Vicar Kaiser's

DAILY DEVOTIONS

I want to provide as many opportunities as I can for you to continue to strengthen your spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. One opportunity I will be offering is to provide an online devotion each day of the week from various sources throughout the world. I pray this will increase your spiritual health here at St. James Lutheran Ministries or wherever you worship OUR great Triune God. I will try to post each devotion by 3 PM each afternoon.

Monday, October 30, 2023, Rev. Chris Singer, LCC

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Every year many kids and adults dress up in costume for Halloween. They put on masks, make-up, costumes, and accessories to make them appear to be their favorite movie or television character, monster, celebrity, or some other non-human category. As I answer the door to the cries of “trick-or-treat” I find myself laughing, groaning, or feeling a slight of fright.

As a Christian, and as one who spent most of my life involved with the Christian bookstore industry, I am well aware of the controversy and different opinions over this American tradition. And I don’t wish to step into that discussion here. Rather, my reflection and analogous thoughts today stem from a moment of meditation from the Apostle Paul’s counsel to young Timothy.

He writes:You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. (2 Timothy 3:1-4)

It is as if Paul is taking Timothy to one of those Halloween stores and lifting up the various costumes that we will see knocking at his door in these last days before Jesus’ return. Take note of the “costumes” he picks up off the shelf and shows us:

• lovers of themselves
• lovers of their money
• prideful and boastful
• God-mockers
• disobedient, ungrateful, irreverent
• vamp-haters
• grudgies (think of mummies)
• Franken-liars
• slanderers, gossipers, and traitors
• and ghostly-friends (those who say they are your friend but then disappear and betray you)

In our daily lives we open our door and wonder which of these we will encounter in our communities, our schools, our politics, and even our churches. If you have ever stood across from one of these costumes you know how they are all truly frightful, are actually terrorizing as well as they are horrific.
Paul warns Timothy – STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE LIKE THAT! (2 Timothy 3:5b)

Growing up there were very few occasions we would be watching a “scary” movie. However, whenever we did see some kind of scary thriller my dad would always say, “Kids, if you’re ever around a house with a monster in it don’t go looking for it. Don’t try to understand what it is or try to negotiate with it. Just get out and leave.”
Yet consider now that each of us at times have also put on such costumes. We too have behaved as those frightful people that Paul warns Timothy about. What should we do when we are in those scary costumes? Are we to stay away from ourselves? How would that happen? Perhaps this is exactly the meaning of Paul when he tells us that we must “die to ourselves” and live in Christ. (see Romans 6:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:31). Consider further Colossians 3:3: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

And here is where we dare not miss the most important “costume” that Paul holds up to Timothy; the righteousness of Christ. This costume is the one that is also held out to each of us.

Isaiah 61:10 spoke of Christ when the prophet wrote: I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.

This “costume” of Christ’s Righteousness is a real winner for ‘Best Costume’. We dare not miss it.

The only trick here is the one played on the death we deserve. The real treat here is we receive eternal life.

Prayer
Dear Jesus, there are so many things that we dress up into that are sinful and wrong, the costumes cause fright to others that we are around. And Lord, they are not the costumes that You have in mind for us. Instead, You call us to don the beautiful costume. The true costume of Christ righteousness.
And you dress us in that through the salvation and the forgiveness of all of our sins. Help us as we consider those that we are coming into contact with, that we would truly reflect the righteousness of our Savior, Jesus. Be with us. And thank You for the special treat of salvation and that salvation that we live out today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a great day in the Lord.

Sunday, October 29, 2023, Lutheran Library

The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. Matt. 22:44.

Here Christ does not explain, but only says that David in his Psalm called Christ his Lord. “How then doth David in the Spirit call him Lord?” It does not sound right and it is contrary to nature for a father to call his son lord, be subject to him and serve him. Now David calls Christ his Lord, and to whom the Lord himself says: “Sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool,” that is, be like me, acknowledged and worshiped as the right and true God; for it be cometh none other to sit at his right hand; he is indeed so jealous that he allows no one to sit equal to him, as he says: “My glory will I not give to an other.” Since the Lord now makes Christ equal to himself, he must be above all creatures. Therefore he proposes to the Jews a great question, without solving it; for they did not understand it and the time had not yet come to make this publicly known. But the mean ng is as our articles of faith teach us to believe, that Christ was both David’s true natural son, of his blood and flesh, and also David’s Lord, whom David himself must worship and hold as God. However, it was impossible to make these statements harmonize, as it is still impossible for human reason, where the Holy Spirit does not reveal it, to comprehend how the two should be at the same time in the one Christ, that he was truly David’s seed and God’s Son by nature. Now Christ propounded this question to teach that it is not enough to have the law, which only shows from what state we have fallen; but that Christ must be born, not in sin as David and all men are born, but had to be born without man of the virgin, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, born a real, true man, yet without sin. He is the only man that has been able to keep and fulfill the law. This one must intercede in our behalf before God and be our right hand and protection, in whom we have forgiveness of sins and deliverance from God’s anger and hell. He also gives us the Holy Spirit to follow him until we come to him and be like him without any sin and in perfect righteousness.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. God's blessings on your week.

Saturday, October 28, 2023, Mr. John Majors, Seeds Family Worship

Unexpected Return, based on Romans 5:8 & 6:23

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV) Romans 6:23 “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

He had never run this hard in his life. Just a few moments before, he awoke to shouting, screams, smoke, flames, and foreign men swinging clubs and axes. And now one was chasing him away from the village, into the surrounding night forest. Why were they here? What did they want? It couldn’t be good—he’d heard stories of boys his age stolen in raids, never to be seen again. He was fast, so as long as he could keep moving forward… but in the darkness his foot caught a rock and down he went. In an instant the man was on him, dragging him back to their ship. As they rowed away from the British coast, he watched his village burn to the ground.

They rowed and rowed, and as they journeyed, he pondered his fate. What would his future hold? Days later they arrived on the Irish coast, where he was sold into slavery. After a month-long journey across the island, he began his assigned work of shepherding. The fact that he was educated, could even read and write Latin, should have landed him easier work. Yet here he sat with the sheep. Again he pondered his fate. He thought back to life at home, how he had rejected the faith of his father, a deacon, and his grandfather, an official in the Christian church. His abduction and slavery only confirmed in his mind that there was no god, or that this god must be evil to allow such a thing to happen.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Over time, the isolation, the space to think, softened his heart to the things of God. One day he came to the point of trusting God again, and his faith grew, “The love and fear of God burned more and more within me, and my faith and spirit grew strong. In a single day I would pray as often as a hundred times, and almost as often during the night.”

