"Today's Devotion" For January 31, 2006
Read: II Peter 3:14-18; Philippians 1:3-11
SPOTLESS, BLAMELESS, AND AT PEACE IN CHRIST
"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him." (II Peter 3:14)
Have you ever noticed how critical we are of one another? Certainly each of us is subject to criticism because, Lord knows, none of us is perfect. Yet stopping with constructive criticism and correction for our lapses of judgment, poor decisions, and contrary actions doesn't generally happen. Human beings aren't particularly forgiving, especially when taking someone to task for their "sins" might advance a personal agenda.
By almost every standard of human judgment, everybody's guilty of something - but not me. No one want to admit to being wrong, but we're perfectly willing to point the finger at the other "guy," especially if we disagree with them. Everybody's guilty of something, so we're willing to believe everything we read about politicians' wrongdoing, especially those we don't like. Everybody's guilty of something, so it's the fault of the oil companies and their "exorbitant profits," that we don't have a national energy policy that would make us less dependent on fossil fuels. Everybody's guilty of something, so we find that most automobile accidents have percentages of guilt assigned to each party, even when it seems obvious that only one party responsible for the accident. Everybody's guilty of something, so when a marriage breaks up each spouse sees themselves as the victim and is certain that the other is to blame for the breakup. Everybody's guilty of something, so student blame their teachers or professors for a poor grade rather than their own lack of studying. Everybody's guilty of something, so when a business deal goes south someone has to be made the "scapegoat" and given a pink slip, even though no one could have prevented the situation from occurring.
There's no doubt that there's plenty of "blame" to go around in life. We're all pretty certain that no one is perfect - it's not part of the human condition. We understand this reality, even though we dream of overcoming it - there are even some who truly believe they have. Thus, as we read Peter's words of encouragement to be "found spotless, blameless, and at peace with God" when Jesus comes again, it's not too much of a stretch for us to respond, "You've got to be kidding!" Based on our own human experience, if we're honest with ourselves, there's no way this can happen - at least not by our action. Yet that's what Scripture lays before us - and, admittedly, from a spiritual perspective it's a scary and impossible situation. Unless, of course, we put our faith and trust in Christ.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in His suffering, death, and resurrection, paid the price and penalty for our sins and the sins of the whole world. He paid for humanity's imperfection before God, caused by the Fall. By faith in Christ, we are declared to be "spotless, blameless, and at peace" with God. He, by Word and Spirit, through faith in Him, not only prepares us to meet Him when He comes again, but helps us to live lives that reflect the Father's glory in the good deeds we do in response to our faith in Christ. And in such living, we even cause those who don't believe to glorify His name.
Prayer: Father, I know that on my own and of myself I cannot be "spotless, blameless and at peace" with You. Only You can accomplish that in me and for me in Jesus, my Lord and Savior. By Your Word and Spirit, help me to grow more firmly in my faith and service to You. Instead seeking to find the worst in others, help me to touch them with Your love and forgiveness so that they also might be "found spotless, blameless, and at peace" with You when Jesus comes again. May my life - my words and deeds - truly reflect Your grace, mercy, and love in Christ for me so that I might be a living example of faithful living to others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
******************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Contending With Evil For Good
"Today's Devotion" For January 30, 2006
Read: Mark 1:21-28; Ephesians 6:10-18
CONTENDING WITH EVIL FOR GOOD
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12)
Wouldn't it be nice, even great, if there were no conflicts in the world? Nobody fighting with anyone verbally, mentally, emotionally, or physically? How wonderful would it be if we could wake up in the morning, look at the morning newspaper and read how nations and people had resolved differences peaceably and without rancor? What kind of place would the world be if there were no more terrorists - and wars on terror - no more crime in the streets, no more hunger, no more pain, and no more suffering.? Can you picture such a world in your mind? If you have such a picture, what do you get out of such a picture? How much, do you think, does your picture of such a world match that of your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your neighbors, or even the members of your church, business, clubs, and organizations? Does the government have the same picture in mind? How does such a picture of peace and tranquility compare to that of other nations? Where does God fit into your picture of a world without any sort of conflict?
If we really seriously consider the implications of the questions above we come to some important realizations. First, we realize that a world without conflict, pain, suffering, illness, and disease is also a world without death. Is that a possibility? Perhaps in the utopian dreams of science fiction writers, but not in reality. Such a world is what God intended for us at Creation. Humanity's Fall into Sin and disobedience to God effectively put a "kibosh" on that possibility. The world is no longer a "Garden of Eden" and no longer has any place that could be reasonably equated with it.
In the second place, because of how we human beings think, each of us probably has a different picture - whether slightly or a lot - as to what would constitute the ideal world and ideal lifestyle. Each of us has the intense desire to have life and the world reflect our personal views of what each should look like. As it stands right now, we spend our lives making compromises in our ideal visions so that we can live within a society and culture without constant conflict with everyone around us. Yet that compromise goes only so far because Sin seeks chaos, not harmony; dissension, not peace; hatred, not love; sorrow, not joy; fear, not confidence.
Since government is most frequently the result of the sum total of how its citizens think and feel about their culture and society, as well as their dreams for the future and willingness to be either independent or dependent, it's reasonably safe to acknowledge that how the government operates in one nation is going to be different from how it operates in another nation. Those differences bring conflict among nations, especially when there are common points of contact coming from different perspectives and understandings. The art of politics involves negotiation and compromise to maintain international harmony and peace. Wars, economic sanctions, trade wars, terrorism, and a host of other points of conflict reflect that sad reality that even negotiations, well-meaning as they might be, don't always accomplish what some would hope.
Then of course we can't forget the "religious plurality" of our nation and the world. Since the prevailing thought process of human beings, as a result of Sin in the world, is that there are myriad ways to "God" (some vigorously question His very existence) and that each human being has to discover the way for himself/herself. The reality of that belief is that there is a constant undercurrent in our culture and society, as well as the world, that people need to find a "religious tolerance" for other "belief systems." Unfortunately, the result of such "religious plurality" is not peace and tranquility, but religious intolerance and the desire to - in some cases such as Islam and some forms of Christianity - establish one's own religions tenents as the only way for people to believe and live.
So our world is full of conflict between people and among nations. Crime, wars, sickness, disease, hatred, economic hardship, pain, and suffering - this is the "short list" of the world's maladies - are all the results of these conflicts, which is full and certain proof that Sin exists in the world and there is an overwhelming evil "abroad in the land."
Thank God that in His wisdom He hasn't ignored that reality, even if we human beings try to shut it out. We can't escape the ravages of Sin in the world, no matter how utopian our dreams might be or how arrogantly we might believe we can solve all the diverse problems we face in the world. Jesus' healing of the demon possessed man clearly shows that not only does such evil exist in the world, but that God has done something about it. Satan knew this and did his best to try to stop God's work, even going so far as to try to tempt Jesus to sin and thus thwart God's plan for the salvation of the world from Sin and Death (cf. Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus not only drove the demon out of the man Mark tells us about, but out of many others as well. His life and ministry was dedicated to showing the reality of Sin in the world and that God, in His grace, mercy, and love in Jesus Christ, overcomes them for us so that we might live in peace with Him.
Peter reminds us that even though we have peace with God through faith in Jesus, the reality of life is that we will still and always be engaged in warfare - spiritual warfare - which manifests itself in the ravages Sin causes in the world. We can either be frightened and cowering because of this conflict, or confident and faithful in our living in spite of the challenges, trials, and tribulations of life.
Armed and protected by the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, the washing of Holy Baptism, and the Body and Blood of Christ in the Lord's Supper, we are equipped and prepared to contend with evil wherever we find it or face it for the good of others and the sharing of God's love and forgiveness to all. By God's grace, each of us has His peace in our hearts with sustains us through every conflict with evil and the world. We are not alone. We aren't set adrift. Nothing can take us away from God's love in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:31ff.), in Whom is the world's peace. The power of Sin, Death, and Satan was broken when Jesus died and rose again.
There's no doubt that there's not going to be an ideal world this side of heaven. But thanks be to God that we have the power and strength to live boldly and faithfully in Him, confident that He has overcome the world, Sin, and evil so that we might have a life filled with peace and joy.
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to overcome Sin, Death, and Satan for me. Thank You for giving me hope in Him as I live each day in Your forgiveness and peace. As I face the world and the constant conflicts and assaults by both spiritual and physical evil, let me do so with confidence and courage, strengthened by Your Word and Spirit. Help me to live my life as a living testimony of Your peace, love, and forgiveness for the whole world as I contend with evil for the good of others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Mark 1:21-28; Ephesians 6:10-18
CONTENDING WITH EVIL FOR GOOD
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12)
Wouldn't it be nice, even great, if there were no conflicts in the world? Nobody fighting with anyone verbally, mentally, emotionally, or physically? How wonderful would it be if we could wake up in the morning, look at the morning newspaper and read how nations and people had resolved differences peaceably and without rancor? What kind of place would the world be if there were no more terrorists - and wars on terror - no more crime in the streets, no more hunger, no more pain, and no more suffering.? Can you picture such a world in your mind? If you have such a picture, what do you get out of such a picture? How much, do you think, does your picture of such a world match that of your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your neighbors, or even the members of your church, business, clubs, and organizations? Does the government have the same picture in mind? How does such a picture of peace and tranquility compare to that of other nations? Where does God fit into your picture of a world without any sort of conflict?
If we really seriously consider the implications of the questions above we come to some important realizations. First, we realize that a world without conflict, pain, suffering, illness, and disease is also a world without death. Is that a possibility? Perhaps in the utopian dreams of science fiction writers, but not in reality. Such a world is what God intended for us at Creation. Humanity's Fall into Sin and disobedience to God effectively put a "kibosh" on that possibility. The world is no longer a "Garden of Eden" and no longer has any place that could be reasonably equated with it.
In the second place, because of how we human beings think, each of us probably has a different picture - whether slightly or a lot - as to what would constitute the ideal world and ideal lifestyle. Each of us has the intense desire to have life and the world reflect our personal views of what each should look like. As it stands right now, we spend our lives making compromises in our ideal visions so that we can live within a society and culture without constant conflict with everyone around us. Yet that compromise goes only so far because Sin seeks chaos, not harmony; dissension, not peace; hatred, not love; sorrow, not joy; fear, not confidence.
Since government is most frequently the result of the sum total of how its citizens think and feel about their culture and society, as well as their dreams for the future and willingness to be either independent or dependent, it's reasonably safe to acknowledge that how the government operates in one nation is going to be different from how it operates in another nation. Those differences bring conflict among nations, especially when there are common points of contact coming from different perspectives and understandings. The art of politics involves negotiation and compromise to maintain international harmony and peace. Wars, economic sanctions, trade wars, terrorism, and a host of other points of conflict reflect that sad reality that even negotiations, well-meaning as they might be, don't always accomplish what some would hope.
Then of course we can't forget the "religious plurality" of our nation and the world. Since the prevailing thought process of human beings, as a result of Sin in the world, is that there are myriad ways to "God" (some vigorously question His very existence) and that each human being has to discover the way for himself/herself. The reality of that belief is that there is a constant undercurrent in our culture and society, as well as the world, that people need to find a "religious tolerance" for other "belief systems." Unfortunately, the result of such "religious plurality" is not peace and tranquility, but religious intolerance and the desire to - in some cases such as Islam and some forms of Christianity - establish one's own religions tenents as the only way for people to believe and live.
So our world is full of conflict between people and among nations. Crime, wars, sickness, disease, hatred, economic hardship, pain, and suffering - this is the "short list" of the world's maladies - are all the results of these conflicts, which is full and certain proof that Sin exists in the world and there is an overwhelming evil "abroad in the land."
Thank God that in His wisdom He hasn't ignored that reality, even if we human beings try to shut it out. We can't escape the ravages of Sin in the world, no matter how utopian our dreams might be or how arrogantly we might believe we can solve all the diverse problems we face in the world. Jesus' healing of the demon possessed man clearly shows that not only does such evil exist in the world, but that God has done something about it. Satan knew this and did his best to try to stop God's work, even going so far as to try to tempt Jesus to sin and thus thwart God's plan for the salvation of the world from Sin and Death (cf. Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus not only drove the demon out of the man Mark tells us about, but out of many others as well. His life and ministry was dedicated to showing the reality of Sin in the world and that God, in His grace, mercy, and love in Jesus Christ, overcomes them for us so that we might live in peace with Him.
Peter reminds us that even though we have peace with God through faith in Jesus, the reality of life is that we will still and always be engaged in warfare - spiritual warfare - which manifests itself in the ravages Sin causes in the world. We can either be frightened and cowering because of this conflict, or confident and faithful in our living in spite of the challenges, trials, and tribulations of life.
Armed and protected by the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, the washing of Holy Baptism, and the Body and Blood of Christ in the Lord's Supper, we are equipped and prepared to contend with evil wherever we find it or face it for the good of others and the sharing of God's love and forgiveness to all. By God's grace, each of us has His peace in our hearts with sustains us through every conflict with evil and the world. We are not alone. We aren't set adrift. Nothing can take us away from God's love in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:31ff.), in Whom is the world's peace. The power of Sin, Death, and Satan was broken when Jesus died and rose again.
There's no doubt that there's not going to be an ideal world this side of heaven. But thanks be to God that we have the power and strength to live boldly and faithfully in Him, confident that He has overcome the world, Sin, and evil so that we might have a life filled with peace and joy.
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to overcome Sin, Death, and Satan for me. Thank You for giving me hope in Him as I live each day in Your forgiveness and peace. As I face the world and the constant conflicts and assaults by both spiritual and physical evil, let me do so with confidence and courage, strengthened by Your Word and Spirit. Help me to live my life as a living testimony of Your peace, love, and forgiveness for the whole world as I contend with evil for the good of others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Blessed By The Patience Of God
"Today's Devotion" For January 28, 2006
Read: II Peter 3:8-9; Hebrews 1:12-2:3
BLESSED BY THE PATIENCE OF GOD
"He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9b)
"Patience is a virtue." How often haven't you heard that one? Then there's the old prayer "standard," "God give me patience and give it to me now!" I can assure you that I've both facetiously and sincerely prayed that prayer over the course of my lifetime, and, I assume many others have as well. Being patient doesn't come easily to everyone; those who have it in apparent abundance we often say have "the patience of a saint."
In sharp contrast to people's lack of patience is the patience of God. From the perspective of sinful human beings, God's patience is almost a curse. He promises to hear and answer our prayers, but He takes His own "good time" about it. There's the old plea of the reluctant and recalcitrant soul, "Be patient with me, God isn't finished with me yet,” which seeks to be excused from one's bad behavior. In recent months, as we've discussed before, people have claimed that the forces of nature that have caused so many natural disasters over the past year are God's punishment for the sins of the nation - He's losing our patience with us. At the same time, on the basis of Scripture, we know that God often calls us to repentance through such events that wake us up to His power, His presence, and His will.
I heard a story once that, in my opinion, truly reflects what God's patience with human beings is all about. It reflects the impatience of sinful humanity and our inability to recognize that we're not in charge and can't manipulate God to our liking.
In the story, we see a man lying on a hill overlooking the ocean. The sun is high in the deep blue sky. An admixture of clouds, small wispy and fluffy, shape forming clouds, were scattered across the sky. The warmth of the sun was pleasant and there was a gentle breeze coming from the ocean. Birds were soaring through the air - seagulls, terns, pelicans, and song birds. The ocean was calm and the waves gently lapped at the beach, raising a small "slap, slap, slap," sound into the air. It was a perfect place and day for just relaxing and taking in the breathtaking beauty of God's creation (I would have been at the shore casting into the water - surf fishing - having no real patience for just lying still for long).
As he lazily and languidly took all this peaceful beauty in, the man closed his eyes and offered a prayer of thanks to God. He was filled with the wonder and majesty of God's creation laid out before him and he prayed, "God, as I lay here taking in the magnificent panorama of this place and Your creation I'm taken by how huge, how vast, and how beyond human comprehension Your work really is. As I lay here listening to the sounds of creation and watching it unfold before my eyes I've just got to ask You - from Your perspective, how long is a million years?
God answered, "Oh, about a minute."
"Hmmmmm," the man responded. "You know, that's really hard to fathom. Let me ask it another way. From Your perspective, Father, how much is a million dollars?
God answered, "Oh, about a penny."
"Hmmmmm...." the man pondered for a bit.
"Is there anything else, my dear child?" God asked.
"Yes, Father," the man replied. "Could You give me a penny?"
"I'd be happy to," God answered, "Just give me a minute."
To be sure, this little story takes a bit of liberty with Peter's words (v.8), but it does point out the difficulties human beings face in their relationships with God. We live in a world of the "15-second sound-bite," although there are some who say that it's rapidly reducing itself to "5-second sound-bites." In the United States' consumer culture, we are programmed to want what we want, when we want it, and we don't want to have to wait for it. As a result, on the spiritual end of things, it's not at all uncommon for people to turn to "religions" which give them immediate rewards and satisfaction. They don't want to wait for Jesus' second coming. They want what they want, now. They want to be secure in knowing that what they do will earn them their final reward (not realizing that final "reward" might be the "booby prize"). Instead of being grateful for God's patience with it, the world, in its sinful state, scoffs at the whole idea of a Judgment Day, denying the very existence of God. Even those who are of the household of faith, knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior from Sin, grow impatient with God's timing - we'd like to have God visit His wrath on all those bad unbelievers who cause problems for us in our lives.
