When In Doubt, See the Owner's Manual

The Owner's Manual.  We're certain we don't need them.  But they sure come in handy.

For example, the last time I had my car in for service, the digital clock got scrambled and wasn't showing the correct time.  There are two little buttons to set the time.  Should be easy to set the clock correctly, right? Maybe for you, but not for me! I messed with it and fussed with it, all to no avail.  Finally, I got out the owner's manual, read the short paragraph on "clock," and had the correct time set in two minutes.  Thank goodness for the owner's manual!

After doing some study it seems to me that the Epistle of James serves as a manual of sorts for Christian disciples.  Over the course of five chapters the brother of Jesus deals with a variety of subjects.

1) How to deal with temptation
2) Hearing the Word of God and putting it into practice
3) Loving your neighbor
4) Putting faith to work through serving others

With James you get nothing but straight talk.  Read this letter through in one sitting.  You'll find yourself being challenged by his words.  Read them carefully.  They were written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so these are God's Words to you.  Consider them.  Pray over them.  Identify those areas where growth in faith and obedience is needed.  And then ask the Holy Spirit to continue to do His sanctifying work in your heart and soul.

May your reading of James fill you with the wisdom that comes from heaven! (3:17)

A short thought about faith

I didn't have a lot of time to work on the blog today - getting ready for our Wednesday on-line service at 7 pm.  But I did find this quote in one of my journals which seems apropos for today:

This faith grows in persecution more than at any other time.  Faith perseveres in the most severe trials, and through exercise it becomes strong.

CFW Walther, "God Grant It," page 806

God bless and keep you in His care!

Top 10 Signs Your Pastor Is Taking the Coronavirus Too Seriously

Hello again!  Are you ready to hear about something besides the coronavirus.  Hopefully, this new top 10 list will give you a chuckle or two.

But first! Join us tomorrow at 9 am for our second on-line worship service.  This will be a more complete service with hymns, liturgy, confession and absolution, readings, prayers and a message.  The focus is on the death of Lazarus and how Jesus reacts to the news of the death of His friend.  Be ready to worship at 9 o'clock and tell a friend about the service.  We can be found at our website - www.licl.org, and also on YouTube and Facebook.  Just type "Life in Christ Lutheran Church" in the search box and you should find the service.

By suspending services, some pastors have been criticized for being too cautious.  I can guarantee you that if your pastor has taken that position, it's because he is concerned for you, your health and the community's health.  Now, more than ever, we need to support, help and encourage one another.  Stay safe, be well and keep on trusting in the Lord.

Ok, here it is -- the Top 10 Signs Your Pastor is Taking the Coronavirus too Seriously!

10) Pastor asks the congregation to maintain a social distance of 60 feet

9) Suggests to the LWML that they knit Christian themed masks and gloves for worshippers

8) Convinced that the makers of Corona Beer are behind the virus to get extra publicity

7) Calls the coronavirus the 11th plague

6) Replaces the sermon with video updates from President Trump

5) Had a surgical mask painted on the portrait of Martin Luther that hangs in the Narthex

4) Has the congregation commit to memory, "Smitten, Stricken and Afflicted"

3) Believes God is punishing the church because of last year's play: "The Real Housewives of Sodom and Gomorrah"

2) To increase attendance places a sign, "Coronavirus testing done here," in front of church

And the number one sign...

1) Promises to preach a short sermon for a 4 pack of toilet paper

Enjoy your Saturday and tune in tomorrow at 9 am for LICL On-Line Worship!

God will help you too

Ed Greer was a man who hated his life.  He was unhappy with work.  He felt that he was too pressured by his spouse.  So, one day Greer decided to check out.  And he just disappeared.

His spouse and family searched and searched for him, but they couldn't locate him.  Greer crossed the country and decided to live on the beaches of Florida.  Later, he assumed a new identity and moved to central Texas and found himself a good paying job.

Finally, after searching for seven years, the FBI found Ed Greer.  In an interview, when asked why he bailed out on family and friends, Greer explained, "I felt trapped.  I didn't like my life."

