DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Thoughts to Ponder by Pastor Sydow, Prayers by Pastor
Freeman
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 48:21 — They did
not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them
from the rock.
Revelation 22:17 — Let
everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a
gift.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I have been thirsty and even
thought I was dying of thirst, but in all honesty, I must admit, I’ve never
been that desperate. I’ve needed a drink and wanted something to drink, but
I’ve never really known a thirst so bad I had no saliva to moisten my throat or
tears to lubricate my eyelids. I’ve come close when I walked through tall corn,
chopping weeds on a hot summer day. I’ve been slightly dehydrated because I
didn’t feel the need to drink the water I already had in abundance. But real,
desperate, dying thirst is something I’ve only read about. The prophet Isaiah
described the journey of Moses and the Israelites through the wilderness in
that way. The Israelites did get thirsty, but whenever they called on God, God
provided for their thirst, even when it meant squeezing water out of a rock.
God does not leave the faithful desperate and dying from hunger and thirst.
Yes, faithful people are dropping like flies because we, God’s answer to their
prayers, have become like unsqueezeable rocks. We have plenty of water and food
to share, but the pleas of the dying go unanswered - by us. How can we, the
body of Christ, read the words of Jesus inviting us and all who are thirsty to
come to Him and drink if we, His ambassadors, won’t let Him squeeze us and use
us to answer their cries?! Why not fill a couple of grocery bags for the food
pantry - today?! May your spiritual hunger and thirst match the physical hunger
and thirst of those desperate and dying so that you, too, will accept His
invitation!
PRAYER
Thank You, O Father, for
filling me with all good things. Now, use me to help others so they may enjoy
the food and nourishment I take for granted. Fill us all with Your love, life-giving
waters, and good food and drink. In the name of the Living Water, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
A Jewish holiday: Rosh HaShanah – October 2-4
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 40:6, 8 — All
people are grass. Their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass
withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
1 Peter 1:23 — You have
been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through God’s
living and enduring word.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I thought I had made it to
the “big time” when I graduated from crayons to colored pencils! Granted, the
colors weren’t as bright, but the pencils would last a year. Or, so I thought.
Each time I sharpened them, they became shorter. By Christmas, I was back to my
faithful crayons. They broke and became stubby, but at least I could use the
broken pieces if I could tell what color they were. The early grades at country
school helped to rub the edges off my crayons and at least some of my edges and
thinking. I learned that nothing we make with our hands will last forever - not
even plaster casts of our hands. The mortality of all things “man-made,” even
“made in America,” became obvious by looking at the pile of junk we hauled off
to our “dumping ditch.” Animals and
people alike lived, died, and were buried. So, what was there to look forward
to? I watched a caterpillar turn into a butterfly. I observed dead stubble
fields come alive with new plants. I saw animals born, full of life. I heard
the Word of the Lord - “Jesus lives forever, and those who believe in Him will
never die!” Crayons and colored pencils,
insects, and grass will all fade and die, but Jesus lives forever!
Does Jesus live in you? Have you made room for His Word in your life? May you
discover the joy of eternity - even now!
PRAYER
I know that this body of
mine will eventually grow old and wear out or that it will fail me with
sickness and disease. Help me care for it, but put my trust in You. Live in me,
O Jesus so that I may live forever with You! In Your name, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, October 3, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Hosea 13:5 — I cared for
you in the desert, in the land of burning heat.
1 Corinthians 10:16 — The
bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Deserts are fascinating
places. I live and drive in the High Plains Desert daily in the American Southwest
often. On paved roads, I rode an air-conditioned tour bus through a desert in
Jordan and Egypt. From my safe, cool, and comfortable seat, the desert was a
place of desolation and beauty. Aside from the armed guards on our bus and in
the jeeps ahead and behind us, we were perfectly safe on our journey through
the Negev. I could only imagine people walking through the rugged terrain,
shimmering with dry, dusty heat. We were cared for by God, who provided us with
a vehicle, a driver, and guards. God’s children found the way in the wilderness
hard but also discovered God’s hand, helping them in every crisis. Jesus, too,
offers the total resources of His presence for those who receive Him. We may
not see it, but His presence is with us. He is the “guard” armed with His
mighty arm and outstretched hand. He is the Source of our life and guarantees
our Way, Life, and Salvation. Has your life become a desert? Be assured when
you receive Him in communion, His promise is true. He will care for you in your
desert, too!
PRAYER
As I receive You in the
bread and the wine, help me to remember that You are truly present in these
elements. Thank You for living in me and protecting me through life’s travels.
I praise You for Your promises, which I know are true. In Your Holy Name, I
pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, October 4, 2024
(Theodor Fliedner, renewer of society, 1864)
SCRIPTURE
Exodus 20:2 — I am the Lord your God who
brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
2 Corinthians 3:17 — Where
the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I grew up taking freedom for
granted. My grandparents did not. They had lived under an oppressive government
in Prussia. I often wonder if some of my grandfather’s eccentric ways didn’t
come from the first twelve years of his childhood before he experienced real
freedom. Even as I write, I am reminded of the days we spent with a family in
the former East Germany, only three years after the infamous wall came down.
They still looked over their shoulders to see if the Stassi was watching them.
Some of their cautions reminded me of Grandpa, although I didn’t make the
connection then. The Hebrews, after 400 years of slavery, took freedom to its
extreme and needed some fences to protect them from themselves. We are no
different. We, too, need laws to guide us to be free. However, what our friends
in Germany taught us is that even under the oppression of godless communism,
they found a different kind of freedom - freedom from sin, death, and the
devil, which they found in Christ. They lived in difficult times, but God’s
Spirit freed them in ways no government could regulate. They knew the stories
of God’s saving Israel from slavery in Egypt. They were witnesses to God’s
power to save them from communism. They relished and treasured their freedom in
Christ. How much do you appreciate your freedom - from an oppressive government
and the tyranny of sin?