He began to long to return home. But how? It was hundreds of miles of walking through a hostile land. Even if he could find his way, how would he cross the water? And would anyone even still be alive? One night he had a dream. In it he heard a simple message: “You have fasted well—soon you will be going home.” He didn’t think much of it, but the next night he had another dream where he heard a voice say, “Behold, your ship is ready.” He left that night. After days of walking, he reached the coast where he found a job on a ship headed toward his home.

And so, after six years in slavery, he finally made it back home and found his family had survived the attack. As you can imagine, there was much rejoicing and celebrating, yet young Patrick was not at ease. Slavery had been a miserable experience, but God used it to draw Patrick to himself. Because of God’s work in his heart, his compassion for the lost natives of Ireland had grown. God had been so gracious to him, how would the people of Ireland learn of such joy and hope without someone to tell them?

Once again he dreamed. This time his former captor appeared with a package of letters. Patrick read the one on top. It said, “Holy boy, come walk among us!” When he woke, he decided he would go back to Ireland.

Question
What do you think of Patrick’s decision to return to the people who had enslaved him? Read part two to learn more about Patrick’s return to Ireland.

Prayer
God, thank you for loving us, for dying for us, for giving us the gift of eternal life. Help us to listen to you speaking to us and foster a burden to share the message of your love with those who do not know you.

Have a great weekend. I hope to worship with you in church.

Friday, October 27, 2023, Rev. Kent Schaaf, Higher Things

Reflections, based on Matthew 10:39

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Life is full of so many unexpected twists and turns. There are always those things that we never anticipated happening, being dumped into your lap. We thought we knew what was going on and suddenly we had to re-evaluate our plans and future. As Christians it is very important that we realize this rather than shy away from it. Jesus was never one who promised a life full of ease and happiness. For us today who live in the shadow of Jesus’ cross we have to constantly be brought to the realization that we really aren’t in charge. In your sins you want to be in control, you want to be the author and sustainer of your life, but your sins also show you that is not the case.

Sometimes when God allows chaos, uncertainty or suffering to be dumped into our lap God may very well be stopping our selfish and sinful plans. However this is a daily battle we face each and every day. Luther says that our greatest enemies are sin, the devil and even ourselves in our sinful flesh. Yes, that means you are your own worst enemy. It’s so hard to have God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven, but even then Jesus has come to take on our mortal and sinful nature for us. His path seemed to have many unexpected twists and turns, it seems as if so many things he faced were unanticipated.

However in all things, He knew the path set before Him. His path had His eyes set on you, His joy and delight. He is the one who lost His life, so that you might gain eternal life. In the case of uncertainty and suffering we find comfort in the fact that Jesus Himself is acquainted with suffering and grief but even more He is the one who came for the sake of you, to endure the cross and its suffering and chaos to insure that you will live with Him never to be of concern about your plans or future. In the Name + of Jesus. Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Have a great weekend. I pray I am able to worship with you this weekend.

Thursday, October 26, 2023, Rev. Larry Kreuger, LWML

Speaking Boldly

In the Word
[Jesus said,] “And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you might say” (Luke 12:11–12).

Of the Word
Many followers of Christ have faced severe persecution and, in the midst of such circumstances, have given courageous, clear expressions of their faith in Jesus. Stephen faced stoning, and even as death drew near, he gave a gracious witness, asking the Lord to not hold his executioners’ sin against them (Acts 7:54–60).

The Apostle Paul faced persecution time and again, and yet, the Spirit gave him the right words to say to speak the Good News of Jesus! From prison, Paul encouraged the Colossians: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23–24).

We may never face martyrdom or be hauled before a ruler to bear witness of what Jesus has done for the salvation of the world. Yet, the same Lord who was with Stephen and Paul gives us His Holy Scriptures that tell what Jesus has done for the salvation of mankind. Because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we can be confident to speak to a neighbor about Christ’s redeeming love.

Walking with my Lord
Jesus, calm my heart, and let me boldly speak of the joy of knowing You as my Savior. In Your name. Amen.

God's blessings on your day.


Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Dr. Greg Seltz, LCRL

TWO KINGDOMS TRUTH? IT’S GOOD NEWS AND GREAT NEWS!, based on Matthew 22:18-21

Matthew 22:18-21: But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

I’ve got good news and I’ve got very good news. Ready? All the struggles of the moment, like government ineptitude, civil unrest, and anxiety about the future, cannot ultimately overwhelm believers. Why? It’s not because of who WE are, that’s for sure. We’ve got the same fears, anxieties, and challenges as other people. Thankfully, it has to do with who God is. The Bible proclaims that God is at work right now to preserve the world (Romans 13:1-7). And, even better, God is at work saving the world through the proclamation of the Gospel (Matthew 24:14; John 3:16). Jesus said a very interesting thing in today’s reading, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” A few days later, as Jesus heads toward the cross, Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, claimed that he had authority over Jesus himself. Jesus responded, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11). Wow! God is at work. He saves the world through the person and work of Jesus.

THAT’S THE MAIN MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE.

Whether it’s amidst Roman rule, Greek city states, Egyptian Pharaohs, or our constitutional Republic, God is at work both to preserve and to save. Since the main message of the Bible is about saving the world through the unique person and work of Jesus Christ for all, God preserves the world so that all might hear it for themselves. God attempts to keep the world civil, humane, just, and safe (outwardly), even through people like Caesar and Pilate (and, amazingly today, through representative government and virtuous, free citizens). You see, God is at work in the world in two distinct ways. First, he desires to keep things civil, humane, and just through His created orders of family, work, and government. As I like to put it, God works through fathers, mothers, businesspeople, and leaders, broken and sinful though they are. God works through them to prevent chaos, to literally keep all hell from breaking loose IN THIS WORLD. That’s called God’s Left-Hand Kingdom rule, His engagement to preserve order. That’s good news. But that’s not the great news of God’s Right-Hand Kingdom work which freely grants salvation by grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus. Yet the Left-Hand Kingdom work of God, often through relatively moral unbelievers, is also part of His work of blessing.

Christians engage in the public realm, even though it is full of philosophies, ideologies, and appetites emanating from sinful, broken people just like us. We do so because there is good work to do to keep things sane, humane, temporally just, and safe. (We, at the LCRL like to say, “Good government can’t save us, but bad government can destroy us.”) So, let’s strive for the “good” work which makes for a better, more civil union. It involves free citizens raising loving, virtuous families, creating safe, caring neighborhoods by being good neighbors, and challenging Americans to self-directed, self-governing lives for the sake of others. But never forget that such “good” work is always in service to God’s ultimate work to save, to get the message of Christ out there for all to hear. Yes, keep it orderly and safe, so the Church can speak. Keep things just, so chaos is kept at bay. Legislate fair laws to live by so there can be opportunities to share a message of grace over the fences to neighbors living side by side in peace. God’s two distinct ways of acting in His “Two Kingdoms” involve two specific types of engagement.