There are times in our lives when circumstances become so trying that we'd be quite glad to trade places with almost anyone.  The apostle Paul would have been more than justified to have bemoaned his luck and pray for a new and easier assignment.

Take a look at Acts 16:25: "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God."  Now backtrack and read verses 16-24 in your Bible.  What man, having been unfairly accused and unjustly flogged and beaten, finds himself able to have a worship service of praise to God in a jail cell?

The man who trusts in the Lord, that's who!

Perhaps Paul remembered the words of the Proverb: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

Your Lord is an ever-present help in times of trouble.    Paul trusted, was helped by God, and was even used to help bring a family to saving faith in the risen Lord (see Acts, chapter 16).  God will help you too.  Trust Him.

No need for an Eight Ball

When I was growing up, I had a friend who had one of those big, black "Eight Balls."  Remember them? You could ask the Eight Ball questions like "Will I hit a home run in the Little League Game?" or "Will my parents increase my allowance?" and then turn the big, black ball over and then wait for its answer.  As kids we never put much stock in the answers of the Eight Ball.  But it was kind of fun to mess around with.

As I was reading Acts 20 this morning, I realized that you wouldn't have found an Eight Ball in the apostle Paul's travel bag.  He traveled by faith, trusting in God's presence and power to help him finish the race and complete the task given him by Jesus - "the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace."  (Acts 20:24)

There are times when a reliable Eight Ball would be helpful, wouldn't it? We could have used a warning about the present pandemic.  We might have taken precautions much earlier, protecting our family and friends.  There would have been time to work on a medicine to fight the coronavirus…equip doctors, nurses and health care professional with needed supplies…prepare steps so that the economy would not be adversely affected…and create a way for delivering the things needed for home without people greedily grabbing every paper towel, toilet paper and antiseptic wipe available. Being able to see into the future would have been a benefit for us.  But there is nothing in this life - no person or thing - that can tell us the future with any certainty.

How shall we then live? Paul offers a fine example for us.  He explained to the Ephesian Christians that he did not know what would happen to him as he traveled from place to place.  But he believed that the Holy Spirit would direct and help him.  Paul learned that he could trust God no matter where he might travel or whom he might meet.

We can do the same.  We don’t have to be overwhelmed by what we see and hear about the coronavirus.  Take the necessary step to protect yourself and your loved ones.  Practice social distancing.  Wash, wash, wash those hands. Be smart.


And you have something else at your disposal to see you through these worrisome times.  God has given you faith to trust in Him for forgiveness, new life and salvation.  You have God's promise that He will provide you with daily bread and help meet your needs.  The Scriptures assure us that God is faithful.  His Word is sure and certain.  God bless you as you follow Him day by day!

Hope in the midst of hopelessness

All hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

That's how Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles', put it.  He was accompanying Paul on his trip to Rome for Paul's hearing with Caesar.  In chapter 27, he tells how the ship they were sailing on ran into a violent storm and not one action the crew took seemed to lead to safety.  As Luke recounts, they all had given up hope of being saved.

But Paul comes with good news.  An angel, a messenger from God, came to Paul and assured the apostle that he would stand before Caesar and plead his case.  Not only that, Paul learned that not only he would be saved but all on the ship would live to see many more days.

Does Paul put his faith in his safety because an angel appeared to him?  No, Paul's faith is rooted in something much greater than an angelic being. His faith is securely placed in God's Word.

So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.  (Acts 27:25)

Paul teaches us something very important.  We have times in our lives when events or circumstances can make life feel hopeless.  And it's impossible to live without hope.

Where does the Christian turn when a loved one is fighting for life...when financial disaster is impending...when a pandemic threatens your health, your family, your security, your entire way of life?

Hopeless situations call on us to flee to the God of hope.

But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.  (Psalm 39:7)

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints...  (Ephesians 1:18)

Through (Christ) you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God.  (1 Peter 1:21)

What to do when life seems hopeless? Stand on the promises of God's Word.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  He is our mighty fortress to whom we can turn.  He never slumbers nor sleeps but is always watching over us.  He cares for those who belong to Him.  (See Deut. 31:6 - Psalm 46:1 - Psalm 121:4,8 - Psalm 23)

Life is never hopeless when you are standing on God's Word and promises.  Trust in the Lord.  Your hope is in Him!

A prayer for patience

Our patience is being tested, isn't it.  Our lives have been upended.  Doing the usual like shopping, going out to eat, and gathering at church has been put on hold.  How long must we wait until we can visit with our friends, hug our grandchildren and look our brothers and sisters in Christ in the eye and share the peace of the Lord with them?

These times call for patience and the Lutheran Service Book offers a fine prayer for us to pray.  It goes like this:

O God, by the patient endurance of Your only begotten Son You beat down the pride of the old enemy.  Help us to treasure rightly in our hearts what our Lord has borne for our sakes that, after His example, we may bear with patience those things that are adverse to us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (page 312).

The peace of the Lord be with you today!

Fix your thoughts on Jesus!

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

You've been asked the question a thousand times - "Whatcha thinkin?" It seems that when 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.

Of course, we know what's on everybody's mind - the coronavirus.  How do I maintain social separation? Should I self quarantine? Is it best to absent myself from church right now? How do I protect my elderly parents so that they don't catch the virus? Can I trust the reporting from the news media?

These are important questions.  We live in frightening times and the threat is real.  Given the reporting of the coronavirus in the news media and social media, and the discussion between family and friends, it would be easy to think of nothing but the coronavirus day after day.

Let me offer an alternative - Hebrews 3:1 urges us to "fix your thoughts on Jesus..."

So, how do you do this?

First, you could start by thinking about 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 Hebrews 3:1, Jesus is referred to as an "apostle."  This seems like a strange designation - wasn't that what Peter, James and John and the others were called?  In this case, apostle is a reference to Jesus' mission to carry out the will of the Father and bring reconciliation between God and sinful people.

You could think and pray and give thanks that you are now a child of the Father through the suffering, death and resurrection of the Son.

Jesus is also called a "high priest."  This refers to the sacrifice 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."

Today, fix your thoughts on the words of Jesus.  Read Matthew 6:25-30 and trust your future to Jesus. Read John 14:27 and trust your heart to Jesus.  Read Matthew 19:26 and trust that the seemingly impossible things you face are nothing to Jesus.

The devil would love nothing more than for you to become all consumed with the coronavirus - the death toll, the infection rate, the impact on the economy, the fear of what it might do to you and the ones that mean the most to you.  

So, be informed.  Get the facts.  Use discretion.  Be safe.

But lay next to the source from which you get news and information, the Bible.  Dip into it as often as you watch the news or check in with social media.  

Turn to that source of good news - the news about the Father who saw our need for forgiveness and reconciliation and sent His Son to meet our need through His death and resurrection.  In the midst of such terrible and upsetting news, get the news that brings peace and encouragement to troubled hearts - fix your thoughts on Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit abide with you today!

Love for God and neighbor in the midst of the Coronavirus

This has been a trying week for me - and it's only Wednesday!  I've struggled with feeling peace over the decision we've made to continue to keep our doors open for worship.  With the government's recommendation that people avoid groups of 10 or more, it  leaves the church open for second guessing - what if in some way a person worships at Life in Christ and is exposed to the virus? Or that the opposite is true and that an exposed person comes to worship and spreads the virus among us.

In Matthew 22, Jesus is approached by a "expert in the law" who asks, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

I wonder if the expert was surprised by Jesus' answer.  The Son of God did not choose just one commandment but instead replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."

Jesus makes it clear that all the commandments are important.  And His answer teaches us, through use of the commandments, how to love God and to love each other.  

These verses, 37-39, do something else for us - they give us some guidance for dealing with the coronavirus threat we are facing.

Love for God leads a believer to be in God's House.  God's gifts are distributed there - His Word of forgiveness, the water of Baptism and the Holy meal served in the Lord's Supper.  These gifts calm our worried souls and give the assurance that God cares for His own.  The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that "For the Word of God is living and active."  The Law in the Word reveals the very depth of our sinful nature.  The Gospel in the Word is the good news that in spite of our sinful nature, God shows His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

God's House is not the only place where we can love the Lord our God.  But God's House is the place where we know without a doubt that God is present, He can comfort and bless us through Word and Sacraments, and that He is generous to give us His gifts of grace that can provide the motivation we need to keep on trusting in the Lord in spite of what we are facing in Covid-19.

The other part is loving our neighbor.  Jesus explains what that love looks like.  How do you love yourself? With patience and understanding...meeting needs...seeking peace of heart and mind?  How we love and take care of ourselves is the guide for loving those around us.

In this case, we are respectful of those who believe that it is in their best interests to self quarantine and stay away from large crowds.  We seek to encourage them with the Word through phone contact and personal visits if necessary.  We look to provide practical help as is needed.  We pray for them that God would quiet their hearts as they give over to Him their worries and fears.

Circumstances may require that we close our church doors for a time as we ride out this terrible virus. Only the Lord knows what we will face today, tomorrow and the next.  

As for today, Jesus reminds us to "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."  Then the Lord adds, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."

May God give us the faith and strength that, even in these troubled times, we continue to love Him with our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit abide with you all!

Learning How To Wait

This time
 I want to act
to make a decision
 But the Spirit
in Your Word
 tells me to wait

on You first
 to hear Your counsel
For if I don't wait
 I won't have
my strength renewed
 Purge me of impatience
O God
 Instead of a rash temperament
give me wisdom
 Show me Your plan
and not my own
 Move me to seek
that peace of mind
 which comes not
of my own design
 but Yours
that Your peace
 which passes
all understanding
 may fill my heart
and mind

Donald Deffner, "Prayers For People Under Pressure," page 31

Regarding the Corona Virus - Trust in the Lord!

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen."

It only seems right to begin with a blessing to you, my friendly readers.  The reality is that we all need to call on the Lord for His blessing and protection as we all continue to deal with the Covid-19 threat.

As you can see above, Corona Mona, as I call her is taking the necessary precautions to protect herself from the disease.  I have spent all morning gathering information regarding the necessary things we can do to protect our church community.  I will be sharing this information with some of our church leaders and the parish nurse to formulate a plan going forward for our church.  I hope to share the details of our plan as soon as possible.

Many of you have commented to me your dismay about the fear being generated over Covid-19.  Our news media, it seems to me, is not creating a sense of calm among people.  Yes, we need to take this threat seriously.  But the greed being seen in people buying mass quantities of soap, towels, toilet paper, water and canned goods is shocking. It's everywhere on television and social media.   In some places we've seen fist fights between people trying to get various products.  Some grocery stores have put in place security guards and off duty police officers to prevent shoplifters from ripping off stores. 

Yes, these times are frightening and some say conditions are going to get worse before they get better.  

So, what to do?  Trust, trust, trust in the Lord!

Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

These two verses alone give us much to calm our fears and build up our hope.

God says, "I am with you."  As we deal with Covid-19 threat, God is along side, giving us His compassion and help.  He is a "well proved help in troubles."

God says, "I am your strength."  The Scriptures remind us that when we feel weak, God will be our strength.  Come what may, we can trust the Lord to give us the strength to deal with this virus.

The writer of Proverb 18:10 reminds us, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

During this time of uncertainty, call on the name of the Lord.  We are certain that God is with us and will meet our needs.  Call on Him for we have His promise that He hears the prayers of the righteous.  Call on Him to ask help for your fears and concerns.  Call on Him to comfort and heal those suffering from illness or loss.

As many have said, the situation is fluid and circumstances may change. But we all can flee to the strong tower of the Lord - He will provide the assurance of His forgiveness and love and that He is present to see  us through this and all the things that happen in our lives.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be yours, today and forever.  Amen.   

Is God Listening?

Psalm 77 teaches us...about prayer: Prayer is designed to help us transcend out problems and troubles by focusing on God Himself.  Prayer is not a way to manipulate God into answering all our questions or solving our problems in the way we want them solved.  When it seems that God is deaf to our prayers, it is we who are unable to hear our understand.  God appears to be deaf to our prayers because we do not want to be sheep that trust the shepherd.  We must remember that our shepherd knows more than we can understand.  God's deafness is really our lack of trust in the One who has the power to defend His people and control the water, the clouds, the sky, the thunder and lightning, the death of His Son, and the events of our life.  When God's Word teaches us to pray, we learn to pray and focus on who God really is and what He has done,  It allows us to transcend our troubles even when God appears to be deaf.