PRAYER
Thank You, O Gracious One,
for freeing me from sin and death. Because of Your great love for me, I do not
have to bear the burden and consequences of my sin. Free me so that I will live
obediently under Your care. I pray this in the name of the Christ. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, October 5, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 111:2 — Great are
the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Acts 6:7 — The word of God
continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in
Jerusalem.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Some childhood illnesses
spread quite rapidly in our family. Colds, flu, chickenpox, and measles usually
went from one kid to the next until Mom and Dad caught them, too, if they
hadn’t already had them. Looking back, I’m not sure how my parents survived
weeks, and sometimes months, of being cooped up with sick kids, especially when
they got sick themselves. On the positive side, our family’s enthusiasm and
excitement were also contagious. When certain relatives came to visit, a kind
of ripple effect took place, spreading the anticipation to the whole farm. It
seemed as if even the animals could tell something was about to take place. The
Word of the Lord is not a dead black-and-white word on a page. It is a living,
breathing Word conveying the voice of God to us. When that Word sinks in and gets
past our sin and our resistance, it is contagious. It spreads like the
healthiest, most wholesome, and infectious joy ever shared. Those forgiven, healed,
and relieved of demons could not keep silent. Those who witnessed the risen
Lord picked up their sagging spirits and ran to the upper room to spread the
Word. Have you allowed yourself to become gloriously infected with that Word?
Why not keep the ripples rolling!!? If you do, the same thing will happen to
you, your family, and your church as it happened in Jerusalem and the world!
PRAYER
Infect me with the
excitement of Your Word, O God, and let my enthusiasm spread to my family,
church, and everyone I meet. Let me not be afraid or reluctant to spread the
joy You have given me through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, October 6, 2024
(William Tyndale, translator, martyr, 1536)
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 56:8 — Put my tears
in Your bottle. Are they not in Your record?
Mark 14:72 — Peter
remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will
deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I’ve been told that “the road
to hell is paved with good intentions.” It was usually aimed at those who
procrastinate or don’t complete their tasks. However, some make promises they
cannot keep and, like Peter, weep with regret. There are also those who, like
Judas Iscariot, are so zealous about a cause or their way of thinking that they
will act on their judgments and regret their actions later. William Tyndale
translated the New Testament into English and was arrested as a heretic in
1535. His last words before he was strangled and burned at the stake were,
“Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.” No doubt, the king thought he was
doing the right thing by ordering Tyndale’s execution, but history tells us it
was not the right thing in God’s eyes. We, too, must be sure that we are doing
what God wants us to do, not just what “feels right” or what others say. The psalmist’s
prayer must always be ours: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of
my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O God....” If not, our good intentions may be leading us
on the path to our destruction.
PRAYER
I want to serve and follow
You and to do what is right. Give me a discerning mind, O God, that I can see
whether my actions and deeds are truly Your will. Help me listen to Your voice
through Your word and the words of others who might have ideas contrary to mine.
Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, October 7, 2024
(Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, missionary to America,
1787)
SCRIPTURE
Numbers 21:7 — The people
came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and
against You; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses
prayed for the people.
Colossians 1:9 — For this
reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and
asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual
wisdom and understanding.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
There is power in prayer! I
grew up believing that. We were not the most praying family in the country, but
prayer was an important part of meals, bedtime, and quiet time. We prayed about
everything. Some theological types might argue that many of our prayers were a
frivolous waste of God’s time, but we always figured God was wise enough to
decide for Himself what needed His attention and what didn’t. Moses prayed for
plagues, the parting of water, food, water in the wilderness, and even snake
bites. Jesus and the disciples prayed for everything under the sun, also. The
early Americans prayed for pastors in the 1700s. God sent Henry Melchior
Muhlenberg from Germany, and he spent 45 years traveling continually,
preaching, writing, organizing churches, and establishing the first “synod” in
America to help Lutherans transition from the state churches of Europe to the
independent churches of America. God answered prayer then, and God answers
prayer now. God often waits for us to ask so He can speak to us and help us
know His will. How is your prayer life? Have you been spending time sharing
your hopes, dreams, wants and needs with God? Have you spent equal time
listening to hear God speak to you?
PRAYER
I thank You for the
opportunity to come to You in prayer, O Lord. Knowing that You listen to my
thoughts, desires, pains, and sorrows is wonderful. Help me also to be quiet
while in Your presence, listening for Your word to me. Speak to me now. I ask
this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Job 12:10 — In God’s hand
is the life of every living things.
Mark 8:36 — For what will
it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Each October, we butchered a
pig and a steer for meat for the winter. It was an exciting and noisy time on
the farm. As a kid, I watched in fascination as the lifeblood flowed from the
animals Dad butchered for meat. The struggle to live, the twitching of muscles,
and the final breath seemed to be almost holy moments in time. As an adult, I
have been privileged to be at the bedside of members of my congregations as
they breathed their last. These were indeed holy moments as we prayerfully
released them to the mighty hand of their Lord. What is so painfully obvious in
those moments is that not one single earthly treasure and not one single
earthly accomplishment can be carried by that breath of life as it returns to
its Creator. The only “thing” that will survive is our relationship with our Creator
as we look forward to hearing Him say, “Welcome home, good and faithful
servant! Now enter into the joy of the Kingdom you have inherited because my
Son has paid for your admission and prepared a place for you!” What more could
anyone hope for in this life or the next?!!!