YET HIS ONE MISSION REMAINS TO ULTIMATELY BLESS THE WORLD NOW AND FOREVER IN AND THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

PRAYER – Dear Lord Jesus, give us the commitment and will to be Your voice of the Law and the Gospel so that we might be a part of the solutions You have for our communities, as well as the voice of grace for hearts aware of their need for Your forgiveness. AMEN

God's blessings on your day.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023, Pastor David Ficken, ES Chaplain

Accident forgiveness

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps. 103:12 NIV)

“Accident Forgiveness” is the latest marketing tool to attract customers to a certain car insurance company.
What a great concept! People mess up. We’re not perfect.

I would imagine there are people who have never had accidents, but I am not one of them, unfortunately. A fair number of people have also dreaded their next insurance bill after an accident as well. It is no fun when insurance rates increase. So why wouldn’t we jump at the chance to get a freebie without the added stress and worry of yet another insurance expense? The question begs — is this really too good to be true? Isn’t someone going to pay sometime? Who knows what’s behind all the risk calculations the company makes in order to offer a program like this?

The insurance company can offer kindness to people who have been in accidents, but they can’t forgive everything, or they’d no longer be in business, right?
Let’s hope they’re around for the duration. Let’s hope they have found the sweet spot between giving a break and not going under. Thankfully, God offers us real accident forgiveness in Christ Jesus because I’ve had accidents.

I’m not talking about car accidents but those accidents where the scene is horrific because of my sin — omission, commission and every nasty thing in between.
I need assurance that God’s forgiveness is not some marketing ploy just to get my attention or business. I need to know that God’s forgiveness is totally different from this world’s and, yes, even out of this world.

The psalmist gives us this assurance in Ps. 103:12. These words bear repeating:

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps. 103:12 NIV)

We are called to help people through the day-to-day accidents and the tragic accidents they face in life, whether it is of their own making or not.
People need the healing assurance of forgiveness God offers through His Son Jesus. They also need help and support to deal with the consequences from the accidents, while the promise of real and true accident forgiveness remains through our loving Father.

I pray you know God’s love and forgiveness for you. I pray God uses you to be the word of forgiveness to someone today.

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for giving me accident forgiveness. Thank you for not keeping a record that will show up on some future bill. Use me, Lord, to share your forgiveness with the world. In Jesus I pray, Amen.

God's blessings on your day.

Monday, October 23, 2023, Rev. Chris Singer, LCC

Out of Slavery - Wilderness to Go

But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:22-23

God’s people had been treated horribly as slaves in Egypt. God hears their cries and then He goes ten rounds with Pharaoh for their release. God wins and His people are set free from Pharaoh. Pharaoh tries one more time to regain control over God’s people. And once more God beats Pharaoh as He makes a way through the sea for the people to escape. With His people safe on the other side, God closes the Red Sea over Pharaoh and his army. God’s people rejoice! Victory and freedom is theirs.

BUT NOW WHAT?
The TRUTH IS – THEY ARE OUT OF SLAVERY WITH WILDERNESS TO GO!

From that very day their freedom from slavery would take them on a 40-year journey through the wilderness. They faced disease, hunger, thirst, snakes, division, and doubts. And then, when God’s people faced fearful odds against giants, they plotted together to find a leader who would take them back to Egypt! (Numbers 14)
You and I are in a very similar situation today.

First, listen to our deliverance story from Romans 6:
“We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” (Romans 6:6b-7)

Our story includes the battle for our freedom, won at the cross and grave by Jesus. We received this victory in Baptism. “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism.” (Romans 6:4)

The large catechism declares this truth: “To be saved, as everyone well knows, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil, to enter into Christ’s kingdom, and to live with him forever.” (Luther’s Large Catechism – Fourth Part) Yet we too must ask the same question.

BUT NOW WHAT?
WE HAVE BEEN FREED FROM SLAVERY (SIN, DEATH, AND THE DEVIL) WITH WILDERNESS TO GO.

Each day, we live and every step we take is a life that is absolutely free! Yet each step is also one through the wilderness of this world.

Each day, we continue to face troubles, persecutions, temptations, and the assaults from the evil one who desperately wants to regain control of us. There are days we feel victorious and there are days we feel like we have lost. There are times when we are so grateful for the freedom we have received. Yet there are also times when we get tired and weary from these days in the wilderness and want to give in to slavery again. So, what does this mean?

GOD’S WORD TEACHES US THE WAY TO LIVE A LIFE OUT OF SLAVERY WITH WILDERNESS TO GO:

Romans 6 continues: ”But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:22-23)

So do not be discouraged or dismayed about the wilderness. Do not be afraid of disease, the snakes, the giants, nor the threat of the evil one. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and trust in the walk of freedom He leads you on today through the wilderness. The victory is in Him. This is discipleship…following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and being committed to His mission.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we give You great thanks for the freedom that You won for us. And we ask that as You continue to lead us through this journey, we know that there are days when this wilderness will tire us out, will beat us up and exhaust us, and yet remind us that You are with us and You are leading us and pray that You would grant to us that continual daily victory over sin, death in the devil, both in the choices that we make and in the influence that evil tries to have on us.
And with this prayer, Lord, we give You great thanks. And knowing that one day You will welcome us home into that promised land. Until then, we are free with wilderness to go. But we go with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God's blessings on your day.

Sunday, October 22, 2023, Lutheran Library

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the scat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps. 1:1,2.

