"Today's Devotion" For June 30, 2005
Read: Matthew 27:45-49; Psalm 22
IN CHRIST WE ARE NEVER FORSAKEN OR ALONE
"'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'"(Mt.27:46b)
Feeling alone is not a good feeling. Have you ever felt that way? While I know that I'm never really alone, because the Lord is at my side every moment of my life (even when I'm not paying attention to Him), I can honestly say I've felt alone more times than I care to count. It’s a really terrible feeling. At the same time as I make this confession, I'm reminded of people I've counseled over the years whose loneliness seemingly knew no bounds. They were people, many of them Christians, who felt so very much alone that it seemed to them they were they only persons left on the face of the earth. They felt so alone, that they were convinced that there was no one else who could understand their pain, sorrow, anguish, despair, or other feelings associated with being alone. For many of those whom I have met, they shared that they were experiencing a sense of abandonment by everyone and everything in their lives.
Do you know anyone like that? Perhaps you're such a person. On the other hand, perhaps you're a person who has a great deal of difficulty understanding how others could feel so lonely or alone. It's not uncommon for some people to believe that other people are exaggerating their "issues and circumstances," blowing them all out of proportion. Loneliness, however, can reasonably be seen as a symptom of spiritual, emotional, and economic poverty. All around us are people who are daily experiencing great loneliness. They may feel estranged from God and others because of something they've done or something that was done to them (ex.- A woman who has been assaulted). There are those who feel estranged from God and others because of emotional challenges, often leading to suicidal behavior. Then there are those who live in economic poverty who have no food or shelter, and no prospects for a job. We can add to these examples those orphans who have lost their parents, as well as those whose parents beat them or otherwise abused them and were subsequently removed from their homes and place in foster care. Lest we forget, loneliness is also a constant companion for displaced persons, the refugees, fleeing from death, famine, destruction, tyranny, and the like. For so many of them, there is an overwhelming feeling that no one cares and that they are forsaken by the world.
If you've ever been in that place in your life, you know what it feels like. It's hard to trust others because so many people and circumstances have been found wanting and untrustworthy. Yet, in the midst of such feelings and that sense of abandonment we have the sure and certain assurance that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ truly understands and identifies with those feelings. Taking on our human form, our precious Savior experienced the loneliness and despair that Sin brings into the lives of human beings. His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane reminds us that He was aware that He would soon be standing all alone against the relentless and savage onslaught of Sin and Satan. He knew His disciples would abandon Him and He would be left to the savage mercies of the Sanhedrin and the soldiers of Rome. He understood that in a few short hours of His time of prayer in Gethsemane, he would be nailed to the Cross, hung out for all who passed to revile and mock, and, in the end, feel the ultimate abandonment of His Father because of Sin. He knew the anguish of that abandonment as He cried out from the Cross, "My God, My God, Why have You forsaken me?"
Jesus is our hope in times of loneliness and despair. He understands better than anyone else in the whole world, even those who feel lonely, abandoned, and in despair what it means to be totally forsaken by all, even the Father. We have His assurance that He is always with us. He assures us that we never experience anything in life alone, because He is always right by our side. There is no one in all of Creation who truly understands and knows what really being lonely and alone - totally abandoned - as Jesus does. Because of His sacrifice for us we have God's promise that we are never alone, nor are we ever abandoned by Him. Because of Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of the world, and believing God's promises in Him, we need never feel lonely and alone ever again. We have God's own promise that we are His fully adopted and redeemed children. We are His very own, and He will never leave us or forsake us. We need never again feel lonely or alone.
Prayer: Father, when my Lord Jesus cried out "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" He took the whole punishment for sin upon His shoulders and paid the ultimate price. He did it for me. He experienced the full brunt of what being truly lonely and alone really means - being totally forsaken and forgotten by You. Jesus' sacrifice for me and the whole world means that by faith in Him I am assured that I am always held in the very palm of Your almighty and loving hand; that I'm never alone, even in an empty room; that You know my every fear, desire, weakness, and want and bless me with all that I need for life and living. Father, I pray that You would send Your Word and Spirit upon me in abundant measure each day so that I may always be enabled to face feelings of loneliness and abandonment with faith in Your promises that in Jesus I am always in Your presence and am never alone. Help me to share that truth with those around me who are in despair, whether physical or spiritual, so they, too, may be assured of Your full presence and love in Christ in their lives. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
****************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
God's Good Grace In God's Good Time
"Today's Devotion" For June 29, 2005
Read: Matthew 8:1-4; Leviticus 14:2-32
GOD'S GOOD GRACE IN GOD'S GOOD TIME
"...'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. 'I'm willing,' He said. 'Be clean.'" (Mt. 8:2-3)
How important is God's grace and mercy to us? It's a pretty good bet that they were important to the leper Matthew talks about in our Gospel reading for today. Here was a man who was shunned and feared because he had a disease considered incurable and contagious. According to Levitical law, he was required to live apart from other people, except, of course, other lepers. Anyone coming in contact with a leper was to be considered "unclean," so such persons became isolated from everyone, except those who were suffering as they were. It was not a great existence and, certainly, such persons clung to the impossible hope that they might, at some point, be healed. So how gracious and merciful was the hand of God upon this particular individual that he was able to come to Jesus, worship Him, and seek healing from Him? Imagine this man's joy when, in the midst of his isolation and quarantine from the community, covered with rotting and decaying flesh, and most likely experiencing pain he has the opportunity to come to Jesus, worship Him, and seek healing from Him.
The only hope this man had for healing was Jesus. By faith, therefore, this leper reached out to his Lord and Savior, trusting that Jesus' heart would lead Him to a compassionate response. God's grace and mercy for this leper leads Jesus to hear this man's prayer and answer that prayer, healing him and sending him on to fulfill the Law and the Prophets by showing himself to the priests. Jesus' love and compassion knows no bounds - He risked being "unclean" when He touched the leper to heal him. God's grace came to this man, this leper, in God's good time and for God's good purpose.
The healing of this leper stands on its own as a marvelous testimony to the grace and mercy of God. It's a wonderful picture of the Father's blessings to a sinful world through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Yet this account by Matthew has an even deeper meaning and intent for disciples of Jesus Christ. In a curious ending to this encounter between Jesus and the leper, Jesus instructs the man to do two things. First, he is to show himself to the priests to prove he'd been healed and make the sacrifices of atonement to God (which is according to Levitical law). But Jesus puts a curious twist on the meaning of the sacrifice, noting it would be a "testimony to them," perhaps as an acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah. The second thing Jesus instructs the leper to do is, perhaps, even more curious. He is to keep silent as to how he had been healed and Who had done so. What an incredible command by Jesus. This newly restored human being couldn't tell anyone else than the priests how he was healed. Why would Jesus put this former leper in such a position, asking him to keep silent when he was so grateful to be healed and restored to his family and friends?
The answer lies in Jesus' purpose for coming to earth. By God's good grace, in God's good time, Jesus came into the world, took on human flesh, put Himself under the Law so that He could obey it perfectly in our place, and then went the way of the Cross, an innocent man, bearing the guilt and sins of the world upon His head. Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of the world, so that all who believe in Him "should not perish but have eternal life" (Jn. 3:16), had to occur at the right time, in God's time, and couldn't be rushed or changed. Jesus' own testimony in Gethsemane, "Father, if it is possible, take this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will but Thine be done" (Mt. 26:39) makes it clear that God has a time and place for accomplishing the salvation of the world. It was essential that people didn't believe in Jesus because of His miracles. It was important for the world's salvation that people didn't believe in Him because He healed people. It was also important that His death occur when it was the "right time" according to the Father's timing.
God's good grace in God's good time is an important reality for us as God's people, redeemed in Christ. God's timing is everything when it comes to our service to God. Sometimes, according to God's timing, it can just be important for us to be silent; at other times to shout His praises at the top of our lungs. To carry God's good grace in God's good time to others is our calling from our gracious and merciful God. Our witness as Christian men and women is not only to tell others about Jesus, but also to know when it might be best to hold off telling and just let our actions set the pace. How good it is to live each day knowing that "God's good grace in God's good time" is at work in our lives and in the world.
Prayer: Father, I know that my time isn't Your time. All too often, however, I get impatient for things to happen, for things to get done, and for resolutions to my problems to happen yesterday. While one of the things that's obvious in the account of Jesus healing the leper is that Your healing power is available to me everyday, more especially do I hear You telling me that Your blessings come to me according to Your good grace in Your good time. Help me to trust Your timing for my good, dear Father. Strengthen my faith in Jesus, that I may trust Your timing completely, knowing that You will accomplish Your Will for my life according to Your wisdom. Give me a wise and discerning spirit so that I may understand how to be an effective witness, sharing Your good grace in Your good time, so that they might come to faith in Jesus and be saved. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 8:1-4; Leviticus 14:2-32
GOD'S GOOD GRACE IN GOD'S GOOD TIME
"...'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. 'I'm willing,' He said. 'Be clean.'" (Mt. 8:2-3)
How important is God's grace and mercy to us? It's a pretty good bet that they were important to the leper Matthew talks about in our Gospel reading for today. Here was a man who was shunned and feared because he had a disease considered incurable and contagious. According to Levitical law, he was required to live apart from other people, except, of course, other lepers. Anyone coming in contact with a leper was to be considered "unclean," so such persons became isolated from everyone, except those who were suffering as they were. It was not a great existence and, certainly, such persons clung to the impossible hope that they might, at some point, be healed. So how gracious and merciful was the hand of God upon this particular individual that he was able to come to Jesus, worship Him, and seek healing from Him? Imagine this man's joy when, in the midst of his isolation and quarantine from the community, covered with rotting and decaying flesh, and most likely experiencing pain he has the opportunity to come to Jesus, worship Him, and seek healing from Him.
The only hope this man had for healing was Jesus. By faith, therefore, this leper reached out to his Lord and Savior, trusting that Jesus' heart would lead Him to a compassionate response. God's grace and mercy for this leper leads Jesus to hear this man's prayer and answer that prayer, healing him and sending him on to fulfill the Law and the Prophets by showing himself to the priests. Jesus' love and compassion knows no bounds - He risked being "unclean" when He touched the leper to heal him. God's grace came to this man, this leper, in God's good time and for God's good purpose.
The healing of this leper stands on its own as a marvelous testimony to the grace and mercy of God. It's a wonderful picture of the Father's blessings to a sinful world through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Yet this account by Matthew has an even deeper meaning and intent for disciples of Jesus Christ. In a curious ending to this encounter between Jesus and the leper, Jesus instructs the man to do two things. First, he is to show himself to the priests to prove he'd been healed and make the sacrifices of atonement to God (which is according to Levitical law). But Jesus puts a curious twist on the meaning of the sacrifice, noting it would be a "testimony to them," perhaps as an acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah. The second thing Jesus instructs the leper to do is, perhaps, even more curious. He is to keep silent as to how he had been healed and Who had done so. What an incredible command by Jesus. This newly restored human being couldn't tell anyone else than the priests how he was healed. Why would Jesus put this former leper in such a position, asking him to keep silent when he was so grateful to be healed and restored to his family and friends?
The answer lies in Jesus' purpose for coming to earth. By God's good grace, in God's good time, Jesus came into the world, took on human flesh, put Himself under the Law so that He could obey it perfectly in our place, and then went the way of the Cross, an innocent man, bearing the guilt and sins of the world upon His head. Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of the world, so that all who believe in Him "should not perish but have eternal life" (Jn. 3:16), had to occur at the right time, in God's time, and couldn't be rushed or changed. Jesus' own testimony in Gethsemane, "Father, if it is possible, take this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will but Thine be done" (Mt. 26:39) makes it clear that God has a time and place for accomplishing the salvation of the world. It was essential that people didn't believe in Jesus because of His miracles. It was important for the world's salvation that people didn't believe in Him because He healed people. It was also important that His death occur when it was the "right time" according to the Father's timing.
God's good grace in God's good time is an important reality for us as God's people, redeemed in Christ. God's timing is everything when it comes to our service to God. Sometimes, according to God's timing, it can just be important for us to be silent; at other times to shout His praises at the top of our lungs. To carry God's good grace in God's good time to others is our calling from our gracious and merciful God. Our witness as Christian men and women is not only to tell others about Jesus, but also to know when it might be best to hold off telling and just let our actions set the pace. How good it is to live each day knowing that "God's good grace in God's good time" is at work in our lives and in the world.
Prayer: Father, I know that my time isn't Your time. All too often, however, I get impatient for things to happen, for things to get done, and for resolutions to my problems to happen yesterday. While one of the things that's obvious in the account of Jesus healing the leper is that Your healing power is available to me everyday, more especially do I hear You telling me that Your blessings come to me according to Your good grace in Your good time. Help me to trust Your timing for my good, dear Father. Strengthen my faith in Jesus, that I may trust Your timing completely, knowing that You will accomplish Your Will for my life according to Your wisdom. Give me a wise and discerning spirit so that I may understand how to be an effective witness, sharing Your good grace in Your good time, so that they might come to faith in Jesus and be saved. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Having Our Faith In Christ Tested
"Today's Devotion" For June 28, 2005
Read: I John 5:1-12; Galatians 5:16-6:10
HAVING OUR FAITH IN CHRIST TESTED
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well." (I Jn. 5:1)
Have you ever noticed how your principles and resolve are tested? Sometimes I feel as if my every waking hour is a test of what I believe and whether or not I'm going to follow through on those beliefs. Now this testing doesn't just take place for individuals. Whole cultures and nations find their belief systems tried and tested constantly. The United States, for instance, is currently being tested on the international level as to whether or not we have the backbone and "intestinal fortitude" necessary to really live up to what we say we believe about freedom and democracy for everyone. At home, we find ourselves debating the ethics of stem cell research, including cloning to develop replacement limbs, and the use of frozen, human embryos for medical research. On the international level, nations test each others' resolve and ideals seemingly every day. And, it seems, passing grades are few and far between.
As the people of God, we undergo a similar testing process every day as well. The situations of life that we face challenge us to truly live out what we say we believe as redeemed children of God in Jesus Christ. We claim to believe that we are saved solely by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We claim that Jesus Christ is the only way to God's forgiveness and to eternal life in heaven. Yet, the world challenges those claims and calls upon us to "prove" them by how we live our lives. Our faith and trust in Jesus is tested everyday and we are challenged by our world to examine ourselves and check our faith.
John reminds us that having faith in Jesus means we have been given a new, spiritual birth by God. "We love Him because He first loved us" John writes (I Jn. 4:19). By that love we have been made members of His family. Motivated by His love for us, we seek to love others, even our enemies. By that same love we are called to especially love our brothers and sisters in Christ. This can be an even more difficult and challenging test of our faith, for all too often God's children argue and fight with one another, frequently treating one another in ways we don't even treat those who are enemies of Christ. Too often we are guilty of being unloving to our family members in the Body of Christ, and putting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a less than positive light.
Understanding our need for God's love to motivate our love, we come humbly before our Father in heaven with repentant hearts. We confess our sins before Him and receive, by faith, His sure and certain forgiveness in Christ. We are made new in His love as it comes to us in Jesus. As our heavenly Father's dearly beloved children, we seek to show our love for Him by seeking to obey His commands and love one another as Christ has loved us. Our Lord Jesus, in His great love for us, has overcome Sin and the world. By the power of His Word and Spirit we have been called to faith in Him and called to live that faith as a true and certain testimony of His love for the whole world. As we live by faith, actively seeking to be our Father's children, the world sees us as truly being different, for we truly love one another. By so loving one another in Christ and sharing that love with the world we truly live up to our claims and stand firmly tested before the world.
Prayer: Father, I need Your forgiveness every day because I too often fail the test of faith and love. All too often I am unlovingly critical of my brothers and sisters in Christ and so present a faithless picture to the world. When a brother or sister in Christ offends me or is found to be wanting in some area of his or her life, rather than being patient with them I shunt them aside or put them down. When in love I could help such a brother or sister grow more complete in his or her life of faith and service, I too often choose to ignore the opportunity for such loving service because it’s just to hard and time consuming. Instead, it’s much easier to go on my merry way, doing “my thing,” and let such a brother or sister fall. Father, forgive me for such unloving and uncaring behavior on my part. Rather than being put off by a brother's or sister's weaknesses, help me to love them and find ways to serve them in their situations and transform their lives with Your love. Remind me, Father, that how I treat my brothers and sisters in Christ is a vital reflection to the world of my love for You. Let my actions be a powerful witness to Your love for all the world to see. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I John 5:1-12; Galatians 5:16-6:10
HAVING OUR FAITH IN CHRIST TESTED
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well." (I Jn. 5:1)
Have you ever noticed how your principles and resolve are tested? Sometimes I feel as if my every waking hour is a test of what I believe and whether or not I'm going to follow through on those beliefs. Now this testing doesn't just take place for individuals. Whole cultures and nations find their belief systems tried and tested constantly. The United States, for instance, is currently being tested on the international level as to whether or not we have the backbone and "intestinal fortitude" necessary to really live up to what we say we believe about freedom and democracy for everyone. At home, we find ourselves debating the ethics of stem cell research, including cloning to develop replacement limbs, and the use of frozen, human embryos for medical research. On the international level, nations test each others' resolve and ideals seemingly every day. And, it seems, passing grades are few and far between.
As the people of God, we undergo a similar testing process every day as well. The situations of life that we face challenge us to truly live out what we say we believe as redeemed children of God in Jesus Christ. We claim to believe that we are saved solely by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We claim that Jesus Christ is the only way to God's forgiveness and to eternal life in heaven. Yet, the world challenges those claims and calls upon us to "prove" them by how we live our lives. Our faith and trust in Jesus is tested everyday and we are challenged by our world to examine ourselves and check our faith.