PRAYER
Dear Lord, let me count
life as your precious gift and use it as Your faithful servant. With each
breath I take, remind me of Your Spirit filling me. Prepare me so that when I
breathe my last, I look forward to Your welcoming words. In the name of Your
Son. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 51:12-13 — Who are
you that you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth?
Ephesians 1:22 — And he
has put all things under Christ’s feet and has made him the head over all
things for the church.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
It is good to have roots, to
know your family, and to know where you came from. I grew up with a large
extended family, knowing my ancestors were born in Prussia or present-day
Germany. Even though my grandparents were reluctant to discuss the “old
country,” I knew where my family tree originated. That was made even more evident
by a relative who traced our family tree back to the 700s. It would be
fantastic if the “paper trail” could be traced back beyond the occasional
musician, preacher, thief, knight, and peasant. It probably can’t officially,
but my mind can weave a path back through the age of the apostles, the time of
Jesus, the days of the kings and prophets, the wandering Moses, the time of the patriarchs, the sailing of
Noah, and the formation of our first parents in Eden. When I discover my
Creator, my family tree is finally complete! I am not a “self-made man.” I am a
God-created man, the product of generation after generation of molding and
refinement by the One who loved me enough to use a cross to bridge the gap
between us. God, not I, is the head of all things - even the minutest detail of
my life. How far back can you - are you willing to - trace your family tree?
Who is the “head” of your life?
PRAYER
It is fantastic when I
imagine my lineage that I finally come to the source of all life, dear Creator,
and that source is You. Thank You for the long line of faithful
believers who have put You at the forefront of their lives. I pray that I might
be faithful in passing Your great love on to future generations in the name of Your
Son. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, October 10, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 102:27 — You are the
same, and Your years have no end.
1 Timothy 1:17 — To the
King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever
and ever. Amen.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
The words spoken to me by
relatives who lived far away have now become my words to my nieces, nephews,
and many of the kids I baptized years ago: “My, but you have grown so much!” I
watched animals mature from birth to old age. I noted changes in grandparents
when they aged and became “ancient” when they turned sixty. By now, I’ve come
to appreciate that everyone and everything grows older and changes. Some fade
and die. Others become wiser or enter the category of “antique.” It is impressive to see some of the
structures in Europe and the Holy Land that are thousands of years old - and,
like aging people, have all seen better days! It isn’t easy to imagine anything
or anyone who doesn’t. On the other hand, to God, whose loving, gracious
holiness never changes, “...a thousand years is but a day.” Time is our human limitation, and our
limitations do not box God in or put limits on Him. From the perspective of
infinity, our lives are but a blink of God’s eye. Isn’t it amazing that God
still loves us enough to give His Son for us so that we can share His eternity
with Him?!!! How will you use the time you have been given?
PRAYER
Oh, Ancient of Days, You
were before time and will continue after time is gone. I pray that I will use
my short days to worship and praise You. Help me to center my life on You.
Thank You for loving me enough to want to include me in Your here and now and
in Your future. In Christ, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Jewish Celebration: Day of Atonement—Yom Kippur begins
at sunset
Friday, October 11, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Jonah 2:7 — As my life was
ebbing away, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to You.
2 Timothy 4:17 — The Lord
stood by me and gave me strength.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Mr. Wacker was our music
teacher/choir director/band director when I was in high school. He was good. He
challenged me to play a sousaphone solo for our regional contest. The solo
looked impossible, with a fantastic amount of black notes on the page! I worked
for two months on it before I could even get to the end without messing up -
with the music! I had to perform it with an accompanist and without music. Two
hours before I was to face the judges, I told him I couldn’t do it. He insisted
that I could and I would, no matter what. Numerous other students were being
judged simultaneously, but he met us at the door and said, “I’ll be right there
with you. You’ll do fine!” I got lost in a coda (a part of the solo without
accompaniment) and saw him close his eyes as if he were praying for me, and I
somehow found my way out of the coda and into the heart of the solo. (I don’t
know if he was praying, but it helped me focus.) The judge gave me an A+, the highest rating,
and complimented me on my unusual interpretation of the coda! Mr. Wacker never
left me or deserted me. In fact, his calm, silent prayer reminded me that God
was right there with me, too. The Bible contains many stories of people who
endured difficult trials but found great strength and confidence when they
remembered the Lord was with them - “at one with them.” The Day of Atonement is
the day to remember that we are forgiven and returned to oneness with God in
Christ. He is with you, too, always and everywhere! Have you forgotten to look
in God’s direction?
PRAYER
When I am lost and lose my
focus, bring me back to You, O God. I am so thankful You never leave me and are
always at my side. Thank You for those many people who keep me in their
prayers. Let me always be mindful of others in need of mine. In the name of
Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, October 12, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 143:6 — I stretch
out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
Matthew 6:25 — Jesus says,
“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or
about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body
more than clothing?”
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I’ve fallen in love several
times. My first fall was not hard. It was a gentle “puppy love” that was not
meant to be. She was an older woman and was already married. I only recognize
it as “puppy love” now, years later. I’d have denied it at the time because I
was still in that “I hate girls” phase of my fourth-grade year. Had I been
older and more mature, perhaps I could have spoken the words of the Psalmist.
As it was, I idolized my teacher from afar. Years later, I discovered true love
and haven’t recovered since! We’ve had “lovers spats” from time to time, but
when we are apart, “my soul thirsts for (her) like a parched land.” I must confess I have discovered that I have
two loves now, one who has been my faithful helpmate through “better or worse.”
The other is the One who brought us together, held us together like glue, and
provided every earthly need we have ever had. We have never been apart, aside
from when I have taken Him for granted or forgotten to include Him in my life.
