How prayer and faith go together

Prayer is asking for rain.

Faith is carrying an umbrella.

Anon.

Remain in His grip! John 10:28

One benefit of the coronavirus

God's Uses of Suffering

While going through some files last week, I came across a sheet which must have come from a Bible study class.  It was called, "God's Uses of Suffering."  Seems quite appropriate to review such a list for a time like this.

General: Suffering is part of the ways and means by which God leads Christians through this world into eternal life (Acts 14:22b; 2 Corinthians 4:17)

Specific:
  Suffering makes us humble before God and leads us to put our confidence in the grace of God (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

  Suffering moves us to pray (Psalm 18:6)

  Suffering advances the progress of sanctification.  Sinful desires and practices that once seemed important now seem insignificant when one's life is in jeopardy (1 Peter 4:11)

  Suffering turns our eyes from what is seen and temporary to what is unseen and eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18

  Suffering develops perseverance, character and hope (Romans 5:3-5)

  Suffering enables us to comfort others who suffer (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

  Suffering proves the genuineness of our faith and will result in praise, honor, and glory when Christ returns (1 Peter 1:6-7)

  Suffering produces maturity and completeness (James 1:2-4)

Reading the Epistle of James

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 I fussed with it, all to no avail.  Finally, I got the Owner's Manual, red the short paragraph on "clock" and had the right time set in about two minutes.  Thank goodness for the Owner's Manual!

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.

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

With James you get nothing but straight talk.  He's got no time for those who blame their problems on God or others.  He's not impressed by those who "talk the talk," but fail to "walk the walk."  Our Treasuring God's Word daily devotional (find a copy for your use at licl.org) will focus on James for the next two weeks.  As you read the Epistle you'll find  yourself being challenged by his words.  Read them carefully.  They were written under 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! (See 3:17)

God will provide!

From the journal...

He who prepared in Jesus the perfect peace we need for our souls will also provide what we need for our daily lives.

Richard Lauersdorf, "Together With Jesus," January 3

If you're on Facebook look for my "Word of Encouragement," video devotional.  It will be posted at 8 am.  

Online worship takes place at 9 am this Sunday.  You can find the service on LICL website, our Facebook page and our YouTube channel.  Join us!

Have a safe and peaceful weekend!

What matters to us matters to God

I'm slowly working through a book that was recommended to me, "The Praying Life," by Paul E. Miller.  One emphasis in the book early on that I've appreciated is that we children of God should approach God as our Heavenly Father.  In this way, prayer becomes less a formal thing and, instead, it becomes more like a child coming to their father to talk about life - to ask questions, to seek help and answers and to make requests.

Miller also writes about a blogger friend he's made named Cathie.  She has been quoted several times in the book and popped up in the chapter, "Understanding Cynicism, "Cathie responds to this thought and turns a neat phrase in doing so.  She writes:

“I make the jump from optimism to darkness so quickly because I am not grounded in a deep, abiding faith that God is in the matter no matter what the matter is.”

It's is important for us to remember that what matters to us, matters to God.

Looking toward the future!

Thanks to Adam Ford for today's coronavirus meme.

A praying life

You can't have a story without tension and conflict, without things going wrong.  Unanswered prayers create some of the tension in the story God is weaving in our lives.  If God is composing a story with our lives, then our lives are no longer static.  We aren't paralyzed by life; we can hope.

Learning to pray doesn't offer you a less busy life; it offers you a less busy heart.

Paul C. Miller, "A Praying Life," pages 22, 25

Don't Overthink It

I really enjoy reading anything written by Anne Bogel.  My introduction to her was through her "Modern  Mrs. Darcy," blog.  For someone who really likes to read, her book, "What Should I Read Next," was one that I read in one sitting.  All of that reading has paid off and Bogel has become an interesting and engaging writer.

She brings that same style to her latest book, "Don't Overthink It."  The book wasn't for me - I tend to be spontaneous; instead, should probably take more time thinking over decisions.  But if you can become paralyzed from making the biggest or smallest decisions, then Bogel's book is for you.

My takeaway is that by utilizing Bogel's wisdom, a person might enjoy peace of mind.  Such peace frees a person to pursue the things that really matter and to do them with joy.  Bogel's book will show you that such peace is within arm's reach, as they say.  "Don't Overthink It" is definitely one book you need to check out.