Thank God He doesn't pay any attention to what our or the world's timetables might be. In His divine wisdom and love for us and the world, He continues to exercise His merciful patience so that people might have more opportunities to repent and believe the Gospel. Our Father in heaven, the Almighty God and Creator of the Universe, who has power and authority over everything that exists, is not "rushing to Judgment." He's allowing time for people to repent and for us, his beloved, redeemed, and forgiven children to experience more and more of His blessings, His wondrous acts in our daily lives, and the beauty of His creation. Moreover, His patience fills us with hope and empowers us to share His love with those who don't yet know Him or believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What a marvelous blessing it is for us to be blessed by the patience of God - I don't know about you, but I'm really quite happy to wait for that "penny."
Prayer: Father, thanks for being so patent with this world of sinners, and especially me. Help me to appreciate the opportunities Your patience in coming in Judgment gives me to serve You and experience Your love even more each day. So fill me with Your patience that as I experience it in my life I might also exercise it in my dealings with others. Fill me with Your patience so that I might not lose my temper or my willingness to forgive others as You have forgiven me in Jesus. Give me the time and patience each day to read and meditate on Your Word, so that the power of Your Word and Spirit will guide me to diligently share Your love in Christ with others while there is still time. Hear my prayer, gracious and patient Father, for the sake of Jesus. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: II Peter 3:8-9; Hebrews 1:12-2:3
BLESSED BY THE PATIENCE OF GOD
"He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9b)
"Patience is a virtue." How often haven't you heard that one? Then there's the old prayer "standard," "God give me patience and give it to me now!" I can assure you that I've both facetiously and sincerely prayed that prayer over the course of my lifetime, and, I assume many others have as well. Being patient doesn't come easily to everyone; those who have it in apparent abundance we often say have "the patience of a saint."
In sharp contrast to people's lack of patience is the patience of God. From the perspective of sinful human beings, God's patience is almost a curse. He promises to hear and answer our prayers, but He takes His own "good time" about it. There's the old plea of the reluctant and recalcitrant soul, "Be patient with me, God isn't finished with me yet,” which seeks to be excused from one's bad behavior. In recent months, as we've discussed before, people have claimed that the forces of nature that have caused so many natural disasters over the past year are God's punishment for the sins of the nation - He's losing our patience with us. At the same time, on the basis of Scripture, we know that God often calls us to repentance through such events that wake us up to His power, His presence, and His will.
I heard a story once that, in my opinion, truly reflects what God's patience with human beings is all about. It reflects the impatience of sinful humanity and our inability to recognize that we're not in charge and can't manipulate God to our liking.
In the story, we see a man lying on a hill overlooking the ocean. The sun is high in the deep blue sky. An admixture of clouds, small wispy and fluffy, shape forming clouds, were scattered across the sky. The warmth of the sun was pleasant and there was a gentle breeze coming from the ocean. Birds were soaring through the air - seagulls, terns, pelicans, and song birds. The ocean was calm and the waves gently lapped at the beach, raising a small "slap, slap, slap," sound into the air. It was a perfect place and day for just relaxing and taking in the breathtaking beauty of God's creation (I would have been at the shore casting into the water - surf fishing - having no real patience for just lying still for long).
As he lazily and languidly took all this peaceful beauty in, the man closed his eyes and offered a prayer of thanks to God. He was filled with the wonder and majesty of God's creation laid out before him and he prayed, "God, as I lay here taking in the magnificent panorama of this place and Your creation I'm taken by how huge, how vast, and how beyond human comprehension Your work really is. As I lay here listening to the sounds of creation and watching it unfold before my eyes I've just got to ask You - from Your perspective, how long is a million years?
God answered, "Oh, about a minute."
"Hmmmmm," the man responded. "You know, that's really hard to fathom. Let me ask it another way. From Your perspective, Father, how much is a million dollars?
God answered, "Oh, about a penny."
"Hmmmmm...." the man pondered for a bit.
"Is there anything else, my dear child?" God asked.
"Yes, Father," the man replied. "Could You give me a penny?"
"I'd be happy to," God answered, "Just give me a minute."
To be sure, this little story takes a bit of liberty with Peter's words (v.8), but it does point out the difficulties human beings face in their relationships with God. We live in a world of the "15-second sound-bite," although there are some who say that it's rapidly reducing itself to "5-second sound-bites." In the United States' consumer culture, we are programmed to want what we want, when we want it, and we don't want to have to wait for it. As a result, on the spiritual end of things, it's not at all uncommon for people to turn to "religions" which give them immediate rewards and satisfaction. They don't want to wait for Jesus' second coming. They want what they want, now. They want to be secure in knowing that what they do will earn them their final reward (not realizing that final "reward" might be the "booby prize"). Instead of being grateful for God's patience with it, the world, in its sinful state, scoffs at the whole idea of a Judgment Day, denying the very existence of God. Even those who are of the household of faith, knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior from Sin, grow impatient with God's timing - we'd like to have God visit His wrath on all those bad unbelievers who cause problems for us in our lives.
Thank God He doesn't pay any attention to what our or the world's timetables might be. In His divine wisdom and love for us and the world, He continues to exercise His merciful patience so that people might have more opportunities to repent and believe the Gospel. Our Father in heaven, the Almighty God and Creator of the Universe, who has power and authority over everything that exists, is not "rushing to Judgment." He's allowing time for people to repent and for us, his beloved, redeemed, and forgiven children to experience more and more of His blessings, His wondrous acts in our daily lives, and the beauty of His creation. Moreover, His patience fills us with hope and empowers us to share His love with those who don't yet know Him or believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What a marvelous blessing it is for us to be blessed by the patience of God - I don't know about you, but I'm really quite happy to wait for that "penny."
Prayer: Father, thanks for being so patent with this world of sinners, and especially me. Help me to appreciate the opportunities Your patience in coming in Judgment gives me to serve You and experience Your love even more each day. So fill me with Your patience that as I experience it in my life I might also exercise it in my dealings with others. Fill me with Your patience so that I might not lose my temper or my willingness to forgive others as You have forgiven me in Jesus. Give me the time and patience each day to read and meditate on Your Word, so that the power of Your Word and Spirit will guide me to diligently share Your love in Christ with others while there is still time. Hear my prayer, gracious and patient Father, for the sake of Jesus. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, January 27, 2006
How About Some Good News?
"Today's Devotion" For January 27, 2006
Read: Isaiah 52:7-12; John 3:9-21
HOW ABOUT SOME GOOD NEWS?
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Is. 52:7)
Last night I was struck by the constant barrage of "bad news" with which we've been bombarded for what seems "forever." Close to home the city's homicide rate has been through the roof and we keep making the national news with stories about young folks, in packs, beating up people. The school system is under attack because children seem to be performing no better than they were when the "reforms" started. Then there are Common Council members, aldermen, who seem to have it in their heads that it's "all about them" and not "all about the citizenry." And then, of course, there's always the issue of taxes.
At the county level, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is under scrutiny for ethics violations which may even be considered criminal. The County Executive is under fire for "blaming" the previous administration for the budget deficits that were instrumental in forcing a recall of his predecessor. His county parks director is under fire because her department recently revealed a $2.3 million deficit and the park system is still in disrepair after many prior years of neglect under the old regime. Then, here too, there's also the issue of taxes.
At the state level the Governor is under fire for alleged favoritism in awarding certain state contracts on his "watch." He's under fire for allegedly manipulating budgets and further increasing revenues by "sneaking" in user's fees (a silent taxation). Then there are the state legislators who have been indicted or are under indictment for illegal campaign activities (using state workers to campaign for them on public time). Of course, there's the intense partisanship that seems to be gripping the country that seems to bring everything to a standstill and sets state government at odds with itself and with the citizenry.
Had enough? Don't want any more? Whatever state you live in, I suppose the issues aren't a whole lot different, are they? Oh, but there's more. We're just getting started!
The President is under fire for allegedly lying about the reasons for going to war in Iraq. He's under fire for not having a good plan for getting out of Iraq. He's under fire for nominating a "too conservative" judge to fill an open spot on the Supreme Court of the United States. He's under fire for "domestic spying and eavesdropping" to discover potential incursions of foreign terrorists into the United States. He's under fire for not having a sound energy policy. He's under fire because the national debt is growing.
In the Congress of the United States senators and representatives are engaged in, what is in my opinion, the gravest partisan political wars of my lifetime. They're battling over the war on terror, who "knew what, and when did they know it?", what the function and purpose of the Supreme Court is by how they decide who should serve on the Court - ideology or judicial skill, intellect, temperament - and a host of other things which would fill a couple of books.
Then we take a look at the world stage. Not a whole lot of good news there, either. North Korea is always a problem. China won't back sanctions against Iran, who has made no bones about the fact that they hate Israel and the United States and would be more than happy to have the world believe they're not looking to develop atomic weapons. In Pakistan, non-combatants were killed in an air strike against a "terror" cell and the ire of the Pakistani people has been raised against us. Oil continues to fuel tyranny and repression around the world - whoever controls the oil controls the money and the people. People, including our own military personnel, are dying everyday in Iraq as the battle for the hearts and minds of the people continues.
Whewwwwwwwww!!!! As I looked at this morning's newspaper I couldn't help but notice that the tenor of the stories on the city, county, state, national, and world stages wasn't any different or better news than I read yesterday, the day before, the day before that - you get my drift. Everywhere we look we hear and see "bad news." That Sin is alive and well and "killing" people is so obvious that it can't be denied. If anyone doubts there is evil in the world, they're either blind, deaf, and stupid or...well, what else could they be?
How the world is in need of good news! How the world is in need of God's love in Jesus Christ! How the world is in need of hearing that "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (Jn. 3;16). This is good news! No! Stop the presses! This is GREAT NEWS! My sins are forgiven! Your sins are forgiven! The God who forgives our sins is the same God who created the universe, the world, and us. The God who created the universe, the world, and us cares enough for His creation to come to earth, take on our human flesh, put Himself under His own Law, obey it in our place, and then take the burden of our sins and the sins of the whole world upon Himself and pay the just penalty for sin and disobedience that every human being deserves to pay.
That really is "GREAT NEWS" isn't it? It's the kind of news that, when shared with each other and believed by one another, makes a difference in how we treat each other and how we live together. There's not going to be a lot of good news on the airwaves and in the news media because sin is everywhere, affecting everyone on so many different levels of life. For every "good news” news report that comes out, it seems there are ten or more "bad news" news reports. Yet, we face all this "bad news" with hearts comforted and filled with God's peace, joy, love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness that God gives us through faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
That "GREAT, GOOD NEWS" from God picks us up and lifts us into His presence each and every day. No matter what's happening in the world, whether at home or abroad, we know, by faith, that God is still in charge and His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness are never ending. We, who believe, not only have the joy and peace of Christ in our lives, but a solemn and joyful commission to share Him with others. We can make a difference in the world, no matter how bad the news or how much evil seems to prevail in the hearts and lives of people, because Jesus has overcome the world, Sin, Death, and Satan for everyone.
With God's peace, joy, love, and forgiveness in our lives of faith, we rejoice each day that we have the opportunity to live and witness for Jesus as we touch the lives of others and serve others in Jesus' name. We can certainly give thanks that God gives us the opportunity to fulfill the hope and promise of Isaiah' words, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Is. 52:7). So, how about some Good News? That’s God’s plan for us and the world!
Prayer: Father, I thank and praise You that You have given me the GREAT, GOOD NEWS that my sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ and that I have hope in the face of the bad news that is evident all around me. Give me the courage and strength of faith to face the challenges of the world and the powers of Sin and evil that's so obviously abroad in the land and the world. Lift my eyes to You each day and fill my heart with Your peace that I may face such challenges joyfully and willingly as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and a true witness of Your great love to the world. Father, I pray that You would lead me by Your Word and Spirit to be faithful in all things as I serve You and others in Jesus' name and be one of those with the "beautiful feet" that Isaiah speaks about. In the name of the One who is the GREAT, GOOD NEWS to the world for all times, generations, and places, even Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord I pray. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Isaiah 52:7-12; John 3:9-21
HOW ABOUT SOME GOOD NEWS?
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Is. 52:7)
Last night I was struck by the constant barrage of "bad news" with which we've been bombarded for what seems "forever." Close to home the city's homicide rate has been through the roof and we keep making the national news with stories about young folks, in packs, beating up people. The school system is under attack because children seem to be performing no better than they were when the "reforms" started. Then there are Common Council members, aldermen, who seem to have it in their heads that it's "all about them" and not "all about the citizenry." And then, of course, there's always the issue of taxes.
At the county level, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is under scrutiny for ethics violations which may even be considered criminal. The County Executive is under fire for "blaming" the previous administration for the budget deficits that were instrumental in forcing a recall of his predecessor. His county parks director is under fire because her department recently revealed a $2.3 million deficit and the park system is still in disrepair after many prior years of neglect under the old regime. Then, here too, there's also the issue of taxes.
At the state level the Governor is under fire for alleged favoritism in awarding certain state contracts on his "watch." He's under fire for allegedly manipulating budgets and further increasing revenues by "sneaking" in user's fees (a silent taxation). Then there are the state legislators who have been indicted or are under indictment for illegal campaign activities (using state workers to campaign for them on public time). Of course, there's the intense partisanship that seems to be gripping the country that seems to bring everything to a standstill and sets state government at odds with itself and with the citizenry.
Had enough? Don't want any more? Whatever state you live in, I suppose the issues aren't a whole lot different, are they? Oh, but there's more. We're just getting started!
The President is under fire for allegedly lying about the reasons for going to war in Iraq. He's under fire for not having a good plan for getting out of Iraq. He's under fire for nominating a "too conservative" judge to fill an open spot on the Supreme Court of the United States. He's under fire for "domestic spying and eavesdropping" to discover potential incursions of foreign terrorists into the United States. He's under fire for not having a sound energy policy. He's under fire because the national debt is growing.
In the Congress of the United States senators and representatives are engaged in, what is in my opinion, the gravest partisan political wars of my lifetime. They're battling over the war on terror, who "knew what, and when did they know it?", what the function and purpose of the Supreme Court is by how they decide who should serve on the Court - ideology or judicial skill, intellect, temperament - and a host of other things which would fill a couple of books.
Then we take a look at the world stage. Not a whole lot of good news there, either. North Korea is always a problem. China won't back sanctions against Iran, who has made no bones about the fact that they hate Israel and the United States and would be more than happy to have the world believe they're not looking to develop atomic weapons. In Pakistan, non-combatants were killed in an air strike against a "terror" cell and the ire of the Pakistani people has been raised against us. Oil continues to fuel tyranny and repression around the world - whoever controls the oil controls the money and the people. People, including our own military personnel, are dying everyday in Iraq as the battle for the hearts and minds of the people continues.
Whewwwwwwwww!!!! As I looked at this morning's newspaper I couldn't help but notice that the tenor of the stories on the city, county, state, national, and world stages wasn't any different or better news than I read yesterday, the day before, the day before that - you get my drift. Everywhere we look we hear and see "bad news." That Sin is alive and well and "killing" people is so obvious that it can't be denied. If anyone doubts there is evil in the world, they're either blind, deaf, and stupid or...well, what else could they be?
How the world is in need of good news! How the world is in need of God's love in Jesus Christ! How the world is in need of hearing that "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (Jn. 3;16). This is good news! No! Stop the presses! This is GREAT NEWS! My sins are forgiven! Your sins are forgiven! The God who forgives our sins is the same God who created the universe, the world, and us. The God who created the universe, the world, and us cares enough for His creation to come to earth, take on our human flesh, put Himself under His own Law, obey it in our place, and then take the burden of our sins and the sins of the whole world upon Himself and pay the just penalty for sin and disobedience that every human being deserves to pay.
That really is "GREAT NEWS" isn't it? It's the kind of news that, when shared with each other and believed by one another, makes a difference in how we treat each other and how we live together. There's not going to be a lot of good news on the airwaves and in the news media because sin is everywhere, affecting everyone on so many different levels of life. For every "good news” news report that comes out, it seems there are ten or more "bad news" news reports. Yet, we face all this "bad news" with hearts comforted and filled with God's peace, joy, love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness that God gives us through faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
That "GREAT, GOOD NEWS" from God picks us up and lifts us into His presence each and every day. No matter what's happening in the world, whether at home or abroad, we know, by faith, that God is still in charge and His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness are never ending. We, who believe, not only have the joy and peace of Christ in our lives, but a solemn and joyful commission to share Him with others. We can make a difference in the world, no matter how bad the news or how much evil seems to prevail in the hearts and lives of people, because Jesus has overcome the world, Sin, Death, and Satan for everyone.
With God's peace, joy, love, and forgiveness in our lives of faith, we rejoice each day that we have the opportunity to live and witness for Jesus as we touch the lives of others and serve others in Jesus' name. We can certainly give thanks that God gives us the opportunity to fulfill the hope and promise of Isaiah' words, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Is. 52:7). So, how about some Good News? That’s God’s plan for us and the world!