There is a common inquiry among men concerning blessed ness; there is no one who does not wish that it may be well with him, and does not dread the thought that it should be ill with him. Yet all who have ever inquired into the matter have wandered from the knowledge of true blessedness, and those have wandered the most widely who have inquired with greatest diligence, such as the philosophers, the greatest of whom have placed true blessedness in the works of virtue, having rendered themselves more unhappy than the rest; they have deprived themselves of the blessings both of this life and of that which is to come. The common people, although their ideas were the more grossly mad by making blessedness to consist in carnal pleasure, enjoyed at least the good of this life. This teacher, however, deriving his doctrine from heaven and detesting all the devoted endeavors of men, gives this only true definition of blessedness which is wholly unknown to men – that he is the blessed man who loves the law of God. It is a short definition, but it contains a savor that is contrary to all human ideas, and especially to human wisdom. Is he not a blessed man and one strong in the faith who does not walk in the broad way in the midst of the multitudes; who suffers reproaches and many evils from the same, and yet does not consent unto them so as to walk with them? Who is not deceived by the most specious counsel of the ungodly, which might deceive the very elect? It is a great thing not to be overcome by riches, pleasures and honors; but to overcome the specious righteousness and wisdom of the ungodly, who direct their attacks most of all against pure faith, is the greatest of all victories. But you are to notice that these words are the words of faith and that they do not speak of men according to what they appear to be. For no one would imagine such to be the ungodly. The prophet here speaks in the spirit; and spiritually that is ungodly which the world considers most godly, because it is devoid of faith. The ungodly are secure and confident in their lives, and there is no fear of God before their eyes.

Saturday, October 21, 2023, Mr. John Majors, Seeds Family Worship

Demonstrate, based on Romans 5:8 & 6:23

A young girl arrived home from a long day at school. She was tired and just wanted to eat a snack and relax with a book in her room. She walked into the kitchen and saw that her mom was just beginning to cook dinner. Mom had also had a busy day and was tired and feeling a little overwhelmed. So the young girl stopped what she was doing and helped mom with the dishes. Her mom felt loved, dinner was made with less stress, ready to eat earlier, which helped everyone in the family enjoy an evening meal together. Even though the young girl just wanted to hide away and do her own thing, she put aside her own desires to serve others.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV)

The keyword from this verse that we’ll focus on in this devotion is “demonstrates.” It’s easy to say you love someone – maybe a family member or a friend – yet love is not only words. In fact, some have said words are cheap – but actions are costly. John 15:13 (ESV) says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Love is not really love without action, without sacrifice, without a demonstration. Of course, the greatest example of this was Jesus laying down his life for all of humanity: that is the ultimate demonstration of love. But dying isn’t the only way to ‘lay down your life’ – it is also done in a thousand little ways every day – when you put aside your own desires, die to self, and put someone else before you. That’s what the young girl in this story did and was how she demonstrated her love for her mom, even in a small way.

Question
Is there a recent time someone demonstrated love to you through a small act of service or sacrifice? Maybe someone at school, or at work, or a family member or neighborhood friend?

Prayer
God, please help us to demonstrate love to others by sacrificing ourselves. Help us to strengthen our ability to love others well by setting aside our own desires and serving others in a thousand small ways every day.

Have a great weekend. I pray I get to worship with you in church.


Friday, October 20, 2023, Pastor Kent Schaaf, Higher Things

Reflections, based on Matthew 7

“Do not judge others..”. (Matthew 7:1)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you ever watch a courtroom trial on TV, you will always notice the trial takes time. Sometimes the trial is a few hours, sometimes it takes months. You will always notice that the judge doesn’t immediately make a judgment at the start of a trial. Judges listen carefully to the facts, they read the laws and take all things into account before bringing in the verdict. Their duty is to make sure that the trial is fair to all sides with all the facts put on display. Today everyone loves to throw the Words of Jesus at us “Judge not!” It’s probably the most memorized verse in and outside of the church today. However, in Matthew 7, Jesus is dealing with the Pharisees, who spent most of the time immediately criticizing the sins and shortcomings of everyone except themselves. Jesus eventually became so frustrated with the Pharisee’s self-righteousness (viewing themselves as perfect) that He called them “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27).

“Judge not”. Most of the people who quote this verse don’t understand what Jesus said. They seem to think Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching. If we see what Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16, He commands us to know people by the fruit of their life, and some sort of assessment is necessary for that. The Christian is called to unconditionally love. But the Christian is not called to unconditional approval. We really can love people who do things that should not be approved of. Instead, Jesus is speaking against being judgmental, that is, judging motives and the inner man, which only God can know. We can judge the fruit of a man, but we can rarely judge their motives with accuracy. Sin is an addiction and our neighbor cannot free themselves of their sinful condition. Most of our judgment in regard to others is wrong, we do not let all the facts be made known. Jesus will judge the living and the dead, but He will do so with a standard we cannot see in ourselves. His final verdict is given from the cross “forgive them for they know not what they do.” That is your verdict in Jesus and it’s our prayer, not judgment, that many more would be declared not guilty because the blood of Jesus covers a multitude of sins. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“The Law of God is good and wise And sets His will before our eyes,
Shows us the way of righteousness, And dooms to death when we transgress”. (LSB 579:1)

Have a great day in the Lord.

Thursday, October 19, 2023, Mrs. Amanda Stacy, LWML

Witnesses — Jonah, You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide

In the Word
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me …” (Jonah 2:1–2a).

Of the Word
It’s never a good thing when your run ends in the belly of a big fish. How, you may be wondering, would that ever happen? Just ask Jonah (see Jonah 1:15–17). Unfortunately, unlike other runners you read about in Scripture, Jonah decided to run away from God. Jonah did not want to preach repentance and extend God’s mercy to Nineveh. So, he ran away — and ended up in the big fish.

Fortunately, there is no place to run that is out of God’s reach. God dealt with Jonah in the big fish’s belly, and God will meet you wherever you are as well. Let Jonah remind you there is no place you can run to be away from God. And also be reminded that there is no end to God’s loving patience, mercy, and forgiveness as He deals with His precious people.

Walking with my Lord
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience, mercy, and forgiveness. Help me to seek You and Your will instead of running away from You to do my own will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

God's blessings on your day!

Wednesday, October 18, 2023, Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty

THE JOY-FILLED, JOYFUL JOURNEY!

Philippians 4:4-7: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Catherine Marshall, a New York times best-selling author and wife of Dr. Peter Marshall, former Chaplain of the Senate, shared this compelling experience related by her friend Marge on a flight to Cleveland:

As [Marge] settled into her seat, she noticed a strange phenomenon. On one side of the airplane a sunset suffused the entire sky with glorious color. But out of the window next to her seat, all Marge could see was a sky dark and threatening, with no sign of the sunset.

As the plane’s engines began to roar, a gentle Voice spoke within her. “You have noticed the windows,” He murmured beneath the roar and thrust of the takeoff. “Your life, too, will contain some happy, beautiful times, but also some dark shadows. Here’s a lesson I want to teach you to save you much heartache and allow you to abide in Me with continual peace and joy.”