I thank God that He has helped my “thirsty soul” return again and again to be
quenched. Is there something missing in your life? It may not be just a
helpmate. It may well be the Helper, the Counselor, the Spirit of God calling
you back to His Love. All your other loves will fail if that Love is not
quenched! Why not give your thirsty soul a treat? The Love of your life (your eternal
life) is courting you.
PRAYER
My soul thirsts for Your
love, O God, and it can only be quenched by You. Fill me with You and Your
Spirit. I pray that I may always be true to You and keep my life centered on You.
I pray this in the name of Jesus, the water of life. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, October 13, 2024
(Columbus Day)
SCRIPTURE
Daniel 2:21 — He changes
times and seasons, deposes kings, and sets up kings.
2 Corinthians 10:18 — For
it is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the
Lord commends.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I climbed the ranks - from
lowly private to general. I did the “grunt work” of the lowliest soldier and
led vast armies into fierce battles with the most deadly enemy. I was promoted
by some generals and deposed by others. The games of my childhood provided an
education in humility. Even the “King of the Mountain” could be brought down
and replaced by someone faster or more sure-footed. History lessons offer
further examples of people like the Pharaoh of Egypt, Hitler in Germany, and
Hussein in Iraq. Only One stands All Powerful and Eternal - the Lord God
Almighty! Our great God creates, sustains, protects, and provides for us,
demanding first place in our lives. Our God put Pharaoh, the “god” of Egypt,
down in the mud of the Red Sea. Our God brought mighty King David to his knees
and rulers, potentates, dictators, tyrants, and presidents to the dust of
death. Our great God Almighty has also raised up a lowly virgin to be the
mother of His Son and a band of relative “nobodies” to be His body in the
world. We have nothing about which to brag in ourselves, but in the Lord, we
have much for which to rejoice. May we be brought low so the Lord may commend
us as “good and faithful servants.”
PRAYER
O Almighty One, You are
indeed the Creator and ruler of the universe. Sometimes, I forget about Your
great power and reduce You only to my imagination’s ability. Forgive me for
doubting what You can do and mold me into one of Your faithful servants. In the
name of the King, Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, October 14, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 16:3 — Commit
your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
1 Corinthians 3:6 — Paul
wrote: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
My first “paid job” was
helping a farmer put up hay. I was too young to have a driver’s license, so Dad
let me drive the tractor he wasn’t using. I was excited about getting paid but
a little uneasy about the job. I put up hay bales with Dad yearly, but this
farmer was into hay stacks. I had seen it done but never actually participated.
I didn’t know what to expect. I just offered to do whatever he wanted. The
first job he gave me was to turn the hay over into rows - using an old John
Deere tractor. I was a Farmall man myself, so it took some practice, but I got
the hang of it. Then he put me on the “sweep,” collecting the rows of hay. I
moved the hay into place so the stacking equipment could pick it up and throw
it on the stack. After lunch, I became a stacker, using a three-tined fork to
shape the stack and stomp down the hay dumped on it (and sometimes me). As a
novice, I had to listen carefully to every direction. Clarence knew what he was
doing even though I didn’t. To my amazement and satisfaction, at the end of the
day, we stood back and admired our handiwork. “That stack,” he declared, “will
settle in nice and straight. Good job!” The work and mission of the church is a
lot like that. We often don’t know what to do or even how to do it, but God
sends those who do to give us direction. God knows what He is doing, even when
we don’t. Are you willing to submit to others so that God’s Kingdom may be
built - God’s way?
PRAYER
I thank You, Lord, that
the power of Your church to do Your will is not only up to me and my abilities.
Use my gifts as You see fit. Help me listen to others who might be using the
knowledge and gifts You have given them. I praise You for putting me into a
body of believers. In the name of Your Son. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Teresa of Avila, teacher, renewer of the Church
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 53:12 — He was
numbered with the transgressors, yet he bore the sin of many.
Mark 8:31 — Jesus began to
teach his disciples that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be
rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and
after three days rise again.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Of all the students who
attended our country school, the one who surprised me most was Bobby Darr.
Bobby’s parents were renting a farm a couple of miles from school. He had a
warm, welcoming smile but was so quiet and shy that he hardly spoke to anyone.
His desk was in front of mine. The sand table (a card table with four-inch
rails to hold the sand) was a favorite place to play when all our assignments
were done. One day, several of us got carried away. Sand flew almost to the
tall ceiling. Someone bumped a leg, and the table fell, spilling everything to
the floor. Needless to say, Mt. Vesuvius erupted from the teacher, and she
demanded to know who did it. When no one spoke, she declared we would lose
recess and stay after school. To our shock, Bobby spoke clearly, something none
of us had heard before. “I did it! “he declared. Even the teacher was struck
speechless for a minute. Knowing he was innocent, we all confessed and accepted
our punishment. Jesus took the punishment for us all, even though we were the
ones with guilt written all over us. How do you respond to the One who suffered
for you? Are you willing to live for Him?
PRAYER
When I think of the
suffering that Your Son did on my behalf, it shames me, O Father. I know that
because of them, an innocent one died. It leaves me speechless that He was
willing to do that for me. I praise his Holy Name. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 53:7 — He was
oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb
that is led to slaughter.
Mark 14:36 — Jesus said,
“Abba, Father, for You all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet,
not what I want, but what You want.”
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I watched silently as Sam, my
first 4-H steer, was led away to be slaughtered. My halter was removed and
returned to me, and “Sam” was herded down a chute and into a waiting truck. I
helped load a lot of cattle and pigs onto trucks to be sold to slaughterhouses,
but this was different. I raised Sam from a yearling calf, fed him, washed him,
let him teach me who was boss before he let me lead him, and showed him at the
county fair. He was a friend who, without a sound, headed for the meat market.
I can’t say I was overly emotional about Sam, but I must admit a moment of
regret. Jesus was the “Friend” who could have called down fire and brimstone on
His enemies but quietly asked that all the power to do “all things” be focused
on what God wanted, not on what He wanted. How hard it must have been for the
human nature of Jesus to utter those words. Humanly, Jesus wanted what we all
want selfishly - release from pain and suffering and an end to persecution by
those who did not understand. But, putting aside His selfish need, Jesus
accepted the will of His Father - no matter how hard it would be - so that we
might receive the benefits. Do you follow the example of Jesus to ask that
God’s will be done - no matter what?
PRAYER
I hate to admit, dear
Father, that many times when I say, “Your will be done” I mean that I want You
to make things happen like I want them to. Please forgive me for my
stubbornness and selfishness. Help me quietly and obediently follow Your
authority. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, October 17, 2024
(Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, martyr, c. 115)
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 39:20-21 — Joseph
remained there in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph.
Acts 12:6-7 — Peter, bound
with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers while guards in front of the
door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord
appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke
him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the
chains fell off his wrists.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
According to tradition,
Ignatius was the bishop of Antioch in Syria during a time of severe
persecution. He refused to worship the emperor as a god and was sentenced to be
torn apart by wild animals in the arena in Rome. Ignatius went to his death,
confessing and worshiping Christ and believing without question that in Christ,
no chains or prison bars, not even death, could defeat him. He was a free man
in Christ! We may not face prison bars, beatings, or the death of martyrdom.
However, many people are imprisoned in addictions, bad habits, bad
relationships, and numerous other harmful situations. Those who are “in Christ”
discover what Joseph did in the Old Testament, what Paul did in the New
Testament, and what Ignatius and many other martyrs did in the early church.
Victory is in the hands of Christ, who lives in us. As Paul wrote in Romans,
“...nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God which is ours
in Christ Jesus.” In any and all circumstances, we can lift our heads and
praise God for the victory He has already achieved on our behalf.
PRAYER
I know that I am never
alone, O Victorious One. Thank You for never leaving me. I pray that You will
loosen the bonds of those things that hold me and keep me from being the
disciple You wish me to be. In the name of Immanuel, Jesus Christ. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, October 18, 2024
(St. Luke, Evangelist)
St. Luke was a Gentile physician, a follower of
Christ, and a companion of Paul.
The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts are attributed
to him.
SCRIPTURE
Jeremiah 2:27 — They have
turned their back to me and not their faces. But in the time of their trouble,
they say, “Come and save us!”
Romans 2:4 — Do you not
realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
It was fun to watch baby
chickens and pigs. They loved to scurry here, there, and everywhere, giving the
appearance of being brave. But one unusual noise or strange face, and they
would race back to the protection of their mothers. Occasionally, we would find
one who ventured too far and was killed by a passing vehicle or dog. (For the
most part, our dogs learned to leave baby animals alone and sometimes even
protected them. It was the stray dogs we had to worry about.) People are much
like baby animals in their curiosity and desire to stray from God’s protection.
Turning their backs on the Word and worship, they strike out bravely, falsely
believing they can “do it themselves” and be “self-made” people. As a veteran
of the Korean War once told me, “When bombs start dropping, there are no
atheists in the trenches!” Sadly, it often takes a crisis to get some people’s
attention so they will turn back to God, and by then, they’ve just about
forgotten how to talk to Him. Does it take a crisis in your life to draw you
back to your real Savior? Why not stop right now to invite Him to lead you
through the rest of today?
PRAYER
I thank You, Heavenly
Father, for always being there when I have called on You in times of crisis. I
ask You to gently remind me of Your presence when things are going well,
calling me to a healthy relationship with You. Lead that I may follow. In the
name of Your Son. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, October 19, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Lamentations 3:25 — The
Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
Mark 6:56 — And wherever
he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the
marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak,
and all who touched it were healed.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
My cousin and I dug a
swimming hole in the trees north of our grandparents’ house. The first obvious
problem with digging a hole in a grove of trees is the roots, which pose a
major problem. Neither of us was very handy with an ax, so after the first big
root we encountered, we decided our two-foot-deep “lake” was just fine. The
other obvious problem came when we tried to fill it with water. It never did
fill up! After a couple of hours of hard labor, we gave up and turned our muddy
hole over to the ducks, who didn’t think much of it either. We didn’t have the
patience or perseverance to keep digging or to fill it with water. We gave up.
Patient waiting is not my best quality. I’m not a fanatic, but I like to be on
time and appreciate when people and programs are on time. God knows (boy, does
He!) that I tend to pray: “Lord, give me patience, but do it NOW!” However, age
and experience have convinced me that some things take time. They don’t always
happen as “instantly” as instant pudding. Relationships, especially with the
Lord, take time. Healing occurs on God’s timetable - not ours - whether God
heals with His touch or through medicine, a doctor, or a nurse. But those who
wait on the Lord, trusting His love to heal, discover true joy. How patient are
you in waiting for the Lord to answer?
PRAYER
O, my Lord, I tremble at
praying that You make me a more patient follower. I know that when I pray for
patience, You will put me in situations that will make me grow in patience. But
I know that all things are possible with Your guidance and help. Make me
patient. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, October 20, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 1:1 — In the
beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Mark 13:31 — Jesus says,
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Many people who read these
devotions wonder how I can remember so much from my early childhood. I
sometimes wonder, too. But the more I write about it, the clearer it becomes,
often dredging up thoughts and feelings long forgotten. I can only thank God
for His help! My perspective as an older, wiser(?) adult is much different;
sometimes, my family remembers things a little differently. (They even accuse
me of exaggerating sometimes! Can you imagine that!?) It is hard to think back
and remember life objectively. God knows how hard it was to get His people to
think back and remember their “beginnings.” How simple and utterly humbling it
is to confess: “In the beginning God created...” it all - including us. The
only part we humans have played in the drama is to mess up God’s good creation repeatedly.