Prayer: Father, I thank and praise You that You have given me the GREAT, GOOD NEWS that my sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ and that I have hope in the face of the bad news that is evident all around me. Give me the courage and strength of faith to face the challenges of the world and the powers of Sin and evil that's so obviously abroad in the land and the world. Lift my eyes to You each day and fill my heart with Your peace that I may face such challenges joyfully and willingly as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and a true witness of Your great love to the world. Father, I pray that You would lead me by Your Word and Spirit to be faithful in all things as I serve You and others in Jesus' name and be one of those with the "beautiful feet" that Isaiah speaks about. In the name of the One who is the GREAT, GOOD NEWS to the world for all times, generations, and places, even Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord I pray. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Gladly Bearing God's Mark
"Today's Devotion" For January 26, 2006
Read: Romans 6:1-14
Revelation 2:1-5
GLADLY BEARING GOD'S MARK
"'Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.'." (Ezekiel 9:4)
A college coed, away from home for the first time, decided to exercise her new independence in a unique way. Chancing upon a tattoo parlor while out shopping with her friends, she decided to get a tattoo. It was something she was pretty certain would be frowned upon by her parents, who were, in her opinion, way too straight-laced for their own, and her, good. Since she was attending university in a southern state and experiencing a "warm" winter for the first time in her life (she was quite happy to be away from the snow and cold of her home state), she decided to commemorate her new independence and the "warmth" of the winter by having a bright green and yellow palm tree, with a suggestively curved, orange-brown trunk, put on one of her ankles. She even splurged and had the artist include hot-pink coconuts.
From a parent's perspective that tattoo can easily be seen as a unique and loud declaration of personal freedom and independence. No doubt it was, at the very least, a unique bit of artwork. What the newly "independent" young lady had missed in her youthful exuberance to "declare her independence" and "make a statement" was the reality that her tattoo, as intriguing and eye-catching as it was, was also a permanent mark on her. She couldn't wash it off and she couldn't hide it at the beach. Unless she wore opaque hosiery, it would be visible to all - only a long evening gown or pants had any chance of hiding it from view. Later in life, as a former coed and then a mother, she has often regretted her decision - one she has to live with for the rest of her life.
We human beings mark things every day. Whether it's a teacher grading papers, or a quality control inspector on an assembly line, or a craftsman building a house, making a cabinet, or installing new wiring, we mark things everyday in order to make them "stand out" in some way for specific purposes. Sometimes the marks are helpful and temporary; at other time they can be punitive and permanent. Sometimes they are proudly visible for all to see; other times they are hidden in shame. Even Scripture makes note of "marks" that set people apart from others. We're hear from the prophet Ezekiel that God instructed him to "put a mark on the foreheads of those" who grieved and lamented over the sinful and unrepentant behavior of the people in Jerusalem in his day. The Book of Revelation has a a number of references made to people having marks placed on them. In chapter 7 an angel puts a "seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God" (v. 3) which is referenced again in chapters 14:1 and 22:4. The contrasting mark of those who oppose God, the "mark of the beast," is noted by John to have been placed on their right hands and foreheads so they could thrive under the "beast's" rule. It's a mark, according to Revelation which puts those who follow Jesus "out in the cold."
Looking at our culture today, we see marks all over the place. They may not all be permanently affixed in indelible ink, visible for all to see with the naked eye, but they exist all over the place. We use expressions like, "A leopard can't change its spots" and "If it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck" to get the point across that people's words and deeds mark them for who and what they are. We apply these standards to any number of situations and persons in our society. Sadly, however, we're not always comfortable with the markings and we're not always certain about how to deal with those things which are so obviously marked.
Thus, we might hear someone promising us the world whose track record is anything but trustworthy, and we believe. We might see a "too good to be true" deal and fall under its spell. We often forget the old axiom, "If it seems to good to be true, it usually is" and fall for all sorts of things better left for the trash man. When evil comes calling, no matter how it disguises itself, it still turns up as evil - its "mark" is still there - yet, all too often we are "duped" into accepting the evil which is so enticing and easy on the surface while forsaking the good which looks so plain, unexciting, and is more difficult to do.
If you want to know and understand people, and their cultures and societies, just look for their "marks." Wherever we look we see marks on people that tell us things about them and their culture. Those marks may be tattoos, styles of clothing, physical characteristics,\ lifestyles, cultural icons, practices, customs, political and religious institutions, business practices, levels and quality of education, as well as means and levels of communication. Observing these "marks" ought to go a long way in understanding the world around us - for better or for ill. The same is true for God's people as well.
When we read in Revelation that "marks" are placed on the foreheads of the servants of God we have a powerful reminder of the mark God places on us in Holy Baptism, identifying us as His very own beloved and redeemed children in Jesus Christ. When we receive that "mark" of Holy Baptism - the pastor says, "Receive the sign of the holy cross, both upon your forehead and upon your heart to signify that you have been redeemed by Christ the crucified" - God is declaring us forgiven in Christ members of His family. It's a mark of distinction to be worn with joy, peace, love, and humility. It's a mark that strengthens and encourages us in the darkest of time. It's a mark that, no matter whether things are going well or not, give us peace, joy, and security because it assures us we belong to God.
Now, we can be embarrassed by that mark if we choose. We can easily hide it by how we live and how we speak. No one need ever know that God has marked us for His own if we don't want them to. It's completely up to you and me whether we want to admit our relationship to God or not.
Yet, no matter how much we might seek to hide that mark of God on us in Holy Baptism, it's always there. It reminds us that God loves us no matter what we might do and that He is always ready to forgive our sins when we come to Him with repentant hearts, confessing our sins and seeking His mercy. In the darkest of times or the best of times, we bear God's mark - it will never go away, fade away, or be washed away. We may deny it; we may avoid it; we may forget about it. But God never does. His arms are always ready to receive us and His heart is always ready to forgive us. He has declared us His very own sons and daughters in Jesus. We bear His mark, a mark which strengthens us to make a bold and positive difference in the world as confident, forgiven, hope-filled witness of Jesus Christ in all we do, think, and say. Because we bear God's mark, we can make a huge difference in the world. And we don't have to be ashamed of it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I bear Your mark on me, given in Holy Baptism, with both joy and trepidation. At times I'm overjoyed to be Your redeemed child in Jesus Christ, while at other times I'd really rather be anonymous and just like everyone else. The ways and things of the world are so enticing and inviting that bearing Your mark on me can often feel like an undue burden on my life and behavior. I realize that at times I lives as if I'm ashamed to be called Your child and to bear the name of Christ as a badge of distinction. Forgive me Father, for Jesus' sake, and strengthen me so that I may never be ashamed to be known as Your child nor forget that I bear Your mark placed on me in Holy Baptism. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, gracious Father, give me the strength and courage to proudly live my life in testimony to Your mark upon me that I may be a true and fearless witness for Jesus in all things. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Romans 6:1-14
Revelation 2:1-5
GLADLY BEARING GOD'S MARK
"'Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.'." (Ezekiel 9:4)
A college coed, away from home for the first time, decided to exercise her new independence in a unique way. Chancing upon a tattoo parlor while out shopping with her friends, she decided to get a tattoo. It was something she was pretty certain would be frowned upon by her parents, who were, in her opinion, way too straight-laced for their own, and her, good. Since she was attending university in a southern state and experiencing a "warm" winter for the first time in her life (she was quite happy to be away from the snow and cold of her home state), she decided to commemorate her new independence and the "warmth" of the winter by having a bright green and yellow palm tree, with a suggestively curved, orange-brown trunk, put on one of her ankles. She even splurged and had the artist include hot-pink coconuts.
From a parent's perspective that tattoo can easily be seen as a unique and loud declaration of personal freedom and independence. No doubt it was, at the very least, a unique bit of artwork. What the newly "independent" young lady had missed in her youthful exuberance to "declare her independence" and "make a statement" was the reality that her tattoo, as intriguing and eye-catching as it was, was also a permanent mark on her. She couldn't wash it off and she couldn't hide it at the beach. Unless she wore opaque hosiery, it would be visible to all - only a long evening gown or pants had any chance of hiding it from view. Later in life, as a former coed and then a mother, she has often regretted her decision - one she has to live with for the rest of her life.
We human beings mark things every day. Whether it's a teacher grading papers, or a quality control inspector on an assembly line, or a craftsman building a house, making a cabinet, or installing new wiring, we mark things everyday in order to make them "stand out" in some way for specific purposes. Sometimes the marks are helpful and temporary; at other time they can be punitive and permanent. Sometimes they are proudly visible for all to see; other times they are hidden in shame. Even Scripture makes note of "marks" that set people apart from others. We're hear from the prophet Ezekiel that God instructed him to "put a mark on the foreheads of those" who grieved and lamented over the sinful and unrepentant behavior of the people in Jerusalem in his day. The Book of Revelation has a a number of references made to people having marks placed on them. In chapter 7 an angel puts a "seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God" (v. 3) which is referenced again in chapters 14:1 and 22:4. The contrasting mark of those who oppose God, the "mark of the beast," is noted by John to have been placed on their right hands and foreheads so they could thrive under the "beast's" rule. It's a mark, according to Revelation which puts those who follow Jesus "out in the cold."
Looking at our culture today, we see marks all over the place. They may not all be permanently affixed in indelible ink, visible for all to see with the naked eye, but they exist all over the place. We use expressions like, "A leopard can't change its spots" and "If it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck" to get the point across that people's words and deeds mark them for who and what they are. We apply these standards to any number of situations and persons in our society. Sadly, however, we're not always comfortable with the markings and we're not always certain about how to deal with those things which are so obviously marked.
Thus, we might hear someone promising us the world whose track record is anything but trustworthy, and we believe. We might see a "too good to be true" deal and fall under its spell. We often forget the old axiom, "If it seems to good to be true, it usually is" and fall for all sorts of things better left for the trash man. When evil comes calling, no matter how it disguises itself, it still turns up as evil - its "mark" is still there - yet, all too often we are "duped" into accepting the evil which is so enticing and easy on the surface while forsaking the good which looks so plain, unexciting, and is more difficult to do.
If you want to know and understand people, and their cultures and societies, just look for their "marks." Wherever we look we see marks on people that tell us things about them and their culture. Those marks may be tattoos, styles of clothing, physical characteristics,\ lifestyles, cultural icons, practices, customs, political and religious institutions, business practices, levels and quality of education, as well as means and levels of communication. Observing these "marks" ought to go a long way in understanding the world around us - for better or for ill. The same is true for God's people as well.
When we read in Revelation that "marks" are placed on the foreheads of the servants of God we have a powerful reminder of the mark God places on us in Holy Baptism, identifying us as His very own beloved and redeemed children in Jesus Christ. When we receive that "mark" of Holy Baptism - the pastor says, "Receive the sign of the holy cross, both upon your forehead and upon your heart to signify that you have been redeemed by Christ the crucified" - God is declaring us forgiven in Christ members of His family. It's a mark of distinction to be worn with joy, peace, love, and humility. It's a mark that strengthens and encourages us in the darkest of time. It's a mark that, no matter whether things are going well or not, give us peace, joy, and security because it assures us we belong to God.
Now, we can be embarrassed by that mark if we choose. We can easily hide it by how we live and how we speak. No one need ever know that God has marked us for His own if we don't want them to. It's completely up to you and me whether we want to admit our relationship to God or not.
Yet, no matter how much we might seek to hide that mark of God on us in Holy Baptism, it's always there. It reminds us that God loves us no matter what we might do and that He is always ready to forgive our sins when we come to Him with repentant hearts, confessing our sins and seeking His mercy. In the darkest of times or the best of times, we bear God's mark - it will never go away, fade away, or be washed away. We may deny it; we may avoid it; we may forget about it. But God never does. His arms are always ready to receive us and His heart is always ready to forgive us. He has declared us His very own sons and daughters in Jesus. We bear His mark, a mark which strengthens us to make a bold and positive difference in the world as confident, forgiven, hope-filled witness of Jesus Christ in all we do, think, and say. Because we bear God's mark, we can make a huge difference in the world. And we don't have to be ashamed of it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I bear Your mark on me, given in Holy Baptism, with both joy and trepidation. At times I'm overjoyed to be Your redeemed child in Jesus Christ, while at other times I'd really rather be anonymous and just like everyone else. The ways and things of the world are so enticing and inviting that bearing Your mark on me can often feel like an undue burden on my life and behavior. I realize that at times I lives as if I'm ashamed to be called Your child and to bear the name of Christ as a badge of distinction. Forgive me Father, for Jesus' sake, and strengthen me so that I may never be ashamed to be known as Your child nor forget that I bear Your mark placed on me in Holy Baptism. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, gracious Father, give me the strength and courage to proudly live my life in testimony to Your mark upon me that I may be a true and fearless witness for Jesus in all things. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Guilt And Shame - Repentance And Forgiveness
"Today's Devotion" For January 25, 2006
Read: Hebrews 12:1-12
Proverbs 13:18-21
GUILT AND SHAME - REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Today, I'm troubled; disturbed (those who know me well wouldn't disagree, they'd just say I'm troubled everyday and "disturbed" is my middle name, but it's not that kind of "troubled or "disturbed."":>)). What troubles me, even disturbs me, is an article that was front page of the local newspaper's Sports section yesterday morning. Right in the middle of the front page of that section is a photo of a young lady with a baby girl. The caption above the photo reads: "She's driven. She's focused. She goes to all her classes. She's taking life head on" (a quote from the principal of the young lady's high school). Below the photo is the following headline: BABY STEPS. It's subtitle is: "Milwaukee (high school name) star (young lady's name) juggles motherhood, basketball, school and work."
By all accounts, the young lady in question is a remarkable person. Last year she was first-team, all-conference in basketball (no small accomplishment; that conference is quite a talent laden conference). This year she's a senior, has a 3.6 GPA (although, notably in one of the poorest academic high schools in the city), has a job on the weekends, and is, by all accounts, a good and loving mother to her five-month old daughter. She's the sixth of eleven children in her family and has a loving and stable home life with both mom and dad. Her mother takes care of the baby while she's at school, working, or playing basketball, often assisted by her younger sister. She's focused on going to college and taking her baby with her, which, by all accounts could be quite difficult because most college programs won't want to have the extra burden of a single-parent who's playing basketball and also raising a child alone.
There are more details that fill out this story, but these are sufficient. Suffice it to say that this is a great "human interest" story, the kind of thing newspapers love to print. Yet, it's sad, don't you think, that such a situation is plunked smack-dab, front and center, in, perhaps, the most widely read section of the newpaper? Certainly as people read the story they're happy for this young lady who's working hard to achieve something in her life despite having made some "bad choices.". Yet, what's so scary is that she's an unwed mother, not yet out of high school, and, for some unbelievably inane reason, someone thinks it's a good idea to put her out as an example to others of "hard work," "determination," and only God knows what else.
It seems that our culture and society no longer feels shame at any failure to live a moral life. Living a God-pleasing life has become "stuff and nonsense," often even to Christians. We've gotten to the point that having children out of wedlock is acceptable in many parts of our society. What was once considered to be a shameful act - so much so that girls were sent away from home to have their babies so as not to bring "disgrace" upon the rest of the family - is now so commonplace that hardly an eye is batted when such a birth takes place. In some segments of our culture, having a child in this manner is almost a badge of honor (and a statement, some have said, about how unimportant men are). It seems as if the loss of any conept of shame is so far along these days that a story such as this can be printed in the newspapers for all to see - seemingly as an encouragement for those in similar circumstances. In some ways, too, this story can be seen as promoting such behavior since there don't appear to be any "major" consequences for such behavior.
As God's redeemed children, we give thanks that God's love is so great for the world that He sent Jesus to suffer and die for the sins of the world. In His resurrection, God declares that Christ's perfect and holy sacrifice for Sin is complete - once and for all time. In Jesus that there is no sin which God will not forgive when we repent in sorrow over our sins and turn to Him by faith for forgiveness (except the sin against the Holy Spirit). There is a danger, however, that we can become complacent over our sins and the sins of other, equating forgiveness with "no consequences" for our behavior. St. Paul wrote about a situation of unrepentant sin, being lived out within the Corinthian congregation, for which no one felt any shame. Rather than confronting the persons involved with their sin, the congregation reveled in being "understanding," for which Paul severely chastised them. He notes especially that such an attitude of acceptance was only accomplishing the condemnation to eternal damnation for the perpetrators (cf. I Cor. 5:1-7).
How "jaded" and "accepting" have we become concerning sin? Has forgiveness of sins come to mean, for us and for our society, that there are no consequences for sinful behavior because someone's sorry? Have we gotten to the point where, when a non-believer tells us that it's unchristian to speak out against Sin and judge another's behavior, that we feel bad and heed their diatribe?
What happened to feeling shame?" That our culture and society sees nothing amiss with bringing the aforementioned young lady's behavior and its aftermath to the attention of the public, not for condemnation, but, in many ways to hold her up for admiration at her "determination to overcome the odds," seems to indicate that "shame" and being ashamed are no longer relevant issues. It is possible we Christians have become so enamored with being "relevant" to the world that we do everything possible to downplay any idea of "shame" over one's behavior?
