about your adversaries and your problems.  And don't be afraid.  Walk before God in the light of life.  (Psalm 56:13) 

Are you a pro or an amateur?

Here is some good food for thought as it relates to your work or your hobby or anything that you are pursuing.

"Amateurs practice until they get it right.  Professionals practice until it cannot go wrong."  This is what a voice teacher once said to actress Julie Andrews.

Are you a professional or an amateur?

From April 2015

How Great Is God's Love For You?

Philippians 2:5-11 tells us of the great sacrifice the Lord taking on our sin and our punishment.  Only One with a great love for do such a thing for the undeserving.  Learn more this Sunday at Christ the Redeemer, 43rd Avenue and Olive in Phoenix.  The service  begins at 9 am.  Blessings!

CWF Walther on Worship

The sainted Dr. C.F.W. Walther, the first president of the LCMS, offered these thoughts about worship in a sermon...

To (a Christian, Sunday) is the most precious day of the entire week, when he can step back from the daily grind and rejoice.  He would not give up his dear Sunday, when he is permitted rest, for all of the world's goods and money.

On the Sabbath, the true Christian studies God's Word.  He reads it, hears it, considers it, and speaks with others about it.  The true Christian not only hears God's Word with his ears, but he is also sanctified by it, increasing in knowledge, in faith, in love, in hope, in humility, in patience and in all other Christian virtues.  For this reason, he prays to God, going to and leaving from church that he might continue to grow in His Word.

Oh, when the observance of the Sabbath happens in a Christian manner, then each Sunday illumines all other days with its heavenly shine, the pearl and crown of all days, the right Sabbath eve on earth, after which will come the eternal Sabbath in heaven.

What is the essence of faith?

For that is the essence of faith - that we take Christ at His Word.  We really have been redeemed from sin, death and hell.  We really are called to deny self in response to that good news.  We really are called to follow Christ, carrying willingly, even joyfully, the cross He sends out of love for us.

Daniel Deutschlander, The Theology of the Cross, page 89, Northwestern Publishing House 

This is the day the Lord has made!

The Day of the Lord...

A day filled with many blessings from God for His dearly beloved children.

A day in which all our needs will be met and then some.

A day to rejoice in the redemption that is ours by faith in Christ Jesus.

A day for the Holy Spirit to grow and nurture our faith.

This is the day the Lord has made.

Rejoice in it!

How will you respond?

Consider the price of this ransom, look carefully at this captive.  He is the Son of God who is greater than all creation. How will you respond when you hear that such a priceless ransom was paid for your sins?  Will you still want to offer your works done under the law? What is the works of all men, the suffering of the martyrs, and the obedience of the holy angels compared with what the Son of God has given in His death, even death on a cross?

Martin Luther, from "Treasury of Daily Prayer," page 155.