And God “who is faithful and just” has repeatedly forgiven and renewed His
creation with a word - with THE WORD made flesh! Thankfully, God loves His
creation enough to bless us with this imperishable WORD forever. How far back
in your childhood can you remember? Can you remember WHO created you? That’s a
good starting point!
PRAYER
I do not remember the time
of my conception, O Creator, but I know that You have been there since my
beginning. When I remember my past, forgive me for when I have done wrong to
others, and help me forgive the sins of those who have hurt me. I thank You
most of all for making me Yours. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, October 21, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Joel 2:28 — Then afterward,
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.
Titus 3:4-6 — But when the
goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not
because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his
mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit
he poured out on us richly.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
One of the roads leading to
our farm was not graveled. When it rained, the hilly road became a slick,
greasy nightmare. The steepest of the hills was especially treacherous. While I
was in town, a cloud burst drenched that hill. The first half mile was damp but
passable, but by the time I reached the middle of the hill, I knew I was in
trouble. The car started sliding backward down the hill, and no matter what I
did, the car seemed to be magnetically attracted to a deep gully. It stopped
just inches from the edge. All I could do was wait for the now-hot sun to dry
it. Fortunately, a friend with a 4-wheel drive pickup and a chain came by and pulled
me out. Once out of the rut and up the hill, I was fine. The sun had dried the
rest of the road already. That’s what Jesus did for us, isn’t it? When we were
on the greasy slope created by our sinful nature and headed for destruction,
God’s great mercy was poured out on us as “Son-shine” to lead us back to Life
with God.
PRAYER
Thank You for Your “Son
shining” on me, Heavenly Father. I pray that I will follow You all the days of
my life. Please hear me when I call out to You when I am in trouble. I can only
praise You for Your great mercy and love for me. In the name of Your Son, I
pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 36:5 — Your
steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the
clouds.
2 Corinthians 6:2 — See,
now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
As a child, my travels were
pretty limited. When I was five, the big adventure was a trip to Norfolk, 12
miles from our farm. Far-away places were only in the movies or on the radio. We
went to Omaha, 120 miles from the farm, when I was eight! That was exciting.
When I was 14, our whole family went to California! I thought we had made it to
the edge of heaven! From college on, I have been privileged to travel to
numerous states and other countries on other continents. No matter where I
traveled, I discovered the love and grace of God in the people I met. I genuinely
believe that if there are people God created on other planets, and if I could
ever travel there (in real life) and meet them, I would encounter the love and
grace of God - even there. There is nowhere God is not. The traveling
patriarchs and apostles alike came to that same conclusion. Everywhere and
every time belongs to the Creator of all lands and all times. Therefore, St.
Paul could declare that “...NOW is the acceptable time ...the day of salvation!”
We don’t have to wait for the world to end to reach heaven! We can experience
God’s steadfast love wherever we are! Are you worried about traveling? God has
every leg of your journey Home covered. There is no time like this moment to
begin your journey.
PRAYER
Whenever I encounter You
in other people’s lives, I am sometimes surprised, dear Lord. Thank You for
showing me Your face no matter where I go and no matter who I meet. Help me not
fear the travel ahead since I know You will be there with me. In Christ’s name.
Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
(James of Jerusalem, martyr)
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 10:6 — The Spirit
of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will be changed into a
different person.
2 Corinthians 5:21 — For
our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become
the righteousness of God.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Thankfully, I am not the same
person I was when I was growing up. As a country hick, I was not very well
coordinated and not athletic. Like many other young people, I was committed to
making “me” happy. Over the years, my purpose and passion have become more
Christ-centered and other-centered. A similar transition took place in James of
Jerusalem. James was “a brother of our Lord” who did not believe in Jesus as
the Christ until after the resurrection when Jesus appeared to him. James
became a different person from an unbeliever to a passionate believer, a church
leader, and one willing to die for the faith. Once Jesus becomes real in our
lives - not just a fictional character in a story, but a real and intimate
Friend - we too experience the life-changing power of the Spirit of the Lord! We
take what Jesus, our Friend, did on the cross very personally. He did it for US!
We will never be the same again. May we welcome the power of the Spirit and the
change He can make in our lives!
PRAYER
Holy Jesus, dear friend,
and constant companion, let your Spirit dwell within me and change me. Change
me into one who thinks of you more often. Change me into one who thinks of
others more than myself. Help me see You as more real each day that I grow
older. In Your name, I ask these things. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, October 23, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 28:13 — No one
who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes
them will obtain mercy.
Matthew 23:12 — All who exalt
themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
He was a fugitive, a hardened
criminal by age five. Bobby Hansen, our neighbor across the creek, told me he
could never return home. He had broken his mother’s chair, which could never be
fixed again! He had crossed the creek, found my sister and me cleaning one of
the calf pens, and insisted that we go to the secret fort he and his brother
helped us build. He was sure his mother would kill him or send him to jail. He
would live in our fort for the rest of his life! (Never mind that it had no
roof, door, or solid walls.) He was shaking and in tears, as he unrolled his
favorite blanket to reveal a sea shell, a broken old watch, a matchbox with GI
Joe figures, 15 cents, and a cheese and bologna sandwich. After he calmed down
and finished his sandwich, my sister and I offered to walk him home. When we
got there, his mother came running to meet him with worried relief written on
her face. She had missed him. He hung his head in shame, and all he could say
was, “I broke your chair!” and started to cry. She held him and told him it was
already broken. “You just finished the job!” she laughed. She wanted a new one
anyway! Not all confessions have such happy endings, but with God, they have an
even happier ending. Jesus already paid the penalty for our sins with his death
on the cross. Only those who confess and make a sincere effort to turn around
(repent) can benefit from His gift. Have you been “hiding out” from God? Why
not come clean and let God clean you up?