Viva Vox Jesu!

Today's thought comes to us from Arthur Just, found in his book, "Heaven on Earth."

"Viva Vox Jesu," the living voice of Jesus is what we hear when His Word is read and preached.  The Word of Jesus is both a written and oral Word.  This Word, though written in words inspired and canonically received, is also spoken and heard within a community called the body of Christ.  

This voice is a living voice, for by it Jesus Christ is present for us bodily...we acknowledge that God's Word is God's food for hungry pilgrims who have journeyed in Christ through a baptism of His death and resurrection toward the final destination of full communion with Him in heaven.

(Page 199) 

Have God's Word for yourself

Let me tell you this, even though you know God's Word perfectly and are already a master in all things: you are daily in the devil's kingdom.  He ceases neither day nor night to sneak up on you and to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against these three commandments and all the commandments.  Therefore, you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips and in your ears.  But where the heart is idle and the Word does not make a sound, the devil breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware.

Martin Luther in the Large Catechism, Third Commandment, paragraph 100

Don't miss the opportunity to worship with us this Sunday morning at 9 am (PST).  Find the service on our website (licl.org), our Facebook page or our YouTube channel (just type Life in Christ Lutheran Church in the search box).  My devotion, "Word of Encouragement" will be on line on our Facebook page this morning at 8 am (PST).

Be back on Monday.  God bless your weekend!

A Word of Encouragement from Bach

In the summer of 2011 my dear, sweet wife and I spent an unforgettable four days in Leipzig, Germany for Bachfest.  This is an annual celebration of the music of Bach and his contemporaries and the event draws singers and musicians from all over the world.

I don't know much about classical music.  But I could sit and listen to Bach all day long.  I'm sure it's the Lutheran connection that draws me to his music.  While at Bachfest we heard a beautiful and wonderful rendition of his St. Matthew's Passion at the Nicholas Church.  It was the best concert I've ever attended.

We also spent an evening at the Thomas Church - this was Bach's church - and we heard a program entitled "Christus," which featured music from Bach, Mendelssohn and Listz.  I've saved the programs for all of these events and occasionally will read from them.  Bach's libretto often provides some good devotional material.  Here's a passage that offered some needed encouragement:

It is well for me that I have Jesus;
  Oh, how firmly I hold Him
that He may restore my heart
  when I am ill and sad.

I have Jesus,who loves me
  and gives Himself to me for His own
ah, therefore I will not let go of Jesus
  even though my heart should break

It is God who powerfully strengthens you
  He will stir up in you the power of the Spirit
indeed, He will lay thanks and praise on your tongue.

The last time I checked

Almighty God is still in control.

Almighty God is wiser and more powerful than Covid-19

We are still children of God.

We are still loved by the Father.

We are redeemed by the blood of the resurrected Son.

We are being made holy by the Spirit.

We will love one another.

We will stand on the truth of Holy Word alone.

We will confidently trust that the Lord will hold us up and lead us through any persecution the church might face in the future (just as He always has).

We will continue to pray, "Come, Lord Jesus."

"Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

God's peace and blessings be yours in abundance!

On Committees

While looking through one of my journals this morning, I came across a couple of observations about committees.  In my 23 years in ministry, I worked with many effective groups of people and saw many things get done that extended the outreach of the church.  Then, there are some committees that were less effective.  I'm not sure where these quotes came from but here you go...

To get something done, a committee should consist of three people - two of whom are absent.

If you want to kill any idea in the world, get a committee working on it.

Put your worries into God's hands

A new week with worries, some old and some new.

When will this all end? Are we doing enough to stay well? Am I going to have a job to go back to?  Are the kids going to fall behind because online schooling isn't the same as being in the classroom?  How can I work from home with all this noise? Are the grocery stores going to run out of the basic necessities? Why can't our governmental leaders work together?  I'm frightened by all of this. 

In his book, "Every Day Deserves A Chance," Max Lucado wrote:  Worry give small problems big shadows.  Montaigne said, "My life has been full of terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened."  Corrie ten Boom commented, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength."  Worry scuttles our lives, hurts us and most sadly, dishonors God.

One help I learn when I read through David's psalms is how he confidently puts his worries into God's  hands.  