“You see, it doesn’t matter which window you look through; this plane is still going to Cleveland. So it is in your life. You have a choice. You can dwell on the gloomy picture. Or you can focus on the bright things and leave the dark, ominous situations to Me. I alone can handle them anyway. And the final destination is not influenced by what you see or feel along the way. Learn this, act on it and you will be released, able to experience the peace that passes understanding."

Now it is hard for me, as a Detroit boy, to use a story that compares a “plane flight to Cleveland” with one’s joy-filled journey to heaven! But the illustration about the “certainty of one’s destination” makes the point clear. In spite of the realities of each window, the plane’s destination was sure. What a great way to illustrate the graced-filled life of a believer in a sinful world, calling us to remember that no matter the challenges in this world (outside our windows), our eternal destination with Christ is sure. The challenge then is how to frame your daily walk until you see Christ face to face. Will you dwell on the sunsets or the storms? Will you trust in the certainty of the destination or will you be overwhelmed by the challenges of each day? I think that’s what Paul is addressing when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.”

Now we need to differentiate between “joy” and “happiness.” Happiness is something dependent on our temporal circumstances, what happens to us day to day. Joy is different. It’s not a by-product of our actions or our best efforts. The Bible says that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Joy is a result of God’s action on our behalf, a blessing that comes when we are in a faith relationship with the One who redeemed and reconciled us to Himself. That’s why Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord.” It is about knowing Him. It’s knowing that He is with us and that His promises are true for us, no matter the circumstance. It’s about knowing and believing that the guilt we struggle with or the fears we face are issues that He has taken “head on” on the cross. Our troubles are His; His life is ours. That’s reason for JOY!

Today put His joy to work in your life! Face the challenges of the day knowing the joy of how precious your life is to Christ. Because of the gift of joy in Him, we can face the challenges of the day. Because of joy in Him, we can deal with whatever is outside each window, whether gloomy clouds or sunshine, and not be overwhelmed or seduced by either. In joy, we can be assured that “God works all things together for good to those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Here’s to the challenges and the opportunities of your life of faith in Christ. Here’s to JOY!

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, let us be a people of joy in a world that merely seeks happiness at all costs. Let us daily seek to better reflect Your Word and saving will so that others might joyfully come to know You as their Savior! AMEN

God's blessings on your day!

Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Rev. Phil Kuehnert

The Face of God

“By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy … .” (Ps. 30:7–8)

Some translations of Ps. 30:7 say, “You hid your face, and I was troubled… .” This Old Testament euphemism, or indirect expression, may refer to any number of things that could have befallen the writer of the psalm.

Another place we see references to God’s “face” is in the Aaronic Blessing, which gives us a picture of God’s relationship to His people.
The blessing states in Num. 6:24–26:

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

We leave the worship service with this blessing and promise that the good things we just experienced in Word and Sacrament will continue in wonderful, different, unexpected and exciting ways throughout the week ahead.

And the week almost always provides anything from an unexpected thank you card to the happy news that a grandchild is on the way. It is almost simplistic — when God is looking upon us, when we walk in the light of His grace, good things happen.

When bad things happen, it is because God hid His face from us.

Exploring the context of Psalm 30 gives us a clearer understanding: The psalmist, probably King David, had many first-hand experiences that threatened his safety, his family, his kingdom and his health.

Psalm 30, a retrospective thanksgiving psalm, recounts the ups and downs of his life. He is not shy in acknowledging that God had blessed him mightily: “Lord, you have made my mountain to stand strong!”

When it seems that God has hidden His face, God invites us to cry out. When God smiles on us, one way we respond is to praise and bless His holy name.
In either case our response is amplified when we give verbal expression to our cry and praise with family and friends.

With brothers and sisters in Christ there is no need for euphemisms; naming whatever it is in life that befalls us, in all of its rawness, or celebrating it with exhausting detail, provides the space to put the low and the high in proper perspective.

The result is that our sense of God’s presence is strengthened as our cries and praises are echoed back at us by those who, for us, are little Christs, with the Holy Spirit residing in them.

Heavenly Father, help me to know that “weeping endures for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Do not forsake me in the darkness of my night. By Your grace help me not to forget You when the joy of the morning overwhelms me. In Your Son’s name, Jesus. Amen.

God's blessings on your day.

Monday, October 16, 2023, Lutheran Church Charities, Rev. Chris SInger

A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.” 1 Samuel 20:4

It was such a simple question and yet it was profound. The question came from a heart of true friendship and care. What made this simple question so profound? It was the context in which it was asked.First, the question: “What can I do to help you?”Next, the context: This is the question that Jonathan asks David in 1 Samuel 20.
Perhaps, in ordinary situations, Jonathan’s question might be seen as polite and in line with common cultural courtesy. But when considering the context there is a true friendship is being revealed in this question. For as the saying goes, “A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED.” The context is David’s need for safety. His life is endangered because of the jealousy and thirst for controlling power of King Saul. And it is this question that confirms that Jonathan is not simply just a companion to David, he is a true friend. Jonathan is not going to be a spectator seated in the arena of David’s life. Instead, Jonathan shows up on the field to be there with David in full participation. It certainly would have been much easier for Jonathan to give an opinion rather than his participation. Especially since the person threatening David, King Saul, was not only Jonathan’s king, he was also Jonathan’s father! Jonathan could have expounded upon his own views as to why such a situation was happening to David:

1. Blame – “David, you deserve this. If you would have stayed home that day instead of showing up to kill Goliath you probably wouldn’t be in this situation!”
2. Judgment – “David, your life around here is over. Time for you to move on. Go back to being a shepherd, your good at that.”
3. Excuse – “David, you just need to understand my dad. He means well.

But Jonathan moves to stand with David when he asks, “What can I do to help you?”
Yes, a friend loves at all times. Yes, a friend will be closer than those with family ties. A friend in time of need will stand and defend even when the arrows begin to fly. Do you have such a friend in your life? Well in Jesus, you do! There is no greater friend than Jesus. In the context of our great need of saving, Jesus asks, “What can I do to help?” The answer from every sinner is: “Please forgive and save me.” And Jesus sticks closer than any brother, sister, father, or mother. Jesus is a friend to sinners.
He certainly could have made it cleaner and easier on Himself to only explain to us how our choices have gotten us in this clear and present danger. But He knew that wouldn’t be enough help. He could have just washed His hands of us, judged us, and watched us serve out our time and punishment. But His heart of love for us couldn’t let us go. He could have turned the other way and acted like He didn’t see any of it. He could have patronized us by recognizing our feeble efforts to try. But that would have been the same as leaving us in our sin. Instead, He walked to the cross for sinners. He paid the full price of our sin, the sin of others, and the consequences of this broken world. And He beats death and gives us safety from our sins. And He walks with us daily having given us His Holy Spirit who is always present to remind, teach, and guide us. The question is simple, “What can I do to help?” Every day our need is met by a friend indeed! Jesus is that friend indeed.
With such a friend in Jesus you can be such a friend to others. This is what it means to be a follower of Jesus..…following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and being committed to the mission of Jesus.