By God's grace we have been called to repentance. By the power of His Word and Spirit, as God's redeemed children in Jesus Christ, we do feel shame and ashamed over our sins. Regardless of what the world's position is, as followers of Jesus we do not condone, glorify, or trivialize sinful behavior. We hold one another accountable in love, for our sinful behavior. We point one another to Christ's sacrifice for Sin and remind each other that sorrow over our sins and a repentant heart is essential to our relationship with God. We recognize the terrible and staggering burden of guilt and shame over our sinfulness and accept, by faith, the consequences in our lives of such behavior. At the same time, no matter the consequences, we give thanks to God that our sins are forgiven and that after this earthly life, we will be with Him, restored to the perfectly created body, soul, and spirit He gave us at Creation. By faith, filled with God's forgiveness and love, we accept the consequences of our sinful behavior and quietly live for Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I'm confused this day over what's happening in the world around me. It seems that the world feels or sees no shame for almost every kind of sinful behavior and those who sin, as I do every day, are glorified for their "determination" to overcome their poor decisions. The whole idea of feeling shame for sinful behavior, sorrowing over one's sin, seeking God's forgiveness, and accepting the consequences of such behavior without public display or proclamation seems to be lost in society and the world. All too often, I too, forget that feeling ashamed is the first consequence for my sinfulness - without that shame I would never turn to You for forgiveness and peace. Father, I ask Your forgiveness for my shameful, sinful behavior and pray that You would lead me to be an effective example of what it means to be forgiven - that being forgiven of all my sins in Jesus points others to Him and Your love for the world in Him, not to me. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Hebrews 12:1-12
Proverbs 13:18-21
GUILT AND SHAME - REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Today, I'm troubled; disturbed (those who know me well wouldn't disagree, they'd just say I'm troubled everyday and "disturbed" is my middle name, but it's not that kind of "troubled or "disturbed."":>)). What troubles me, even disturbs me, is an article that was front page of the local newspaper's Sports section yesterday morning. Right in the middle of the front page of that section is a photo of a young lady with a baby girl. The caption above the photo reads: "She's driven. She's focused. She goes to all her classes. She's taking life head on" (a quote from the principal of the young lady's high school). Below the photo is the following headline: BABY STEPS. It's subtitle is: "Milwaukee (high school name) star (young lady's name) juggles motherhood, basketball, school and work."
By all accounts, the young lady in question is a remarkable person. Last year she was first-team, all-conference in basketball (no small accomplishment; that conference is quite a talent laden conference). This year she's a senior, has a 3.6 GPA (although, notably in one of the poorest academic high schools in the city), has a job on the weekends, and is, by all accounts, a good and loving mother to her five-month old daughter. She's the sixth of eleven children in her family and has a loving and stable home life with both mom and dad. Her mother takes care of the baby while she's at school, working, or playing basketball, often assisted by her younger sister. She's focused on going to college and taking her baby with her, which, by all accounts could be quite difficult because most college programs won't want to have the extra burden of a single-parent who's playing basketball and also raising a child alone.
There are more details that fill out this story, but these are sufficient. Suffice it to say that this is a great "human interest" story, the kind of thing newspapers love to print. Yet, it's sad, don't you think, that such a situation is plunked smack-dab, front and center, in, perhaps, the most widely read section of the newpaper? Certainly as people read the story they're happy for this young lady who's working hard to achieve something in her life despite having made some "bad choices.". Yet, what's so scary is that she's an unwed mother, not yet out of high school, and, for some unbelievably inane reason, someone thinks it's a good idea to put her out as an example to others of "hard work," "determination," and only God knows what else.
It seems that our culture and society no longer feels shame at any failure to live a moral life. Living a God-pleasing life has become "stuff and nonsense," often even to Christians. We've gotten to the point that having children out of wedlock is acceptable in many parts of our society. What was once considered to be a shameful act - so much so that girls were sent away from home to have their babies so as not to bring "disgrace" upon the rest of the family - is now so commonplace that hardly an eye is batted when such a birth takes place. In some segments of our culture, having a child in this manner is almost a badge of honor (and a statement, some have said, about how unimportant men are). It seems as if the loss of any conept of shame is so far along these days that a story such as this can be printed in the newspapers for all to see - seemingly as an encouragement for those in similar circumstances. In some ways, too, this story can be seen as promoting such behavior since there don't appear to be any "major" consequences for such behavior.
As God's redeemed children, we give thanks that God's love is so great for the world that He sent Jesus to suffer and die for the sins of the world. In His resurrection, God declares that Christ's perfect and holy sacrifice for Sin is complete - once and for all time. In Jesus that there is no sin which God will not forgive when we repent in sorrow over our sins and turn to Him by faith for forgiveness (except the sin against the Holy Spirit). There is a danger, however, that we can become complacent over our sins and the sins of other, equating forgiveness with "no consequences" for our behavior. St. Paul wrote about a situation of unrepentant sin, being lived out within the Corinthian congregation, for which no one felt any shame. Rather than confronting the persons involved with their sin, the congregation reveled in being "understanding," for which Paul severely chastised them. He notes especially that such an attitude of acceptance was only accomplishing the condemnation to eternal damnation for the perpetrators (cf. I Cor. 5:1-7).
How "jaded" and "accepting" have we become concerning sin? Has forgiveness of sins come to mean, for us and for our society, that there are no consequences for sinful behavior because someone's sorry? Have we gotten to the point where, when a non-believer tells us that it's unchristian to speak out against Sin and judge another's behavior, that we feel bad and heed their diatribe?
What happened to feeling shame?" That our culture and society sees nothing amiss with bringing the aforementioned young lady's behavior and its aftermath to the attention of the public, not for condemnation, but, in many ways to hold her up for admiration at her "determination to overcome the odds," seems to indicate that "shame" and being ashamed are no longer relevant issues. It is possible we Christians have become so enamored with being "relevant" to the world that we do everything possible to downplay any idea of "shame" over one's behavior?
By God's grace we have been called to repentance. By the power of His Word and Spirit, as God's redeemed children in Jesus Christ, we do feel shame and ashamed over our sins. Regardless of what the world's position is, as followers of Jesus we do not condone, glorify, or trivialize sinful behavior. We hold one another accountable in love, for our sinful behavior. We point one another to Christ's sacrifice for Sin and remind each other that sorrow over our sins and a repentant heart is essential to our relationship with God. We recognize the terrible and staggering burden of guilt and shame over our sinfulness and accept, by faith, the consequences in our lives of such behavior. At the same time, no matter the consequences, we give thanks to God that our sins are forgiven and that after this earthly life, we will be with Him, restored to the perfectly created body, soul, and spirit He gave us at Creation. By faith, filled with God's forgiveness and love, we accept the consequences of our sinful behavior and quietly live for Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I'm confused this day over what's happening in the world around me. It seems that the world feels or sees no shame for almost every kind of sinful behavior and those who sin, as I do every day, are glorified for their "determination" to overcome their poor decisions. The whole idea of feeling shame for sinful behavior, sorrowing over one's sin, seeking God's forgiveness, and accepting the consequences of such behavior without public display or proclamation seems to be lost in society and the world. All too often, I too, forget that feeling ashamed is the first consequence for my sinfulness - without that shame I would never turn to You for forgiveness and peace. Father, I ask Your forgiveness for my shameful, sinful behavior and pray that You would lead me to be an effective example of what it means to be forgiven - that being forgiven of all my sins in Jesus points others to Him and Your love for the world in Him, not to me. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Holding Up The World's "Truths" To God's Truth
"Today's Devotion" For January 24, 2006
Read: Matthew 7:15-23; II Peter 3:13-32
HOLDING UP THE WORLD'S "TRUTHS" TO GOD'S TRUTH
"This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but ever spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God." (I John. 4:2b-3a)
Boy! The "B.S" - "bad stuff" - is sure flying around the airwaves these days. A senator, who many believe is beginning the process of running for President, got up in front of an audience about a week ago and, pandering to the audience, decided to paint potential opponents with the "racism" card - "They run the House like a plantation. The "spin" was that it wasn't the first time the senator had used the term, "plantation," publicly so there was no pandering involved.
Then we heard the mayor of a southern city terribly affected by Hurricane Katrina declaring that the city's problems came from God, that God was angry with the city and that Katrina had been a punishment from God. Even more striking in his pronouncements was his declaration that God wanted the city to be a "chocolate city" - one specifically for "black people." One obvious implication of the mayor's pronouncement - if the city had been "chocolate" then God wouldn't have destroyed it
Lest we lay too big a "trip" on the mayor, we should note that he isn't the first person to have said made such pronouncements "from God." Over the past year the modern "prophets" have been declaring God's anger over humanity's depravity is manifesting itself in every natural disaster from the tsunamis of a year ago to the more recent spate of hurricanes this past Fall. He is particularly angry with the United States, as is evident, they say, by the terrorist attacks of "9-11," the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the mounting challenges from "rogue nations" such as Iran and North Korea each of whom would like to see the United States disappear in a puff of smoke.
Each of the pronouncements noted above have an effect on people's thinking and emotions. The way these ideas have been stated and the contextual circumstances in which they were said have evoked visceral, emotional responses from those who heard them. Some have accepted them on their face as the truth and as statements of certainty, while others have challenged their truthfulness and reliability. In every case, it seems that God is either ignored or is "boxed up" to fit each speaker's purpose - popularity, power, relevance.
One of the most difficult things we human beings have to deal with is the "half-truth." Have you ever noticed that when a "True of False" answer is required on an exam, the correct answer for any question or statement that is only partially true, is "False?" Perhaps some teacher, someplace, with a twisted sort of logic, might give a partial credit - perhaps even full credit - to someone who answers the question, "True and False." Yet, truth and falsehood are never partial - even though we'd like to believe there's a lot of "gray area" in which to live and operate.
That's why there are so many warnings in Scripture about being alert for "false prophets." The prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 23) shares God's declaration of anger against those who sought to lead His people astray, purporting to speak for God. Jesus gives us the same warning in Matthew 7:15, urging us to "watch out for false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ferocious wolves." Peter very forcefully warns God's people to watch out for false prophets who will introduce ideas and teachings that seem good on the surface but are far from the truth of God's Word. John urges us to "test the spirits" of those who purport to speak the truth, especially His truth, to see whether they have been sent from God. John gives us the "litmus test" for such testing - check to see if such teachers proclaim Jesus as Savior and Lord (I Jn. 4:2, 3). Holding up the world's "truths" to God's truth is the only way for us to know if people, especially those who would lead us, really know and speak the truth.
Recognizing God and His truth at work in the world is a difficult thing at best. We know and believe that He daily and richly blesses us with everything we need to support our bodies and lives. We know and believe that He's truly at work in our lives on a daily basis, often through other people, to strengthen our faith and our relationship with Him. We know and believe that through faith in Christ our sins are forgiven. Yet there are so many ways that God is at work that we'll not see until time has passed - perhaps not even until we're with Him in heaven. And that's where we are sorely challenged by the world and it's pursuit and declaration of what it deems to be "truth."
By God's grace, however, we have been made His dearly beloved children in Holy Baptism. We have the truth of His Word to measure the veracity of the world's pronouncements. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to see falsehood for what it is - not as another version of the truth or another "truth" itself. In His great love for us, our Father in heaven has raised up many faithful and dedicated teachers and preachers of the Word from whom we learn to know the truth which sets us free. Prayerfully and deliberately, seeking God's Will each day in His Word, and listening to hear what He will do to work through us in the lives of others today, we are not led astray by the world's "truth," but remain focused on the one single truth above all things - Jesus Christ is our Savior from Sin, our brother, our friend, and our one and only hope for eternal life.
Prayer: Father, thank You for making me one of Your redeemed children in Christ. There is no greater hope in my life than that I belong to You. Yet, Father, I'm so often challenged by the "truth" that the world proclaims - i.e., politicians, educators, scientists and others in the spotlight - and which leads me to doubt the truth of Your Word and Your love for me in Jesus. Forgive me for succumbing to such "falsehood" in my life and lead me to be discerning of what I see and hear around me, knowing that if "the world's truth" doesn't reflect Your presence and love it's no "truth" at all. Lead me to live a full life of faith and trust in You, that my works will speak loudly for You, and others may come to know Your truth through faithful teachers who share Jesus with them. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
**********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 7:15-23; II Peter 3:13-32
HOLDING UP THE WORLD'S "TRUTHS" TO GOD'S TRUTH
"This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but ever spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God." (I John. 4:2b-3a)
Boy! The "B.S" - "bad stuff" - is sure flying around the airwaves these days. A senator, who many believe is beginning the process of running for President, got up in front of an audience about a week ago and, pandering to the audience, decided to paint potential opponents with the "racism" card - "They run the House like a plantation. The "spin" was that it wasn't the first time the senator had used the term, "plantation," publicly so there was no pandering involved.
Then we heard the mayor of a southern city terribly affected by Hurricane Katrina declaring that the city's problems came from God, that God was angry with the city and that Katrina had been a punishment from God. Even more striking in his pronouncements was his declaration that God wanted the city to be a "chocolate city" - one specifically for "black people." One obvious implication of the mayor's pronouncement - if the city had been "chocolate" then God wouldn't have destroyed it
Lest we lay too big a "trip" on the mayor, we should note that he isn't the first person to have said made such pronouncements "from God." Over the past year the modern "prophets" have been declaring God's anger over humanity's depravity is manifesting itself in every natural disaster from the tsunamis of a year ago to the more recent spate of hurricanes this past Fall. He is particularly angry with the United States, as is evident, they say, by the terrorist attacks of "9-11," the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the mounting challenges from "rogue nations" such as Iran and North Korea each of whom would like to see the United States disappear in a puff of smoke.
Each of the pronouncements noted above have an effect on people's thinking and emotions. The way these ideas have been stated and the contextual circumstances in which they were said have evoked visceral, emotional responses from those who heard them. Some have accepted them on their face as the truth and as statements of certainty, while others have challenged their truthfulness and reliability. In every case, it seems that God is either ignored or is "boxed up" to fit each speaker's purpose - popularity, power, relevance.
One of the most difficult things we human beings have to deal with is the "half-truth." Have you ever noticed that when a "True of False" answer is required on an exam, the correct answer for any question or statement that is only partially true, is "False?" Perhaps some teacher, someplace, with a twisted sort of logic, might give a partial credit - perhaps even full credit - to someone who answers the question, "True and False." Yet, truth and falsehood are never partial - even though we'd like to believe there's a lot of "gray area" in which to live and operate.
That's why there are so many warnings in Scripture about being alert for "false prophets." The prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 23) shares God's declaration of anger against those who sought to lead His people astray, purporting to speak for God. Jesus gives us the same warning in Matthew 7:15, urging us to "watch out for false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ferocious wolves." Peter very forcefully warns God's people to watch out for false prophets who will introduce ideas and teachings that seem good on the surface but are far from the truth of God's Word. John urges us to "test the spirits" of those who purport to speak the truth, especially His truth, to see whether they have been sent from God. John gives us the "litmus test" for such testing - check to see if such teachers proclaim Jesus as Savior and Lord (I Jn. 4:2, 3). Holding up the world's "truths" to God's truth is the only way for us to know if people, especially those who would lead us, really know and speak the truth.
Recognizing God and His truth at work in the world is a difficult thing at best. We know and believe that He daily and richly blesses us with everything we need to support our bodies and lives. We know and believe that He's truly at work in our lives on a daily basis, often through other people, to strengthen our faith and our relationship with Him. We know and believe that through faith in Christ our sins are forgiven. Yet there are so many ways that God is at work that we'll not see until time has passed - perhaps not even until we're with Him in heaven. And that's where we are sorely challenged by the world and it's pursuit and declaration of what it deems to be "truth."
By God's grace, however, we have been made His dearly beloved children in Holy Baptism. We have the truth of His Word to measure the veracity of the world's pronouncements. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to see falsehood for what it is - not as another version of the truth or another "truth" itself. In His great love for us, our Father in heaven has raised up many faithful and dedicated teachers and preachers of the Word from whom we learn to know the truth which sets us free. Prayerfully and deliberately, seeking God's Will each day in His Word, and listening to hear what He will do to work through us in the lives of others today, we are not led astray by the world's "truth," but remain focused on the one single truth above all things - Jesus Christ is our Savior from Sin, our brother, our friend, and our one and only hope for eternal life.
Prayer: Father, thank You for making me one of Your redeemed children in Christ. There is no greater hope in my life than that I belong to You. Yet, Father, I'm so often challenged by the "truth" that the world proclaims - i.e., politicians, educators, scientists and others in the spotlight - and which leads me to doubt the truth of Your Word and Your love for me in Jesus. Forgive me for succumbing to such "falsehood" in my life and lead me to be discerning of what I see and hear around me, knowing that if "the world's truth" doesn't reflect Your presence and love it's no "truth" at all. Lead me to live a full life of faith and trust in You, that my works will speak loudly for You, and others may come to know Your truth through faithful teachers who share Jesus with them. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
**********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Doing What Is Right In God's Eyes
"Today's Devotion" For January 23, 2006
Read: Joshua 2:1-19; Galatians 5:16-26
DOING WHAT IS RIGHT IN GOD'S EYES
"In those days (the days of the Judges in Israel), Israel had no king; everyone did what he saw fit." (Judges 17:6)
Yesterday was celebrate as "Life Sunday" in many Christian churches in the United States. It's so named because it's the Sunday closest to the date in 1973 when the United States Supreme Court ruled that abortion is legal. That ruling, following in the footsteps of the growing, and now completed, post-Christian philosophy of Western Europe, has caused immeasurable, and, perhaps, irreparable damage to our culture and society. Untold millions of unborn children have been "put to the sword" so that their mothers could pursue their own "happiness."