Psalm 34 is a good example.  You might say the theme of this psalm is "The Lord saves from troubles those who trust in Him."  The circumstances which led to the writing of the psalm are described in 1 Samuel 21:10-15.  David does something we all do - he failed to put his trust in the Lord and lost confidence in the Lord's protection.  Saul wanted David's head so what did David do? He fled to the Philistines, Israel's arch enemies.  When David realized that he'd made a big mistake, he fakes insanity to escape from them.

Reflecting on what had happened, David gives an offering of praise to the Lord.  See verses four and eight for examples.  Also, verses 17 & 18 are instructive - The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Are you overcome with worry? Cry out to the Lord for He will hear you.  Do troubles surround you on every side? Trust in the Lord's deliverance.  God is near.  He will lift you up through the promises of His Word.  As David writes - A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.  (verse 19)

Live for today only.  Do not fret or worry about tomorrow.   Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  (verse 8).

Have a blessed Easter Monday!

I know that my Redeemer lives!

He lives all glory to His name!

He lives, my Jesus, still the same;

Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:

I know that my Redeemer lives!

May the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts with joy and peace! Amen!

Welcoming the Future Church

It continues to be the question that perplexes the church - how do we reach young adults?  There are plenty of books available that provide ideas on becoming a church that young adults would attend.  Jonathan "JP" Pokluda has been able to reach this important age demographic and he wants to help you do the same.

"Welcoming the Future Church" is Pokluda's story of how he learned what young adults are looking for in a church.  He describes how this generation thinks and acts.  Learning how to be engage Millennials and pointing them to Jesus seems like a mystery to many church pastors and leaders.  Reading Pokluda's new book will help.

Let me be with You every day of my life

It's a great comfort for me, Lord Jesus, that Your body has also been in a grave.  You allowed them to carry You away and lay You down, lifeless and cold.  They closed Your grave and left You in the dark and cold.  You went there, too, and You prevailed.  The land on the other side You trampled with Your feet.  Now I don't have to go down that path.  I pray to You for the great comfort in life and death that You alone can give me.  Let me be with You every day of my life until the Last Day, and after that, forever in Your kingdom.  Amen.

From "To Live With Christ," pages 274-75 

A Good Friday Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I know I will never be forsaken by God the Father because You are my Savior and my atonement - You, who hung forsaken on the cross at Golgotha for me.  Even if I never finish what I ought to do and want to do in thankfulness and love for what You did for me, I can still know that You completed everything, even what I was supposed to do.  You took upon Yourself all my guilt, all my trespasses, and everything I was responsible for.  You took my sin upon Yourself when God saw it and it had to be consumed by the burning coals of His holy fire.  I know I can never thank You enough for what You did out of love for me.  Yet, I know You did it so I would receive it free of charge.  Therefore, I stretch my hands out to Your cross and take hold of it, praying that I may rest under its blessed arms, now and forever.  Amen.

Bo Giertz, from To Live With Christ

Thinking about Maundy Thursday

So come to His table, listening only to His words and receiving what He gives.  All your doing doesn't count against you anymore.  There is none of you, none of your doing outside of Jesus forgiveness.  Nothing can separate you from Him, for He has borne it all and answered for it in your place.  The Lord invites you to His table, family and fellowship to share all His happy good.  This is how much He loves you.  And by this Meal the Lord brings you on your way to that glad feast that is the feast of the Lamb with all His saints.

Saints - that is you and me and all His disciples, the many accounted righteous, whose iniquities He bore, whose chastisement He took, those whom He makes whole by what He did as the sacrifice for sin and by what He gives us to share together at His table.  Amen.

Selected Sermons of Normal Nagel - page 112

More than you can imagine

The cost of your sin is greater than you can pay.  The gift of your God is more than you can imagine.

John Jeske
Connecting Sinai to Calvary, page 27

Love goes sideways

“When the logs from our eyes have been removed through Calvary, we see.  We see Jesus on the cross supplied by us, for us.  We see ourselves as forgiven sinners.  Then, when we bump into another sinner, we are able to help for love comes sideways.”  Dr. Norman Nagel.

The Bible teaches that we love others because Jesus first loved us.  There is our motivation, our reason for reaching out in love to the people on either side of us.  Jesus came down from heaven, lived the perfect life, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, has given us his perfect righteousness that makes us perfectly acceptable to our Father in heaven.