John reminds us that having faith in Jesus means we have been given a new, spiritual birth by God. "We love Him because He first loved us" John writes (I Jn. 4:19). By that love we have been made members of His family. Motivated by His love for us, we seek to love others, even our enemies. By that same love we are called to especially love our brothers and sisters in Christ. This can be an even more difficult and challenging test of our faith, for all too often God's children argue and fight with one another, frequently treating one another in ways we don't even treat those who are enemies of Christ. Too often we are guilty of being unloving to our family members in the Body of Christ, and putting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a less than positive light.
Understanding our need for God's love to motivate our love, we come humbly before our Father in heaven with repentant hearts. We confess our sins before Him and receive, by faith, His sure and certain forgiveness in Christ. We are made new in His love as it comes to us in Jesus. As our heavenly Father's dearly beloved children, we seek to show our love for Him by seeking to obey His commands and love one another as Christ has loved us. Our Lord Jesus, in His great love for us, has overcome Sin and the world. By the power of His Word and Spirit we have been called to faith in Him and called to live that faith as a true and certain testimony of His love for the whole world. As we live by faith, actively seeking to be our Father's children, the world sees us as truly being different, for we truly love one another. By so loving one another in Christ and sharing that love with the world we truly live up to our claims and stand firmly tested before the world.
Prayer: Father, I need Your forgiveness every day because I too often fail the test of faith and love. All too often I am unlovingly critical of my brothers and sisters in Christ and so present a faithless picture to the world. When a brother or sister in Christ offends me or is found to be wanting in some area of his or her life, rather than being patient with them I shunt them aside or put them down. When in love I could help such a brother or sister grow more complete in his or her life of faith and service, I too often choose to ignore the opportunity for such loving service because it’s just to hard and time consuming. Instead, it’s much easier to go on my merry way, doing “my thing,” and let such a brother or sister fall. Father, forgive me for such unloving and uncaring behavior on my part. Rather than being put off by a brother's or sister's weaknesses, help me to love them and find ways to serve them in their situations and transform their lives with Your love. Remind me, Father, that how I treat my brothers and sisters in Christ is a vital reflection to the world of my love for You. Let my actions be a powerful witness to Your love for all the world to see. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, June 27, 2005
God's Promises Are Always Sure and Certain
"Today's Devotion" For June 27, 2005
Read: Matthew 24:29-35; I Peter 1:3-16
GOD'S PROMISES ARE ABSOLUTELY SURE AND CERTAIN
"'Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.'" (Mt. 24:35)
One of the items of "Sports Buzz" in the local Milwaukee newspaper has been the recent firing of Terry Porter as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. I have to admit that I'm no lover of NBA basketball, but occasionally I find a player or coach that seems to have something positive to offer the public. Mr. Porter is one such coach in my opinion. Thus, when word got out that he was fired last week after having had the general manager say he was "the man" to coach the Bucks just six weeks before, I was just a bit surprised and disappointed. Surprised, because I thought the general manager of the Bucks was a more honest person; disappointed, because once again it seems as if there is no such thing as honoring a contract - especially in professional sports - in this case, at the team level.
The buzz around Packerland has been the hold out of Javon Walker with two years remaining on his contract. He wants more money; feels he deserves more. Of course, not to be outdone, along comes Terrell Owens who just last year signed a long-term contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now he, too, wants to renegotiate his contract to make more money. Strangely enough, they both have the same agent. So here we have two individuals seeking a different outcome than what they agreed to in their contracts. In this case the onus is on the players honoring their contracts.
It's becoming more and more evident that keeping a promise, whether contractually or by "giving your word," is becoming an extinct value in our culture. But such a loss of principle isn't just restricted to our society. The whole world is fraught with false promises and premises. One moment we read about negotiations taking place in the Middle East for Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and West Bank and the next moment we read that something's gone wrong and the "deal's off." Governments make "deals" which the governed ignore or flaunt. Our own nation gives its word to "stay the course'" in the war on terrorism, but the governed, because the "going is rough" wants to renege and pull out (that seems to be the opinion generated by the most recent polls). It seems that on both the national and international level there are plenty of empty words and promises to go around. It seems that no one learns from history where we find treaties, agreements, covenants, and contracts that have all gone by the wayside because the words and promises made have ceased to have meaning, often before the ink was dry.
By God's grace, however, those who know the promises of God for salvation in Jesus Christ are certain and sure that God's Word will always remain. While all around us people, corporations, organizations, and governments fail to honor their contracts or keep their promises, God continues to keep His. He gives us everything we need to sustain life each day. He touches us with His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ. His promise of sins forgiven and the hope of heaven never changes. Every day through the power of His Word our Father in heaven reinforces the truth of His promises and assures us that, redeemed in Christ, we are His very own, precious children. It's these promises that give us hope in the midst of hardship and despair. It's these promises that assure us that we're never alone and that our Lord Jesus is "with (us) always, even to the end of the world" (Mt. 20:20). It's these promises which sustain us when people hate us because we serve Jesus Christ. In the end, we can be certain that no matter what happens in this world, we belong to God because Jesus died for us and rose again. In Him we are certain that we will be with Him in heaven and that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything in all of creation shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:38-39).
Prayer: Father, You promised Adam and Eve that a Savior would come. You promised Abraham that You would make of him a great nation. You promised David that his throne would last forever. You promised Your people, Israel, that You would restore them to You and make them a beacon to the nations. Your promises throughout the ages have always assured Your people that You love them and are always working in their lives for their good. Father, I believe those promises. Every day, when I really pay attention, I see Your loving and gracious hand at work in my life and the lives of others as You provide for every need, fulfilling even the tiniest of Your promises. Give me the patience and faith to live in Your promises, always assured that I am Your dearly beloved and redeemed child by faith in Jesus Christ. Help me to live out Your promises as I touch the lives of others with Your love and forgiveness as a living testimony of the certainty of Your Word and the hope of heaven. By the power of Your Word and Spirit keep me faithful to You and Your promises in Jesus no matter the trials or temptations I may face. Let my life be a faithful witness to Your love and the only promises in the universe that are absolutely sure and certain. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
***********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 24:29-35; I Peter 1:3-16
GOD'S PROMISES ARE ABSOLUTELY SURE AND CERTAIN
"'Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.'" (Mt. 24:35)
One of the items of "Sports Buzz" in the local Milwaukee newspaper has been the recent firing of Terry Porter as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. I have to admit that I'm no lover of NBA basketball, but occasionally I find a player or coach that seems to have something positive to offer the public. Mr. Porter is one such coach in my opinion. Thus, when word got out that he was fired last week after having had the general manager say he was "the man" to coach the Bucks just six weeks before, I was just a bit surprised and disappointed. Surprised, because I thought the general manager of the Bucks was a more honest person; disappointed, because once again it seems as if there is no such thing as honoring a contract - especially in professional sports - in this case, at the team level.
The buzz around Packerland has been the hold out of Javon Walker with two years remaining on his contract. He wants more money; feels he deserves more. Of course, not to be outdone, along comes Terrell Owens who just last year signed a long-term contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now he, too, wants to renegotiate his contract to make more money. Strangely enough, they both have the same agent. So here we have two individuals seeking a different outcome than what they agreed to in their contracts. In this case the onus is on the players honoring their contracts.
It's becoming more and more evident that keeping a promise, whether contractually or by "giving your word," is becoming an extinct value in our culture. But such a loss of principle isn't just restricted to our society. The whole world is fraught with false promises and premises. One moment we read about negotiations taking place in the Middle East for Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and West Bank and the next moment we read that something's gone wrong and the "deal's off." Governments make "deals" which the governed ignore or flaunt. Our own nation gives its word to "stay the course'" in the war on terrorism, but the governed, because the "going is rough" wants to renege and pull out (that seems to be the opinion generated by the most recent polls). It seems that on both the national and international level there are plenty of empty words and promises to go around. It seems that no one learns from history where we find treaties, agreements, covenants, and contracts that have all gone by the wayside because the words and promises made have ceased to have meaning, often before the ink was dry.
By God's grace, however, those who know the promises of God for salvation in Jesus Christ are certain and sure that God's Word will always remain. While all around us people, corporations, organizations, and governments fail to honor their contracts or keep their promises, God continues to keep His. He gives us everything we need to sustain life each day. He touches us with His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ. His promise of sins forgiven and the hope of heaven never changes. Every day through the power of His Word our Father in heaven reinforces the truth of His promises and assures us that, redeemed in Christ, we are His very own, precious children. It's these promises that give us hope in the midst of hardship and despair. It's these promises that assure us that we're never alone and that our Lord Jesus is "with (us) always, even to the end of the world" (Mt. 20:20). It's these promises which sustain us when people hate us because we serve Jesus Christ. In the end, we can be certain that no matter what happens in this world, we belong to God because Jesus died for us and rose again. In Him we are certain that we will be with Him in heaven and that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything in all of creation shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:38-39).
Prayer: Father, You promised Adam and Eve that a Savior would come. You promised Abraham that You would make of him a great nation. You promised David that his throne would last forever. You promised Your people, Israel, that You would restore them to You and make them a beacon to the nations. Your promises throughout the ages have always assured Your people that You love them and are always working in their lives for their good. Father, I believe those promises. Every day, when I really pay attention, I see Your loving and gracious hand at work in my life and the lives of others as You provide for every need, fulfilling even the tiniest of Your promises. Give me the patience and faith to live in Your promises, always assured that I am Your dearly beloved and redeemed child by faith in Jesus Christ. Help me to live out Your promises as I touch the lives of others with Your love and forgiveness as a living testimony of the certainty of Your Word and the hope of heaven. By the power of Your Word and Spirit keep me faithful to You and Your promises in Jesus no matter the trials or temptations I may face. Let my life be a faithful witness to Your love and the only promises in the universe that are absolutely sure and certain. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
***********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Wars - An Inevitable Result Of Sin
"Today's Devotion" For June 25, 2005
Read: Matthew 24:2-8; Psalm 46
WARS - AN INEVITABLE RESULT OF SIN
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 8:28-29)
The latest "to do" in Washington is the issue of the war on terrorism, particularly the "stepped up insurgency" in Iraq. According to the polls the American people are sick of the war and want the troops to come home. As one observer noted, the same kind of public sentiment was displayed during the first years of WWII, most likely because there was a distinct feeling among the populace that we couldn't win. As President Roosevelt "stayed the course" and continued to prosecute the war as was necessary, the angst and defeatism facing the nation gradually subsided. In its place a grim and defiant resolve took over the psyche of the nation, and the battle was joined and victory expected.
Should we like war? Of course not. It's the obvious result of a fallen world where Sin and evil seem to have their way. War brings anxiety, discomfort, fear, anger, and emptiness. No matter how much we might complain, politicians may debate and posture and people walk about wringing their hands, the reality of war is upon us. We can't hide it under a bushel basket nor can we run away from its consequences. People are dying, both combatants and noncombatants, because the enemy holds an ideology that devalues human life. Evil seeks to have its way and people of good conscience and character cannot allow such evil and such an inhumane ideology to hold the lives of peoples and nations hostage.
Our Lord Jesus Christ understood that wars are going to occur and that they are the inevitable result of Sin in the world and the evil that has brought Sin into the lives of people. He made it very clear to His disciples that there will always be wars and rumors of war as long as the earth exists. Jesus' words give us the sense that nothing is going to stop them from occurring, and that we need to be prepared for their consequences. Wars remind us that this world will eventually come to an end but in God's time. David's Psalm 46 reminds us that God is the One that causes wars to cease, not us. He is in charge and is watching over His people so that no harm comes to them - best understood as being separated from Him and His love for eternity. As we continue to prosecute this war on terrorism and the evil that perpetrates it, we are encouraged and reminded that nothing can take God's people away from His love.
Paul's words of hope, quoted above from Romans 8, are so very vital for the nation to hear in this time of national and world discontent, turmoil, and conflict. Our Lord's strong promises is that nothing can separate us from the "love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Paul's powerful treatise in Romans 8 draws our attention to the incredible reality that God's grace, mercy, and love are our certain assurance that we belong to Him. We don't need to be afraid of anything in this world or the next. There's no foe that can harm us so as to take us away from God. Despite the worst efforts of terrorists, politicians, and naysayers to get us to lose our focus on the final victory over Sin and evil, our joy and peace in Christ is complete. As our brothers and sisters in Christ give their lives in the cause of freedom and justice in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the world we pray that God would, through their efforts, bring peace and hope to the nations. May their lives, and ours, in service to our God and Savior, truly reflect His love and compassion, His mercy and grace, His hope and peace, and His promise of eternal life in Christ so that others, through us, might see Jesus and believe.
Prayer: Father, I'm absolutely certain that wars are not a part of Your plan for the salvation of the world. In fact I'm also certain, according to Your Word, that wars are an abomination to You because they are the result of Sin and evil in the world which destroy Your Creation and seek to lead Your people from Your love. Yet, I also realize that wars, while often not of our choosing or Your design, are also the result of Sin and can be the instruments of Your justice and righteousness upon those who would flaunt Your Will and do evil to other human beings. Help me to stay focused on the reality of war and the necessity of defending those who are weaker and in need of Your love and compassion. Father, according to Your Will, please bring these times of conflict to a peaceful solution. Under any and all circumstances, whether in war or peace, help me to trust in You completely and look to You for strength. Guide those who lead the nations of the world to turn to You for guidance and wisdom. Let me be an instrument of Your peace, as well, through my actions, my words, and my prayers. In Jesus' name. Amen.
******************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 24:2-8; Psalm 46
WARS - AN INEVITABLE RESULT OF SIN
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 8:28-29)
The latest "to do" in Washington is the issue of the war on terrorism, particularly the "stepped up insurgency" in Iraq. According to the polls the American people are sick of the war and want the troops to come home. As one observer noted, the same kind of public sentiment was displayed during the first years of WWII, most likely because there was a distinct feeling among the populace that we couldn't win. As President Roosevelt "stayed the course" and continued to prosecute the war as was necessary, the angst and defeatism facing the nation gradually subsided. In its place a grim and defiant resolve took over the psyche of the nation, and the battle was joined and victory expected.
Should we like war? Of course not. It's the obvious result of a fallen world where Sin and evil seem to have their way. War brings anxiety, discomfort, fear, anger, and emptiness. No matter how much we might complain, politicians may debate and posture and people walk about wringing their hands, the reality of war is upon us. We can't hide it under a bushel basket nor can we run away from its consequences. People are dying, both combatants and noncombatants, because the enemy holds an ideology that devalues human life. Evil seeks to have its way and people of good conscience and character cannot allow such evil and such an inhumane ideology to hold the lives of peoples and nations hostage.
Our Lord Jesus Christ understood that wars are going to occur and that they are the inevitable result of Sin in the world and the evil that has brought Sin into the lives of people. He made it very clear to His disciples that there will always be wars and rumors of war as long as the earth exists. Jesus' words give us the sense that nothing is going to stop them from occurring, and that we need to be prepared for their consequences. Wars remind us that this world will eventually come to an end but in God's time. David's Psalm 46 reminds us that God is the One that causes wars to cease, not us. He is in charge and is watching over His people so that no harm comes to them - best understood as being separated from Him and His love for eternity. As we continue to prosecute this war on terrorism and the evil that perpetrates it, we are encouraged and reminded that nothing can take God's people away from His love.
Paul's words of hope, quoted above from Romans 8, are so very vital for the nation to hear in this time of national and world discontent, turmoil, and conflict. Our Lord's strong promises is that nothing can separate us from the "love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Paul's powerful treatise in Romans 8 draws our attention to the incredible reality that God's grace, mercy, and love are our certain assurance that we belong to Him. We don't need to be afraid of anything in this world or the next. There's no foe that can harm us so as to take us away from God. Despite the worst efforts of terrorists, politicians, and naysayers to get us to lose our focus on the final victory over Sin and evil, our joy and peace in Christ is complete. As our brothers and sisters in Christ give their lives in the cause of freedom and justice in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the world we pray that God would, through their efforts, bring peace and hope to the nations. May their lives, and ours, in service to our God and Savior, truly reflect His love and compassion, His mercy and grace, His hope and peace, and His promise of eternal life in Christ so that others, through us, might see Jesus and believe.
Prayer: Father, I'm absolutely certain that wars are not a part of Your plan for the salvation of the world. In fact I'm also certain, according to Your Word, that wars are an abomination to You because they are the result of Sin and evil in the world which destroy Your Creation and seek to lead Your people from Your love. Yet, I also realize that wars, while often not of our choosing or Your design, are also the result of Sin and can be the instruments of Your justice and righteousness upon those who would flaunt Your Will and do evil to other human beings. Help me to stay focused on the reality of war and the necessity of defending those who are weaker and in need of Your love and compassion. Father, according to Your Will, please bring these times of conflict to a peaceful solution. Under any and all circumstances, whether in war or peace, help me to trust in You completely and look to You for strength. Guide those who lead the nations of the world to turn to You for guidance and wisdom. Let me be an instrument of Your peace, as well, through my actions, my words, and my prayers. In Jesus' name. Amen.
******************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Knowing What's Really True
"Today's Devotion" For June 24, 3005
Read: John 16:5-15; Psalm 25:1-15
KNOWING WHAT'S REALLY TRUE
"'But when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.’"(Jn.16:13a)
Over the past two centuries, the floor of the United States Senate has been the centerpiece for marvelous legislation, oratory that stirred the heart of patriotism, and debates and discussions which helped to form a nation. What has transpired in the upper chamber of the Congress of the United States of America has been - at times - both awe inspiring and downright "anal." Perhaps no more "anal" rhetoric and flying accusations have occurred on the floor of that august body than the recent comments made in regard to issues of policy surrounding the war on terrorism and the differences between how "conservatives" and "liberals" view the events and issues of our times. A United States Senator made it a point to castigate our military for being "Nazis" and perpetrating a "gulag" while debating issues related to an enemy combatant detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Another senator, finding fault with the remarks of a member of the opposite party who had challenged the position of "liberals" on certain issues, lambasted this person as if he had personally attacked the senator's political party and not an ideology.
As these types of useless and personal attacks and debates continue, we're reminded of that most famous - or infamous, if you will - question that Scripture tells us Pilate asked of Jesus, "What is truth?" As we watch the current "drama" - or stupidity, perhaps? - playing itself out in the seat of the nation's government, one cannot but wonder if anyone really cares about the answer to that question. We live in a world gone "mad" with economic upheaval, educational decline, wars and rumors of wars, and an increasingly insidious form of evil in the form of terrorism. At the heart of every one of these, and other, circumstances, challenges, and events the protagonists and antagonists all claim to have "truth" on their side. No longer are we debating truth at the academic level only, where truth has been the place where it has traditionally taken on a life of its own. In today's world, the debate about what's true or not true has taken on a wider audience. Seeking the truth for everyday life and living, for world affairs and the challenges of evil, are no longer "stuck" within the walls of academia. They're not on the center stage of daily living for everyone.
At the very heart of the search for "truth" lies the struggle between the Will of God and the sinful condition of humanity. Satan, "the Deceiver," seeking to take advantage of the continuing confusion Sin brings into the lives of people, puts up more and more challenges to the truth of God's Word and His plan of Salvation for the world in Jesus Christ. Everywhere we look we see competing "truths" about what God's Word really means and how our salvation is really accomplished. We're experiencing a "flow west" of different, non-Christian religions, all purporting to be true and all having a differing view and understanding of what constitutes salvation and, ultimately "heaven." Even our political leaders have gotten into the debate of what role "religion" should play in their politics and decision-making; a debate not at all unrelated to Pilate's question of Jesus, "What is truth?"
For those who believe they have been redeemed from the power of Sin, Death, Satan, and the grave by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross, the "truth" is obvious. Despite competition for a corner on "truth," God's people are focused on God's revelation of Himself to us in Jesus Christ. We stand certain that we know the most important of "truths," namely that we are saved from the power of Sin, Death, Satan, and the grave because Jesus died for us and paid the ultimate price demanded for our disobedience by a righteous and holy God. Knowing what's really true for the Christian means weighing all arguments against the clear revelation of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Knowing what's really true means recognizing that there are competing "truths" in the world which seek to put us at enmity with God. Instead of being sucked in to debates about what's true, what's evil, and what's real based on opinion, innuendo, and deceit, God's people seek to let the Spirit of God, working through His Word, guide them to knowing what's really true. We are led to the truth that God is the Creator of all things and the Redeemer of the World. We are led to the truth that this is our Father's world and that's He's in charge of everything.
Jesus told the Twelve that they would never have to deal with ambiguity when it comes to the truth once the Holy Spirit came upon them. Through the Word, the Spirit reveals God's truth about His love, grace, and mercy toward us in Jesus Christ. Through the Word we become aware of the truth that God has created everything and continues to work in this world, caring for His creation. Through the Word there are no ambiguous "truths" about our salvation, only the certainty, that by faith in Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven and we have the sure hope of eternal life with God in heaven. While there may be all kinds of uncertain "truths" all around us, we can be certain that this is a faithful (true) saying, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
Prayer: Father, by the power of Your Word and Spirit You have revealed Yourself to me and brought me into a saving relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As I hear the debates and arguments, the derision and hatred being spewed by politicians and others in authority, I'm reminded of the hatred that my Lord Jesus Christ experienced as He was arrested and falsely accused before Pilate. Rather than seeking the truth and upholding it, Pilate did the "politically correct" (today's word for "expedience") thing by turning Jesus, an innocent man, over to be crucified. Father, I pray that you would lead me to know what's really true as I hear Your Word each day. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, I pray that you would also enter into the hearts of every politician and leader of this nation and the world so that they, too, might know what's really true and seek to "stop the madness" of evil all over the world so that all might live in Your peace. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
******************************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 16:5-15; Psalm 25:1-15
KNOWING WHAT'S REALLY TRUE
"'But when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.’"(Jn.16:13a)
Over the past two centuries, the floor of the United States Senate has been the centerpiece for marvelous legislation, oratory that stirred the heart of patriotism, and debates and discussions which helped to form a nation. What has transpired in the upper chamber of the Congress of the United States of America has been - at times - both awe inspiring and downright "anal." Perhaps no more "anal" rhetoric and flying accusations have occurred on the floor of that august body than the recent comments made in regard to issues of policy surrounding the war on terrorism and the differences between how "conservatives" and "liberals" view the events and issues of our times. A United States Senator made it a point to castigate our military for being "Nazis" and perpetrating a "gulag" while debating issues related to an enemy combatant detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Another senator, finding fault with the remarks of a member of the opposite party who had challenged the position of "liberals" on certain issues, lambasted this person as if he had personally attacked the senator's political party and not an ideology.
As these types of useless and personal attacks and debates continue, we're reminded of that most famous - or infamous, if you will - question that Scripture tells us Pilate asked of Jesus, "What is truth?" As we watch the current "drama" - or stupidity, perhaps? - playing itself out in the seat of the nation's government, one cannot but wonder if anyone really cares about the answer to that question. We live in a world gone "mad" with economic upheaval, educational decline, wars and rumors of wars, and an increasingly insidious form of evil in the form of terrorism. At the heart of every one of these, and other, circumstances, challenges, and events the protagonists and antagonists all claim to have "truth" on their side. No longer are we debating truth at the academic level only, where truth has been the place where it has traditionally taken on a life of its own. In today's world, the debate about what's true or not true has taken on a wider audience. Seeking the truth for everyday life and living, for world affairs and the challenges of evil, are no longer "stuck" within the walls of academia. They're not on the center stage of daily living for everyone.
At the very heart of the search for "truth" lies the struggle between the Will of God and the sinful condition of humanity. Satan, "the Deceiver," seeking to take advantage of the continuing confusion Sin brings into the lives of people, puts up more and more challenges to the truth of God's Word and His plan of Salvation for the world in Jesus Christ. Everywhere we look we see competing "truths" about what God's Word really means and how our salvation is really accomplished. We're experiencing a "flow west" of different, non-Christian religions, all purporting to be true and all having a differing view and understanding of what constitutes salvation and, ultimately "heaven." Even our political leaders have gotten into the debate of what role "religion" should play in their politics and decision-making; a debate not at all unrelated to Pilate's question of Jesus, "What is truth?"
For those who believe they have been redeemed from the power of Sin, Death, Satan, and the grave by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross, the "truth" is obvious. Despite competition for a corner on "truth," God's people are focused on God's revelation of Himself to us in Jesus Christ. We stand certain that we know the most important of "truths," namely that we are saved from the power of Sin, Death, Satan, and the grave because Jesus died for us and paid the ultimate price demanded for our disobedience by a righteous and holy God. Knowing what's really true for the Christian means weighing all arguments against the clear revelation of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Knowing what's really true means recognizing that there are competing "truths" in the world which seek to put us at enmity with God. Instead of being sucked in to debates about what's true, what's evil, and what's real based on opinion, innuendo, and deceit, God's people seek to let the Spirit of God, working through His Word, guide them to knowing what's really true. We are led to the truth that God is the Creator of all things and the Redeemer of the World. We are led to the truth that this is our Father's world and that's He's in charge of everything.
Jesus told the Twelve that they would never have to deal with ambiguity when it comes to the truth once the Holy Spirit came upon them. Through the Word, the Spirit reveals God's truth about His love, grace, and mercy toward us in Jesus Christ. Through the Word we become aware of the truth that God has created everything and continues to work in this world, caring for His creation. Through the Word there are no ambiguous "truths" about our salvation, only the certainty, that by faith in Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven and we have the sure hope of eternal life with God in heaven. While there may be all kinds of uncertain "truths" all around us, we can be certain that this is a faithful (true) saying, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
Prayer: Father, by the power of Your Word and Spirit You have revealed Yourself to me and brought me into a saving relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As I hear the debates and arguments, the derision and hatred being spewed by politicians and others in authority, I'm reminded of the hatred that my Lord Jesus Christ experienced as He was arrested and falsely accused before Pilate. Rather than seeking the truth and upholding it, Pilate did the "politically correct" (today's word for "expedience") thing by turning Jesus, an innocent man, over to be crucified. Father, I pray that you would lead me to know what's really true as I hear Your Word each day. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, I pray that you would also enter into the hearts of every politician and leader of this nation and the world so that they, too, might know what's really true and seek to "stop the madness" of evil all over the world so that all might live in Your peace. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
******************************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Guilty As Charged
"Today's Devotion" For June 23, 2005
Read: Matthew 5:13-16; Psalm 145
GUILTY AS CHARGED
"...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deed and praise your Father in heaven." (Mt. 5:16)
One of my favorite questions, which I've posed to you in "Today's Devotion" in the past, is the following: "If you were to be arrested and stand trial for being a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" This question has suggested itself once again in the face of the discussions about celebrity trials that have been a mainstay of talk shows and media shows since the Michael Jackson verdict last week. Last night, comedian and Tonight Show host, Jay Leno asked Dr. Phil McGraw why West Coast juries never convict celebrities. While he didn't refer to any other celebrities by name or as a discussion point, the week's media discussions have included references to actor Robert Blake and former football player and actor, O. J. Simpson.
While the aforementioned celebrities were acquitted of their alleged crimes, being found "Not Guilty" by a jury of their peers, Dr. Phil pointed out that being found "Not Guilty" doesn't mean the same thing as being innocent because of the burden of proof the law places on a jury's deliberations. As the people of God, and disciples of Jesus Christ, being found "not guilty" of being His disciples isn't a victory but a defeat. We know that if we were to be put on trial for our sins, there's no possible way we wouldn't be convicted. No judge or jury could ever legitimately declare us to be either "not guilty" or "innocent." Yet, because Jesus shed His blood on the Cross to wash us clean from our sins, we stand before God forgiven and truly "innocent" of all charges.
Living in that forgiveness as disciples of Jesus Christ, we seek to live in such a way that we declare who we are and Whose we are. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not a walk in the park. It's not a "membership club" where you pay your dues, attend a meeting or two, come to a social event once in awhile, and give an annual donation to a charitable cause in the name of the club. Being a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is a fulltime - 24/7/365 - lifetime commitment of faith, witness and service. Living such a life of faith and service can only inevitably lead to our being found "guilty as charged" to the allegation that we are Christians and disciples of Jesus Christ; that our purpose is to bring the message of God's love in Christ to bear on the lives of people all over the world so they might come to repentance and be saved by the blood of Christ.
Jesus uses three pictures to describe how disciples live out their faith in Him. He calls us the "salt of the earth," "a city set on a hill," and "the light of the world." Each image reflects a way through which we can bring the Good News of salvation in Christ to bear on the people of the world. As the "salt of the earth" we act as the preservative and flavoring that keeps God's wrath toward Sin from falling immediately and vengefully upon all humanity. For our sakes He exercises His patience and love so that we might have every opportunity to be "the light of the world" and "a city set on a hill" - His beacons to lead others to His love. Ultimately, by letting our "light shine before men" we can be confident the verdict on the charge of being disciples of Jesus Christ will be "guilty as charged." What a blessing such a verdict is, as we are counted worthy to be called to the Lord's work.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for my reluctance to be "out front" as a disciple needs to be. Lead me, by Your Word and Spirit, to boldly live as a true disciple of Jesus Christ, a "fisher of men." Use me effectively as the "salt of the earth," "a city set on a hill," and "a light of the world," so that, through me, Your Spirit can touch the hearts and minds of many in need of Your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness. Lead me each day to seek every opportunity to be found "guilty as charged" as a disciple of Jesus' Christ and a living and visible witness of Your love. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 5:13-16; Psalm 145
GUILTY AS CHARGED
"...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deed and praise your Father in heaven." (Mt. 5:16)
One of my favorite questions, which I've posed to you in "Today's Devotion" in the past, is the following: "If you were to be arrested and stand trial for being a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" This question has suggested itself once again in the face of the discussions about celebrity trials that have been a mainstay of talk shows and media shows since the Michael Jackson verdict last week. Last night, comedian and Tonight Show host, Jay Leno asked Dr. Phil McGraw why West Coast juries never convict celebrities. While he didn't refer to any other celebrities by name or as a discussion point, the week's media discussions have included references to actor Robert Blake and former football player and actor, O. J. Simpson.
While the aforementioned celebrities were acquitted of their alleged crimes, being found "Not Guilty" by a jury of their peers, Dr. Phil pointed out that being found "Not Guilty" doesn't mean the same thing as being innocent because of the burden of proof the law places on a jury's deliberations. As the people of God, and disciples of Jesus Christ, being found "not guilty" of being His disciples isn't a victory but a defeat. We know that if we were to be put on trial for our sins, there's no possible way we wouldn't be convicted. No judge or jury could ever legitimately declare us to be either "not guilty" or "innocent." Yet, because Jesus shed His blood on the Cross to wash us clean from our sins, we stand before God forgiven and truly "innocent" of all charges.
Living in that forgiveness as disciples of Jesus Christ, we seek to live in such a way that we declare who we are and Whose we are. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not a walk in the park. It's not a "membership club" where you pay your dues, attend a meeting or two, come to a social event once in awhile, and give an annual donation to a charitable cause in the name of the club. Being a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is a fulltime - 24/7/365 - lifetime commitment of faith, witness and service. Living such a life of faith and service can only inevitably lead to our being found "guilty as charged" to the allegation that we are Christians and disciples of Jesus Christ; that our purpose is to bring the message of God's love in Christ to bear on the lives of people all over the world so they might come to repentance and be saved by the blood of Christ.
Jesus uses three pictures to describe how disciples live out their faith in Him. He calls us the "salt of the earth," "a city set on a hill," and "the light of the world." Each image reflects a way through which we can bring the Good News of salvation in Christ to bear on the people of the world. As the "salt of the earth" we act as the preservative and flavoring that keeps God's wrath toward Sin from falling immediately and vengefully upon all humanity. For our sakes He exercises His patience and love so that we might have every opportunity to be "the light of the world" and "a city set on a hill" - His beacons to lead others to His love. Ultimately, by letting our "light shine before men" we can be confident the verdict on the charge of being disciples of Jesus Christ will be "guilty as charged." What a blessing such a verdict is, as we are counted worthy to be called to the Lord's work.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for my reluctance to be "out front" as a disciple needs to be. Lead me, by Your Word and Spirit, to boldly live as a true disciple of Jesus Christ, a "fisher of men." Use me effectively as the "salt of the earth," "a city set on a hill," and "a light of the world," so that, through me, Your Spirit can touch the hearts and minds of many in need of Your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness. Lead me each day to seek every opportunity to be found "guilty as charged" as a disciple of Jesus' Christ and a living and visible witness of Your love. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Daily Living: A Life Of Worship
"Today's Devotion" For June 22, 2005
Read: Matthew 12:9-14; Psalm 8
DAILY LIVING: A LIFE OF WORSHIP
"...what is man that You are mindful of him, the Son of Man that You care for Him?" (Ps. 8:4)
If it wasn't so tragic it would be great slapstick humor. In our Gospel reading for today we get a glimpse of the futility of the Pharisees to comprehend Jesus' ministry and purpose for coming into the world. What we read is another act in their continuing attempts to trap Jesus into saying or doing something, anything, which could be considered either contrary to God's Law or in violation of man's law. It's not too difficult to see strong parallels between how the world tests and tries the faith and life of God's people today, with the attempts to get Jesus to make a "mistake." In the ongoing "saga" of the bumbling, unbelieving Pharisees, we are taken to a synagogue. It's a place one would expect mercy and love to prevail under any and all circumstances. It's also the place where the Pharisees decided to really go all out to trap Jesus.
The Pharisees, earlier in this chapter, had been complaining to Jesus that His disciples were working on the Sabbath. They'd been picking some heads of grain and eating them. By the strict standards of the ceremonial law and the rabbinical understanding of that law, the disciples, despite their hunger, were in violation. As with so many things in life, the Pharisees were holding to a "this is the way we do things around here and don't you forget it" mindset. It didn't matter to them that there might be extenuating circumstances that made such rigidity foolish and unloving. Rules are rules, and rules are not made to be broken. In the face of the rigidity and legalism, Jesus addresses the issue, pointing out to them that the Sabbath was given for Man's benefit by a merciful and gracious God. It was intended to give human beings a time of rest and refreshment, both physically and spiritually, but not to be a hindrance to things that were necessary for life and living. By approaching the Sabbath with their many rules and regulations, they were turning it into a burden rather than a gift of God's grace. So, when we get to this circumstance where Jesus has an opportunity to heal another human being, it really shouldn't be a surprise that such an act of mercy and love was also subjected to their derision and ire.
