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!

Fix your thoughts on Jesus!

You've been asked the question a thousand times - "Whatcha thinkin?" It seems that where there is no better way to start a conversation, a question like, "What's on your mind," is a good way to get the discussion rolling.

There are lots of things upon which we can focus our attention.  A new Covid 19 threat.  Rising gas and food costs.  Whether or not the Suns will be able to sign Chris Paul to a new contract.

If there is any one thing you could focus your thoughts upon, the writer to the Hebrews would suggest this: "Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess."  (Hebrews 3:1)

A very good suggestion indeed.  But how does one go about thinking on Jesus? First, you could start by pondering the meaning of Jesus' name.  His name means Savior.  You could think and pray and give thanks that Jesus is your Savior from sin and death.  In 3:1, Jesus is called an "apostle."  This is a reference to Jesus' mission to carry out the will of the Father and bring reconciliation to the world.  You could think and pray and give thanks that you are now a child of the Father through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus is also called a "high priest."  This refers to the sacrifice that Jesus made, paying for all your sins on the cross.  You could think and pray and give thanks for the forgiveness and new life you've received through faith in your great "high priest."

Do you have a lot on your mind? You can clear your head! "Fix your thoughts on Jesus!"

The story of the waiting father

The parable of the prodigal son is really a story about the waiting father.  I know who the prodigal is.  It is I who so foolishly and so often have left the Father's house.  What I need to know is about the heavenly Father.  Does He write me out of HIs will or long for my return home? Will He slam the door of heaven in my face or open His arms to me? Will He treat me like some slave or take me back as a son or daughter? Here's the answer! Because of another Son, named Jesus, who left His Father's house on the task of salvation and returned with it completed, my Father will be waiting for me.

From "Together with Jesus," July 20 devotion

Simply to Thy cross I cling

A friend of mine once said, "George, do you know why so many lawsuits get settled on the steps of the courthouse? Because no one wants to appear before the judge!"

There is a righteous judge we will all stand before on the Last Day.  The Bible teaches that every person who has ever lived will have to give an account of their life.  Is there much of a case that we could present before Almighty God? Not really.  This is how the apostle Paul puts it in Romans 3:10 - "There is no one righteous, no, not one."

Discouraged? Keep reading Romans 3.  Think of Paul as your defense attorney.  Look at the case he presents on your behalf in Romans 3:21-26.  Paul presents the great doctrine of "Justification by Faith."  Paul teaches that a person is declared just or right in God's sight (justification) on the basis of God's grace.  This is through faith alone in Jesus Christ, apart from our good works or our trying to keep the Law perfectly.   Having been declared righteous by God, He hands down His verdict on you and me - Not Guilty!

Left to our own devices, none of us could ever satisfy God's demands for perfect holiness.  But what God demands, He also provides for us through the suffering, death and resurrection of our Savior.  Through faith in Christ alone, we are declared righteous in God's sight and we live in peace with our Heavenly Father.  Like the hymnwriter, we say: "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling."