Fleeing to the Word of God

 Psalm 12:6

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

            The above verse is from a song that David composed to remind God’s people that we can be certain of the Lord’s protection and comfort.  Where do we flee to receive such help?  The Word of God!

Lord, Your words are water living

When my thirsting spirit pleads.

Lord, Your words are bread life giving

On Your words my spirit feeds

Lord, Your words will be my light

Through death’s cold and dreary night

Yes, they are my sword prevailing

And my cup of joy unfailing!

 

            As you read, pray and meditate upon this week’s Psalms, you might also pray the following collect that they church has prayed for centuries:

 

            Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

            God bless your time spent in His flawless, pure and perfect Word!

            

What is greed?

Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.

Erich Fromm, quoted in "Free of Me," page 86

Here's your TGW!

 

TGW March 28 – April 2, 2022

Monday, March 28, 2022                                     Read Genesis 4:9-16

In today’s short reading we find a profound truth – there are always consequences to sin.  Cain rejected God’s advice and took Abel’s life.  For that Cain would become the first homeless man – a restless wanderer.  And notice that Cain expressed no sorrow for what he had done.  He only cared about himself.  Pray: God, forgive my many sins and errors.  Cleanse me with Your forgiving Word.  Amen.

 

Tuesday, March 29, 2022                                     Read Genesis 4:17-27

Today we get a review of Adam’s family tree.  Note how the reading ends – “men began to call on the name of the Lord.”  We could take it to mean that men began to pray.  But it can also mean, “men began to proclaim the Word of the Lord.”  Either way, it is always good when people place their faith in the Lord.  Pray: Lord, help me to call on Your name in every trouble, to pray, praise and give thanks.  Amen.

 

Wednesday, March 30, 2022                              Read Psalm 26

Look again at verse 8 – David makes it clear that there is no other place he would rather be than in God’s House.  That is the theme of this psalm – the joy of worshipping the Lord.   Pray: Lord, make my joy being in Your House, receiving Your gifts of grace.  Amen.

 

Thursday, March 31, 2022                                   Read Matthew 18-1-9

Who is the greatest? The one who is humble, who trusts God with a child-like faith.  The disciples still don’t get that Jesus’ mission is one not to gain power and control but is one of faithfulness and devotion.  Pray: Jesus, teach me how to love and trust in You more and more.  Amen.

 

Friday, April 1, 2022                                               Read Matthew 18:10-14

“Jesus captures the Father’s love for His little ones to that of a shepherd who left his 99 sheep to search for the one who went astray.  Do we show similar concern when fellow Christians stray from faith in Christ?” (Lutheran Study Bible-page 1621).  Pray: Lord, I need Your help.  Give me courage to speak of You to ….

 

Saturday, April 2, 2022                                         Read Ephesians 2:11-21

See verse 13 again.  What sweet words! Our sins separated us from our heavenly Father.  But our Brother and Savior, Jesus, has reconciled us through His shed blood on the cross.  Our salvation was God’s doing and at a great cost – the life of His Son.  Pray: God, it is a joy to worship with fellow believers.  Prepare my heart to receive Your gifts of grace this weekend at church.  Amen.

One-liners for Friday

What was Moses' wife, Zipphora, known as when she'd throw dinner parties? The hostess with the Moses!

What did Adam say when he was asked his favorite holiday? It's Christmas, Eve.

How do you know that atoms are Catholic.  They have mass.

Which Bible character was the best musician? Samson - he brought down the house.

When someone needed a boat made, what did the people in town say? "We Noah guy."

I dedicate this blog entry to my friend, Dave Berg, one of the "punniest" guys around.

Have a blessed weekend!

The Jesus we get

Jared Wilson says it quite well:

And whenever we do this (adopt our own personal Jesus), no matter how we do it, we always get the Jesus we deserve, which is one that is as dysfunctional as we are and just as powerless to save.

From "Unparalleled," page 118

Prove It!

"Prove it!" They are words heard on the playground, in the courtroom or in the laboratory.  It's the demand we make of anyone who states a fact of which we are more than a little skeptical.

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul is writing to people who are new to the Christian faith.  They are exploring the truths of God's Word.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit they are growing in faith and love - for God and for one another.  But becoming followers of Jesus Christ has not made their lives easier.  Faith in Christ has not insulated them from suffering or persecution.

In chapter of his letter, Paul makes it clear that God uses life's trials and troubles for our benefit.  "...suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope."  Then the apostle goes on to explain why we can trust God to do their work in us.

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8) You see,  God has already been at work for us, securing our salvation in Christ's sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection.  He has proven His love by offering His only begotten Son to pay the penalty we've earned by our disobedience.  Knowing God's great "Prove it," helps us to trust Him every day of our lives.

Get the "Daily Prayer" app!

While I was on vacation I stumbled upon an app that has helped me maintain a more consistent devotional time with God.

It's called "Daily Prayer app - A Guide to Spiritual Rhythm."  It's free and it does just what it is advertised to do - provide a regular rhythm and routine to the times of prayer of a Christian.