While it's easy to find ourselves focusing on the issue of what the Sabbath is and what God finds allowable on the Sabbath, it's not the real essence or meaning behind Jesus' words. More important than the question of what constitutes "working on the Sabbath" is the question of what it means to show mercy and love others. When we look at the Pharisees we see people not unlike ourselves at times. How many times don't we value form over substance in our endeavors. Christians are prone to such living because we seek to do God's Will and walk according to His Word. Having a set of guidelines and rules which help us define our behavior and "keep us from sinning," is at the heart of this challenge to the true meaning of the Sabbath and living in a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. This attitude plays into the very real human concept that the only way anyone's going to get to heaven is by perfectly obeying God's Law. For the Pharisees, and for many people today, this is the only way anyone could expect to please God and get to heaven. Paying lip service to the notable exceptions to the Sabbath rules, such as pulling a sheep out of a pit (since a sheep was essential to a family's livelihood), the Sabbath rules of the rabbis forbade almost everything else that be construed as being "work." According to today's account in Matthew, this prohibition was applied even to healing a human being.
While God's Law calls for mercy, man's law seeks control. Jesus' words and actions put things into perspective for us. Our greatest good work is to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. God's mercy has shown us the way to do so, as He sent Jesus to redeem us from Sin and restore us to our heavenly Father. As we have received His mercy, so also do we share that mercy, gladly and willing. As we live our lives of faith, sharing God's love, grace and mercy in Christ with the world we live out what the Sabbath was intended to be - a time of spiritual healing and worship of which there can be no greater example than being "living sacrifices," which is the essential nature of the worship of God (Rom. 12:1). In Christ's example we don't bear a heavy burden but a joyful opportunity to share His grace, mercy, and love with others. We're called to exercise God's mercy for us as we touch the lives of others. As we have received mercy, so also do we share it. It's a marvelous and wonderful blessing of God's love and a precious gift given to us in Jesus.
Prayer: Father, being merciful as You have been merciful to me is often the most difficult thing I need to do. I'm not so far removed from the Pharisees. I really do have the tendency to see others squirm as I tell them I'm right and they're not. There is no doubt in my mind that I can be so much like the Pharisees, that I am willing to put burdens upon others that You don't even put on them; burdens I wouldn't find acceptable for myself. As You have been merciful to me, help me to be merciful to others. Let me be guided by Your Word and Spirit to live a life of love and mercy toward others that they may see You through me and come to know You and Your salvation directly. In the precious name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
*********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 12:9-14; Psalm 8
DAILY LIVING: A LIFE OF WORSHIP
"...what is man that You are mindful of him, the Son of Man that You care for Him?" (Ps. 8:4)
If it wasn't so tragic it would be great slapstick humor. In our Gospel reading for today we get a glimpse of the futility of the Pharisees to comprehend Jesus' ministry and purpose for coming into the world. What we read is another act in their continuing attempts to trap Jesus into saying or doing something, anything, which could be considered either contrary to God's Law or in violation of man's law. It's not too difficult to see strong parallels between how the world tests and tries the faith and life of God's people today, with the attempts to get Jesus to make a "mistake." In the ongoing "saga" of the bumbling, unbelieving Pharisees, we are taken to a synagogue. It's a place one would expect mercy and love to prevail under any and all circumstances. It's also the place where the Pharisees decided to really go all out to trap Jesus.
The Pharisees, earlier in this chapter, had been complaining to Jesus that His disciples were working on the Sabbath. They'd been picking some heads of grain and eating them. By the strict standards of the ceremonial law and the rabbinical understanding of that law, the disciples, despite their hunger, were in violation. As with so many things in life, the Pharisees were holding to a "this is the way we do things around here and don't you forget it" mindset. It didn't matter to them that there might be extenuating circumstances that made such rigidity foolish and unloving. Rules are rules, and rules are not made to be broken. In the face of the rigidity and legalism, Jesus addresses the issue, pointing out to them that the Sabbath was given for Man's benefit by a merciful and gracious God. It was intended to give human beings a time of rest and refreshment, both physically and spiritually, but not to be a hindrance to things that were necessary for life and living. By approaching the Sabbath with their many rules and regulations, they were turning it into a burden rather than a gift of God's grace. So, when we get to this circumstance where Jesus has an opportunity to heal another human being, it really shouldn't be a surprise that such an act of mercy and love was also subjected to their derision and ire.
While it's easy to find ourselves focusing on the issue of what the Sabbath is and what God finds allowable on the Sabbath, it's not the real essence or meaning behind Jesus' words. More important than the question of what constitutes "working on the Sabbath" is the question of what it means to show mercy and love others. When we look at the Pharisees we see people not unlike ourselves at times. How many times don't we value form over substance in our endeavors. Christians are prone to such living because we seek to do God's Will and walk according to His Word. Having a set of guidelines and rules which help us define our behavior and "keep us from sinning," is at the heart of this challenge to the true meaning of the Sabbath and living in a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. This attitude plays into the very real human concept that the only way anyone's going to get to heaven is by perfectly obeying God's Law. For the Pharisees, and for many people today, this is the only way anyone could expect to please God and get to heaven. Paying lip service to the notable exceptions to the Sabbath rules, such as pulling a sheep out of a pit (since a sheep was essential to a family's livelihood), the Sabbath rules of the rabbis forbade almost everything else that be construed as being "work." According to today's account in Matthew, this prohibition was applied even to healing a human being.
While God's Law calls for mercy, man's law seeks control. Jesus' words and actions put things into perspective for us. Our greatest good work is to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. God's mercy has shown us the way to do so, as He sent Jesus to redeem us from Sin and restore us to our heavenly Father. As we have received His mercy, so also do we share that mercy, gladly and willing. As we live our lives of faith, sharing God's love, grace and mercy in Christ with the world we live out what the Sabbath was intended to be - a time of spiritual healing and worship of which there can be no greater example than being "living sacrifices," which is the essential nature of the worship of God (Rom. 12:1). In Christ's example we don't bear a heavy burden but a joyful opportunity to share His grace, mercy, and love with others. We're called to exercise God's mercy for us as we touch the lives of others. As we have received mercy, so also do we share it. It's a marvelous and wonderful blessing of God's love and a precious gift given to us in Jesus.
Prayer: Father, being merciful as You have been merciful to me is often the most difficult thing I need to do. I'm not so far removed from the Pharisees. I really do have the tendency to see others squirm as I tell them I'm right and they're not. There is no doubt in my mind that I can be so much like the Pharisees, that I am willing to put burdens upon others that You don't even put on them; burdens I wouldn't find acceptable for myself. As You have been merciful to me, help me to be merciful to others. Let me be guided by Your Word and Spirit to live a life of love and mercy toward others that they may see You through me and come to know You and Your salvation directly. In the precious name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
*********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
All People Are Precious To God
"Today's Devotion" For June 21, 2005
Read: Romans 8:28-39; Psalm 72
ALL PEOPLE ARE TRULY PRECIOUS TO GOD
"He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight." (Ps. 72:14)
What do you consider to be your most valuable, most prized possession? It could be "any ole' thing" like a brooch from a mother or grandmother, a watch from a father or grandfather, perhaps a pearl necklace or a wedding ring. Maybe it's your bank account, your home, your car, or a boat or other such bauble. You'll notice the foregoing list of things is pretty "old hat," in that it's the kind of list we might find in movies or literature, romanticizing such possessions. There's no doubt that there are a whole lot of very valuable things in the world. Depending on each of our perspectives, those things take on differing levels of value to each of us. We each have a differing view of things like gold, silver, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls, oil and money, for while all have a "wealth value," not all may have intrinsic value to one or more of us. It's certainly true that most people place great value on these things. Large quantities of any of them can control nations, politics, and the events of the day. People are killed so that others might possess large quantities of these "valuables," while others spend their lives pursuing the "wealth" that such things bring. At the same time, in many parts of the world, all the "wealth value" in the world can't hold a candle to just being able to eat some food because people are starving.
While the aforementioned list reflects things of great monetary and "wealth value" to the vast majority of people, when people are starving such things become worthless. When people are dying from sickness, disease, starvation, and a host of natural disasters that affect people, most particularly in the poorest of nations, such things have no value or worth. Instead food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and a host of other, mundane items of human existence carry much greater value and worth for those in need. We might remember how excited people living along the coast of the Indian Ocean were when they would find a child or other loved one alive after the devastation of the tsunami more than six months ago. More precious than gold, more lasting than silver, more valuable than emeralds, rubies, or pearls, more enduring than diamonds, and more desired than oil or money are those who were found alive and returned to the bosom of their families. Only in the midst of trial and tribulations do we human beings finally appreciate what truly valuable and precious in our lives. When it comes to possessions and keepsakes that we hold dear, none can hold a candle to the value and worth of a human life.
Our heavenly Father, Who holds the whole universe in the palm of His hand, holds every person on earth to be of the greatest value and worth. Each of us is precious in His sight, so much so that He's "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter. 3:9b). Of such great value and worth, and so precious to Him are we, that from the beginning of the world He planned for our salvation - planned to redeem every human being from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan. Our Lord Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection was planned before time began so that all people, everywhere, through faith in Jesus, might be redeemed to God.
Our Father holds us in the palm of His hand and there's nothing in all of creation that can snatch us away from Him. In all things He works for our good and assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We are each of great value and worth, "precious in His sight," so that even the very hairs on our heads are numbered. So precious does our Father in heaven hold us that He willingly sacrificed His One and Only Son, Jesus, on the Cross so that we might be saved. In the same way we are also of great value and worth to our Savior who took the punishment we each deserve for our sins upon Himself so that we might be saved. Take courage and hope, no matter the trials and tribulations of life; no matter the "oppression and violence" you might suffer for your faith. You are "precious in His sight" and He will not let you be lost.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to take away my sin. Lead me to greater service to You and others in Jesus' name because I am confident in Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in my life. Help me to truly live for You and love others in Your name as one who knows how precious and valuable I and every human being are to You. Give me the faith to understand that You will never let me fall. By Your mercy and grace, dear Father, send Your Word and Spirit into my life daily so that I may continue to grow in Your grace and love. Lead me to trust You more fully each day for the sake of Christ, my Savior and Lord, in Whose precious name I pray. Amen.
******************************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Romans 8:28-39; Psalm 72
ALL PEOPLE ARE TRULY PRECIOUS TO GOD
"He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight." (Ps. 72:14)
What do you consider to be your most valuable, most prized possession? It could be "any ole' thing" like a brooch from a mother or grandmother, a watch from a father or grandfather, perhaps a pearl necklace or a wedding ring. Maybe it's your bank account, your home, your car, or a boat or other such bauble. You'll notice the foregoing list of things is pretty "old hat," in that it's the kind of list we might find in movies or literature, romanticizing such possessions. There's no doubt that there are a whole lot of very valuable things in the world. Depending on each of our perspectives, those things take on differing levels of value to each of us. We each have a differing view of things like gold, silver, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls, oil and money, for while all have a "wealth value," not all may have intrinsic value to one or more of us. It's certainly true that most people place great value on these things. Large quantities of any of them can control nations, politics, and the events of the day. People are killed so that others might possess large quantities of these "valuables," while others spend their lives pursuing the "wealth" that such things bring. At the same time, in many parts of the world, all the "wealth value" in the world can't hold a candle to just being able to eat some food because people are starving.
While the aforementioned list reflects things of great monetary and "wealth value" to the vast majority of people, when people are starving such things become worthless. When people are dying from sickness, disease, starvation, and a host of natural disasters that affect people, most particularly in the poorest of nations, such things have no value or worth. Instead food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and a host of other, mundane items of human existence carry much greater value and worth for those in need. We might remember how excited people living along the coast of the Indian Ocean were when they would find a child or other loved one alive after the devastation of the tsunami more than six months ago. More precious than gold, more lasting than silver, more valuable than emeralds, rubies, or pearls, more enduring than diamonds, and more desired than oil or money are those who were found alive and returned to the bosom of their families. Only in the midst of trial and tribulations do we human beings finally appreciate what truly valuable and precious in our lives. When it comes to possessions and keepsakes that we hold dear, none can hold a candle to the value and worth of a human life.
Our heavenly Father, Who holds the whole universe in the palm of His hand, holds every person on earth to be of the greatest value and worth. Each of us is precious in His sight, so much so that He's "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter. 3:9b). Of such great value and worth, and so precious to Him are we, that from the beginning of the world He planned for our salvation - planned to redeem every human being from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan. Our Lord Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection was planned before time began so that all people, everywhere, through faith in Jesus, might be redeemed to God.
Our Father holds us in the palm of His hand and there's nothing in all of creation that can snatch us away from Him. In all things He works for our good and assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We are each of great value and worth, "precious in His sight," so that even the very hairs on our heads are numbered. So precious does our Father in heaven hold us that He willingly sacrificed His One and Only Son, Jesus, on the Cross so that we might be saved. In the same way we are also of great value and worth to our Savior who took the punishment we each deserve for our sins upon Himself so that we might be saved. Take courage and hope, no matter the trials and tribulations of life; no matter the "oppression and violence" you might suffer for your faith. You are "precious in His sight" and He will not let you be lost.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to take away my sin. Lead me to greater service to You and others in Jesus' name because I am confident in Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in my life. Help me to truly live for You and love others in Your name as one who knows how precious and valuable I and every human being are to You. Give me the faith to understand that You will never let me fall. By Your mercy and grace, dear Father, send Your Word and Spirit into my life daily so that I may continue to grow in Your grace and love. Lead me to trust You more fully each day for the sake of Christ, my Savior and Lord, in Whose precious name I pray. Amen.
******************************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, June 20, 2005
The Marvelous Power Of God's Love
"Today's Devotion" For June 20, 2005
Read: I John 4:7-21; Psalm 86
THE MARVELOUS POWER OF GOD'S LOVE
"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another...We love because He first loved us."(I Jn.4:11,19)
This past week I attended a presentation by a man who specializes in, for want of a better description, the field of "Educational Kinesiology." He talks about and demonstrates how "energy" or "electrical" fields surround our bodies and can have remarkable influence on our energy level, comprehension, emotions, and other important human characteristics. One of his demonstrations centered in people thinking negatively about a person and that persons' energy level being negatively affected by those thoughts. When the thoughts were switched to positive or neutral content, the person previously affected negatively, had his or her energy level restored. Now, on one level this sounds like the ultimate in Science Fiction. On another level, looking at what science has discovered in the last ten years about the human brain, it's more plausible and realistic. In the light of what John has to say in our Scripture reading for today, such demonstrations suggest a greater meaning of the power of “love” than we might realize.
If we go all the way back to the Garden of Eden we are reminded that Man's original relationship with God was one of harmony and peace. Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with their Creator. His will was their will, until that fateful day when Satan, through the serpent, laid out that terrible temptation, and mankind fell into the darkness and despair of Sin and separation from God. Not only did Satan plant doubt about God's Will in Adam and Eve's minds, but he also cast God in an unfavorable light and contradicted what He had said to be true. The result was disobedience and fear. Adam and Eve's physical nakedness became the evidence of their broken relationship with God. The ravages of Sin were immediately evident. The first couple hid themselves from God. God called them to repentance but they blamed Him and each other for their plight. The very ingredient that bound them to God, love, had been displaced by selfishness, self-centeredness, and greed. Those very same things also drove a wedge between Man and Creation and between human beings. Loving another was no longer automatic because Sin had blurred the reality of love with the reality of death.
At the same time, God's love for Adam and Eve never ceased. While in His righteousness and holiness, handing down His pure judgment, He made them aware of the consequences of their behavior, He still showed them His love by not destroying them, by clothing them, and, crucially, driving them from the Garden of Eden so that they wouldn't eat of the "Tree of Life," live forever, and be forever lost to Him and unable to receive His love. Throughout history, God's love, demonstrated through those whom He chose to carry it to the world, has touched the lives of people suffering the ravages of Sin and has lifted them up to Him filled with joy and peace, hope and comfort.
The power of God's love changes people's lives. As we love others in response to God's love for us, we become His instruments of peace and hope in the world. It's God's love that motivates Him to send Jesus to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world on the Cross. Through the power of that great love and sacrifice of Christ, Sin, Death, and Satan have been defeated. Their power over those who receive God's love in Christ by faith is broken. The healing power of God’s love is restored to the lives of believers so they can share that same love with others.
God's love is a very real power for change, for good, for forgiveness, for hope, and for eternal life. In Christ, God's love becomes a reality that has freed us from the bondage of Sin which would keep us tied to selfishness, self- centeredness, and greed. As He comes to us in Christ, we are empowered to live in His love and share it boldly and tirelessly with others. It's His love that sustains our life and living, which gives us hope and peace, and which helps us to love others, even when they are "unlovable," just as He has done for us. Because of God's unceasing love for us in Christ we are moved to love one another and share that same love with the world. The marvelous power of God's love brings hope and peace to our lives and also to those whom we touch every day. By His love we are empowered to make a huge difference in this world.
Prayer: Father, because of Your great love for Your Creation You provided for our redemption rather than destroy us when Adam and Eve first sinned. Throughout the history of the world You continued to provide avenues through which Your love could flow into the hearts and lives of people and restore them to You. In Christ Jesus, my Savior and Lord, You gave Your greatest gift of love as the power of Your love was revealed, not just in healing the sick, restoring the maimed, dumb, crippled, and blind, or raising the dead, but in His ultimate sacrifice for my sins on the Cross. So great is the power of Your love, Father, that Jesus' sacrifice didn't end with His death, but culminated in His victory over Sin, Death, Satan, and the grave when He arose on the third day. Father, I pray that each day You would shower me with Your love in Christ, that in the power of Your love I might have the courage and strength to share Your love with others so they also might know the fullness of life with You through faith in Jesus Christ; in Whose precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
*********************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I John 4:7-21; Psalm 86
THE MARVELOUS POWER OF GOD'S LOVE
"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another...We love because He first loved us."(I Jn.4:11,19)
This past week I attended a presentation by a man who specializes in, for want of a better description, the field of "Educational Kinesiology." He talks about and demonstrates how "energy" or "electrical" fields surround our bodies and can have remarkable influence on our energy level, comprehension, emotions, and other important human characteristics. One of his demonstrations centered in people thinking negatively about a person and that persons' energy level being negatively affected by those thoughts. When the thoughts were switched to positive or neutral content, the person previously affected negatively, had his or her energy level restored. Now, on one level this sounds like the ultimate in Science Fiction. On another level, looking at what science has discovered in the last ten years about the human brain, it's more plausible and realistic. In the light of what John has to say in our Scripture reading for today, such demonstrations suggest a greater meaning of the power of “love” than we might realize.
If we go all the way back to the Garden of Eden we are reminded that Man's original relationship with God was one of harmony and peace. Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with their Creator. His will was their will, until that fateful day when Satan, through the serpent, laid out that terrible temptation, and mankind fell into the darkness and despair of Sin and separation from God. Not only did Satan plant doubt about God's Will in Adam and Eve's minds, but he also cast God in an unfavorable light and contradicted what He had said to be true. The result was disobedience and fear. Adam and Eve's physical nakedness became the evidence of their broken relationship with God. The ravages of Sin were immediately evident. The first couple hid themselves from God. God called them to repentance but they blamed Him and each other for their plight. The very ingredient that bound them to God, love, had been displaced by selfishness, self-centeredness, and greed. Those very same things also drove a wedge between Man and Creation and between human beings. Loving another was no longer automatic because Sin had blurred the reality of love with the reality of death.
At the same time, God's love for Adam and Eve never ceased. While in His righteousness and holiness, handing down His pure judgment, He made them aware of the consequences of their behavior, He still showed them His love by not destroying them, by clothing them, and, crucially, driving them from the Garden of Eden so that they wouldn't eat of the "Tree of Life," live forever, and be forever lost to Him and unable to receive His love. Throughout history, God's love, demonstrated through those whom He chose to carry it to the world, has touched the lives of people suffering the ravages of Sin and has lifted them up to Him filled with joy and peace, hope and comfort.
The power of God's love changes people's lives. As we love others in response to God's love for us, we become His instruments of peace and hope in the world. It's God's love that motivates Him to send Jesus to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world on the Cross. Through the power of that great love and sacrifice of Christ, Sin, Death, and Satan have been defeated. Their power over those who receive God's love in Christ by faith is broken. The healing power of God’s love is restored to the lives of believers so they can share that same love with others.
God's love is a very real power for change, for good, for forgiveness, for hope, and for eternal life. In Christ, God's love becomes a reality that has freed us from the bondage of Sin which would keep us tied to selfishness, self- centeredness, and greed. As He comes to us in Christ, we are empowered to live in His love and share it boldly and tirelessly with others. It's His love that sustains our life and living, which gives us hope and peace, and which helps us to love others, even when they are "unlovable," just as He has done for us. Because of God's unceasing love for us in Christ we are moved to love one another and share that same love with the world. The marvelous power of God's love brings hope and peace to our lives and also to those whom we touch every day. By His love we are empowered to make a huge difference in this world.
Prayer: Father, because of Your great love for Your Creation You provided for our redemption rather than destroy us when Adam and Eve first sinned. Throughout the history of the world You continued to provide avenues through which Your love could flow into the hearts and lives of people and restore them to You. In Christ Jesus, my Savior and Lord, You gave Your greatest gift of love as the power of Your love was revealed, not just in healing the sick, restoring the maimed, dumb, crippled, and blind, or raising the dead, but in His ultimate sacrifice for my sins on the Cross. So great is the power of Your love, Father, that Jesus' sacrifice didn't end with His death, but culminated in His victory over Sin, Death, Satan, and the grave when He arose on the third day. Father, I pray that each day You would shower me with Your love in Christ, that in the power of Your love I might have the courage and strength to share Your love with others so they also might know the fullness of life with You through faith in Jesus Christ; in Whose precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
*********************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Faith That Makes A Difference
"Today's Devotion" For June 18, 2005
Read: John 7:37-53; Psalm 40
FAITH THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
"Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them." (Jn. 7:38)
We all hear people talk about how they want to "make a difference," but very rarely does that sentiment go very far. In my own life I've heard that statement a lot, but for the most part, those who have made it to me have settled down into their "comfort zones" and did nothing more. At the same time, many of those same people unwittingly "make a difference" because of how they live their lives, raise their children, take care of their families, share their faith, spend time with God, and just live as it is a Christian, filled with the light of Christ's love will live. So often those who want to "make a difference" don't see "making a difference" as being something they do in their daily lives, but rather as some extraordinary, world-shattering activity that changes the lives of others or improves society. For the most part, living a faithful Christian life of faith in Jesus, and all that means, doesn't seem to be enough for so many people.
At the same time as I say this, let me also suggest that our Father in heaven has given us a myriad of spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities with which to serve Him and others in Jesus' name. Jesus' own parables, such as the "Parable of the Talents" (Mt. 25), are a continuing source of insights as to the results of faith-filled living in Him and for Him in the world. Our Lord challenges us to "make a difference" through faithfully living our faith each day as we touch the lives of others, raise our families, do our jobs, talk to others, and pray for those in need. We are challenged to "make a difference" by being faithful to Jesus, putting Him first in our lives, and being a blessing to others in Him. All, too often, however, we don't see such living as "making a difference." Our own egos and need for recognition, as well as the idea the world has planted in our minds that to "make a difference" means accomplishing a "sea change" in some area of human endeavor or need keep us from seeing the incredible value faith-filled living makes every day in the lives of others.
The spiritual thirst that exists in the world is great. It exists in us as well. Because we get caught up in the world's idea of what "making a difference" is all about, too often we ignore both the world's and our own spiritual thirst. In the face of such a challenge and need, our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to come to Him and receive spiritual drink for our spiritual thirst. He opens our hearts by the power of His Word and Spirit so that the "living water" of His Word and the Sacraments can strengthen our faith and life in Him. Through the means of grace a big river of God's love flows into our hearts. From out of our hearts, initiated by the Gospel, come multiple streams of "living water" flowing in all directions, reaching out to others with that same Gospel. God uses us as channels, pipelines, rivers for His love to reach others. As "living rivers" for Jesus, each of us is empowered to "make a difference" as we touch the lives of others with His love. By God's grace we have a "Faith that makes a difference."
Prayer: Father, I'm so very grateful for Your blessings to me in Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. You understood my spiritual thirst and need and by the power of Your Word and Spirit brought me into the Kingdom of Your Grace so that my thirst would be quenched and my live renewed. Father, keep me ever thirsting for Your Word and the forgiveness it reveals to me. Help me to be always ready to let that Word flow out of me to others so that they, too, can experience the marvelous wonders of Your grace. Show me, each day, how my faith-filled living in Jesus can truly "make a difference" in the lives of others, not necessarily for "sea change" on earth, but for eternal life with You in heaven. In Jesus' most holy and precious name I pray. Amen.
*******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 7:37-53; Psalm 40
FAITH THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
"Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them." (Jn. 7:38)
We all hear people talk about how they want to "make a difference," but very rarely does that sentiment go very far. In my own life I've heard that statement a lot, but for the most part, those who have made it to me have settled down into their "comfort zones" and did nothing more. At the same time, many of those same people unwittingly "make a difference" because of how they live their lives, raise their children, take care of their families, share their faith, spend time with God, and just live as it is a Christian, filled with the light of Christ's love will live. So often those who want to "make a difference" don't see "making a difference" as being something they do in their daily lives, but rather as some extraordinary, world-shattering activity that changes the lives of others or improves society. For the most part, living a faithful Christian life of faith in Jesus, and all that means, doesn't seem to be enough for so many people.
At the same time as I say this, let me also suggest that our Father in heaven has given us a myriad of spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities with which to serve Him and others in Jesus' name. Jesus' own parables, such as the "Parable of the Talents" (Mt. 25), are a continuing source of insights as to the results of faith-filled living in Him and for Him in the world. Our Lord challenges us to "make a difference" through faithfully living our faith each day as we touch the lives of others, raise our families, do our jobs, talk to others, and pray for those in need. We are challenged to "make a difference" by being faithful to Jesus, putting Him first in our lives, and being a blessing to others in Him. All, too often, however, we don't see such living as "making a difference." Our own egos and need for recognition, as well as the idea the world has planted in our minds that to "make a difference" means accomplishing a "sea change" in some area of human endeavor or need keep us from seeing the incredible value faith-filled living makes every day in the lives of others.
The spiritual thirst that exists in the world is great. It exists in us as well. Because we get caught up in the world's idea of what "making a difference" is all about, too often we ignore both the world's and our own spiritual thirst. In the face of such a challenge and need, our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to come to Him and receive spiritual drink for our spiritual thirst. He opens our hearts by the power of His Word and Spirit so that the "living water" of His Word and the Sacraments can strengthen our faith and life in Him. Through the means of grace a big river of God's love flows into our hearts. From out of our hearts, initiated by the Gospel, come multiple streams of "living water" flowing in all directions, reaching out to others with that same Gospel. God uses us as channels, pipelines, rivers for His love to reach others. As "living rivers" for Jesus, each of us is empowered to "make a difference" as we touch the lives of others with His love. By God's grace we have a "Faith that makes a difference."
Prayer: Father, I'm so very grateful for Your blessings to me in Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. You understood my spiritual thirst and need and by the power of Your Word and Spirit brought me into the Kingdom of Your Grace so that my thirst would be quenched and my live renewed. Father, keep me ever thirsting for Your Word and the forgiveness it reveals to me. Help me to be always ready to let that Word flow out of me to others so that they, too, can experience the marvelous wonders of Your grace. Show me, each day, how my faith-filled living in Jesus can truly "make a difference" in the lives of others, not necessarily for "sea change" on earth, but for eternal life with You in heaven. In Jesus' most holy and precious name I pray. Amen.
*******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Living In The Fullness Of God's Love
"Today's Devotion" For June 17, 2005
Read: I John 4:16-18; Ephesians 3:7-21
LIVING IN THE FULLNESS OF GOD'S LOVE
"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. In this way love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him." (I Jn. 4:16-17)
If anyone has a doubt as to whether or not the terrorists of the world are serving God, I would draw their attentions to the words of the Apostle John above. Their actions not only stand in stark contrast to these words inspired by the Holy Spirit, but are 180-degrees out from those of the men and women serving in uniform for the United States around the world. Over and over again, we hear accounts of young men, particularly, desiring to "make a difference" and defeat evil and tyranny. We don't hear those men and women seeking to "kill others" in God's name. Instead we hear of their desires to bring peace and security to those who are living in fear of death by those who claim to be serving "God."
At the heart of the equation of the "War on Terrorism" is the issue of death and dying. Can there be any doubt that people fear death? Personally, I find it hard to imagine that a suicide bomber/terrorist is eager to die. At some point they must convince themselves that dying for "God" brings peace and prosperity. At the same time, the tragedy is that their ultimate goal is that such a suicidal and destructive act would allow them to enter "heaven." Their fear of not going to "heaven" appears to be stronger than their fear of dying. Somehow, even the terrorists realize that they must have some way of atoning for their sins before a just, righteous, and holy God who will hold them accountable for their sins. Of course the terrorist mindset stands in stark contrast to the mindset of those people who live in denial of their consciences and vaguely hope that there is nothing else when they die.
To a certain degree there's not a whole lot of distance between believers in Christ and the religiously oriented terrorists when it comes to the recognition that we will all be brought to account for our sins before a just and righteous God. By nature, both groups of people understand that there is a Day of Judgment and that our very nature is at odds with the One who will judge us. At the same time, what separates God's redeemed children from the "suicide-terrorists" is that we don't fear death and His judgment because we know that He loves us and forgives us of all our sins through faith in Jesus Christ. While some might argue that these terrorists don't fear death, I would argue that they fear it, just not as much as dying and not getting to heaven because they haven't fully atoned for their sins. God's redeemed children in Christ, on the other hand, revel in John's reminder that "God is love," and that to know God is to experience His grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, compassion, and presence in our lives as a loving Father. He is made real to us in Christ. In Christ His "agape," His undeserved, unflinching, unfailing, irrepressible, all-encompassing, unconditional love, comes to us and fills us with hope and peace. For a great many of those of our fellow citizens serving in the military, it's just that love from God which moves them to risk their lives in the defense and for the freedom of others half a world away - total strangers, yet people Christ died for.
Regardless of what kind of service to others we engage in, we are motivated by God's love for us. People who know they're forgiven and have true joy and hope for living and are confident that death is "swallowed up in victory" in Christ, have a great desire to serve others and share that love. Everywhere we look we see people who have never really experienced love, nor have ever truly loved, because they don't know Jesus. So whether we serve in uniform, put on a coat and tie, a dress and heels, or however we go about our daily work and living, as God's dearly loved children in Christ we serve others so they can experience God's love for them as we experience it everyday. Our service seeks to lead others to see the Father as we see Him - not as an angry judge, but a loving, gracious, and forgiving Father. Whether it's those whom we see daily or the suicidal "religious-terrorist" blowing themselves and others up in a vain attempt to serve "God" and "save" themselves, we are called by God's love in Christ to bring the love and hope of faith in Jesus Christ into the lives of those who fear death and judgment. While we might have our doubts about the price being paid to free total strangers from such tyranny, we gain our courage and conviction because of Jesus' willing sacrifice to free us from the tyranny of Sin, Death, and Satan. That's what living in the fullness of God's love is all about.
Prayer: Father, I can never truly understand appreciate Your "agape" this side of eternal life. I am in awe of it, especially when I see it at work in my life, as You make me Your own in Jesus Christ, warts and all. As You make me complete in You through Your love to us in Jesus, please help me to be an instrument of Your "agape" to others, both my fellow believer and those who don't yet know Jesus. Be with those of my countrymen and women who are serving this nation and You in the fight against the tyranny of terrorism which purports to serve You by killing others in Your name. Bless them with courage and the hope that their service and sacrifice is not in vain, but that You will use it to bring glory to You and Your love to those who need it. Keep them safe in Your mighty arms, and lead them to truly live in Your love. Hear me, Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I John 4:16-18; Ephesians 3:7-21
LIVING IN THE FULLNESS OF GOD'S LOVE
"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. In this way love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him." (I Jn. 4:16-17)
If anyone has a doubt as to whether or not the terrorists of the world are serving God, I would draw their attentions to the words of the Apostle John above. Their actions not only stand in stark contrast to these words inspired by the Holy Spirit, but are 180-degrees out from those of the men and women serving in uniform for the United States around the world. Over and over again, we hear accounts of young men, particularly, desiring to "make a difference" and defeat evil and tyranny. We don't hear those men and women seeking to "kill others" in God's name. Instead we hear of their desires to bring peace and security to those who are living in fear of death by those who claim to be serving "God."
At the heart of the equation of the "War on Terrorism" is the issue of death and dying. Can there be any doubt that people fear death? Personally, I find it hard to imagine that a suicide bomber/terrorist is eager to die. At some point they must convince themselves that dying for "God" brings peace and prosperity. At the same time, the tragedy is that their ultimate goal is that such a suicidal and destructive act would allow them to enter "heaven." Their fear of not going to "heaven" appears to be stronger than their fear of dying. Somehow, even the terrorists realize that they must have some way of atoning for their sins before a just, righteous, and holy God who will hold them accountable for their sins. Of course the terrorist mindset stands in stark contrast to the mindset of those people who live in denial of their consciences and vaguely hope that there is nothing else when they die.
To a certain degree there's not a whole lot of distance between believers in Christ and the religiously oriented terrorists when it comes to the recognition that we will all be brought to account for our sins before a just and righteous God. By nature, both groups of people understand that there is a Day of Judgment and that our very nature is at odds with the One who will judge us. At the same time, what separates God's redeemed children from the "suicide-terrorists" is that we don't fear death and His judgment because we know that He loves us and forgives us of all our sins through faith in Jesus Christ. While some might argue that these terrorists don't fear death, I would argue that they fear it, just not as much as dying and not getting to heaven because they haven't fully atoned for their sins. God's redeemed children in Christ, on the other hand, revel in John's reminder that "God is love," and that to know God is to experience His grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, compassion, and presence in our lives as a loving Father. He is made real to us in Christ. In Christ His "agape," His undeserved, unflinching, unfailing, irrepressible, all-encompassing, unconditional love, comes to us and fills us with hope and peace. For a great many of those of our fellow citizens serving in the military, it's just that love from God which moves them to risk their lives in the defense and for the freedom of others half a world away - total strangers, yet people Christ died for.
Regardless of what kind of service to others we engage in, we are motivated by God's love for us. People who know they're forgiven and have true joy and hope for living and are confident that death is "swallowed up in victory" in Christ, have a great desire to serve others and share that love. Everywhere we look we see people who have never really experienced love, nor have ever truly loved, because they don't know Jesus. So whether we serve in uniform, put on a coat and tie, a dress and heels, or however we go about our daily work and living, as God's dearly loved children in Christ we serve others so they can experience God's love for them as we experience it everyday. Our service seeks to lead others to see the Father as we see Him - not as an angry judge, but a loving, gracious, and forgiving Father. Whether it's those whom we see daily or the suicidal "religious-terrorist" blowing themselves and others up in a vain attempt to serve "God" and "save" themselves, we are called by God's love in Christ to bring the love and hope of faith in Jesus Christ into the lives of those who fear death and judgment. While we might have our doubts about the price being paid to free total strangers from such tyranny, we gain our courage and conviction because of Jesus' willing sacrifice to free us from the tyranny of Sin, Death, and Satan. That's what living in the fullness of God's love is all about.