Prayer
Dear Jesus, we thank You for being a friend, especially to our need. We were great in need for salvation and saving, and You went to the cross to save us. We thank You for the salvation that You’ve given us and for the friendship that now You have purchased and won for us that You no longer just call us servants, but You call us Your friends. And now help us to be a friend to others who are in need. Thank You for that salvation and the opportunity to share it with others. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God's blessings on your day.

Sunday, October 15, 2023,

Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Luke 17:17, 18.

The stranger sincerely gives God all the glory. O, what a terrible example is this! Among ten only one, and he among the least and most worthless. How
entirely does God over look that which is great, wise, spiritual and honorable! Yet such people have no fear, but be come hardened and petrified in their nature. It is also terrible that the Lord knows that ten were cleansed, of this they did not think. He inquires after and seeks them: Where are the nine? O, what a frightful thing it will be when they at some future time will feel this inquiry and must answer whither they went, that they did not give God the glory. Then they will say: Well, we have never the less praised and thanked God, and thus our priests have taught us! Then it will appear whether it will help us to follow the doctrines of men in the name of God, and to forsake the doctrine and will of God. We are sufficiently warned in the gospel, so that no excuse will help us if we al low ourselves to be deceived. In Baptism we have all vowed to follow Christ and his doctrine; no one has vowed to follow the pope, the bishops and clergy. Thus Christ has thoroughly rejected and forbidden the doctrines of men. Christ comforts his poor Samaritans, who for his name’s sake must risk their lives with the priests and Jews, and strengthens their hope with the
sentence and judgment that he demands the nine and judges them as God’s thieves, who steal God’s glory, but he justifies the Samaritan. This hope gives them strong courage, that their cause be fore God will be rightly maintained and will stand, and that that of the others will be condemned, it matters not how great they were and what power they had on earth. Before Christ justifies the Samaritan, he judges the nine, that we should be sure not to has ten or desire revenge, but leave it only to him, and go our way. For he himself is so careful to defend the right and punish the wrong. Nor does he wait long to have them accused before him, but of his own free
will summons them, so that without doubt the cause of unbelievers affects him more and sooner than it strikes or harms us.

I hope you enjoy your weekend.

Saturday, October 14, 2023, Seeds Family Worship, John Majors

Devotion
A young girl arrived home from a long day at school. She was tired and just wanted to eat a snack and relax with a book in her room. She walked into the kitchen and saw that her mom was just beginning to cook dinner. Mom had also had a busy day and was tired and feeling a little overwhelmed. So the young girl stopped what she was doing and helped mom with the dishes. Her mom felt loved, dinner was made with less stress, ready to eat earlier, which helped everyone in the family enjoy an evening meal together. Even though the young girl just wanted to hide away and do her own thing, she put aside her own desires to serve others.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV)

The keyword from this verse that we’ll focus on in this devotion is “demonstrates.” It’s easy to say you love someone – maybe a family member or a friend – yet love is not only words. In fact, some have said words are cheap – but actions are costly. John 15:13 (ESV) says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Love is not really love without action, without sacrifice, without a demonstration. Of course, the greatest example of this was Jesus laying down his life for all of humanity: that is the ultimate demonstration of love. But dying isn’t the only way to ‘lay down your life’ – it is also done in a thousand little ways every day – when you put aside your own desires, die to self, and put someone else before you. That’s what the young girl in this story did and was how she demonstrated her love for her mom, even in a small way.

Question
Is there a recent time someone demonstrated love to you through a small act of service or sacrifice? Maybe someone at school, or at work, or a family member or neighborhood friend?

Prayer
God, please help us to demonstrate love to others by sacrificing ourselves. Help us to strengthen our ability to love others well by setting aside our own desires and serving others in a thousand small ways every day.
Have a great weekend. I hope to see you in church!

Friday, October 13, 2023, Higher Things, Pastor Preston Paul

Reflections, based on Matthew 3:1-3

John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “…The voice of one crying in the wilderness…” (Matthew 3:1,2,3b)

In the Name of Jesus, Amen. God wants you to be a happy hearer. Satan, on the other hand, wants you to despise preaching and to reluctantly listen to your pastor. Despising preaching is easy to do. The Pharisees and Sadducees didn’t gladly hear John’s preaching. They despised it because it called for them to confess their sins and believe in Jesus. Christians gladly hear preaching because it works repentance in them and delivers Jesus their Savior.

Pastors don’t always appreciate the work of listening. They are busy preaching. The pastor’s job, above all, is to preach boldly and clearly, God’s Word. He owes this to the hearers. Pastors strive through God’s Word and prayer to give the hearers something worth gladly hearing. The preaching task is done for the sake of the salvation of sinners. Your pastor is a preacher, a proclaimer of God’s Word, His good news for sinners.

John the Baptist was ordained by God to prepare the way for Jesus through preaching. Preaching is a really big deal to God. The hearers of John’s preaching knew that God promised to send a Savior. John’s preaching prepared the hearers to receive Jesus gladly.

The primary purpose of your ears is to hear God through preaching and the scriptures. Having ears is a daily reminder that you are a hearer of God’s Word. God gave them to you, your ears, that you may know Him more fully. It is a mystery that God does His work in this way: from the mouth of a human preacher into the ears of sinners.

We pray that “Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.” (Psalm 85:13). The righteousness that goes before Jesus is the preaching of John and all faithful pastors. Preaching prepares you for Jesus in you. The righteousness of preaching is the message of Christ crucified for sinners. When we pray, “Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way,” we confess that preaching is for sinners and their salvation and ask that it would be so for me. Preaching makes a path for Jesus straight into your happy hearing ears. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord,
and his might,
and the wonders that he has done. (Psalm 78:1-4)

Have a great weekend and I pray I see you in church!

Thursday, October 12, 2023, LWML

What Seems Right
In the Word
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 16:25).

Of the Word
Sin looks pretty good — sometimes even tasty, exciting, glamorous, or handsome. The forbidden fruit in Eden looked delicious, but what catastrophic repercussions followed that first bite!

Like he talked to Eve in the Garden, Satan is still talking today. “Did God actually say…?” he asks. Does God actually say anything about the sanctity of human life? Does He actually say anything about marriage? Does He actually have guidelines about getting along with others?