During these days of the coronavirus, we can all practice showing “love sideways.”  This includes a number of simple things that many of you are already doing.  Sending a text…making a phone call…mailing a card…offering up a prayer.   Many are taking advantage of Facetime or Zoom to connect with one person or a group of people.   I’ve heard of a couple of friends who watch our online worship at the same time.  When the service is done, they each grab a pastry and cup of coffee and call each other.  I’m told it’s the next best thing to goodie hour at church.

No doubt, we have to be creative as we reach out to those we love and care for.  But it's worth it.  God be praised as you let your love go sideways!

A prayer to begin the morning

O heavenly Father

I praise and thank You

for the peace of the night.

I praise and thank You for this new day.

I praise and thankYou all Your goodness and

faithfulness throughout my life.

You have granted me many blessings;

Now let me also accept what is hard

from Your hand.

You will lay on me no more than I can bear.

You make all things work together for good for

Your children.  Amen.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

An alternative to worry

Worry

Lord

teach me

not to worry

when I can

pray

From "Prayers For People Under Pressure" by Donald L. Deffner, page 34, NPH

Top 10 Signs That You're At A Bad Wedding

10) When just before the service the groom asks to go to the bathroom...and never comes back.

9) When instead of saying, "You may kiss the bride," the pastor says, "Get 'er done!"

8) When the groom and the bride's father get into a fist fight as the bride is given away.

7) When the photographer is asking people, "Anybody got some Kodak film?"

6) When the bride is escorted down the aisle to the tune of "Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted."

5) When the invitation indicates that the reception is being held at the Golden Corral.

4) When the music at the reception is being provided by "Al Jones and his Happy Accordion."

3) When the pastor asks the groom for the license and the groom replies, "Hunting or fishing?"

2) When the service stops just before the vows are said because the bride goes into labor.

And the number one sign that you're at a bad wedding:

1) When the service begins late because the groom couldn't make bail!

From 2015

How to start your day in this coronavirus world

The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals.  And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back, in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.


I love this CS Lewis quote.  And under normal circumstances, it would make perfect sense.  At least Monday through Friday, we awake and begin to think about all the things we must do – the people to call, the projects to finish, the homework to get done and the planning for the next day.


Now, many find themselves with lots of time on their hands.  The need to wolf down a piece of toast and grab of cup of coffee for the road is gone.  Now, you wonder how you can make the day productive.


There are many reasons not to like what the coronavirus has done to our country and to our own lives.  But maybe there is a small silver lining in all of this.  We can use the time to get reacquainted with our Bibles.


Busy people tell me how hard it is to maintain a regular time of study and prayer.  The tyranny of the urgent captures our attention and pushes us to take things that might be important and move them to the top of the “get it done now list.”  It’s so easy for so many to push Bible reading and prayer aside with the thought, “I will get to this later.”


That’s way the Lewis quote is something to ponder.  The first, most important, even urgent thing we can do at the beginning of our day is to let that “…larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”   

So, here’s a tip for you:  Start your day with Jesus.  Warm up by remembering your baptism.  Make the sign of the cross and be comforted that you were baptized in the name of the Triune God - the God who made you, redeemed you and called you to faith. 


Stretch yourself by spending time reading Treasuring God's Word or a favorite devotional.  Listen to that "other voice," the One that has given you new life.  Journal the insights you discover or record the Word that God speaks to you, a Word you can carry with you throughout the day. 

Don't be in a hurry.  Take time to pray, asking the Lord for His help with the fears, concerns & challenges that Covid-19 has brought to your life and the lives of others.  Pray for family, friends, church family and those you do not know – people suffering from the virus, people mourning the passing of those afflicted from the virus, the health care professionals who are on the front lines, so to speak, caring for the sick and suffering.  Give thanks for all the blessings you’ve received from the gracious hand of God.  Then, whatever the day might bring, be confident that the Lord is with you always.  God bless your time with the Lord today!

Take Christ at His Word

We live by faith, don’t we? And faith is being tested in ways we could have never imagined.  

The every day reports about the coronavirus are frightening.  Predictions as to the number of people who will die from the virus are unreal.  We feel helpless and afraid.


Shall we live in the Village of Fear? Do we have to take up residence in the City of Hopelessness? Or, is there another way?  Reflect on these words from author and theologian, Daniel Deutschlander:


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.

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