Prayer: Father, I can never truly understand appreciate Your "agape" this side of eternal life. I am in awe of it, especially when I see it at work in my life, as You make me Your own in Jesus Christ, warts and all. As You make me complete in You through Your love to us in Jesus, please help me to be an instrument of Your "agape" to others, both my fellow believer and those who don't yet know Jesus. Be with those of my countrymen and women who are serving this nation and You in the fight against the tyranny of terrorism which purports to serve You by killing others in Your name. Bless them with courage and the hope that their service and sacrifice is not in vain, but that You will use it to bring glory to You and Your love to those who need it. Keep them safe in Your mighty arms, and lead them to truly live in Your love. Hear me, Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
It's God Compassionate Choice
"Today's Devotion" For June 16, 2005
Read: Jonah 4:1-11; Romans 9:14-26
IT'S GOD'S COMPASSIONATE CHOICE
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." (Rom. 9:15)
A few days ago the media "flavor of the year" celebrity trial came to an end. Michael Jackson was declared "Not Guilty" by a jury on ten criminal counts. Most of them were felonies. The trial had been in the news on a daily basis. Mr. Jackson had been "raked over the coals" by the late night comedians, people from all over discussed the pros and cons of the case, some predicting acquittal, others a conviction. The District Attorney trying the case tried to prove Michael Jackson's behavior to be that of a "pedophile," while the defense was arguing that he was only allowing young boys to sleep in his bed to provide them with security and safety. At the end of this long, drawn out affair, I suppose some people are relieved it's over and the result was in Michael's favor. At the same time I'm confident that many others are of the belief that he got away with criminal activity.
Did the verdict surprise me? No. I expected he would be acquitted because the burden of proof for the prosecution was so narrow and their evidence tainted by prior bad acts on the part of some of the accusers. Of course the next question is, "Do you think he is guilty?" to which I have to reply, "I don't know." What I do believe, however, is that this is a person in need of mercy and grace. I'm convinced that he's in need of emotional help. It seems as if he's never grown up; that his friendship with these young boys is the kind of friendship young boys have with each other. It's almost as if this grown man has never gotten beyond being ten or twelve years old. What's more, I wonder if he's not looking for love and acceptance from others through what others call "bizarre behavior."
All around us we see the ravages of Sin upon the human spirit and the human existence. People mistreat one another all the time. Men, women, children, and the elderly are regularly mistreated and abused by people all over the nation. Rather than treating people with compassion, showing them respect, and upholding their dignity, we often find that just the opposite is true. It's a question of putting the needs of others ahead of ourselves. Sadly, the very nature of Sin in our lives leads us to put our own self-interest ahead of the needs of others. Often, even when faced with the despair and depression of others, people are prone to ignoring those feelings and heaping further pain and sorrow upon those in need of compassion and love.
Jonah is a terrific example of how we don't want to be when it comes to God's compassion and love for sinners. While Jonah preached God's anger and judgment toward the sin of the people of Nineveh, he really didn't want them to repent and be saved. His own personal feeling was that they were guilty of evil and wickedness and deserving of God's wrath. When they repented and turned back to God, God had compassion on them and didn't destroy them. What a great day! What a reason to rejoice! Yet, Jonah didn't rejoice. He was upset. He didn't believe the people of Nineveh worthy of redemption - of God's mercy and compassion. It's a trap we fall into ourselves - just think of how people felt when O.J. Simpson was acquitted, Robert Blake was acquitted, and, now, Michael Jackson.
Were these people guilty of the crimes of which they were accused? Only God knows. He will administer His just and holy judgment in His time, in His way, and according to His mercy and compassion in Jesus Christ. It strikes me that all three of the aforementioned persons, celebrities all, are in their own right really very tragic figures. Perhaps they are in need of the same compassion God has given you and me in Jesus. What do you think? Can we leave their judgment or salvation up to God's compassionate choice and seek their good as God gives it for all of us in Christ Jesus? What a wonderful way to live out God's compassion for us!
Prayer: Father, another "trial du jour" has completed its media scrutiny and curried the intense interest of a large portion of the public. Some people are upset because there was an acquittal, while others rejoice in that acquittal. At the very heart of the situation are individuals, the accused and his accusers, who are in need of Your love and compassion, Your mercy and grace. From all accounts it doesn't appear as if You are an important part of any of their lives. I pray, Father, that You would bring healing to each of them and lead those who surround them to treat them with dignity and respect, truly loving and caring about them. Bring people into their lives who can share, as did Jonah, Your anger toward sin but Your compassion and forgiveness for those who repent and turn to You. Help me to pray for people everywhere, no matter who they are, that they might also hear Your call to repentance and receive Your compassion and forgiveness through faith in Jesus; in Whose precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Jonah 4:1-11; Romans 9:14-26
IT'S GOD'S COMPASSIONATE CHOICE
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." (Rom. 9:15)
A few days ago the media "flavor of the year" celebrity trial came to an end. Michael Jackson was declared "Not Guilty" by a jury on ten criminal counts. Most of them were felonies. The trial had been in the news on a daily basis. Mr. Jackson had been "raked over the coals" by the late night comedians, people from all over discussed the pros and cons of the case, some predicting acquittal, others a conviction. The District Attorney trying the case tried to prove Michael Jackson's behavior to be that of a "pedophile," while the defense was arguing that he was only allowing young boys to sleep in his bed to provide them with security and safety. At the end of this long, drawn out affair, I suppose some people are relieved it's over and the result was in Michael's favor. At the same time I'm confident that many others are of the belief that he got away with criminal activity.
Did the verdict surprise me? No. I expected he would be acquitted because the burden of proof for the prosecution was so narrow and their evidence tainted by prior bad acts on the part of some of the accusers. Of course the next question is, "Do you think he is guilty?" to which I have to reply, "I don't know." What I do believe, however, is that this is a person in need of mercy and grace. I'm convinced that he's in need of emotional help. It seems as if he's never grown up; that his friendship with these young boys is the kind of friendship young boys have with each other. It's almost as if this grown man has never gotten beyond being ten or twelve years old. What's more, I wonder if he's not looking for love and acceptance from others through what others call "bizarre behavior."
All around us we see the ravages of Sin upon the human spirit and the human existence. People mistreat one another all the time. Men, women, children, and the elderly are regularly mistreated and abused by people all over the nation. Rather than treating people with compassion, showing them respect, and upholding their dignity, we often find that just the opposite is true. It's a question of putting the needs of others ahead of ourselves. Sadly, the very nature of Sin in our lives leads us to put our own self-interest ahead of the needs of others. Often, even when faced with the despair and depression of others, people are prone to ignoring those feelings and heaping further pain and sorrow upon those in need of compassion and love.
Jonah is a terrific example of how we don't want to be when it comes to God's compassion and love for sinners. While Jonah preached God's anger and judgment toward the sin of the people of Nineveh, he really didn't want them to repent and be saved. His own personal feeling was that they were guilty of evil and wickedness and deserving of God's wrath. When they repented and turned back to God, God had compassion on them and didn't destroy them. What a great day! What a reason to rejoice! Yet, Jonah didn't rejoice. He was upset. He didn't believe the people of Nineveh worthy of redemption - of God's mercy and compassion. It's a trap we fall into ourselves - just think of how people felt when O.J. Simpson was acquitted, Robert Blake was acquitted, and, now, Michael Jackson.
Were these people guilty of the crimes of which they were accused? Only God knows. He will administer His just and holy judgment in His time, in His way, and according to His mercy and compassion in Jesus Christ. It strikes me that all three of the aforementioned persons, celebrities all, are in their own right really very tragic figures. Perhaps they are in need of the same compassion God has given you and me in Jesus. What do you think? Can we leave their judgment or salvation up to God's compassionate choice and seek their good as God gives it for all of us in Christ Jesus? What a wonderful way to live out God's compassion for us!
Prayer: Father, another "trial du jour" has completed its media scrutiny and curried the intense interest of a large portion of the public. Some people are upset because there was an acquittal, while others rejoice in that acquittal. At the very heart of the situation are individuals, the accused and his accusers, who are in need of Your love and compassion, Your mercy and grace. From all accounts it doesn't appear as if You are an important part of any of their lives. I pray, Father, that You would bring healing to each of them and lead those who surround them to treat them with dignity and respect, truly loving and caring about them. Bring people into their lives who can share, as did Jonah, Your anger toward sin but Your compassion and forgiveness for those who repent and turn to You. Help me to pray for people everywhere, no matter who they are, that they might also hear Your call to repentance and receive Your compassion and forgiveness through faith in Jesus; in Whose precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
You Have My Word On It
"Today's Devotion" For June 15, 2005
Read: Matthew 5:35-37; Hebrews 6:13-20
YOU HAVE MY WORD ON IT
"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Mt. 5:33)
I've always been a fan of Jimmy Cagney. He was an actor of unbelievable ability, excelling in films and on Broadway. He was, in the parlance of his day, a "hoofer," able to sing, dance, and act. One of my all-time favorite movies is "Yankee Doodle Dandy," a musical in which Cagney plays the role of George M. Cohan, the famous song and dance man and playwright. One the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Cohan enters into retirement and ends his longtime partnership with his co-producer/writer and best friend, Sam Harris (Richard Whorf). As they're leaving Sam's office they're stopped by reporters expecting to report on the "dirt" of their breakup. Seeing the two of them shaking hands, obviously still good friends stops the reporters short. They're totally taken by surprise. Everyone had thought the breakup of, arguably, the most successful Broadway writing/producing partnership in history was because they were at odds with each other. When the reporters ask about the terms of ending the contract between the two partners, George reaches out and shakes Sam's hand, noting that a handshake was the only contract the two of them ever had.
If there's any truth to the old saying, "a man's word is his bond," the relationship between George M. Cohan and Sam Harris proved it. Yet, if there's anyone for whom this saying should be the most certain and true it would be for disciples of Jesus Christ. Our Lord reminds us that every word we speak is spoken in the presence of God. "Cross my heart and hope to die," swearing on a "stack of Bibles," and "As God is my witness" may sound good, adding emphasis to one's commitment to speaking the truth, yet they are meaningless phrases. A Christian's word and promise is to be true, forthright, and trustworthy. It's not enough to say we're going to do something, emphasizing our commitment to the promise by such phrases as noted earlier, we need to follow through. It's a reflection of the true condition of our hearts, a condition that God already knows. Calling on Him to be our witness is redundant and inappropriate.
"You have my word on it," ought to be enough said when God's children speak to others. Yet, because we live in a sinful world, people are skeptical of the motivation and commitment of others. Trust is not a common commodity among people. Too many promises have been made by others and broken for people to trust someone simply because they say, "You have my word on it." For many people the most egregious violators of trust are politicians, followed closely, at least according to some polls, by lawyers. People promise to make payments for a product or service and then don't pay. People draw up contracts and enter into business relationships with each other, then someone fails to live up to the contract. Every day, in so many ways, "You have my word on it," is an empty and useless phrase, used, primarily, to keep people at arms length.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we face the challenge of the truth of God's Word and our own every day. How we live and follow through upon our proclamation of the Gospel and our personal testimony to God's love for the world in Jesus is a greater testimony to the truth than any "You have my word on it" can be. Having been freed by Christ Jesus from the power of Sin, Death and Satan by His blood and righteousness we are empowered to live out our lives of faith. A faith-filled life in Christ always speaks the truth. As His redeemed children our word is our bond, regardless of the paperwork, contracts, and signatures which may emphasize our promises to others. There's no greater testimony to the truth of God's Word and His promise of salvation and forgiveness in Christ than you and I being true to His Word and to our words of testimony to Jesus. People will hear us and believe, not because we tell them but because we live what we say. It will resonate with people because they know from everything else we do and say that we don't lie. "You have my Word on it" God says in Jesus, and we can take that "to the bank."
Prayer: Father, in order to get others to believe what I'm saying is true, I often find myself saying too much and overstating my case. It doesn't matter if I'm giving my word to do something or I'm sharing Your Word of salvation with others - I run into skepticism and doubt about what's true or not everyday. Forgive me, Father, for so often using Your name in a vain attempt to get people to believe I'm telling the truth. Help me to not take people's skepticism personally, but to let my deeds support my words so that people might trust what I say; that my word is my bond. Then let them listen to the message of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ and believe what they hear. Hear me, dear Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
***********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 5:35-37; Hebrews 6:13-20
YOU HAVE MY WORD ON IT
"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Mt. 5:33)
I've always been a fan of Jimmy Cagney. He was an actor of unbelievable ability, excelling in films and on Broadway. He was, in the parlance of his day, a "hoofer," able to sing, dance, and act. One of my all-time favorite movies is "Yankee Doodle Dandy," a musical in which Cagney plays the role of George M. Cohan, the famous song and dance man and playwright. One the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Cohan enters into retirement and ends his longtime partnership with his co-producer/writer and best friend, Sam Harris (Richard Whorf). As they're leaving Sam's office they're stopped by reporters expecting to report on the "dirt" of their breakup. Seeing the two of them shaking hands, obviously still good friends stops the reporters short. They're totally taken by surprise. Everyone had thought the breakup of, arguably, the most successful Broadway writing/producing partnership in history was because they were at odds with each other. When the reporters ask about the terms of ending the contract between the two partners, George reaches out and shakes Sam's hand, noting that a handshake was the only contract the two of them ever had.
If there's any truth to the old saying, "a man's word is his bond," the relationship between George M. Cohan and Sam Harris proved it. Yet, if there's anyone for whom this saying should be the most certain and true it would be for disciples of Jesus Christ. Our Lord reminds us that every word we speak is spoken in the presence of God. "Cross my heart and hope to die," swearing on a "stack of Bibles," and "As God is my witness" may sound good, adding emphasis to one's commitment to speaking the truth, yet they are meaningless phrases. A Christian's word and promise is to be true, forthright, and trustworthy. It's not enough to say we're going to do something, emphasizing our commitment to the promise by such phrases as noted earlier, we need to follow through. It's a reflection of the true condition of our hearts, a condition that God already knows. Calling on Him to be our witness is redundant and inappropriate.
"You have my word on it," ought to be enough said when God's children speak to others. Yet, because we live in a sinful world, people are skeptical of the motivation and commitment of others. Trust is not a common commodity among people. Too many promises have been made by others and broken for people to trust someone simply because they say, "You have my word on it." For many people the most egregious violators of trust are politicians, followed closely, at least according to some polls, by lawyers. People promise to make payments for a product or service and then don't pay. People draw up contracts and enter into business relationships with each other, then someone fails to live up to the contract. Every day, in so many ways, "You have my word on it," is an empty and useless phrase, used, primarily, to keep people at arms length.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we face the challenge of the truth of God's Word and our own every day. How we live and follow through upon our proclamation of the Gospel and our personal testimony to God's love for the world in Jesus is a greater testimony to the truth than any "You have my word on it" can be. Having been freed by Christ Jesus from the power of Sin, Death and Satan by His blood and righteousness we are empowered to live out our lives of faith. A faith-filled life in Christ always speaks the truth. As His redeemed children our word is our bond, regardless of the paperwork, contracts, and signatures which may emphasize our promises to others. There's no greater testimony to the truth of God's Word and His promise of salvation and forgiveness in Christ than you and I being true to His Word and to our words of testimony to Jesus. People will hear us and believe, not because we tell them but because we live what we say. It will resonate with people because they know from everything else we do and say that we don't lie. "You have my Word on it" God says in Jesus, and we can take that "to the bank."
Prayer: Father, in order to get others to believe what I'm saying is true, I often find myself saying too much and overstating my case. It doesn't matter if I'm giving my word to do something or I'm sharing Your Word of salvation with others - I run into skepticism and doubt about what's true or not everyday. Forgive me, Father, for so often using Your name in a vain attempt to get people to believe I'm telling the truth. Help me to not take people's skepticism personally, but to let my deeds support my words so that people might trust what I say; that my word is my bond. Then let them listen to the message of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ and believe what they hear. Hear me, dear Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
***********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Living A Life Filled With Amazement And Praise
"Today's Devotion" For June 14, 2005
Read: Matthew 15:29-31; Acts 3:1-10
LIVING A LIFE FILLED WITH AMAZEMENT AND PRAISE
"The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel." (Mt. 15:31)
I recently read an article titled, "Tech Natives, Tech Immigrants." In this article, the author made the point that the current generation of students in our schools is full of technology natives, i.e., those who have grown up with technology, especially information technology, which is a "native language" for them. He contends that because information technology has so permeated our children's world, the possibility exists that their brains have been "rewired," either actually or figuratively, to handle the influx of information. Accordingly, how they learn and process information is hugely disconnected from the way their parents (people in their forties and fifties) process information. Those who fall into that group he calls "Tech Immigrants,'' and likens them to immigrants from other countries coming to America, learning English and new customs, and always having an accent that gives them away. "Tech Immigrants" process information differently and, perhaps, less efficiently, than the "Tech Natives."