PRAYER
Thank You for letting me
come “clean” with You, O Lord, so that I can confess my sins and know that You
are a caring God who continually wraps Your loving arms around me. Help me
forgive the sins of others just like I have been forgiven. In the name of Jesus,
who enables me to pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, October 25, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Jeremiah 50:20 — In those
days and at that time, says the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought,
and there shall be none, and the sins of Judah, and none shall be found; for I
will pardon the remnant that I have spared.
Romans 11:22 — Note then
the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen,
but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Computers can be a blessing
or a curse. They are a blessing when they work, a curse when they seem to have
a mind of their own! One helpful feature I’ve used twice already while writing
these “Thoughts” is the “delete” key. It is wonderful! Delete anything, and
it’s gone! I have made the mistake of deleting something and wanting it back,
so there is also an “undelete” feature that can undo the delete if you catch it
in time. I wonder if God inspired the creation of these features?! God knows we
need them. After all, when we confess our sins, we confess “...things we have
done, and those we have left undone....” Looking beyond the impending
Babylonian exile about to swallow up his nation, Jeremiah declares that God
will highlight their sins and hit the delete key. Their sins will be gone
forever. The sad history of God’s people - the bad news - is that we keep
hitting the “undelete” button and go back to sinning the way we were before.
The Good News is that God is so full of kindness that He repeatedly “deletes”
our sins from His book. For those who “continue in God’s kindness,” there is
the assurance that God will prevail in totally and permanently deleting sin so
that we may live with Him forever! Are you ready to stop “undoing” God’s
“delete” so that you can continue in His kindness?
PRAYER
Thank You for hitting the
“delete” key regarding my sins, dear Father. I pray that You give me the
ability to turn back from doing the same sins repeatedly. Help me walk in Your
kindness, putting You first in my life. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, October 26, 2024
(Philipp Nicolai, 1608; Johann
Heermann, 1647; Paul Gerhardt, 1676; hymn writers)
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 45:12 — I made the
earth and created humankind upon it.
John 17:9 — I am asking on
behalf of those whom You gave me because they are Yours.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Zeke, one of the “big kids,”
got permission to come to my desk during study time. By February, I was already
a seasoned kindergartener, so my first reaction was to cringe when he knelt by
my desk. He told me not to worry; he just wanted me to do something for him. He
was sure I was one of Miss Shierlow’s “pets,” and she would be more likely to
listen to my request for a recess activity than him. He was mean to most
younger kids and usually on the teacher’s blacklist. I preferred another game,
but I took his “suggestion” to avoid flying rubber bands or spit wads in the
back of my head. I went to her desk at the appropriate time and made the
request. It was as easy as that. Zeke was happy. The rest of the “big kids”
were happy. And I was glad to be on their good side - at least for a few days.
Jesus was, and is, more than God’s “pet.” Jesus is the very heart of God,
speaking on behalf of all God’s created children. He approaches the throne of
the Father to speak of our needs in person. We don’t need to go through the
saints or even Mary, His mother. Jesus takes our concerns directly to the
throne of grace. Those who believe in Him and trust His grace are His “favored
ones” - His “pets.” Isn’t it great to know that you’ve got a Friend in the
Highest Place possible?!
PRAYER
Dearest Jesus, trusted
friend, thank You for listening to my requests and pleas and taking them to the
very heart of God. It is good to know that You will listen when I call. I pray
that I may trust in You to answer my prayers so that Your will and not mine be
done. In Your name, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Reformation Sunday, October 27, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Ezekiel 34:28 — They shall
live in safety, and no one shall make them afraid.
Hebrews 12:13 — Make
straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint,
but rather be healed.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I was blessed to have parents
who gave me a safe and loving home in a free and secure land with all the
benefits of modern medicine! The hymn writers remembered today were not so
fortunate. Philipp Nicolai had to lead worship in secret in one community and,
in another, bury 1300 of his parishioners who died of the plague. In the middle
of the heartbreak, he wrote: “Wake, Awake for Night is Flying.” Johann
Heermann, a pastor in Poland suffering from tuberculosis, looked beyond his own
need to write with deep emotion about the suffering of our Lord: “Ah, Holy
Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended.” Paul Gerhardt, probably the greatest
Lutheran hymn-writer, combined his deep piety and trust in God with a love of
nature when he penned the words: “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.” Ezekiel speaks
of these hymn writers and many faithful saints, past and present. Despite their
hardships and tribulations: “They shall live in safety, and no one shall
make them afraid.” Trials and
tribulations either “make us or break us.” Those who seek their strength in the
Lord discover the One who can make the lame walk and heal every illness -
eternally. Would you like your weeping turned to song like these three men?
Jesus stands at the door, waiting for you to open it.
PRAYER
So many times, I pity
myself, dear Lord, instead of rejoicing that You are keeping me safe in Your
loving arms. Forgive me for my self-pity and strengthen my heart to live in
courage. Thank You for those saints who have given us the gift of music so that
our hearts may sing in the glory of You. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, October 28, 2024
(St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles)
Tradition
says that Simon (a Zealot) and Jude (the brother of James the Younger) labored
together in Persia (Iraq) and were martyred there on the same day.
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 38:14 — O Lord, I
am oppressed; be my security!