The whole idea of abortion "on demand" rather than an action taken only in the extremis, when the life of the mother is absolutely at stake, is a pursuit of "happiness" unknown to Thomas Jefferson when he penned those famous words in the Declaration of Independence. My good friend, Pastor Mark Mueller, Senior Pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, rightly pointed out in his sermon yesterday morning that Jefferson's use of "happiness" was understood to mean "righteousness" by his generation, for "happiness" was only understood to be possible when one lived according to God's Will.
The U.S. Supreme Court's "Roe v. Wade" decision in 1973 officially ensconced the "pursuit of happiness" not "righteousness" as the norm for personal behavior in our society. It's reminiscent of the situation faced in Israel after the death of Joshua as it's recorded in the Book of Judges. The Holy Spirit tells us that "In those days, Israel had no king; everyone did what he saw fit" (Judges 17:6). God's Law, given to Israel through Moses, was not observed. The people worshipped the gods of the nations around them and assimilated their lives and culture into the pagan cultures around them. They essentially pursued 'happiness" in the modern understanding of the term, forsaking the "righteousness" of Godly living as witnesses to His love and His Will to the nations around them.
As Israel sold out to the nations around them, so also has our nation "sold out" to the world in which we live. What others have, how they think, and how they live is quite enticing. The philosophy and irreligion of a post-Christian Europe, where worship of God is relatively unknown these days and morality is based on "what seems right," is rapidly infecting our own shores and how we live and make decision about righteousness, happiness, and morality as a society. At every turn God's Will is challenged by our political institutions, our interpretation of scientific discovery, our system of law and justice, and our educational establishment. We and our neighbors are challenged to decide whether we're going to take part in our society or be set apart from it.
St. Paul addressed this same issue with the Galatian church. He saw followers of Jesus being challenged to live by the standards of behavior found in the culture around them rather than according to God's Will. The surrounding culture was an ever-present threat as it sought to divert the eyes and hearts of God's people away from Him and back to their previous lives lived without God. Paul reminds them that they now have new lives filled with the "righteousness of Christ." He encourages and exhorts them to "live by the Spirit" so that they will not "gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Gal. 5:16), which seeks what we consider to be "happiness" rather than what is "righteous" before God.
As we live our lives each day, challenged to "pursue happiness" rather than "righteousness" - doing what is right in God's eyes - we are comforted and blessed with God's presence among us in Jesus Christ. By the power of His Word and Spirit, through Holy Baptism, He daily lifts us up into His presence and strengthens us for righteous living in Jesus Christ. In Christ Jesus, we are blessed each day to know "true happiness" which is ours in Him. Our "pursuit of happiness" is to do God's Will, live in His love and forgiveness, and seek to share His grace and mercy with others by how we live and what we say. "Doing what is right in God's eyes," rather than what's right in our own eyes, will bring us great peace, joy, and true happiness.
Prayer: Father, all around me I see a world that seeks its own version of "happiness" and ignoring Your truth that true and lasting happiness is only found in the righteousness of Christ. Sadly, Father, I also know how enticing the world's view of things is to me and how susceptible I am to following that path in life rather than Your path for me in Jesus. Forgive me, Father, for those times where I put "what is right in my own eyes" before Your Will and Your righteousness. Forgive me, Father, for seeking "happiness" in all the wrong places as if my life on this earth is the end all and be all of my existence. Point me daily, through Your Word and Sprit, to You and Your love for me in Jesus. Remind me that my life isn't just here on earth but also with Your forever in heaven because of Jesus' sacrifice for me. Guide me in my daily living that I may live a thankful life, filled with Your peace, and focused on sharing Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with a world wrapped up in itself and ignoring You. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
**********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Joshua 2:1-19; Galatians 5:16-26
DOING WHAT IS RIGHT IN GOD'S EYES
"In those days (the days of the Judges in Israel), Israel had no king; everyone did what he saw fit." (Judges 17:6)
Yesterday was celebrate as "Life Sunday" in many Christian churches in the United States. It's so named because it's the Sunday closest to the date in 1973 when the United States Supreme Court ruled that abortion is legal. That ruling, following in the footsteps of the growing, and now completed, post-Christian philosophy of Western Europe, has caused immeasurable, and, perhaps, irreparable damage to our culture and society. Untold millions of unborn children have been "put to the sword" so that their mothers could pursue their own "happiness."
The whole idea of abortion "on demand" rather than an action taken only in the extremis, when the life of the mother is absolutely at stake, is a pursuit of "happiness" unknown to Thomas Jefferson when he penned those famous words in the Declaration of Independence. My good friend, Pastor Mark Mueller, Senior Pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, rightly pointed out in his sermon yesterday morning that Jefferson's use of "happiness" was understood to mean "righteousness" by his generation, for "happiness" was only understood to be possible when one lived according to God's Will.
The U.S. Supreme Court's "Roe v. Wade" decision in 1973 officially ensconced the "pursuit of happiness" not "righteousness" as the norm for personal behavior in our society. It's reminiscent of the situation faced in Israel after the death of Joshua as it's recorded in the Book of Judges. The Holy Spirit tells us that "In those days, Israel had no king; everyone did what he saw fit" (Judges 17:6). God's Law, given to Israel through Moses, was not observed. The people worshipped the gods of the nations around them and assimilated their lives and culture into the pagan cultures around them. They essentially pursued 'happiness" in the modern understanding of the term, forsaking the "righteousness" of Godly living as witnesses to His love and His Will to the nations around them.
As Israel sold out to the nations around them, so also has our nation "sold out" to the world in which we live. What others have, how they think, and how they live is quite enticing. The philosophy and irreligion of a post-Christian Europe, where worship of God is relatively unknown these days and morality is based on "what seems right," is rapidly infecting our own shores and how we live and make decision about righteousness, happiness, and morality as a society. At every turn God's Will is challenged by our political institutions, our interpretation of scientific discovery, our system of law and justice, and our educational establishment. We and our neighbors are challenged to decide whether we're going to take part in our society or be set apart from it.
St. Paul addressed this same issue with the Galatian church. He saw followers of Jesus being challenged to live by the standards of behavior found in the culture around them rather than according to God's Will. The surrounding culture was an ever-present threat as it sought to divert the eyes and hearts of God's people away from Him and back to their previous lives lived without God. Paul reminds them that they now have new lives filled with the "righteousness of Christ." He encourages and exhorts them to "live by the Spirit" so that they will not "gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Gal. 5:16), which seeks what we consider to be "happiness" rather than what is "righteous" before God.
As we live our lives each day, challenged to "pursue happiness" rather than "righteousness" - doing what is right in God's eyes - we are comforted and blessed with God's presence among us in Jesus Christ. By the power of His Word and Spirit, through Holy Baptism, He daily lifts us up into His presence and strengthens us for righteous living in Jesus Christ. In Christ Jesus, we are blessed each day to know "true happiness" which is ours in Him. Our "pursuit of happiness" is to do God's Will, live in His love and forgiveness, and seek to share His grace and mercy with others by how we live and what we say. "Doing what is right in God's eyes," rather than what's right in our own eyes, will bring us great peace, joy, and true happiness.
Prayer: Father, all around me I see a world that seeks its own version of "happiness" and ignoring Your truth that true and lasting happiness is only found in the righteousness of Christ. Sadly, Father, I also know how enticing the world's view of things is to me and how susceptible I am to following that path in life rather than Your path for me in Jesus. Forgive me, Father, for those times where I put "what is right in my own eyes" before Your Will and Your righteousness. Forgive me, Father, for seeking "happiness" in all the wrong places as if my life on this earth is the end all and be all of my existence. Point me daily, through Your Word and Sprit, to You and Your love for me in Jesus. Remind me that my life isn't just here on earth but also with Your forever in heaven because of Jesus' sacrifice for me. Guide me in my daily living that I may live a thankful life, filled with Your peace, and focused on sharing Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with a world wrapped up in itself and ignoring You. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
**********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
God Has Prepared A "Sabbath-Rest" For Us
"Today's Devotion" For January 21, 2006
Read: Hebrews 4:1-11; Psalm 95:1-7
GOD HAS PREPARED A "SABBATH-REST" FOR US
"There remains, then, a sabbath-rest for the people of God...Therefore let us make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall..." (Hebrews 4:9, 11a)
This is Saturday morning. Tomorrow is Sunday. Boy! Am I smart! It's the weekend, for crying out loud. Those are the days of the weekend. Who needs to be reminded? (To be sure, since a week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday, may be we ought to call the these two days an "EndStart" or "Weekendbegin" or something like that?:>))
Saturdays at our house are just as busy, if not busier than the rest of the week. Between basketball games, work, projects, and just plain catching up on the stuff that doesn't get done the rest of the week, we're pretty busy and pretty tired when the end of the day shows up. Some of you can relate to this because it's happening to you even as I write this. For others of you, you may have a little more leisurely Saturday because you're not married or don't have any children as yet. Still others of you have "been there; done that" and are just grateful that all the running around is over. And then there are some of you, as you've mentioned to me, who wish they could have those days back - and the energy that came with them.
One of the end results of Saturdays in our busy world (although it could be argued the same thing occurred when the world wasn't so busy), is that Sunday truly becomes a day of "rest" - at least from God. God's original intent for the seventh day (Saturday) was for people to rest from their labors, just as God "rested" after the six days He spent creating the Universe. God's "rest" on the seventh day of Creation wasn't to get His "wind" back but to take the time to look at the fruits of His labor and see how good they were. He wanted the same for us and, in the Third Commandment, made it clear that we needed that day just to spend time paying attention to our relationship with Him. An added dimension to the Sabbath became a part of the Christian Church as the faithful in Christ, in part to distinguish themselves from the adherents of Judaism and also to honor Christ's resurrection, took the time to worship on Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead.
Yet the principle of the Third Commandment never changed. "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8) is still the point of the Sunday "sabbath" as it was for the Saturday "sabbath." At the same time, in our modern age, we're seeing another "backlash" to "doing church" on Sundays. In some places, the whole idea of people gathering in an orderly and organized way to worship God is considered passe and meaningless. Many people complain that they don't like to go to church because it's boring. Some try to overcome this with entertainment, often to the detriment of worship and coming into the presence of God. Oh, and don't forget, there's still that pervasive idea, even among Christians, that worship, even on Sundays, is optional and not of great importance.
Yet, each time we gather together for worship, we lift each other up before the Lord and share His forgiveness and love as He comes to us in the Word and Sacraments. The writer to the Hebrews encourages us in this, writing, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:25). This same writer has earlier reminded us that the very purpose of the Sabbath is to point us to "sabbath-rest" which God has prepared for His redeemed and forgiven children in Christ in His eternal presence in heaven. Thus, each time we gather for worship, we are experiencing a little bit of what heaven's all about - the "sabbath-rest" God has prepared for us to rest from all our labors.
Our time of worship is really precious. It's intended to be that way. It's God's gift to us so that we might, at the very least, take an hour or so to spend time "thinking" about Him. It's a time for us to reflect on our week, on what's coming in the next week, and, in the midst of and in spite of everything that transpires, to recognize both our need for God and His forgiveness and love for us. While our lives of faith are our "spiritual service of worship" (Rom. 12:1) every day, that special time of worship and praise on Sunday (or any time Monday through Saturday) when we can gather together as God's people is of great importance for the strengthening of our faith, the calming of our spirits, the uplifting of our hearts, and reminding us of our home in heaven. As the line from an old song goes, "for united we stand, divided we fall, and if our backs should ever be against the wall, we'll be together; together you and me." Faith in Jesus makes that possible. Our time together in worship, in the presence of God as He speaks to us in the Word and touches us in the Sacraments, holds us together and allows us to stand against every evil and sin that would divide us.
As they say, "See you in church," wherever and whenever that might be. Let me add to that, "See you in heaven," as well.
Prayer: Father, I know Your will is that Your people gather together in worship and praise. Often there is quibbling about whether the Sabbath is Saturday or Sunday, when the whole purpose is that You don't want Your people to "give up meeting together as the manner of some is." You want me and all Your people to enter the final "sabbath-rest" in Your presence forever in heaven. Help me to take whatever time is necessary to grow in my relationship with You and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to remember that while my whole life is dedicated to worshipping You, that special time on the "Sabbath," no matter what day of the week, is vital to that worship and my relationship with You, for it shows - more to others than to You - the "worth" I place on that relationship. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
**********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Hebrews 4:1-11; Psalm 95:1-7
GOD HAS PREPARED A "SABBATH-REST" FOR US
"There remains, then, a sabbath-rest for the people of God...Therefore let us make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall..." (Hebrews 4:9, 11a)
This is Saturday morning. Tomorrow is Sunday. Boy! Am I smart! It's the weekend, for crying out loud. Those are the days of the weekend. Who needs to be reminded? (To be sure, since a week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday, may be we ought to call the these two days an "EndStart" or "Weekendbegin" or something like that?:>))
Saturdays at our house are just as busy, if not busier than the rest of the week. Between basketball games, work, projects, and just plain catching up on the stuff that doesn't get done the rest of the week, we're pretty busy and pretty tired when the end of the day shows up. Some of you can relate to this because it's happening to you even as I write this. For others of you, you may have a little more leisurely Saturday because you're not married or don't have any children as yet. Still others of you have "been there; done that" and are just grateful that all the running around is over. And then there are some of you, as you've mentioned to me, who wish they could have those days back - and the energy that came with them.
One of the end results of Saturdays in our busy world (although it could be argued the same thing occurred when the world wasn't so busy), is that Sunday truly becomes a day of "rest" - at least from God. God's original intent for the seventh day (Saturday) was for people to rest from their labors, just as God "rested" after the six days He spent creating the Universe. God's "rest" on the seventh day of Creation wasn't to get His "wind" back but to take the time to look at the fruits of His labor and see how good they were. He wanted the same for us and, in the Third Commandment, made it clear that we needed that day just to spend time paying attention to our relationship with Him. An added dimension to the Sabbath became a part of the Christian Church as the faithful in Christ, in part to distinguish themselves from the adherents of Judaism and also to honor Christ's resurrection, took the time to worship on Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead.
Yet the principle of the Third Commandment never changed. "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8) is still the point of the Sunday "sabbath" as it was for the Saturday "sabbath." At the same time, in our modern age, we're seeing another "backlash" to "doing church" on Sundays. In some places, the whole idea of people gathering in an orderly and organized way to worship God is considered passe and meaningless. Many people complain that they don't like to go to church because it's boring. Some try to overcome this with entertainment, often to the detriment of worship and coming into the presence of God. Oh, and don't forget, there's still that pervasive idea, even among Christians, that worship, even on Sundays, is optional and not of great importance.
Yet, each time we gather together for worship, we lift each other up before the Lord and share His forgiveness and love as He comes to us in the Word and Sacraments. The writer to the Hebrews encourages us in this, writing, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:25). This same writer has earlier reminded us that the very purpose of the Sabbath is to point us to "sabbath-rest" which God has prepared for His redeemed and forgiven children in Christ in His eternal presence in heaven. Thus, each time we gather for worship, we are experiencing a little bit of what heaven's all about - the "sabbath-rest" God has prepared for us to rest from all our labors.
Our time of worship is really precious. It's intended to be that way. It's God's gift to us so that we might, at the very least, take an hour or so to spend time "thinking" about Him. It's a time for us to reflect on our week, on what's coming in the next week, and, in the midst of and in spite of everything that transpires, to recognize both our need for God and His forgiveness and love for us. While our lives of faith are our "spiritual service of worship" (Rom. 12:1) every day, that special time of worship and praise on Sunday (or any time Monday through Saturday) when we can gather together as God's people is of great importance for the strengthening of our faith, the calming of our spirits, the uplifting of our hearts, and reminding us of our home in heaven. As the line from an old song goes, "for united we stand, divided we fall, and if our backs should ever be against the wall, we'll be together; together you and me." Faith in Jesus makes that possible. Our time together in worship, in the presence of God as He speaks to us in the Word and touches us in the Sacraments, holds us together and allows us to stand against every evil and sin that would divide us.
As they say, "See you in church," wherever and whenever that might be. Let me add to that, "See you in heaven," as well.
Prayer: Father, I know Your will is that Your people gather together in worship and praise. Often there is quibbling about whether the Sabbath is Saturday or Sunday, when the whole purpose is that You don't want Your people to "give up meeting together as the manner of some is." You want me and all Your people to enter the final "sabbath-rest" in Your presence forever in heaven. Help me to take whatever time is necessary to grow in my relationship with You and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to remember that while my whole life is dedicated to worshipping You, that special time on the "Sabbath," no matter what day of the week, is vital to that worship and my relationship with You, for it shows - more to others than to You - the "worth" I place on that relationship. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
**********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Saved From The "Fowler's Snare"
"Today's Devotion" For January 20, 2006
Read: Matthew 4:1-11; Psalm 91
SAVED FROM THE "FOWLER'S" SNARE
"I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.'" (Ps. 91:2-4)
This morning's paper had a first-page side story with the title, "Bin Laden offers a truce to U.S." At first glance, if you just read the title, it looks as if there's some progress being made in the heart and actions of this "mastermind of terror." Then your eye catches the subtitle, "In taped message, al-Qaida leader also wans fo plans for new attacks." Talk about conflicting messages!
Now the essence of the offer is contained in both titles. In the body of the story we're told that Bin Laden's taped message stated the al-Qaida is "preparing to mount new attacks on the United States, but he offered a truce to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." Citing public discontent in the U.S. with the war in Iraq, he bragged, "our situation, thank God, is getting better and better, while your situation is the opposite of that. We don't mind offering you a long-term truce on fair conditions that we adhere to."
Talk about a double-edged sword. First "Bin Laden giveth and then he taketh away." When I read this I couldn't help but be reminded of Satan's temptation of Jesus as Matthew records it in his Gospel. As we read Matthew account we are shown very clearly to what lengths Satan will go to perpetuate his evil designs on God's creation, including luring the Son of God Himself into his web of deceit and evil. First he challenges Jesus' strength and abilities which would make His power and person known for all the wrong things - turning the stones into bread to break His forty-day fast and throwing Himself from the pinnacle of the Temple to "test" God's angels. Then, finally, when Jesus had overcome each of these temptations, Satan offers Him a truce - "Just fall down and worship me and the fighting will end; there will be no more battles."
Now let's not infer from this that we’re putting the U.S. up as “Jesus” and Bin Laden as “Satan” (although if the “shoe fits…”). I suppose in some religious corners there are those who would draw that inference. In comparing Jesus' temptation by Satan and his bargaining with our Lord with this offer for a truce from Osama Bin-Laden and al-Qaida, we are looking at the very real and extraordinary ways with which Satan seeks to confuse people. He is very good at painting a picture in which "good looks evil, and the evil looks good." Yet, as in the case of Satan's temptation of Jesus, rather than being a "good faith" attempt at true “peaceful coexistence,” it's a backhanded approach to controlling the situation and, in the end, the world, by giving something on one hand and, if we're not listening, alert, and looking, taking it away with the other.
The Psalmist words, "a fowler's snare," fit so well the deceit and cunning of the devil and the evil he promotes in his attempts to control the world and keep it away from God. So often evil tricks us into accepting its promises, fooling us into thinking that compromising with it will bring peace and tranquility to life. Reality, as is made evident by history, tells us that as soon as evil has us looking the other way, it will do its best to consume us.
By God grace and mercy in Jesus Christ, we have the power to overcome evil and not fall into "the fowler's snare" that Satan throws up before to catch us and keep us from God's love and forgiveness in Jesus. False overtures of peace and safety from the evil one and his followers are nothing compared with God's peace in our hearts and lves through His forgiveness in Christ Jesus our Lord. As we measure the offerings of evil for peace and safety we put them up against God's Word and promises and find them sorely lacking in truth and love. As Jesus was able to overcome the devil's temptations with the power of God's Word, so also are we able to do the same.
We are saved from "the fowler's snare" by God's grace and mercy in Christ. Each day we live with the faith and confidence that no matter what happens to us, no matter how harshly evil strikes out against us, and no matter how cunning evil is, the sin which fuels the evil is forgiven in Jesus and it has no power over us. By God's grace and mercy, standing on His promises, we are able to "see through" the wiles of the evil one and overcome. Our hope, after all, is in heaven with Jesus. No one and nothing can take that away from us.
Prayer: Father, so often the things people do in the world around me are powerful reminders that evil not only exists, but seeks, by "hook or crook," to get me to follow its path and live under its control. The devil does his level best to fool me into accepting his overtures for "peaceful coexistence," as he tried to do when he tempted Jesus. Too often I find myself falling into his trap, "the fowler's snare," and disobeying Your Word and forgetting Your promises. Too often I am tempted to put my faith in other, more material, immediate things, than the hope and promise of eternal life with You in heaven. Forgive me, Father, for Jesus' sake, and fill me with the power and presence of Your Word and Spirit that I may be equipped to discern those things which we lead me away from You. Help me to be a living example of Your love and forgiveness in Jesus and a "light" that shines the truth of Your love to a world sorely tempted by evil. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 4:1-11; Psalm 91
SAVED FROM THE "FOWLER'S" SNARE
"I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.'" (Ps. 91:2-4)
This morning's paper had a first-page side story with the title, "Bin Laden offers a truce to U.S." At first glance, if you just read the title, it looks as if there's some progress being made in the heart and actions of this "mastermind of terror." Then your eye catches the subtitle, "In taped message, al-Qaida leader also wans fo plans for new attacks." Talk about conflicting messages!
Now the essence of the offer is contained in both titles. In the body of the story we're told that Bin Laden's taped message stated the al-Qaida is "preparing to mount new attacks on the United States, but he offered a truce to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." Citing public discontent in the U.S. with the war in Iraq, he bragged, "our situation, thank God, is getting better and better, while your situation is the opposite of that. We don't mind offering you a long-term truce on fair conditions that we adhere to."
Talk about a double-edged sword. First "Bin Laden giveth and then he taketh away." When I read this I couldn't help but be reminded of Satan's temptation of Jesus as Matthew records it in his Gospel. As we read Matthew account we are shown very clearly to what lengths Satan will go to perpetuate his evil designs on God's creation, including luring the Son of God Himself into his web of deceit and evil. First he challenges Jesus' strength and abilities which would make His power and person known for all the wrong things - turning the stones into bread to break His forty-day fast and throwing Himself from the pinnacle of the Temple to "test" God's angels. Then, finally, when Jesus had overcome each of these temptations, Satan offers Him a truce - "Just fall down and worship me and the fighting will end; there will be no more battles."
Now let's not infer from this that we’re putting the U.S. up as “Jesus” and Bin Laden as “Satan” (although if the “shoe fits…”). I suppose in some religious corners there are those who would draw that inference. In comparing Jesus' temptation by Satan and his bargaining with our Lord with this offer for a truce from Osama Bin-Laden and al-Qaida, we are looking at the very real and extraordinary ways with which Satan seeks to confuse people. He is very good at painting a picture in which "good looks evil, and the evil looks good." Yet, as in the case of Satan's temptation of Jesus, rather than being a "good faith" attempt at true “peaceful coexistence,” it's a backhanded approach to controlling the situation and, in the end, the world, by giving something on one hand and, if we're not listening, alert, and looking, taking it away with the other.
The Psalmist words, "a fowler's snare," fit so well the deceit and cunning of the devil and the evil he promotes in his attempts to control the world and keep it away from God. So often evil tricks us into accepting its promises, fooling us into thinking that compromising with it will bring peace and tranquility to life. Reality, as is made evident by history, tells us that as soon as evil has us looking the other way, it will do its best to consume us.
By God grace and mercy in Jesus Christ, we have the power to overcome evil and not fall into "the fowler's snare" that Satan throws up before to catch us and keep us from God's love and forgiveness in Jesus. False overtures of peace and safety from the evil one and his followers are nothing compared with God's peace in our hearts and lves through His forgiveness in Christ Jesus our Lord. As we measure the offerings of evil for peace and safety we put them up against God's Word and promises and find them sorely lacking in truth and love. As Jesus was able to overcome the devil's temptations with the power of God's Word, so also are we able to do the same.
We are saved from "the fowler's snare" by God's grace and mercy in Christ. Each day we live with the faith and confidence that no matter what happens to us, no matter how harshly evil strikes out against us, and no matter how cunning evil is, the sin which fuels the evil is forgiven in Jesus and it has no power over us. By God's grace and mercy, standing on His promises, we are able to "see through" the wiles of the evil one and overcome. Our hope, after all, is in heaven with Jesus. No one and nothing can take that away from us.
Prayer: Father, so often the things people do in the world around me are powerful reminders that evil not only exists, but seeks, by "hook or crook," to get me to follow its path and live under its control. The devil does his level best to fool me into accepting his overtures for "peaceful coexistence," as he tried to do when he tempted Jesus. Too often I find myself falling into his trap, "the fowler's snare," and disobeying Your Word and forgetting Your promises. Too often I am tempted to put my faith in other, more material, immediate things, than the hope and promise of eternal life with You in heaven. Forgive me, Father, for Jesus' sake, and fill me with the power and presence of Your Word and Spirit that I may be equipped to discern those things which we lead me away from You. Help me to be a living example of Your love and forgiveness in Jesus and a "light" that shines the truth of Your love to a world sorely tempted by evil. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Striving For Spiritual "Good Order And Discipline"
"Today's Devotion" For January 19, 2006
Read: I Corinthians 9:19-27; Psalm 1
STRIVING FOR SPIRITUAL "GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE"
"No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (I Cor. 9:27)
One of the givens of military life is discipline. When a military person is accused of a crime under military standards - Uniform Code of Military Justice - the charges often will state that the person stands accused "of actions contrary to discipline and good order in," with the name of the specific branch of service following. The Uniform Code of Military Justice is a set of laws - standards of behavior - specifically applicable to the United States military, which sets the parameters needed to maintain "good order and discipline" among the troops and within the military establishment. Many of the requirements found within the UCMJ are no longer found in civilian law - adultery is a punishable offense, as is "fraternization" (where the lines between officers and enlisted get blurred by off duty relationships, particularly romantic ones).
Such an intense and focused discipline is necessary to the mission of the military. The very nature and purpose of the military - to keep the peace, but to fight wars as necessary - requires a unique level of "good order and discipline" in order to accomplish its mission at the lowest cost of human life. When that discipline is shabbily maintained, ignored, or frustrated "the prize" - peace and tranquility for the nation and the world - can be elusive.
In a sense, world class athletes also have a unique and special kind of personal discipline in order for them to compete at the highest levels of competition. The proper diet, sleep, exercise, mental conditioning, and training are essential for their success. In order to achieve their goals, such athletes must make personal sacrifices of time, relationships, physical comfort, and personal freedom. Attaining "the prize" of a world championship or an Olympic gold medal will never be achieved by the "ordinary discipline" of daily life.
When it comes to the principles of discipline, sacrifice is at the top. Military people, while enjoying certain benefits of service, also sacrifice a lot. They often suffer instability in their personal lives - family life is disrupted (dad or mom is often gone for extended periods; children frequently change schools; they're rarely in a house long enough to build equity), they have an often nomadic existence moving from duty station to duty station, their pay is frequently much less than they would get for the same work in the private sector - and are always at the ready to put their lives on the line for the security of the nation (service related deaths don't occur only in combat zones). "The prize" is an early retirement with some security, and the satisfaction of a "job well done" in protecting the nation and keeping the peace.
For the world class athlete, seeking to use their God-given abilities to the maximum level, sacrifice is also a major element. While still required to earn a living (unless the athlete has turned pro and their competing pays the bills) the athlete still has to train. This can mean sacrifices of time, personal life, and family life. These are people who have a unique understanding of St. Paul's words, "I beat my body and make it a slave" (I Cor. 9:27), and the discipline such training requires in order to achieve "the prize" at the end of the race, the competition, and the training.
As important as discipline is to the military and to world class athletes in order for them to accomplish their "missions," it is of even greater importance to us in our spiritual lives. St. Paul makes it abundantly clear that our physical lives and spiritual lives are intertwined. Spiritual discipline also requires physical, mental, and emotional discipline. These are not optional, for we are all, at our core, spiritual creatures created in the image and likeness of God and intended to be in a full, complete, and holy relationship with Him. The condition of Sin - our separation from God due to our disobedience of Him - affects every part of our lives so that there is nothing we do that doesn't have an impact on our spiritual relationship with God. In short, Sin is "contrary to the good order and discipline" of our lives with God and, if its power is not overcome, then our lives fall apart and "the prize" of heaven is lost.
Thanks be to God! He has provided us with the example of sacrifice and discipline for our lives with Him in Jesus Christ. As we by faith strive for the "high calling" to which He calls us in Christ, we are comforted and strengthened that He has made us His very own children in Holy Baptism. We are encouraged by faith in Jesus that our sins are forgiven because of His loving, disciplined obedience to God's Law in our place and the sacrificial shedding of His blood on the Cross as He bore our sins upon Himself for our forgiveness and salvation. By the power of Holy Baptism, fed daily by His Word and Spirit, we are called to repentance and faith, hope and peace, discipline and sacrifice as we strive to attain "the prize" of the high calling of God. Each day we have opportunity to share His love with others as we live for Him and in Him. Such living is the end result of our spiritual "good order and discipline.
Prayer: Father, it's very easy for me to be led away from Your Word and to focus all my time on other things. My sinful nature places greater value on the material things of this world than the spiritual. It's not unusual for me to measure personal success in terms of wealth, prestige, or power thereby taking the world's standards, rather than Yours, as my own. My sinful nature fights against the physical, mental, and emotional discipline that is required to be in a full and holy relationship with You. I find myself willing to sacrifice for short term, but not long term, gain. Heaven is often an "etherial" concept, somewhere out in the future, while there are more enticing and compelling immeditat "prizes" to be obtained right now. Father, forgive me for such near-sighted thinking in my relationship with You. Grant me the power of Your Word and Spirit each day that I may "beat my body and make it my slave" so that it and I may serve You and others in Your name more fully and completely each day. Keep my eyes on "the prize" of heaven, gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus my Savior and Lord. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I Corinthians 9:19-27; Psalm 1
STRIVING FOR SPIRITUAL "GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE"
"No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (I Cor. 9:27)
One of the givens of military life is discipline. When a military person is accused of a crime under military standards - Uniform Code of Military Justice - the charges often will state that the person stands accused "of actions contrary to discipline and good order in," with the name of the specific branch of service following. The Uniform Code of Military Justice is a set of laws - standards of behavior - specifically applicable to the United States military, which sets the parameters needed to maintain "good order and discipline" among the troops and within the military establishment. Many of the requirements found within the UCMJ are no longer found in civilian law - adultery is a punishable offense, as is "fraternization" (where the lines between officers and enlisted get blurred by off duty relationships, particularly romantic ones).
Such an intense and focused discipline is necessary to the mission of the military. The very nature and purpose of the military - to keep the peace, but to fight wars as necessary - requires a unique level of "good order and discipline" in order to accomplish its mission at the lowest cost of human life. When that discipline is shabbily maintained, ignored, or frustrated "the prize" - peace and tranquility for the nation and the world - can be elusive.
In a sense, world class athletes also have a unique and special kind of personal discipline in order for them to compete at the highest levels of competition. The proper diet, sleep, exercise, mental conditioning, and training are essential for their success. In order to achieve their goals, such athletes must make personal sacrifices of time, relationships, physical comfort, and personal freedom. Attaining "the prize" of a world championship or an Olympic gold medal will never be achieved by the "ordinary discipline" of daily life.
When it comes to the principles of discipline, sacrifice is at the top. Military people, while enjoying certain benefits of service, also sacrifice a lot. They often suffer instability in their personal lives - family life is disrupted (dad or mom is often gone for extended periods; children frequently change schools; they're rarely in a house long enough to build equity), they have an often nomadic existence moving from duty station to duty station, their pay is frequently much less than they would get for the same work in the private sector - and are always at the ready to put their lives on the line for the security of the nation (service related deaths don't occur only in combat zones). "The prize" is an early retirement with some security, and the satisfaction of a "job well done" in protecting the nation and keeping the peace.
For the world class athlete, seeking to use their God-given abilities to the maximum level, sacrifice is also a major element. While still required to earn a living (unless the athlete has turned pro and their competing pays the bills) the athlete still has to train. This can mean sacrifices of time, personal life, and family life. These are people who have a unique understanding of St. Paul's words, "I beat my body and make it a slave" (I Cor. 9:27), and the discipline such training requires in order to achieve "the prize" at the end of the race, the competition, and the training.
As important as discipline is to the military and to world class athletes in order for them to accomplish their "missions," it is of even greater importance to us in our spiritual lives. St. Paul makes it abundantly clear that our physical lives and spiritual lives are intertwined. Spiritual discipline also requires physical, mental, and emotional discipline. These are not optional, for we are all, at our core, spiritual creatures created in the image and likeness of God and intended to be in a full, complete, and holy relationship with Him. The condition of Sin - our separation from God due to our disobedience of Him - affects every part of our lives so that there is nothing we do that doesn't have an impact on our spiritual relationship with God. In short, Sin is "contrary to the good order and discipline" of our lives with God and, if its power is not overcome, then our lives fall apart and "the prize" of heaven is lost.
Thanks be to God! He has provided us with the example of sacrifice and discipline for our lives with Him in Jesus Christ. As we by faith strive for the "high calling" to which He calls us in Christ, we are comforted and strengthened that He has made us His very own children in Holy Baptism. We are encouraged by faith in Jesus that our sins are forgiven because of His loving, disciplined obedience to God's Law in our place and the sacrificial shedding of His blood on the Cross as He bore our sins upon Himself for our forgiveness and salvation. By the power of Holy Baptism, fed daily by His Word and Spirit, we are called to repentance and faith, hope and peace, discipline and sacrifice as we strive to attain "the prize" of the high calling of God. Each day we have opportunity to share His love with others as we live for Him and in Him. Such living is the end result of our spiritual "good order and discipline.