Andrew E. Steinmann, "Is God Listening?" page 25

Faith is like a hand

Faith, then, is nothing more but the hand with which a person grasps the salvation acquired by Christ, the vessel in which He gathers up the goods of peace, the key with which He opens the heavenly treasures.

CFW Walther, "God Grant It," page 823

No reason to look back

Have you ever had second thoughts about something or someone? Ever wish you'd taken more time before you bought the new car...or said "yes" when asked to go on a date...or accepted the new assignment at work? When the car breaks down or the date is a waste of time or the new assignment causes headaches and bellyaches, it's so easy to second guess yourself about the decisions you made.

The people who received and read the letter to the Hebrews were having second thoughts.  They had converted from Judaism to Christianity.  The good news of God's love in Christ Jesus made their hearts glad.  But their decision to embrace Christ as Savior brought derision and scorn from those who had rejected the Lord's forgiveness and love.  They lashed out at these new Christians in both word and deed.  For the new converts, there was the possibility of facing persecution and even death for the faith.

I've been reading the letter to the Hebrews for the last two weeks.  It's clear that it was designed to help the Jewish converts deal with their doubts.  However, this is a letter from which we can all benefit.  Using the inspired Word of God, the writer shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises of the prophets.  In times of persecution and struggle, whether 2000 years ago or today, Hebrews teaches us that there's only one Lord and Savior to whom we can place our trust.  Trust in Jesus and walk with Him - there is no reason to ever look back!

Let Mercy Lead

Let mercy lead




Let love be the strength in your legs




And in every footprint that you leave




There'll be a drop of grace




If we can reach




Beyond the wisdom of this age




Into the foolishness of God




That foolishness will save




Those who believe




Although their foolish hearts may break




They will find peace




And I'll meet you in that place




Where mercy leads

Rich Mullins

Praying for a battle plan

Lord, help me create a battle plan,  I'm tired of the devil having his way with me,  I want to live a life that pleases You,  I want to produce fruit of faith,  I want to let my light shine,  I can't do it myself.  Lead me,  Help me,  Protect me,  And let me be an encouragement to others.  In Christ's name.  Amen.

Anonymous

Be a Pointer!

In the last analysis, you cannot pontificate but only point.  A Christian is one who points at Christ and says, "I can't prove a thing, but there is something about His eyes and voice.  There's something about the way He carries His head, His hands, the way He carries His cross - the way He carries me."

Your testimony is your testimony.  People can question or challenge or even dismiss your testimony.  But none of that changes the fact of what Christ has done in Your life. 

So be a pointer - point to Jesus.  Tell others how Jesus picked you up and began carrying you in your baptism.  Tell how He saved you and changed your life with the washing of water and the Word.  Tell what He continues to carry you each day of your life - how His forgiveness picks you up when you are down...how His peace lifts you up and enables you to live each day with joy in spite of tough circumstances.  Tell how He has promised to carry you into eternity.

You and I can't change or convert a person.  But the Holy Spirit can do this work through the Gospel.  It's not our job to persuade.  But we can point.  Be a pointer.  Point people to Jesus.

Above quote from Fredrick Bueckner, "Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC

Ponder Christ!

Ponder your achievements less; ponder Christ's more.  Spend less time on your throne and more at His cross.  Brag on His work, not yours. You are valuable, but you aren't invaluable.  It is Christ who matters, not you.

Max Lucado, "Because of Bethlehem," page 89

I Believe...

Words found scrawled on the wall of a concentration camp:

I believe in the sun, even though it doesn't shine

I believe in love, even when it isn't shown

I believe in God, even when He doesn't speak

But just as Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard Him speak, we can do the same.

Read the Scriptures.

Read Matthew 6:25-33

Read Matthew 9:35-38

Read Matthew 11:25-30.

When finished listening to Jesus, turn to Him in prayer.  He'll listen to you.