I'm not entirely sure who developed the app.  Their intention was to give the user an easy means for praying four times a day - morning, midday, evening and late evening.  The content is new each day although some of the prayers and confessions repeat.  I don't find that a problem at all.

The app comes with a custom notification feature to help remind you when it's time to pray.  During the four times a day that you use "Daily Prayer" there is also a feature which allows you to read Scripture or to listen as the Scripture is read.  Having a regular daily lectionary of sorts suits me.  I also like that since we are in the season of Lent, the prayers and reading compliment this particular season of the church year.  Many of the prayers are taken from the "Book of Common Prayer."

I was accustomed, like many of you, to having a morning session of Bible reading and prayer.  But then as I jumped into my day, I got so busy I lost track of what I had read and prayed and its application for my life.  For me, I like the idea of praying regularly throughout the day.  I find it keeps me more focused on God and what He has to say to me in His Word.  It's a form of worship that works well.

I assume this app is available on whatever smart phone you use.  I encourage you to use the Daily Prayer app for one week.  Pray and read Scripture four times each day.  I feel pretty certain that at the end of the seven days you'll keep going.  You'll find that it's a real blessing spending that time with the Lord.

Taking a break...

Hello good readers! I'll be taking a short break from the blog.  I'll be back on March 21st.  Until then I'll be celebrating my oldest daughter's birthday and trying to keep up with my grandchildren.  Please know that I really appreciate it that you check in to read an encouraging word or do the daily devotions I post.  Take care, be safe and God keep on blessing you!

An Act of Compassion

An Act of Compassion

              A few years ago I read a neat story about a room service waiter who worked at a Marriott Hotel.  The waiter, a fellow named Charles, learned that the sister of a guest unexpectedly passed away.  Charles went to the gift shop, bought a sympathy card and had all the hotel staff members sign it.  Then he sent it to the room of the grieving guest along with a piece of hot apple pie.

              Some time later the guest wrote a letter to the president of the Marriott Hotels.  It said, in part, “Mr. Marriott, I’ll never meet you.  And I don’t need to meet you.  That’s because I met Charles.  I know what you stand for…I want to assure you that as long as I live, I will stay at your hotels.  And I will tell my friends to stay at your hotels.”

              Just think – because of the compassion of a lowly waiter, the Marriott Hotel chain now has a customer for life!

              Acts of compassion are not soon forgotten.  Sacrifices made on our behalf by others always touch our hearts and melt our souls.  People like you and me should know better than anyone the meaning of compassion.  Every cross we see reminds us of the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

              One of the joys of reading the Gospels is to see the compassion of Jesus in action.  A man suffering from leprosy approaches Jesus.  He says, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”  Jesus replied, “I am willing.  Be clean!”  And immediately the man was cured of leprosy.  A widow makes her way through the town gate to bury her only son.  Jesus sees her grief and sadness.  His heart went out to her and he told her, “Don’t cry.”  Walking up to the coffin, the Lord places His hands on it and says, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”  The dead man came back to life.  A mother and son are reunited.  

              These are wonderful examples of the love and compassion of our Lord.  Still, none of them compare with what Jesus did for you and me at the cross of Calvary.  Is it not compassion that Jesus offers in taking our sins upon Himself?  Is it not compassion that Jesus would become our substitute of sin and experience the pain and suffering we deserve for our disobedience?  Jesus saw our need for a Savior and He did something about it.  That’s compassion!

              The compassion of a room service waiter moved a woman to tell all her friends about the Marriott Hotels.  The compassion of Jesus moves us to tell all our friends about the forgiveness and new life that our Lord offers.  As we share the Gospel, Jesus makes friends for life, for eternity.  Sins are cleansed.  Peace is received.  And another person is a recipient of our Lord’s compassion.

              To whom can you show the compassion of Jesus Christ today? 

A dangerous situation

Although I copied this quote from George Barna a few years ago, it still resonates today.

When Americans are no longer free - or no longer feel free - to hold or express opinions that conflict with the perspectives promoted by certain vocal or activists sectors of society, we are headed down a dangerous path.

From "America at the Crossroads," page 136

What "the man on the cross" does for you.

With the observance of Lent beginning last Wednesday, I found these words from Prof. Norman Nagel, preached on Ash Wednesday, 1969, very instructive:

Particular sins are symptoms of a disease.  We sin because we are sinners.  We are not sinners because we sin.  A corrupt tree brings forth corrupt fruit.  Its fault lies not in its being a tree but in its being corrupt.  What is wrong with us is not that we are human but because we have gone wrong; we are sinners.

Sin breaks with God; sin brings death, real death, separation-from-God death.  That is our lot.  There is no hope in us.  Another takes that death our ours on Himself and is forsaken by God.  He takes our hell.  Out of the dread darkness Jesus cries out with a loud voice, triumphantly, "It is finished."  He has done it.  He is through.  Then He goes on to make the way for us also through the little death of the grave.