Prayer: Father, it's very easy for me to be led away from Your Word and to focus all my time on other things. My sinful nature places greater value on the material things of this world than the spiritual. It's not unusual for me to measure personal success in terms of wealth, prestige, or power thereby taking the world's standards, rather than Yours, as my own. My sinful nature fights against the physical, mental, and emotional discipline that is required to be in a full and holy relationship with You. I find myself willing to sacrifice for short term, but not long term, gain. Heaven is often an "etherial" concept, somewhere out in the future, while there are more enticing and compelling immeditat "prizes" to be obtained right now. Father, forgive me for such near-sighted thinking in my relationship with You. Grant me the power of Your Word and Spirit each day that I may "beat my body and make it my slave" so that it and I may serve You and others in Your name more fully and completely each day. Keep my eyes on "the prize" of heaven, gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus my Savior and Lord. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Be A Blessing; Inherit A Blessing
"Today's Devotion" For January 18, 2006
Read: Matthew 5:38-48; I Peter 3:8-12
BE A BLESSING; INHERIT A BLESSING
"Do not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (I Peter 3:9)
Have you ever heard the expression, "proportional response?" Over the years the television program, "The West Wing," that expression was brought into play a number of times. It was used as a description of U.S. response to attacks by another nation on United States' interests overseas. As I remember it, one such scenario required a response to an apparent Libyan act of terrorism. The President had a number of courses of action, but not doing anything to retaliate wasn't one of them. He finally made the decision to bomb a Libyan government building late at night when only for a couple of maintenance workers were in the building (who, obviously, if the attack was successful, wouldn't see their families again). Agonizing over what was the right thing to do, especially in the face of his own anger at the dastardly actions of the terrorists, the President responded with what his chief of staff called "a decisive, proportional response."
Last night, watching the television program, "Commander In Chief," a similar type of situation occurred. A U.S. nuclear submarine, operating clandestinely just outside the territorial waters (twelve-mile limit) of the Republic of North Korea, had an accident and ended up at the bottom of the ocean. Her drift pushed her inside the "twelve-mile limit" and rescue operations immediately got dicey. As the situation escalated and tensions tightened a United States AWACS radar plane, flying outside of North Korean airspace was attacked by North Korean fighter planes. An immediate, measured, and proportional attack was recommended to the President who made the decision to wait and try to accomplish a peaceful solution.
And that what she did. After much negotiation, putting the entire military structure on alert, and frightening the world at an potential, nuclear confrontation, the matter was resolved peacefully, the crew was saved, and all classified equipment and papers aboard the sub were destroyed. As a matter of honor and integrity, rather than turn her promise of giving an apology to North Korea for the sub's violation of its territorial waters into a negotiating "ploy," the President followed through with the apology, even though strongly advised against it.
I'm not going to discuss the ostensible purpose of "Commander In Chief" to portray the competence of a woman as President of the United States. What is important, however, is how, as exemplified by these two scenarios, Presidents might respond in real life to provocative and potentially deadly situations that involve our nation's enemies. No doubt our Presidents have similar situations occur more often than we'd really like to know. For those of us old enough to remember the Cuban Missile Crisis, we know how close the world came to a live, nuclear confrontation.
What is very important in looking at these scenarios is how we find ourselves responding to evil. Some would say that we should always and only be kind to evil, putting the blame for the evildoers' supposed anger over the "injustices" they've faced on our shoulders, and doing everything possible to keep the peace and give them what they want. Others contend that the only way to confront evil is to "fight fire with fire," and retaliate with even more brutality than what they've inflicted. In some ways that thinking has crept in to some of the things that have taken place during the war on terrorism. In both Iraq and Afghanistan charges have been levied concerning improper, unethical, and morally repugnant behavior, such as torture, against prisoners of war and terrorism suspects, including the maltreatment and humiliation of prisoners in Abu Gharib Prison and captured terrorists in other locations.
While war, terrorism, and even criminal behavior at home might require us to respond with force at times, a God-pleasing response is always to seek the best for all parties involved. If the use of force is required then it shouldn't be used as retaliation but for protection and to achieve justice and good order. It's really easy for any of us to return the hatred of others with hatred and slap them harder and more often than they've slapped us. Too often, rather than such a response bringing a lasting, peaceful solution to the problem, escalation takes place - evil isn't willing to negotiate except on its own terms and to the detriment of those it seeks to destroy. Even God's people are susceptible to repaying evil with evil, curse with curse, and hatred with hatred.
In the face of such evil and the pain it brings upon the world, God calls us in Jesus Christ to be His instruments of peace and blessing to the world. While God doesn't call us to turn a blind eye to sin and evil, He does call on us to trust Him to guide us in how we are to deal with them. In Genesis 12:3 God promised Abraham that "all the nations of the earth would be blessed" through him. This blessing was accomplished, finally, when God took on human form in the person of Jesus Christ and He paid the ultimate, once-for-all-time price for the sins of the world in His obedient life and innocent suffering and death.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to be a blessing to the world, as Abraham was promised by God. Reflecting God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ to the world by how we live and speak brings God's blessings upon people everywhere. God blesses people through us, as He promised Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse" (Gen. 12:3).
So, how then do we respond to evil? God calls us to be a blessing and promises that as we live in Christ we will inherit a blessing. Following in Jesus' footsteps we call upon God's Word and Spirit to give us the strength, understanding, patience, and trust necessary to respond in love to evil and hatred, rather than with hatred and retaliation which are our natural, sinful responses to such acts against us. Does that mean we should never use force or exact justice? No. What it means is that if it becomes necessary to respond with force and bring justice upon a situation it should be done, according to the rule of law and with love, not hatred. At all times we seek to have the good of even our enemies at heart, rather than their destruction. It's the example we have from our Lord Jesus Christ. It's an example that's hard to follow but for which God prepares us and strengthens us through Holy Baptism and by the power of His Word.
We don't want to turn a blind eye to evil. It must be addressed - that's why Jesus suffered and died for our sins. At the same time we address evil with the power of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, always with a heart filled with love for our enemies, not curses, and hope for their redemption, not destruction. God calls us to be a blessing to others in Jesus. He promises that we will inherit a blessing in Jesus. So all of our live revolve around Jesus whose example we follow and whose Gospel we share.
Prayer: Gracious Father, You promise that You will hear the prayers of the righteous. As I have been made righteous by Christ, hear my prayer and help me to be a blessing to others as Your redeemed child in Jesus Christ. Help me to face evil with resolve, not fear, with love, not hatred, with purpose, not chaos, and with Your peace in my heart. Let my response to evil and hatred be proportional to Your love for me in Jesus and the power of Your forgiveness in my heart. Guide my heart to seek the best for others and Your blessing for all. By the power of Your Word and Spirit strengthen my resolve to live for You and touch others, even, and especially, my enemies, with Your love every day. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
******************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 5:38-48; I Peter 3:8-12
BE A BLESSING; INHERIT A BLESSING
"Do not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (I Peter 3:9)
Have you ever heard the expression, "proportional response?" Over the years the television program, "The West Wing," that expression was brought into play a number of times. It was used as a description of U.S. response to attacks by another nation on United States' interests overseas. As I remember it, one such scenario required a response to an apparent Libyan act of terrorism. The President had a number of courses of action, but not doing anything to retaliate wasn't one of them. He finally made the decision to bomb a Libyan government building late at night when only for a couple of maintenance workers were in the building (who, obviously, if the attack was successful, wouldn't see their families again). Agonizing over what was the right thing to do, especially in the face of his own anger at the dastardly actions of the terrorists, the President responded with what his chief of staff called "a decisive, proportional response."
Last night, watching the television program, "Commander In Chief," a similar type of situation occurred. A U.S. nuclear submarine, operating clandestinely just outside the territorial waters (twelve-mile limit) of the Republic of North Korea, had an accident and ended up at the bottom of the ocean. Her drift pushed her inside the "twelve-mile limit" and rescue operations immediately got dicey. As the situation escalated and tensions tightened a United States AWACS radar plane, flying outside of North Korean airspace was attacked by North Korean fighter planes. An immediate, measured, and proportional attack was recommended to the President who made the decision to wait and try to accomplish a peaceful solution.
And that what she did. After much negotiation, putting the entire military structure on alert, and frightening the world at an potential, nuclear confrontation, the matter was resolved peacefully, the crew was saved, and all classified equipment and papers aboard the sub were destroyed. As a matter of honor and integrity, rather than turn her promise of giving an apology to North Korea for the sub's violation of its territorial waters into a negotiating "ploy," the President followed through with the apology, even though strongly advised against it.
I'm not going to discuss the ostensible purpose of "Commander In Chief" to portray the competence of a woman as President of the United States. What is important, however, is how, as exemplified by these two scenarios, Presidents might respond in real life to provocative and potentially deadly situations that involve our nation's enemies. No doubt our Presidents have similar situations occur more often than we'd really like to know. For those of us old enough to remember the Cuban Missile Crisis, we know how close the world came to a live, nuclear confrontation.
What is very important in looking at these scenarios is how we find ourselves responding to evil. Some would say that we should always and only be kind to evil, putting the blame for the evildoers' supposed anger over the "injustices" they've faced on our shoulders, and doing everything possible to keep the peace and give them what they want. Others contend that the only way to confront evil is to "fight fire with fire," and retaliate with even more brutality than what they've inflicted. In some ways that thinking has crept in to some of the things that have taken place during the war on terrorism. In both Iraq and Afghanistan charges have been levied concerning improper, unethical, and morally repugnant behavior, such as torture, against prisoners of war and terrorism suspects, including the maltreatment and humiliation of prisoners in Abu Gharib Prison and captured terrorists in other locations.
While war, terrorism, and even criminal behavior at home might require us to respond with force at times, a God-pleasing response is always to seek the best for all parties involved. If the use of force is required then it shouldn't be used as retaliation but for protection and to achieve justice and good order. It's really easy for any of us to return the hatred of others with hatred and slap them harder and more often than they've slapped us. Too often, rather than such a response bringing a lasting, peaceful solution to the problem, escalation takes place - evil isn't willing to negotiate except on its own terms and to the detriment of those it seeks to destroy. Even God's people are susceptible to repaying evil with evil, curse with curse, and hatred with hatred.
In the face of such evil and the pain it brings upon the world, God calls us in Jesus Christ to be His instruments of peace and blessing to the world. While God doesn't call us to turn a blind eye to sin and evil, He does call on us to trust Him to guide us in how we are to deal with them. In Genesis 12:3 God promised Abraham that "all the nations of the earth would be blessed" through him. This blessing was accomplished, finally, when God took on human form in the person of Jesus Christ and He paid the ultimate, once-for-all-time price for the sins of the world in His obedient life and innocent suffering and death.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to be a blessing to the world, as Abraham was promised by God. Reflecting God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ to the world by how we live and speak brings God's blessings upon people everywhere. God blesses people through us, as He promised Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse" (Gen. 12:3).
So, how then do we respond to evil? God calls us to be a blessing and promises that as we live in Christ we will inherit a blessing. Following in Jesus' footsteps we call upon God's Word and Spirit to give us the strength, understanding, patience, and trust necessary to respond in love to evil and hatred, rather than with hatred and retaliation which are our natural, sinful responses to such acts against us. Does that mean we should never use force or exact justice? No. What it means is that if it becomes necessary to respond with force and bring justice upon a situation it should be done, according to the rule of law and with love, not hatred. At all times we seek to have the good of even our enemies at heart, rather than their destruction. It's the example we have from our Lord Jesus Christ. It's an example that's hard to follow but for which God prepares us and strengthens us through Holy Baptism and by the power of His Word.
We don't want to turn a blind eye to evil. It must be addressed - that's why Jesus suffered and died for our sins. At the same time we address evil with the power of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, always with a heart filled with love for our enemies, not curses, and hope for their redemption, not destruction. God calls us to be a blessing to others in Jesus. He promises that we will inherit a blessing in Jesus. So all of our live revolve around Jesus whose example we follow and whose Gospel we share.
Prayer: Gracious Father, You promise that You will hear the prayers of the righteous. As I have been made righteous by Christ, hear my prayer and help me to be a blessing to others as Your redeemed child in Jesus Christ. Help me to face evil with resolve, not fear, with love, not hatred, with purpose, not chaos, and with Your peace in my heart. Let my response to evil and hatred be proportional to Your love for me in Jesus and the power of Your forgiveness in my heart. Guide my heart to seek the best for others and Your blessing for all. By the power of Your Word and Spirit strengthen my resolve to live for You and touch others, even, and especially, my enemies, with Your love every day. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
******************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Going The "Extra Mile" With Jesus
"Today's Devotion" For January 17, 2006
Read: Matthew 3:13-17; Psalm 71
GOING THE "EXTRA MILE" WITH JESUS
"Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." (Mt. 3:15)
Have you ever had someone "go the extra mile" for you? Perhaps it was a teacher who didn't have to take the extra time away from his or her own schedule and family to help you over a "hump" in your life, but did. Perhaps it was a neighbor who gave you a job doing something he would normally have done himself, just so you could earn some money to buy your mother a birthday present. Perhaps it was a supervisor at your place of business who stood up for you when a mistake on your part put you on the "hot seat" and in danger of losing your job - putting his or her job in jeopardy if you were to "relapse" in your judgment or behavior.
Certainly all of us can think of someone who has "gone the extra mile" for us or for someone else. To "got he extra mile" might be defined as "performing a selfless act of service to another when there is no need to do so and no benefit for the person going the "extra mile." Perhaps you also have "gone the extra mile" for someone else. If so, then you also know that "going the extra mile with Jesus" can have costly results for the one who does so. For you and me, as the redeemed children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, there is a marvelous and wonderful example for "going the extra mile" which inspires and informs our own such behavior.
There are a number of important theological and spiritual principles and insights to be seen in the various accounts of Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan River. The one that most stands out for me is Jesus' response to John's question, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" (Mt. 3:14). Jesus' response has profound meaning and importance for us for He reminds us that John's baptism for repentance wasn't necessary for Him but for us.
"To fulfill all righteousness" was the Father's purpose and will for Jesus as He took on our human flesh, put Himself under God's Law, and suffered the same temptations to sin as we do. Although perfect and holy - without Sin - Jesus was the "perfect Son of the Father" that Israel and all humanity had failed to be. In order for God's Will to be perfectly obeyed for us so that He could bear our sins on the Cross in our place, Jesus had to do what God had commanded for His people. In this case it meant being baptized by John, setting a perfect example of obedience to the Father's will.
Jesus' didn't need John's baptism. From a human perspective He didn't need to subject Himself to the same "requirements" we have before God. Yet, for God's plan of salvation to work, Jesus had to go the "extra mile." It was an "extra mile" that continued throughout His ministry in Israel all the way to the Cross. Because Jesus went the "extra mile" for us and took on the guilt of our sins and the sins of the whole world, you and I stand before the throne of God's grace, forgiven of all our sins and filled with the hope of eternal life with Christ in heaven.
As Jesus went the "extra mile" for us so that we might have forgiveness of our sins and life eternal through faith in Him, so are we called to "go the extra mile with Jesus" for one another and others who don't yet know His love and forgiveness. Jesus' example of "going the extra mile" encourages us to acts of selfless love and compassion toward the welfare and service of others, regardless of how "nice" or how much "like us" they may or may not be. Whenever we "go the extra mile" in service to others, we are "going the extra mile" in our service to our Lord. Because Jesus went the "extra mile," subjecting Himself to John's baptism and suffering and dying on the Cross, we have been saved; our sins are forgiven. What a wonderful blessing to share with others as we follow Jesus' example and "go the extra mile" so that others might also have life with God.
Prayer: Father, it's so very easy for me to focus only on myself - keeping my "nose clean" and "playing it safe." Why would I want to risk my comfort and safety, and perhaps put myself in danger, for someone else, particularly when I know I've got all my "stuff" in order and I can't "save" anyone else anyhow? Father, such a question is loveless and ungrateful to You. Forgive me for such arrogance and lead me to greater humility and service through the power of Your Word and Spirit. Remind me every day that "going the extra mile with Jesus" for the sake of others is an act of love and service to You as well. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 3:13-17; Psalm 71
GOING THE "EXTRA MILE" WITH JESUS
"Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." (Mt. 3:15)
Have you ever had someone "go the extra mile" for you? Perhaps it was a teacher who didn't have to take the extra time away from his or her own schedule and family to help you over a "hump" in your life, but did. Perhaps it was a neighbor who gave you a job doing something he would normally have done himself, just so you could earn some money to buy your mother a birthday present. Perhaps it was a supervisor at your place of business who stood up for you when a mistake on your part put you on the "hot seat" and in danger of losing your job - putting his or her job in jeopardy if you were to "relapse" in your judgment or behavior.
Certainly all of us can think of someone who has "gone the extra mile" for us or for someone else. To "got he extra mile" might be defined as "performing a selfless act of service to another when there is no need to do so and no benefit for the person going the "extra mile." Perhaps you also have "gone the extra mile" for someone else. If so, then you also know that "going the extra mile with Jesus" can have costly results for the one who does so. For you and me, as the redeemed children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, there is a marvelous and wonderful example for "going the extra mile" which inspires and informs our own such behavior.
There are a number of important theological and spiritual principles and insights to be seen in the various accounts of Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan River. The one that most stands out for me is Jesus' response to John's question, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" (Mt. 3:14). Jesus' response has profound meaning and importance for us for He reminds us that John's baptism for repentance wasn't necessary for Him but for us.
"To fulfill all righteousness" was the Father's purpose and will for Jesus as He took on our human flesh, put Himself under God's Law, and suffered the same temptations to sin as we do. Although perfect and holy - without Sin - Jesus was the "perfect Son of the Father" that Israel and all humanity had failed to be. In order for God's Will to be perfectly obeyed for us so that He could bear our sins on the Cross in our place, Jesus had to do what God had commanded for His people. In this case it meant being baptized by John, setting a perfect example of obedience to the Father's will.