I can tell you that I'm one of those "Tech Immigrants." There's no doubt. I have a "tech accent." I'm constantly seeing new and different things, and, while there are many things that no longer amaze me, how the human brain works and adapts to change is constantly amazing me. In most cases it seems reasonable to say that amazement isn't one of the things that is most prominent in our lives these days, with the exception, perhaps, of those among us born in the early part of the 20th Century. We've seen so many incredible things accomplished with technology that we don't get too excited when a new technology "toy" comes out. Yet when it comes to how human beings adapt and how our bodies respond to change, I can't help but be amazed.
There's no doubt in my mind that God is at work in this process. He's continually involved in His Creation, and His creative power still touches people's lives. Matthew's account of Jesus healing the sick is a good example of God's intervention in our lives for our good. As Jesus gave the mute their voices, the crippled and lame their mobility, and the blind their sight He was met with an amazed public - they were in awe - who praised God for His work. The people were amazed at seeing God's power coming through a man for the benefit of His people. They were awed and amazed that God would show His presence to powerfully and their praise of "the God of Israel" was the inevitable outcome.
Today is a day for us to be amazed again. Look around at the world we live in. See the marvels of God's Creation. The sun shines and brightens our days, in addition to all the things sunlight brings to the process of providing food and life to the earth. The rain falls, bringing with it the cleansing power of God, and contributes to providing food and life for the earth. The wind blows and cools us when it's warm, dries up the earth after a rainstorm, and blows the sweet smells of God's Creation into our nostrils. When we take everything God has done and does for us each day into account, how amazing our lives are because of His love. How good it is for us to be amazed each day by God's goodness and mercy to us; of His unending love and forgiveness which strengthen our spirits and send our hearts soaring to heaven. As it was true for the people in Jesus' day, so also it is true for us - each day, touched by God's healing love, our sins are forgiven and, in Christ, we are restored to God. We are healed so that, throwing off the Sin that would enslave us, we might clearly tell others of God's love in Christ, unencumbered by the burdens of the world, and with eyes wide-opened to the marvels of God's creation and love.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me a sense of amazement and awe each day as I experience Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. By the power of Your Word and Spirit keep me ever amazed and praising You for every good and perfect gift that comes from Your Fatherly hand. It's very easy for me, with all the "information" that comes my way every day, to become inured to the wonders of Your creation and presence in my life. Help me to overcome my complacency toward You and Your continuing creation, and lead me to praise Your name by sharing Your Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ to everyone I meet. I ask this of Your, gracious God and Father, in the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
**********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 15:29-31; Acts 3:1-10
LIVING A LIFE FILLED WITH AMAZEMENT AND PRAISE
"The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel." (Mt. 15:31)
I recently read an article titled, "Tech Natives, Tech Immigrants." In this article, the author made the point that the current generation of students in our schools is full of technology natives, i.e., those who have grown up with technology, especially information technology, which is a "native language" for them. He contends that because information technology has so permeated our children's world, the possibility exists that their brains have been "rewired," either actually or figuratively, to handle the influx of information. Accordingly, how they learn and process information is hugely disconnected from the way their parents (people in their forties and fifties) process information. Those who fall into that group he calls "Tech Immigrants,'' and likens them to immigrants from other countries coming to America, learning English and new customs, and always having an accent that gives them away. "Tech Immigrants" process information differently and, perhaps, less efficiently, than the "Tech Natives."
I can tell you that I'm one of those "Tech Immigrants." There's no doubt. I have a "tech accent." I'm constantly seeing new and different things, and, while there are many things that no longer amaze me, how the human brain works and adapts to change is constantly amazing me. In most cases it seems reasonable to say that amazement isn't one of the things that is most prominent in our lives these days, with the exception, perhaps, of those among us born in the early part of the 20th Century. We've seen so many incredible things accomplished with technology that we don't get too excited when a new technology "toy" comes out. Yet when it comes to how human beings adapt and how our bodies respond to change, I can't help but be amazed.
There's no doubt in my mind that God is at work in this process. He's continually involved in His Creation, and His creative power still touches people's lives. Matthew's account of Jesus healing the sick is a good example of God's intervention in our lives for our good. As Jesus gave the mute their voices, the crippled and lame their mobility, and the blind their sight He was met with an amazed public - they were in awe - who praised God for His work. The people were amazed at seeing God's power coming through a man for the benefit of His people. They were awed and amazed that God would show His presence to powerfully and their praise of "the God of Israel" was the inevitable outcome.
Today is a day for us to be amazed again. Look around at the world we live in. See the marvels of God's Creation. The sun shines and brightens our days, in addition to all the things sunlight brings to the process of providing food and life to the earth. The rain falls, bringing with it the cleansing power of God, and contributes to providing food and life for the earth. The wind blows and cools us when it's warm, dries up the earth after a rainstorm, and blows the sweet smells of God's Creation into our nostrils. When we take everything God has done and does for us each day into account, how amazing our lives are because of His love. How good it is for us to be amazed each day by God's goodness and mercy to us; of His unending love and forgiveness which strengthen our spirits and send our hearts soaring to heaven. As it was true for the people in Jesus' day, so also it is true for us - each day, touched by God's healing love, our sins are forgiven and, in Christ, we are restored to God. We are healed so that, throwing off the Sin that would enslave us, we might clearly tell others of God's love in Christ, unencumbered by the burdens of the world, and with eyes wide-opened to the marvels of God's creation and love.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me a sense of amazement and awe each day as I experience Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. By the power of Your Word and Spirit keep me ever amazed and praising You for every good and perfect gift that comes from Your Fatherly hand. It's very easy for me, with all the "information" that comes my way every day, to become inured to the wonders of Your creation and presence in my life. Help me to overcome my complacency toward You and Your continuing creation, and lead me to praise Your name by sharing Your Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ to everyone I meet. I ask this of Your, gracious God and Father, in the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
**********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, June 13, 2005
A World Of Competing "Truths"
"Today's Devotion" For June 13, 2005
Read: Matthew 28:11-15; I Corinthians 15:1-32
A WORLD OF COMPETING "TRUTHS"
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (I Cor.15:20)
Recently I read an article in an education magazine that derided the movement many school systems have been making toward allowing "intelligent design" to be taught in science classes. The author, speaking from her perception of "scientific truth," is convinced that any other perspective on the formation of the universe than that of evolution, is just plain "unscientific." She cited a number of prominent scientists in various fields who believe wholeheartedly in the "Theory" of Evolution. Not too long before I read her article, I also read an article by a well-known, well-respected, and Nobel Laureate Physicist who believes that the laws of nature and the universe are "too perfect" for them to be the result of "evolutionary chance." A further examination of the arguments on this issue also lead to another realization - in purely scientific terms, the term "theory," as used to describe evolution is a misnomer. A purely scientific understanding of what a "theory" is precludes using such a term for evolution, "intelligent design," or creation. Perhaps the most appropriate scientific term that can be used is "hypothesis."
The reality of this debate is that there are two competing "truths" that face us. Those on each side of the discourse are contending mightily for their position. Each believes their position on the issue is correct. Each cite "scientific" evidence, evidence from reason, and evidence of a "faith" nature (evolutionists would deny this) to support their positions. Interestingly enough, those involved in such discussions often cite the same "scientific" evidence in support of their conflicting positions. In this debate, God's children are well-served by the old, classical understanding of the theology - "Theology is the queen of the sciences" and the words of Johannes Kepler, a well-known German scientist of the 17th century, "Science is thinking the thoughts of God after Him."
Matthew tells us that Jesus' resurrection took on two "truths" among the people of His day. The chief priests and elders of the people believed that the "truth" of His resurrection was that His disciples stole His body. They were so adamant that Jesus was not the Son of God and the Messiah that had been promised, that nothing could convince them otherwise. For them, the harsh reality was that if they believed Jesus to be who He said He was, then they could no longer control the people, but would need to be their servants. This was a harsh reality they just couldn't face because they held the hearts, minds, and souls of the people in their power. In spite of the overwhelming evidence of Jesus' true identity, including the accounts of the guards at the tomb on Easter morning, the chief priests and elders continued to perpetuate the lies about Jesus in order to avoid the truth. In doing so, they perpetuated another "lie" in that the soldiers "fell asleep on duty," an offense punishable by death. They bribed the soldiers to their will and "fixed" it with Pilate. Sadly, that same avoidance of the truth of Jesus' resurrection and God's creating hand in the universe is still going on today.
We have reason to be joyful and thankful, even in the midst of the continuing "lies" concerning Jesus' saving activity on the Cross for all humanity. Ultimately, God's Word cannot be bound. His truth can't be hidden. In His own time, in His own way, according to His own purpose, God's truth will see the light of day, no matter who tries to squelch it. Jesus said, "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (Jn. 8:31-32). God's power in His Creation is made plain as He suspended the laws of nature and raised Jesus from the dead. Our Lord Jesus Christ is, in truth, the "firstborn from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (I Cor. 15:20). While Jesus' resurrection isn't a "scientific fact" in the sense that there's no extant, empirical evidence that still exists to "prove" He rose from the grave, there is ample anecdotal evidence - eyewitness accounts - which would hold up in a court of law. Jesus really did rise from the dead. It's faith in that truth that separates God's redeemed children from those who would pretend to know Him and from those who refuse to believe. God's truth is that "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (I Cor. 15:54b) and we live in that truth confident that in we have eternal life with God. In a world of "competing truths" it's the one truth we can live with.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, no matter how many lies are told, the truth of Your resurrection can never long be denied. As I face the reality of death in my life because of my sins, lead me to hold fast to the truth that You have set me free from Sin's bondage by Your resurrection. Help me to live boldly in that truth and confidently share it with others so that they, too, can be set free and know Your love and forgiveness. Hear me, O Lord Christ. Amen.
******************************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 28:11-15; I Corinthians 15:1-32
A WORLD OF COMPETING "TRUTHS"
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (I Cor.15:20)
Recently I read an article in an education magazine that derided the movement many school systems have been making toward allowing "intelligent design" to be taught in science classes. The author, speaking from her perception of "scientific truth," is convinced that any other perspective on the formation of the universe than that of evolution, is just plain "unscientific." She cited a number of prominent scientists in various fields who believe wholeheartedly in the "Theory" of Evolution. Not too long before I read her article, I also read an article by a well-known, well-respected, and Nobel Laureate Physicist who believes that the laws of nature and the universe are "too perfect" for them to be the result of "evolutionary chance." A further examination of the arguments on this issue also lead to another realization - in purely scientific terms, the term "theory," as used to describe evolution is a misnomer. A purely scientific understanding of what a "theory" is precludes using such a term for evolution, "intelligent design," or creation. Perhaps the most appropriate scientific term that can be used is "hypothesis."
The reality of this debate is that there are two competing "truths" that face us. Those on each side of the discourse are contending mightily for their position. Each believes their position on the issue is correct. Each cite "scientific" evidence, evidence from reason, and evidence of a "faith" nature (evolutionists would deny this) to support their positions. Interestingly enough, those involved in such discussions often cite the same "scientific" evidence in support of their conflicting positions. In this debate, God's children are well-served by the old, classical understanding of the theology - "Theology is the queen of the sciences" and the words of Johannes Kepler, a well-known German scientist of the 17th century, "Science is thinking the thoughts of God after Him."
Matthew tells us that Jesus' resurrection took on two "truths" among the people of His day. The chief priests and elders of the people believed that the "truth" of His resurrection was that His disciples stole His body. They were so adamant that Jesus was not the Son of God and the Messiah that had been promised, that nothing could convince them otherwise. For them, the harsh reality was that if they believed Jesus to be who He said He was, then they could no longer control the people, but would need to be their servants. This was a harsh reality they just couldn't face because they held the hearts, minds, and souls of the people in their power. In spite of the overwhelming evidence of Jesus' true identity, including the accounts of the guards at the tomb on Easter morning, the chief priests and elders continued to perpetuate the lies about Jesus in order to avoid the truth. In doing so, they perpetuated another "lie" in that the soldiers "fell asleep on duty," an offense punishable by death. They bribed the soldiers to their will and "fixed" it with Pilate. Sadly, that same avoidance of the truth of Jesus' resurrection and God's creating hand in the universe is still going on today.
We have reason to be joyful and thankful, even in the midst of the continuing "lies" concerning Jesus' saving activity on the Cross for all humanity. Ultimately, God's Word cannot be bound. His truth can't be hidden. In His own time, in His own way, according to His own purpose, God's truth will see the light of day, no matter who tries to squelch it. Jesus said, "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (Jn. 8:31-32). God's power in His Creation is made plain as He suspended the laws of nature and raised Jesus from the dead. Our Lord Jesus Christ is, in truth, the "firstborn from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (I Cor. 15:20). While Jesus' resurrection isn't a "scientific fact" in the sense that there's no extant, empirical evidence that still exists to "prove" He rose from the grave, there is ample anecdotal evidence - eyewitness accounts - which would hold up in a court of law. Jesus really did rise from the dead. It's faith in that truth that separates God's redeemed children from those who would pretend to know Him and from those who refuse to believe. God's truth is that "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (I Cor. 15:54b) and we live in that truth confident that in we have eternal life with God. In a world of "competing truths" it's the one truth we can live with.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, no matter how many lies are told, the truth of Your resurrection can never long be denied. As I face the reality of death in my life because of my sins, lead me to hold fast to the truth that You have set me free from Sin's bondage by Your resurrection. Help me to live boldly in that truth and confidently share it with others so that they, too, can be set free and know Your love and forgiveness. Hear me, O Lord Christ. Amen.
******************************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Mercy Triumphs Over "Judgment"
"Today's Devotion" For June 11, 2005
Read: Colossians 3:12-17; Psalm 51
MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER "JUDGMENT"
"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (James 2:12, 13)
According to the way we Americans think, can there be anything more tragic than the death of a child? Certainly we realize that death and life are intertwined. From the moment of conception there's always the reality that death is hovering nearby. With new life, however, we have this sensibility that it's too new to have to die; only those who grow old should die, and even then with great reluctance. When a child's life is cut short, however, because of circumstances that might have been prevented, we cry out with both anguish and anger at the "injustice" of such a death. If there's someone to "blame" we'll find them. If it looks like there's a ready-made culprit we're ready to "hoist them from the highest yardarm."
Such thinking and reaction only serves to intensify the tragedy of the sudden, unexpected, and, perhaps, preventable death of a child. The local news and local talk shows are abuzz over the past two days over the death of a two-year old on a child care van. It seems that while the child was picked up in the morning and transported to the child care center, she never got off the van and no one noticed or raised any questions about it until her mother came to pick her up seven hours later. The child was found on the van, having remained in the van on a very warm day, without anyone knowing. One local talk show host was screaming for the driver's head. For everyone this is a tragedy, yet no one knows as yet if the child was alive when the van arrived at the child care center. There may have been nothing the driver could have done to prevent her death, although he has a responsibility for not having checked to make certain all the children had entered the child care center.
As I listened to the anger and frustration of the "talking heads" and call-in comments, I was torn. Yes, I believe the van driver needs to be held accountable for not checking to make sure all the children got off the van. Certainly, if such negligence led to the death of the child, then the driver needs to accept the responsibility for his negligence and suffer the legal consequences for such irresponsibility. At the same time, I believe that God would encourage us to be merciful, recognizing that, while the driver may not have acted in a fully responsible manner, he also didn't intentionally cause this child's death. Of course, if the full drill is applied, as is so often the case when certain elements smell a fat civil suit, attention will be turned on the child care center's operators. Their procedures and protocols will be examined to find loopholes that might spell "negligence." It won't make any difference that attendance at child care is optional and children often don't come on a daily basis; operators expect them when they see them. "Blood is in the water" and you can see the "sharks" approaching.
James' reminder that "mercy triumphs over judgment" (Js. 2:13) is really important for us in our lives of faith. We're reminded by his words that God, who alone can "judge" our sin and condemn us to eternal damnation, exercises His mercy out of His great love for us. The greatest sign of His mercy comes to us in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior from Sin. He overcame the curse of the Law for us and has brought us, by faith, before the judgment seat of God covered with His righteousness so that we might know the Father's grace and mercy. Paul exhorts the Colossians to live their lives of faith in the grace and mercy of God as they live with one another and share the burdens and challenges of life together. He calls on them and us, as God's chosen people in Jesus Christ, "holy and dearly loved," to "clothe (our)selves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Col 2:12, 13).
The old saying, "There, but by the grace of God, go I," could certainly be applied to the case of the child care van driver. Everyday, somewhere, maybe even to you, something happens to harm another because of someone's negligence, no matter how unintended it might be. It may be thoughtlessness, it may irresponsible behavior with no thought of the consequences, or it may be unforeseen circumstances or mechanical failure that leads to harm coming to another human being; regardless of the circumstances, as God's people we put accountability where it belongs, we take responsibility for our actions, but we temper our responses with mercy, always ready to forgive as God has, for Christ's sake, forgiven us. This is certainly not easy to do, but what a wonderful example we have from our Father in heaven, Who has chosen to redeem us and shower us with His grace, mercy, and love in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I can understand all the "howling" people do when they feel they've been wronged or an unintended tragedy which we believe could have been prevented occurs. It's in my very nature to seek retribution from those who have been the perpetrators of such wrongs or tragedies. At the same time, however, I find myself forgetting that I, too, am so often guilty of harming others, whether intentional or unintentional. Help me to understand how to apply the mercy and grace You've shown me in Jesus to my relationships with others, and to my reactions and concerns about those who cause pain to others. Above all, Father, guide me by Your Word and Spirit to touch the lives of those in need of Your mercy and grace so that they might know Jesus and receive Your forgiveness. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Colossians 3:12-17; Psalm 51
MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER "JUDGMENT"
"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (James 2:12, 13)
According to the way we Americans think, can there be anything more tragic than the death of a child? Certainly we realize that death and life are intertwined. From the moment of conception there's always the reality that death is hovering nearby. With new life, however, we have this sensibility that it's too new to have to die; only those who grow old should die, and even then with great reluctance. When a child's life is cut short, however, because of circumstances that might have been prevented, we cry out with both anguish and anger at the "injustice" of such a death. If there's someone to "blame" we'll find them. If it looks like there's a ready-made culprit we're ready to "hoist them from the highest yardarm."