 The primary and ultimate fact about you is established by Christ and Calvary.  You are forgiven, made God's holy child for Christ's sake.  That fact is as solid as Christ and Calvary.  When you go to Calvary do not hide...some special sin that you think you can handle yourself.  The man on the cross at the center of is all is there for you!

A devotion for busy people -Treasuring God's Word!

TGW – March  7-12, 2022

Monday, March 7, 2022                                       Read Genesis 3:14-23

Of vs. 15, Martin Luther wrote: “This passage contains in itself everything noble and glorious that is to be found anywhere in the Scriptures.”  Adam and Eve fail to listen to God, eat of the forbidden fruit, and plunge the world into sin.  Satan’s victory is short lived.  Jesus will come to destroy the devil’s work and grant eternal life to all who believe in Him.  Pray: Lord, equip me with “the sword of the Spirit,” Your Holy Word, to turn back the devil’s temptations.  Amen.

 

Tuesday, March 8, 2022                                       Read Genesis 4:1-8

Eve discovers the joy of holding her baby in her arms.  But then our reading takes a terrible turn.  Cain’s offering, given with a selfish heart, is unacceptable to God.  And Cain can’t stand it when his brother’s offering is received.  Cain lures Abel to a place where it’s just the two of them.  But as his parents learned, you can’t hide from God.  Pray: God, you know all things, even my secret sins.  Forgive me and restore a right relationship with You.  Amen.

 

Wednesday, March 9, 2022                                Read Psalm 25

Like so many of the Psalms, this one makes an excellent prayer.  Here David prays for a faith that trusts in the Lord’s guidance and grace.  “Show me your ways…guide me in your truth…my hope is in You all day long.”  Pray: Lord, Your will is good and right for me.  Help me to keep Your commands for they are Your will for my life.  Amen.

 

Thursday, March 10, 2022                                   Read Matthew 17:14-23

Jesus shows a rare sign of anger and frustration at his disciples.  They struggle in their own strength to cast out the demon instead of remembering Jesus’ word (see Matt. 10:8).  Still, the man’s prayer is answered – Jesus will have mercy on this poor, demon-possessed son.  Pray: Lord, today I approach Your throne of grace to find mercy in my time of need.  Lord, help me with…

 

Friday, March 11, 2022                                         Read Matthew 17-24-27

A short reading packed with much to ponder.  Jesus’s question to Peter is to establish that He, as God’s Son, should not have to pay the tax – sons are exempt.  But Jesus will pay anyway.  In comparison to others, the miracle is often overlooked.  Can you imagine what went through Peter’s mind as he opened the mouth of the fish and found the coin? Pray: Jesus, You are amazing! Help me to remember that nothing is impossible for You.  Hear my prayer about my impossible situation…

 

Saturday, March 12, 2022                                    Read Ephesians 2:1-10

Grace – God’s undeserved favor given to sinful man.  Faith – The gift that gives all people the ability to receive God’s gracious forgiveness and love.  If you haven’t, memorize verses 8 & 9.

Pray: Lord, remind me to give thanks for Your grace as I worship You this weekend.  Amen.

More Luther Wisdom...on prayer

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.

Found in Daily Kairos journal.

God bless your weekend!

Ash Wednesday

Lent and Ash Wednesday - During the forty days of Lent, God's baptized people cleanse their hearts through the discipline of Lent: repentance, prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Lent is a time in which God's people prepare with joy for the Paschal Feast (Easter).  It is a time in which God renews His people's zeal in faith and life.  It is a time in which we pray that we may be given the fullness of grace that belongs to the children of God.

TONIGHT it will be my joy to preach at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 3030 E. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix.  Services will be held at 5 and 6:30 pm.  If you're in the area, come and join us!

The Daily Kairos

My dear, sweet wife and I have just started using the daily Kairos journal.  Kairos is the Greek word for "time," and the idea is that one uses the journal to make time for the Lord each day.  The journal encourages Scripture memorization, making a "gratitude" list, a written prayer, an intentional act, and space for recording thoughts and ideas for the day's Scripture reading.

The journal causes a busy person to slow down and make time for strengthening your relationship with God.  I like that the journal helps a person to develop time and space for prayer, Scripture reading and reflection.  We are only a couple of days in to journaling but I think the daily discipline will be helpful.

The journal comes with some directions for filling out the pages of the journal.  While looking through them, I noticed this quote from author and pastor, Tim Keller:

It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.

Faith needs an object to attach itself to.  Faith rooted in ourselves will disappoint us every time.  Instead, Jesus is the object of our faith.  Looking to Jesus, who is the way and the truth and the life, will never disappoint.  Jesus is our salvation and new life.  He hears our prayers for forgiveness and is present with us each new day. 

It is so easy to become focused on one or more activities each day that often have nothing to do with strengthening a growing faith in Jesus.  I'm excited to see the Kairos journal draw us closer to the Lord.