Romans 8:26 — The Spirit
helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that
very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Dealing with the “big kids”
was a source of irritation in my younger years. It wasn’t a daily concern. Sometimes,
they could be downright helpful, especially when the teacher got on our case
and became the common “enemy.” Dealing with seemingly impossible assignments in
college made me feel like I was in a tightening vise. The weight of peer
pressure and the stress of dealing with teachers, bosses, co-workers,
neighbors, and a host of other things can make us feel oppressed! The good news
is that God sends relief to us when we call on Him, sometimes in the most
unexpected ways and people. Paul discovered that even when he was so down and
out he couldn’t find the words to pray, the Spirit offered up prayers on his
behalf with “sighs too deep for words.” Paul’s discovery is our blessing also.
No matter how oppressed, no matter how depressed, no matter how put down we
feel, the Spirit of the Lord dwelling within us feels and acts on our turmoil
and our pain-filled emotions. Even when we can’t formulate the words ourselves,
The Spirit of God speaks to the Heart of God. I often think of the arrow pulled
back in the bow. At its most stressed position, it is nearest the Ear of God,
who directs that arrow where it needs to go to bring us the peace we need.
Thank God for the stresses in your life! Thank God that His Spirit thrives on
speaking to the heart of God at those times “...with sighs too deep for words!”
PRAYER
Sometimes, in my hurt and
pain, I no longer have the words to say to You, Heavenly Father. Knowing You
know my deepest thoughts and desires, I can only cry out to You. Thank You for Your
deep love for me. I pray this in the name of the Christ. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 35:3 — Jacob said,
“Let us go up to Bethel, that I may make an altar there to the God who answered
me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.”
1 Timothy 1:12 — I am
grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged
me faithful and appointed me to his service.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
When I was young, going to
town - even Stanton six miles away - was a BIG thing. It was something that
happened on Saturday afternoon or evening and Sunday morning. Saturday was for
shopping. Sunday was for church. We didn’t just “hop in the car” and go.
Granted, even by the time I was in high school, that practice began to change.
But I remember when going to town was a treat, and going to church was
something I looked forward to. Jacob must have considered going to Bethel to
worship in the same way. Only for him, it would have been an uncomfortable
day’s journey. And Jacob thought thanking the Lord was well worth the extra
effort. How grateful are you for all the good things God has done for you -
from giving you the breath of life to making you who you are, over and above
giving His own Son to die on the cross so that you could have a place in heaven
with God? Are you willing to sacrifice and put in extra hours, miles, sweat,
and energy to show God you appreciate what He has done for you? The road of
servanthood is often difficult, often requires making tough choices, and often
proves to be costly. It is not a walk through rose petals without thorns. The
real question for each of us is: Is God worth it?
PRAYER
I am embarrassed when I am
unwilling to sacrifice anything for You, O God. Forgive me for complaining,
neglecting to serve, and putting You down at the bottom of my list of things to
do rather than at the top. I pray that You will be number one this and every
day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 59:2 — ...Your sins
have hidden (God’s) face from you so that he does not hear.
Acts 3:19 — Repent,
therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Years too late, we learned a
neat trick from a young mother we watched grow up from a loud and noisy child
into the graceful and loving mother that she is. She now has a child of her own
(actually three of them), and when her child is using a loud voice at the
table, Julie quietly says, “I can’t hear you when you use your outside voice.”
She then ignores all demands until the voice is quiet. To our amazement, it
only took one or two deep breaths, and the small voice inside quietly asked for
more salad, “...please.” Our sins are like that loud outside voice to God, who
turns His back and stops listening to our “demands.” It is not God who must
change. It is us. We must repent and change our direction so that God can once
again listen to our “inside voice,” wipe away our sins, and return to
communicating with us. It is almost too simple. But I’ve seen the effects on a
small, strong-willed child. Why shouldn’t it work on us, God’s stiff-necked,
strong-willed, wayward children? If it seems God isn’t listening to you,
consider taking a different approach. Confess your sins, as great or small as
they may be; repent and change your ways; and return to the Lord with your
“inside voice.” God considers that “inside voice” music to His ears.
PRAYER
Forgive me for my loud,
obnoxious demands. I am a stubborn person at times, dear Lord, and refuse to
admit the sins I have done toward You and others. I repent of them and ask for Your
grace upon me. I am bold to pray this because of Jesus’ love for me. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Reformation Day – Thursday, October 31, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 60:10 — For in my
wrath I struck you down, but in my favor, I have had mercy on you.
2 Corinthians 4:17 — This
slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory
beyond all measure.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I was elected president of
the FFA (Future Farmers of America) in high school. One of the challenges our
instructor gave us was participating in a state parliamentary procedure
contest. We were assigned the book of Robert’s Rules of Order, and the
officers were instructed to practice making motions. In our first session, we
failed miserably. There were large gaps of unused time. We failed to offer
proper motions, and as president, I failed to handle them properly. We were
sentenced to endless hours of after-school practice as the contest date
approached. At times, it seemed like “cruel and unusual punishment.” At other
times, it felt like a hopeless and worthless exercise in futility. But as the
date crept closer, we gained knowledge and experience. We arrived late and
missed the contest because of a blizzard. However, our instructor declared our
team the best he had seen compete! The trials and tribulations, the struggles
and the strains of living can be discouraging and lead us to want to give up.
But God knows that the mighty oak only grew strong when it was whipped about by
the wind and dumped on by adverse weather. Paul prayed three times to be
relieved of his “thorn in the flesh,” only to have God encourage him to rely on
the sufficient grace of God. The Reformation was all about acknowledging the
freely given gift of God, which is dependent only on God’s love, not on our
efforts or good works. God’s grace is often seen in the challenges He uses to
make us stronger and better able to live as His people. How has God been
encouraging you to become strong in your faith?
PRAYER
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