When confronted by Satan (Luke 4:1–12), Jesus used Scripture to refute him. We, too, can use the Word to show us not just what seems right, but what is right for the people of God. King David advised, Seek the LORD and his strength (1 Chronicles 16:11a).

We can hold fast to this promise, The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life (Psalm 21:7).

A Point to Ponder: What is Satan’s favorite way to tempt me? How do I resist him?

Walking with my Lord
Lord Jesus, when temptations come — and I know they will come — keep me focused on You. Send the Holy Spirit to make me strong. In Your name I pray. Amen.

God's blessings on your day.


Wednesday, October 11, 2023, North Wisconsin District

No Thanks
...but they would not come. Matthew 22:3b

Jesus used a parable to talk about heaven, a great wedding feast. The punchline had two points: first, all are invited. Second, not all accept the invitation. In fact, some are even hostile to the invite…ever seen that before? It often seems our world today knows less and less about God’s Word, less about Jesus, and less about life after our earthly days are done. But like the servants in the parable, we are told to, “Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find (Matthew 22:9).”

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for calling me into your eternal family. Strengthen me to share your Word with those around me.
Amen

God's blessings on your day.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Church Worker Wellness, James Lohman

A note of encouragement

“So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.” (Acts 15:30–32)

As part of a workshop I lead called “Gathering the Generations,” I end with a challenge to the participants.

After providing an envelope, note card and pen, I invite them to think of someone they know from a generation other than their own.

Once they have determined who this person is, I ask them to spend the next few minutes writing the person they selected a handwritten note of encouragement.
As the final step of the challenge they are instructed to deliver the note to the recipient either in person or by mail.

In the passage from the book of Acts above, the congregation in Antioch “rejoiced” because of the written and spoken words of encouragement they received.
Today, just as in this time of the early church, people still need words of encouragement.

I know this is true for me. A recent note of thanks and encouragement from a younger church worker caused me to rejoice.
In the various settings where we daily find ourselves, there are people we encounter who provide us with encouragement and others who may need our encouragement.

Encouragement can be a “play it forward” opportunity. As I rejoice through the written and spoken words of encouragement I receive, the encouragement I “play forward” can cause others to rejoice.

Who can you encourage?

• The co-worker who we see daily in the hallway or lunch room.
• The caregiver of someone experiencing a newly diagnosed or long-term health challenge.
• The first or second-year pastor, classroom teacher, director of Christian education or deaconess, still learning and growing in their new vocation and location.
• The student who is experiencing the joys and challenges of grade school, high school or college.
• The friend or family member who is experiencing grief or loss.
• The church staff member or volunteer who faithfully serves.

The words of encouragement you share don’t need to be lengthy or verbose. A psalm or Scripture verse is always appropriate. Add a personal reflection and/or observation to express gratitude. Provide a compliment, thanks or prayer support. More importantly, remind them of the love they have through Jesus Christ and the many gifts we have through Him. May the love of Jesus for you be your encouragement to give to others.

Thank you, Lord, for the people who encourage me. As the disciples encouraged those in the early church with their words, use me today, Lord, to be an encourager to those I encounter in my life. Continuously send encouragement into my life, Lord, and use my words to reflect the caring love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

God's blessings on your day.


Monday, October 9, 2023, Lutheran Church Charities, Rev. Chris SInger

Rest Doesn't Mean Lazy
“The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8

Rest is biblically mandated for us, but laziness is not. We are commanded to take a day of rest but we are warned to never become lazy (Exodus 20:8, Ecclesiastes 10:18, Ezekiel 16:49). Biblical rest therefore doesn’t provide an excuse for lazy. But what’s the difference?First, rest is a planned part of human productivity. In other words, rest is something that we schedule in order for us to continue healthy production. Without proper rest we reach burnout, higher stress, and many other unhealthy symptoms. Laziness, however, is rebellion against productivity. It actually surrenders production and brings it to a halt.Second, rest is a responsibility to our created purpose. Rest has been woven into the very meaning of our lives. But laziness is a life of irresponsibility and a choosing to ignore that which one was created to do.

The applications of this biblical contrast are many! But meditate on an area of theology where this concept misses the masses most often in this world. That area is known as eschatology. Eschatology is the theology regarding the last chapter of human life here on this earth. It is about death, judgment, and final destiny of our souls. You may easily connect the idea of rest with eschatology. That term is often used when referring to one who has died. We call it eternal rest. But what isn’t so clear to us is how laziness connects with eschatology.

When it comes to eschatology we are warned against laziness. This verse identifies that laziness happens when we neglect or ignore it as a reality in this world. It calls us to be mindful, not ignorant that there is an end of this world that is coming. As disciples we can get lazy in our talk about this world, our lives, and our goals when we refuse to discuss the temporal nature of it all.

While it is understandable that death isn’t one that we as humans like to talk about nor concern ourselves with, we get lazy when we treat it as the forbidden subject until forced to deal with it due to an actual death. How many of us sit through the funeral message pushing away the very concept of one’s own eschatological end?
We also can get lazy eschatologically when we live our lives irresponsibly. This may be historically and traditionally understood as sinful actions that we commit and that is certainly one aspect of it. However, another aspect of eschatological irresponsibility are the sinful actions of omission as we refuse to acknowledge, discuss, consider, and do the things we were created on purpose to do. Notice that our meditative word encourages us to both be mindful of the end of the world and also to actively live out lives of prayer and love.

We can rest knowing that Jesus has all things, including eschatology, in His control. But we are also not to think that rest is the same as laziness. We are called to rest confidently in Jesus while being mindful, prayerful, and loving every day until that end comes. May you find such rest without laziness!
Resting to Stay Alert – this is discipleship…following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and being committed to the mission of Jesus.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, You told us that the end of all things was near. Sometimes we get very complacent and we lose track of the urgency of what is called today. Would You help us to wake up and to realize that time is short? And would You help us also to find rest in not fearing that day, but find rest and comfort in the peace that we have knowing that You have all things: past, present, and future, in Your hands. And You promise for all those who trust and believe in You, that You will welcome us one day into heaven. Until then, Lord, we ask that You would help us today, not to be lazy, but that You would, in a peaceful rest, give us that confidence then to live out our lives in prayer and loving others as You first loved us. Thank you, Jesus, for being with us today. It’s in Your name we pray. Amen.

God's blessings on your day.