Such thinking and reaction only serves to intensify the tragedy of the sudden, unexpected, and, perhaps, preventable death of a child. The local news and local talk shows are abuzz over the past two days over the death of a two-year old on a child care van. It seems that while the child was picked up in the morning and transported to the child care center, she never got off the van and no one noticed or raised any questions about it until her mother came to pick her up seven hours later. The child was found on the van, having remained in the van on a very warm day, without anyone knowing. One local talk show host was screaming for the driver's head. For everyone this is a tragedy, yet no one knows as yet if the child was alive when the van arrived at the child care center. There may have been nothing the driver could have done to prevent her death, although he has a responsibility for not having checked to make certain all the children had entered the child care center.
As I listened to the anger and frustration of the "talking heads" and call-in comments, I was torn. Yes, I believe the van driver needs to be held accountable for not checking to make sure all the children got off the van. Certainly, if such negligence led to the death of the child, then the driver needs to accept the responsibility for his negligence and suffer the legal consequences for such irresponsibility. At the same time, I believe that God would encourage us to be merciful, recognizing that, while the driver may not have acted in a fully responsible manner, he also didn't intentionally cause this child's death. Of course, if the full drill is applied, as is so often the case when certain elements smell a fat civil suit, attention will be turned on the child care center's operators. Their procedures and protocols will be examined to find loopholes that might spell "negligence." It won't make any difference that attendance at child care is optional and children often don't come on a daily basis; operators expect them when they see them. "Blood is in the water" and you can see the "sharks" approaching.
James' reminder that "mercy triumphs over judgment" (Js. 2:13) is really important for us in our lives of faith. We're reminded by his words that God, who alone can "judge" our sin and condemn us to eternal damnation, exercises His mercy out of His great love for us. The greatest sign of His mercy comes to us in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior from Sin. He overcame the curse of the Law for us and has brought us, by faith, before the judgment seat of God covered with His righteousness so that we might know the Father's grace and mercy. Paul exhorts the Colossians to live their lives of faith in the grace and mercy of God as they live with one another and share the burdens and challenges of life together. He calls on them and us, as God's chosen people in Jesus Christ, "holy and dearly loved," to "clothe (our)selves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Col 2:12, 13).
The old saying, "There, but by the grace of God, go I," could certainly be applied to the case of the child care van driver. Everyday, somewhere, maybe even to you, something happens to harm another because of someone's negligence, no matter how unintended it might be. It may be thoughtlessness, it may irresponsible behavior with no thought of the consequences, or it may be unforeseen circumstances or mechanical failure that leads to harm coming to another human being; regardless of the circumstances, as God's people we put accountability where it belongs, we take responsibility for our actions, but we temper our responses with mercy, always ready to forgive as God has, for Christ's sake, forgiven us. This is certainly not easy to do, but what a wonderful example we have from our Father in heaven, Who has chosen to redeem us and shower us with His grace, mercy, and love in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I can understand all the "howling" people do when they feel they've been wronged or an unintended tragedy which we believe could have been prevented occurs. It's in my very nature to seek retribution from those who have been the perpetrators of such wrongs or tragedies. At the same time, however, I find myself forgetting that I, too, am so often guilty of harming others, whether intentional or unintentional. Help me to understand how to apply the mercy and grace You've shown me in Jesus to my relationships with others, and to my reactions and concerns about those who cause pain to others. Above all, Father, guide me by Your Word and Spirit to touch the lives of those in need of Your mercy and grace so that they might know Jesus and receive Your forgiveness. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Jesus Christ Came To Save Sinners
"Today's Devotion" For June 10, 2005
Read: I Timothy 1:12-17; Psalm 15
JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SAVE SINNERS
"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of who I am the chief." (I Tim. 1:15)
It's hard to imagine someone going to the emergency room of a hospital and denying they have a problem. I recently read about a man who arrived at a local hospital's emergency room with an uncontrollable nose bleed. He had been playing basketball and had been hit in the nose with an elbow. His nose had been bleeding for hours. The emergency room doctor, after examining him, suggested the man was having a stroke. At this news the man angrily got up, walked out of the emergency room and never came back. No one could find him. What happened to him and his nosebleed is a mystery. He could even have died.
This man's situation isn't so unlike our spiritual condition. Our condition is terminal. Eternal death is knocking at our doors. Yet, all too often we don't like this diagnosis of our sinful condition and deny our need for any "spiritual treatment." We get up and walk out of the "Emergency Room" of God's Word and go off on our own with no hope of surviving the deadly "stroke" of Sin. St. Paul notes that he had been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man and, as such, had persecuted God's people. Paul knew and understood that it's a serious matter for human beings to deny the immanence of their sinful condition. Sadly, all too often, people don't take their sins seriously and end up being, like Paul had been, "the chief of sinners."
Even as redeemed children of our Father in heaven, we are pretty good about ignoring the symptoms of the spiritual sickness of Sin that permeates each of our lives. We tend to overlook our own shortcomings and our need for a Savior. Somehow, some way, we human beings do a very good job of ignoring the reality of Sin in our lives. Thankfully, God never gives up on us. By the power of His Word and Spirit, He leads us to acknowledge our sin and seek ways to share the Father's love for Christ with the world. We have the confident assurance that Christ Jesus came to save sinners. God's forgiveness is our every day in Christ. We experience that forgiveness every time we remember our baptisms. God's Word comes to us so that we might acknowledge our Sin, repent before the throne of God's grace, and, receiving His forgiveness and love in Christ, seek to share Jesus with others, even if they're like us - "the chief of Sinners."
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus into the world to be my Savior and Lord. Forgive me for ignoring the truth of Your Word and substituting my own ideas and thoughts for Your truth. Help me to acknowledge the hope that is mine in Jesus. Lead me to live my life in a way that fully comprehends Your truth and lives Your Word each moment. Help me to acknowledge my own guilt before You and rejoice in Your forgiveness. Let my life be a constant reminder to others of God's love for the world in Jesus Christ; in whose precious name - Jesus -I pray. Amen.
*************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I Timothy 1:12-17; Psalm 15
JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SAVE SINNERS
"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of who I am the chief." (I Tim. 1:15)
It's hard to imagine someone going to the emergency room of a hospital and denying they have a problem. I recently read about a man who arrived at a local hospital's emergency room with an uncontrollable nose bleed. He had been playing basketball and had been hit in the nose with an elbow. His nose had been bleeding for hours. The emergency room doctor, after examining him, suggested the man was having a stroke. At this news the man angrily got up, walked out of the emergency room and never came back. No one could find him. What happened to him and his nosebleed is a mystery. He could even have died.
This man's situation isn't so unlike our spiritual condition. Our condition is terminal. Eternal death is knocking at our doors. Yet, all too often we don't like this diagnosis of our sinful condition and deny our need for any "spiritual treatment." We get up and walk out of the "Emergency Room" of God's Word and go off on our own with no hope of surviving the deadly "stroke" of Sin. St. Paul notes that he had been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man and, as such, had persecuted God's people. Paul knew and understood that it's a serious matter for human beings to deny the immanence of their sinful condition. Sadly, all too often, people don't take their sins seriously and end up being, like Paul had been, "the chief of sinners."
Even as redeemed children of our Father in heaven, we are pretty good about ignoring the symptoms of the spiritual sickness of Sin that permeates each of our lives. We tend to overlook our own shortcomings and our need for a Savior. Somehow, some way, we human beings do a very good job of ignoring the reality of Sin in our lives. Thankfully, God never gives up on us. By the power of His Word and Spirit, He leads us to acknowledge our sin and seek ways to share the Father's love for Christ with the world. We have the confident assurance that Christ Jesus came to save sinners. God's forgiveness is our every day in Christ. We experience that forgiveness every time we remember our baptisms. God's Word comes to us so that we might acknowledge our Sin, repent before the throne of God's grace, and, receiving His forgiveness and love in Christ, seek to share Jesus with others, even if they're like us - "the chief of Sinners."
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus into the world to be my Savior and Lord. Forgive me for ignoring the truth of Your Word and substituting my own ideas and thoughts for Your truth. Help me to acknowledge the hope that is mine in Jesus. Lead me to live my life in a way that fully comprehends Your truth and lives Your Word each moment. Help me to acknowledge my own guilt before You and rejoice in Your forgiveness. Let my life be a constant reminder to others of God's love for the world in Jesus Christ; in whose precious name - Jesus -I pray. Amen.
*************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Living Humbly Before The Lord
"Today's Devotion" For June 9, 2005
Read: Luke 14:1-11; Psalm 32
LIVING HUMBLY BEFORE THE LORD
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Rom. 12:3)
If you read the "Letters to the Editor" in any major newspaper you will find a myriad of opinions offered by the public to stories, columns, and editorials printed in that particular newspaper. Some of the letters are reasoned and well-thought out (at least in my opinion), while others are harangues against political or social positions that conflict with the writers' worldview. Often they are personal attacks on the good name and reputation of someone with whom the writer passionately disagrees. The same thing can be said for syndicated columnists and editorial staffs. Many things that these folks write are well-thought out, reasoned, and honest in approaching a particular subject. Yet, even these professionals can be found denigrating the "other guy's" position if it doesn't fit into their worldview and their particular view of what's right and wrong. Personally, I don't mind hearing or reading conflicting opinions or points of view. What troubles me, however, is when the writers or dissenters become personal and "holier-than- thou," making accusations rather than reasoned arguments intended to persuade rather than tear others down and puff themselves up. This is true, I believe, of "conservatives," "moderates," and "liberals" in spite of any denials to the contrary.
Jesus' parable in our reading today in Luke speaks to the same mindset. The nature of Sin in the lives of human beings is that the focus is on "ME." As has often been discussed at home and in Bible classes I've taught, the middle letter of the word "SIN" is "I." Sin leads us to focus on ourselves - our opinions, our ideas, our abilities, our success, our failure, our...our...our...you get the drift - and not on others or, more importantly, on God. While Jesus was addressing those who were leaders of the people and had a hard time believing He was the Messiah, Paul had a different audience but the same challenge. Speaking to the Christians of Rome, Paul noted that while God had delivered them from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan, and freed them to give their lives as "living sacrifices" (Rom. 12:1), and had "renewed their minds" (Rom. 12:2) that the danger of getting "puffed" up by such blessings was very real.
It's a very real thing for God's people to believe they're acting appropriately and humbly in using the spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities God has given them, while at the same time succumbing to their own pride. How often don't we find ourselves thinking or acting as if "no one else can do the job as well as I can?" We find ourselves conflicted between a true and living understanding of walking humbly before God, and the world's ideology which says "if you've got it, flaunt it." It's one thing to be confident of your God-given gifts, talents, and abilities, and quite another thing to use them for the benefit of others in true humility and service. I've found that one of the most difficult parts of leadership, for instance, is allowing others to use their gifts to accomplish the mission. I've found myself offering a recommendation to a group I'm leading, encouraging discussion and alternative answers, production, or ideas, and then getting defensive when their opinions, answers, suggestions, and ideas don't seem to "appreciate" my work. Even when I have my doubts about another's ability to accomplish the mission as well as I believe I can, it's the "height of arrogance," no matter how unintended, for me to deny them the opportunity to serve as God has blessed them.
By God's grace in Jesus Christ, by the power of His Word and Spirit, we have been brought to faith in Jesus and are the redeemed children of God. We're called to discipleship, to follow Jesus and share His love with others. All of God's people have been blessed with spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities for the service of God and others. In a very real way, everyone of us has been called to be a "leader" in the Gospel. The Great Commission sends us out into the world to baptize and teach everything Jesus has commanded us. It's a commission given to every single one of God's redeemed in Christ. In a very real way, each of us is called to be a leader, leading others to Jesus by how we live our lives, how we speak, and how we love. There is, perhaps, no greater evidence of our abilities to be such leaders than our "living humbly before the Lord," as living examples to others of the power of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. It's not us that counts. It's the mission of the Gospel that's all-important. Keeping our egos in check, with the Spirit's help, is key to carrying out the mission. Again, today, God gives each of us another day and opportunity to humbly serve Him and others in Jesus' name.
Prayer: Father, it's really very easy for me to find myself "puffed up" by the wonderful gifts, talents, and abilities you've given to me. I've discovered in observing myself and others that part of being "puffed up" can also mean that I consider myself too good to serve others and so allow the power of Sin in my life to lead me to denigrate those gifts, talents, and abilities by not using them in Your service. Father, forgive me for such "arrogance" and lead me to seek Your Will and purpose for my life every day. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, help me to see how I might live humbly before You and also be bold in my service to You and others. Grant me the wisdom to lead others to Jesus, living my life in a way that shows them the path to Your presence and eternal life. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
**************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Luke 14:1-11; Psalm 32
LIVING HUMBLY BEFORE THE LORD
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Rom. 12:3)
If you read the "Letters to the Editor" in any major newspaper you will find a myriad of opinions offered by the public to stories, columns, and editorials printed in that particular newspaper. Some of the letters are reasoned and well-thought out (at least in my opinion), while others are harangues against political or social positions that conflict with the writers' worldview. Often they are personal attacks on the good name and reputation of someone with whom the writer passionately disagrees. The same thing can be said for syndicated columnists and editorial staffs. Many things that these folks write are well-thought out, reasoned, and honest in approaching a particular subject. Yet, even these professionals can be found denigrating the "other guy's" position if it doesn't fit into their worldview and their particular view of what's right and wrong. Personally, I don't mind hearing or reading conflicting opinions or points of view. What troubles me, however, is when the writers or dissenters become personal and "holier-than- thou," making accusations rather than reasoned arguments intended to persuade rather than tear others down and puff themselves up. This is true, I believe, of "conservatives," "moderates," and "liberals" in spite of any denials to the contrary.
Jesus' parable in our reading today in Luke speaks to the same mindset. The nature of Sin in the lives of human beings is that the focus is on "ME." As has often been discussed at home and in Bible classes I've taught, the middle letter of the word "SIN" is "I." Sin leads us to focus on ourselves - our opinions, our ideas, our abilities, our success, our failure, our...our...our...you get the drift - and not on others or, more importantly, on God. While Jesus was addressing those who were leaders of the people and had a hard time believing He was the Messiah, Paul had a different audience but the same challenge. Speaking to the Christians of Rome, Paul noted that while God had delivered them from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan, and freed them to give their lives as "living sacrifices" (Rom. 12:1), and had "renewed their minds" (Rom. 12:2) that the danger of getting "puffed" up by such blessings was very real.
It's a very real thing for God's people to believe they're acting appropriately and humbly in using the spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities God has given them, while at the same time succumbing to their own pride. How often don't we find ourselves thinking or acting as if "no one else can do the job as well as I can?" We find ourselves conflicted between a true and living understanding of walking humbly before God, and the world's ideology which says "if you've got it, flaunt it." It's one thing to be confident of your God-given gifts, talents, and abilities, and quite another thing to use them for the benefit of others in true humility and service. I've found that one of the most difficult parts of leadership, for instance, is allowing others to use their gifts to accomplish the mission. I've found myself offering a recommendation to a group I'm leading, encouraging discussion and alternative answers, production, or ideas, and then getting defensive when their opinions, answers, suggestions, and ideas don't seem to "appreciate" my work. Even when I have my doubts about another's ability to accomplish the mission as well as I believe I can, it's the "height of arrogance," no matter how unintended, for me to deny them the opportunity to serve as God has blessed them.
By God's grace in Jesus Christ, by the power of His Word and Spirit, we have been brought to faith in Jesus and are the redeemed children of God. We're called to discipleship, to follow Jesus and share His love with others. All of God's people have been blessed with spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities for the service of God and others. In a very real way, everyone of us has been called to be a "leader" in the Gospel. The Great Commission sends us out into the world to baptize and teach everything Jesus has commanded us. It's a commission given to every single one of God's redeemed in Christ. In a very real way, each of us is called to be a leader, leading others to Jesus by how we live our lives, how we speak, and how we love. There is, perhaps, no greater evidence of our abilities to be such leaders than our "living humbly before the Lord," as living examples to others of the power of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. It's not us that counts. It's the mission of the Gospel that's all-important. Keeping our egos in check, with the Spirit's help, is key to carrying out the mission. Again, today, God gives each of us another day and opportunity to humbly serve Him and others in Jesus' name.
Prayer: Father, it's really very easy for me to find myself "puffed up" by the wonderful gifts, talents, and abilities you've given to me. I've discovered in observing myself and others that part of being "puffed up" can also mean that I consider myself too good to serve others and so allow the power of Sin in my life to lead me to denigrate those gifts, talents, and abilities by not using them in Your service. Father, forgive me for such "arrogance" and lead me to seek Your Will and purpose for my life every day. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, help me to see how I might live humbly before You and also be bold in my service to You and others. Grant me the wisdom to lead others to Jesus, living my life in a way that shows them the path to Your presence and eternal life. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
**************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
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