Sunday, October 8, 2023, Devotional Readings From Luther's Work for Every Day of the Year

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only be got ten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Heb. 11:17, 18. To reason it was a foolish command God gave to Abraham to slay his son. If reason should be the judge all mankind would come to no other conclusion than that it was an unfriendly and hos tile command. How could it be from God, since he himself had said to Abraham that he would multiply his seed through this son, and that it should be come as in numerable as the stars of the firmament and as the sand by the sea. Therefore to reason it was a foolish, a grievous and hard commandment. But what did Abraham do? He closes his senses, takes his reason captive, and, obeying the voice of God, goes and does as God commanded him. By this Abraham proved that he obeyed from the heart; otherwise, even if he had put his son to death a hundred times, God would not have cared for it; but God was pleased that the deed came from the heart and was done from true love to God. It came from a heart that must have thought: Even if my son dies, God is almighty and faithful, he will keep his word, he will find ways and means beyond that which I am able to devise; only obey, there is no danger. Had he not had this boldness and faith, how could he have had it in his fatherly heart to proceed to kill his only and well beloved son? Later the Jews wanted to follow this example and offered their children to God, hoping thereby to per form a service well-pleasing to God; but it was far from it. O, how many healthy, noble and beautiful children perished! The prophets protested against this service, they preached, warned and wrote against it, telling the people that it was a deception, but all in vain. Many a prophet lost his life because of this, as the history of the Books of the Kings shows. But why was this service of the Jews displeasing to God? Because it did not come from the heart, and was not done out of love to God; but they simply looked upon the service with out the command and word of God. There must be first love in the heart, then follows the service that will be pleasing to God. Abraham proved by his act that he loved God with his whole heart.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Saturday, October 7, 2023, Seeds Family Worship, John Majors

Devotion
A young girl arrived home from a long day at school. She was tired and just wanted to eat a snack and relax with a book in her room. She walked into the kitchen and saw that her mom was just beginning to cook dinner. Mom had also had a busy day and was tired and feeling a little overwhelmed. So the young girl stopped what she was doing and helped mom with the dishes. Her mom felt loved, dinner was made with less stress, ready to eat earlier, which helped everyone in the family enjoy an evening meal together. Even though the young girl just wanted to hide away and do her own thing, she put aside her own desires to serve others.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV)

The keyword from this verse that we’ll focus on in this devotion is “demonstrates.” It’s easy to say you love someone – maybe a family member or a friend – yet love is not only words. In fact, some have said words are cheap – but actions are costly. John 15:13 (ESV) says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Love is not really love without action, without sacrifice, without a demonstration. Of course, the greatest example of this was Jesus laying down his life for all of humanity: that is the ultimate demonstration of love. But dying isn’t the only way to ‘lay down your life’ – it is also done in a thousand little ways every day – when you put aside your own desires, die to self, and put someone else before you. That’s what the young girl in this story did and was how she demonstrated her love for her mom, even in a small way.

Is there a recent time someone demonstrated love to you through a small act of service or sacrifice? Maybe someone at school, or at work, or a family member or neighborhood friend?

Let us pray: God, please help us to demonstrate love to others by sacrificing ourselves. Help us to strengthen our ability to love others well by setting aside our own desires and serving others in a thousand small ways every day.

God's blessings on your weekend and I hope I will see you in church.

Friday, October 6, 2023, Higher Things, Pastor Preston Paul

Reflections, based on I Timothy 1:15

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners… (1 Timothy 1:15)

In the Name of Jesus, Amen. In Jesus, God saves sinners. Jesus is God. All things were created through Him. Jesus is fully man. He became enfleshed in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Jesus became a sinner. He claimed your sins as His very own. They stuck to Jesus, the God Man. You hear the voice of Jesus, the sinner, in the Psalms calling your sins His. Jesus prayed, “I acknowledged my sin.” The Psalms are the Lord’s prayers given to the baptized, prayers by the sinless Son of God as sinner. God made Him who was sinless to be sin in your place. In Jesus, God saves sinners.

Jesus needed saving. He became the foremost of sinners. Only He as God could save Himself. Only He could die for the sins that had become fully His. In the ignorance of unbelief those surrounding the cross unwittingly suggested He do that very thing…save Himself. “Save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:40). “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:3) And He did just that, save Himself and us. By dying in the flesh, made to be sin, as God, sin lost all its power. In Jesus sin died. By saving Himself as sinner in our place He fulfilled His Father’s will to save sinners. In Jesus, God saves sinners.

Jesus wasn’t about saving Himself, clearly. He was all about saving you. This was His Father’s will. You can’t save yourself from sin. Jesus did the saving by dying. He rescued you. It is a trustworthy confession that Jesus came into the flesh to save sinners. This is the theme of the entire Bible. He did not come as a lawgiver to beat you down into despair and submission. He came as Savior. He came for all sinners. And that includes you! In Jesus, God saves sinners.

It is a sin to doubt what God has said He has done and will do. It is sin to think in your heart that God can’t forgive and save you. He forgives your doubts as well. Those doubts were on Him at the cross. They died. Faith, God given faith, firmly planted in you, believes, clings, trusts and accepts that Jesus is the Savior of sinners. You may not always feel that way, but it is true, nonetheless. God said so. In Jesus, God saves sinners. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies. (Psalm 32:5; 18:3)

God's blessings on your day.

Thursday, October 5, 2023, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Dr. Kari Vo

Unreasonable, based on Matthew 21:33-42

Matthew 21:33-42 - [Jesus said] "Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

Have you ever noticed how many of Jesus' parables go right off the rails in one way or another? Here we have a story that starts off reasonably—until the tenants attack the owner's messengers.

In any normal story, we'd know what comes next. But if the tenants in this story are unreasonable, the owner is too! Because he doesn't have them arrested and put to death. Instead, he sends more messengers—who suffer the same fate as the first group. And then does he come to his senses? No. He looks at the only man he has left to send, his only son, and says, "Go."

We all know what comes next.

This is a ridiculous, unreasonable story—but then, you could say the same about reality, couldn't you? Because look at what God did in real history! He sent His servants the prophets to His people, not just once or twice, but again and again and again—and every time, they were rejected, harassed, attacked, and even killed. A reasonable god would have rained down judgment after the first one or two.

But our God—the true God—what did He do? He sent His Son.

By any ordinary measure, God's love for us is unreasonable. It leads Him to show a patience we can hardly understand with human sin and wickedness. It leads Him to show mercy, again and again, even to His enemies. And it led Him to send His Son Jesus—so that we, His enemies, might be forgiven, made new, and changed into children of God.

This is not reasonable. This is a glory of love and compassion that goes so far beyond reason that nobody can comprehend it. All we can do is give thanks—and worship.

God's blessings on your day.