Jesus' didn't need John's baptism. From a human perspective He didn't need to subject Himself to the same "requirements" we have before God. Yet, for God's plan of salvation to work, Jesus had to go the "extra mile." It was an "extra mile" that continued throughout His ministry in Israel all the way to the Cross. Because Jesus went the "extra mile" for us and took on the guilt of our sins and the sins of the whole world, you and I stand before the throne of God's grace, forgiven of all our sins and filled with the hope of eternal life with Christ in heaven.
As Jesus went the "extra mile" for us so that we might have forgiveness of our sins and life eternal through faith in Him, so are we called to "go the extra mile with Jesus" for one another and others who don't yet know His love and forgiveness. Jesus' example of "going the extra mile" encourages us to acts of selfless love and compassion toward the welfare and service of others, regardless of how "nice" or how much "like us" they may or may not be. Whenever we "go the extra mile" in service to others, we are "going the extra mile" in our service to our Lord. Because Jesus went the "extra mile," subjecting Himself to John's baptism and suffering and dying on the Cross, we have been saved; our sins are forgiven. What a wonderful blessing to share with others as we follow Jesus' example and "go the extra mile" so that others might also have life with God.
Prayer: Father, it's so very easy for me to focus only on myself - keeping my "nose clean" and "playing it safe." Why would I want to risk my comfort and safety, and perhaps put myself in danger, for someone else, particularly when I know I've got all my "stuff" in order and I can't "save" anyone else anyhow? Father, such a question is loveless and ungrateful to You. Forgive me for such arrogance and lead me to greater humility and service through the power of Your Word and Spirit. Remind me every day that "going the extra mile with Jesus" for the sake of others is an act of love and service to You as well. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Called To Be Contenders For The Faith
"Today's Devotion" For January 16, 2006
Read: Jude 3-4; Galatians 2:1-5, 11-21
CALLED TO BE CONTENDERS FOR THE FAITH
"...I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." (Jude 3b)
One of the axioms of American society is that everything is open for discussion except "politics and religion." There's this intense feeling in our society that politics and religion are incompatible. For some, this belief even goes so far as to read into the Constitution the concept of the "separation of church and state," even though the first amendment is very specific in stating that Congress shall make no laws abridging or establishing religious practice or beliefs. This amendment was a clear response to the reason so many people had come to Colonial America in the first place - to escape religious intolerance and state-sponsored religion. From that auspicious background, very Biblical in its foundation and substance, has come the inauspicious situation of separating religious beliefs and principles - especially if you don't agree with them - from any impact or discussion in the public realm.
Today is a federal holiday. Most children around the country are out of school today because it's observed as Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Strangely enough, while this day honors and commemorates the civil rights activities of a man who was loved and revered by many while at the same time hated and reviled by others. Setting aside a day as a federal holiday in his honor was, and in some circles is, still a controversial issue. What's so interesting about this is that no real debate or discussion concerning the "validity" and "worthiness" of having a day in Dr. King's honor is ever countenanced. Such discussion, as with so many other things that permeate our society, including religion, is decried, derided, and denied. It often seems as if having an opinion that's at odds with the "popular" view is unwelcome and considered to be the results of bigotry or ignorance - or both. How incredible it is that the "popular" or prevailing views and opinions of so many are considered unassailable and the other freedom of the First Amendment - Free Speech - is abridged and denied.
Sadly, the reality of life is that many things that we believe as redeemed children of God in Jesus Christ are considered foolishness and nonsense by the world around us, even by many who also call themselves "Christian." If we challenge what others think or believe, even though such things might be contrary to the clear Word and Will of God, we're considered to be out of touch with reality. Many purported "teachers" in the Christian church seek to avoid any controversy and often adopt the ways of the world - with "modification" - rather than to challenge those things which fly in the face of God's Word. The "watchword" for such people is "relevance" - holding that the church needs to meet society's standard of what it means to be "relevant" rather than standing for the things of God. God's Word calls such religious leaders, "false teachers," and warns us to not only avoid them, but exhorts us to contend with them "for the faith that was once, for all, entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3b).
God's people are not seekers of controversy. We are called as witnesses to God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. We are called to share the Good News of salvation from Sin, Death, and Satan with a world lost in the darkness of Sin. Our Lord Jesus encourages us to be "wise as serpents, but gentle as doves" (Mt. 10:16). It's in our nature, as God's redeemed children, to be kind, gentle, and encouraging to others. Yet, we are also called to confront evil and the darkness of Sin with the truth of God's Word and the faith "that was once, for all, entrusted to the saints."
There are issues and controversies that affect the lives of people all over the world, not only in our own society. Part of being God's seasoning (cf. Matthew 5:13) in this world is to speak up in the face of injustice, inequity, and falsehood. Part of being God's seasoning in the world is to make it a point to share God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus with others, so they, too, might be in heaven with Him. Sometimes that means we've got to "contend for the faith." As we learn from history, when God's people failed to speak up and be counted for their faith and that which was right and pleasing in God's sight, terrible things have happened.
The old saying, "Evil prevails when good men do nothing," has proven to be accurate throughout history. False religious teachers supported such things as the holocaust and Hitler's Germany. False religion supports abortion and unnatural behavior between men and between women. God's people aren't concerned about someone's "opinion" about what is pleasing to God. Rather we are concerned with what's pleasing to God according to "the faith delivered that was once for all entrusted to the saints." To that end we are in the Word daily; to that end we seek God's guidance daily; to that end we remember that we belong to God, made His own precious children in Holy Baptism. Contending for the faith is, in fact, our daily call and commission from our Lord. How wonderful for Him to entrust us with such a mission for our lives. For us, the reality of faith in Jesus isn't "I coulda' been a contenda'" but that we are "contenders for the faith - for Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of controversy. Of course, sometimes that's okay, especially when it's about things that make no difference in Your plan of salvation in Christ Jesus. On the other hand, Lord, I carry that avoidance of conflict to the point where I even shy away from "contending for the faith" so that the truth of Your Gospel might touch people's lives and they might come to Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Forgive me for being so "cowardly" so that those who would seek to prevail in the hearts and minds of people with ideas that are contrary to Your Word and Your love for the world. Give me the strength to be a "contender" for Jesus and the truth of the Gospel every day, in every circumstance, being unafraid to speak Your truth and declare Your praises. Let me example of being a faithful "contender" for the faith entrusted to the saints so that my brothers and sisters in Christ might draw courage and strength from my example and contend mightily for the Gospel as well. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Jude 3-4; Galatians 2:1-5, 11-21
CALLED TO BE CONTENDERS FOR THE FAITH
"...I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." (Jude 3b)
One of the axioms of American society is that everything is open for discussion except "politics and religion." There's this intense feeling in our society that politics and religion are incompatible. For some, this belief even goes so far as to read into the Constitution the concept of the "separation of church and state," even though the first amendment is very specific in stating that Congress shall make no laws abridging or establishing religious practice or beliefs. This amendment was a clear response to the reason so many people had come to Colonial America in the first place - to escape religious intolerance and state-sponsored religion. From that auspicious background, very Biblical in its foundation and substance, has come the inauspicious situation of separating religious beliefs and principles - especially if you don't agree with them - from any impact or discussion in the public realm.
Today is a federal holiday. Most children around the country are out of school today because it's observed as Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Strangely enough, while this day honors and commemorates the civil rights activities of a man who was loved and revered by many while at the same time hated and reviled by others. Setting aside a day as a federal holiday in his honor was, and in some circles is, still a controversial issue. What's so interesting about this is that no real debate or discussion concerning the "validity" and "worthiness" of having a day in Dr. King's honor is ever countenanced. Such discussion, as with so many other things that permeate our society, including religion, is decried, derided, and denied. It often seems as if having an opinion that's at odds with the "popular" view is unwelcome and considered to be the results of bigotry or ignorance - or both. How incredible it is that the "popular" or prevailing views and opinions of so many are considered unassailable and the other freedom of the First Amendment - Free Speech - is abridged and denied.
Sadly, the reality of life is that many things that we believe as redeemed children of God in Jesus Christ are considered foolishness and nonsense by the world around us, even by many who also call themselves "Christian." If we challenge what others think or believe, even though such things might be contrary to the clear Word and Will of God, we're considered to be out of touch with reality. Many purported "teachers" in the Christian church seek to avoid any controversy and often adopt the ways of the world - with "modification" - rather than to challenge those things which fly in the face of God's Word. The "watchword" for such people is "relevance" - holding that the church needs to meet society's standard of what it means to be "relevant" rather than standing for the things of God. God's Word calls such religious leaders, "false teachers," and warns us to not only avoid them, but exhorts us to contend with them "for the faith that was once, for all, entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3b).
God's people are not seekers of controversy. We are called as witnesses to God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. We are called to share the Good News of salvation from Sin, Death, and Satan with a world lost in the darkness of Sin. Our Lord Jesus encourages us to be "wise as serpents, but gentle as doves" (Mt. 10:16). It's in our nature, as God's redeemed children, to be kind, gentle, and encouraging to others. Yet, we are also called to confront evil and the darkness of Sin with the truth of God's Word and the faith "that was once, for all, entrusted to the saints."
There are issues and controversies that affect the lives of people all over the world, not only in our own society. Part of being God's seasoning (cf. Matthew 5:13) in this world is to speak up in the face of injustice, inequity, and falsehood. Part of being God's seasoning in the world is to make it a point to share God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus with others, so they, too, might be in heaven with Him. Sometimes that means we've got to "contend for the faith." As we learn from history, when God's people failed to speak up and be counted for their faith and that which was right and pleasing in God's sight, terrible things have happened.
The old saying, "Evil prevails when good men do nothing," has proven to be accurate throughout history. False religious teachers supported such things as the holocaust and Hitler's Germany. False religion supports abortion and unnatural behavior between men and between women. God's people aren't concerned about someone's "opinion" about what is pleasing to God. Rather we are concerned with what's pleasing to God according to "the faith delivered that was once for all entrusted to the saints." To that end we are in the Word daily; to that end we seek God's guidance daily; to that end we remember that we belong to God, made His own precious children in Holy Baptism. Contending for the faith is, in fact, our daily call and commission from our Lord. How wonderful for Him to entrust us with such a mission for our lives. For us, the reality of faith in Jesus isn't "I coulda' been a contenda'" but that we are "contenders for the faith - for Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of controversy. Of course, sometimes that's okay, especially when it's about things that make no difference in Your plan of salvation in Christ Jesus. On the other hand, Lord, I carry that avoidance of conflict to the point where I even shy away from "contending for the faith" so that the truth of Your Gospel might touch people's lives and they might come to Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Forgive me for being so "cowardly" so that those who would seek to prevail in the hearts and minds of people with ideas that are contrary to Your Word and Your love for the world. Give me the strength to be a "contender" for Jesus and the truth of the Gospel every day, in every circumstance, being unafraid to speak Your truth and declare Your praises. Let me example of being a faithful "contender" for the faith entrusted to the saints so that my brothers and sisters in Christ might draw courage and strength from my example and contend mightily for the Gospel as well. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Faith Proved And Approved
"Today's Devotion" For January 14, 2006
Read: I Peter 1:3-9; Deuteronomy 8:1-20
FAITH PROVED AND APPROVED
"These (trials) have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (I Peter 1:7)
In North Korea, being a Christian means facing imprisonment, torture, and sometimes, death. Being a follower of Jesus Christ in China, unless a part of the state sanctioned "church," means imprisonment (some rumors even exist of torture). In Iran, being a Christian is forbidden and how Christians survive in other parts of the Moslem world is a miracle of God's love. In the last century, we often heard about Christians suffering, imprisonment, torture, and death in communist controlled countries. Even today, in some of those places, being a follower of Jesus Christ and a witness for Him is still not acceptable. Having spoken with people who underwent torture and imprisonment for being Christians I can tell you that their lives were transformed. They could say without any shadow of a doubt that their faith was of "greater worth than gold" - even of greater worth than their own lives.
Put in perspective, the challenges of faith we face in our cultural milieu don't hold a candle to the challenges faced by those who suffered or are suffering for their faith under communism or who are suffering for their faith in Islamic countries. But, having made the comparison, the challenges of faith we ourselves face are no less important to our relationship with God. As God's people, redeemed and restored to Him in Jesus Christ, we face some unique, difficult, and trying situations which challenge our faith and trust in Him. As we read the history of the church, the Body of Christ, it becomes clear that faith grows stronger as it faces hatred, imprisonment, persecution, and death because of Jesus. While such circumstances might not be so evident in our culture, test of our faith don't have to be so dramatic.
Each day we face myriad circumstances which test our faith and challenge our commitment to Jesus. Such tests of our faith and trust in Jesus regularly come at us in our personal lives, including our interactions with family, neighbors, and friends. Our faith is tested as we act and react in trying situations, such as occur frequently on our roadways, in our neighborhoods, and around our cities, counties, states, and the nation. (With some chagrin I confess my own venomous thoughts and angry words shouted at the television screen at the "hypocrisy, inanity, and arrogance" of a senator, known for his excesses, grilling the current U. S. Supreme Court nominee on issues of ethics and ethical behavior.) As God's people we find our life of faith challenged - that is, how truly and faithfully we live according to our faith in Jesus - by our professional relationships and our business activities. Students are faced with challenges to living a faithful life in their interactions with other students, teachers, administrators, teammates, and coaches.
As God's people redeemed in Jesus Christ, we face some unique challenges in our lives. Because of the corruption of God's creation by Sin, life is difficult enough the way it is. Yet, because we are in Christ, we are called to live our lives in a way that reflects God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in all things. Our speech, our actions, and even our thoughts (from which our actions come) all reflect on our faith in Jesus. Our goals and dreams, whether they are personal, family, or professional (and all the permutations within each category) are challenged to be different than those of others who don't have a relationship with Jesus. Because we are in Christ, our goals, dreams, thoughts, words, and deeds are informed by our faith in Jesus. As followers of Jesus, each day we our faith is challenged as we make decisions about how we will speak in any given situation, how we think about others actions, and how we act in every circumstance. Each day our faith leads us to make decisions related to family, play, school, work, and career which often conflict with how the world around us feels, thinks, and acts.
As followers of Jesus Christ, the decisions we make always revolve around our faith in Him. We are reminded by Peter that we are God's children, not because we're so good, or important, or pretty, or handsome, or athletic, orrr..., but because Christ suffered, died, and rose again for us. From Him and in Him we receive every spiritual blessing. In Him and through Him, our loving God and Father in heaven protects us by the power of Spirit from anything and everything that would try to take us away from Him. With confidence in His love and taking courage in His grace, mercy, and forgiveness we gladly face the trials and tribulations of faith for the sake of Jesus. Each challenge to our faith is an opportunity to be found faithful, to be strengthened in our faith and service to God and others in Jesus' name, and to have our faith in Jesus proved and approved by Him. By our faithfulness others are lead to give our Lord "praise, glory, and honor" in which, as His beloved children, we also will share. Tested and found faithful, we experience now and in eternity, joy beyond expression and the salvation of our souls. It's a large piece of Good News we don't want to neglect sharing with others.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for those times when I have failed to act faithfully and honorably in facing the challenges to my faith which occur each day. Help me to act in a manner that praises and glorifies You. Test me that my faith in Jesus might be proved and approved each day, helping me to grow stronger in my relationship with You and my trust in Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection for my salvation. Lead me, by the power of Your Word and Spirit, to be an example of faithfulness and a messenger of Your love and forgiveness. In the precious name of Jesus hear my prayer, O God. Amen.
***********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I Peter 1:3-9; Deuteronomy 8:1-20
FAITH PROVED AND APPROVED
"These (trials) have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (I Peter 1:7)
In North Korea, being a Christian means facing imprisonment, torture, and sometimes, death. Being a follower of Jesus Christ in China, unless a part of the state sanctioned "church," means imprisonment (some rumors even exist of torture). In Iran, being a Christian is forbidden and how Christians survive in other parts of the Moslem world is a miracle of God's love. In the last century, we often heard about Christians suffering, imprisonment, torture, and death in communist controlled countries. Even today, in some of those places, being a follower of Jesus Christ and a witness for Him is still not acceptable. Having spoken with people who underwent torture and imprisonment for being Christians I can tell you that their lives were transformed. They could say without any shadow of a doubt that their faith was of "greater worth than gold" - even of greater worth than their own lives.
Put in perspective, the challenges of faith we face in our cultural milieu don't hold a candle to the challenges faced by those who suffered or are suffering for their faith under communism or who are suffering for their faith in Islamic countries. But, having made the comparison, the challenges of faith we ourselves face are no less important to our relationship with God. As God's people, redeemed and restored to Him in Jesus Christ, we face some unique, difficult, and trying situations which challenge our faith and trust in Him. As we read the history of the church, the Body of Christ, it becomes clear that faith grows stronger as it faces hatred, imprisonment, persecution, and death because of Jesus. While such circumstances might not be so evident in our culture, test of our faith don't have to be so dramatic.
Each day we face myriad circumstances which test our faith and challenge our commitment to Jesus. Such tests of our faith and trust in Jesus regularly come at us in our personal lives, including our interactions with family, neighbors, and friends. Our faith is tested as we act and react in trying situations, such as occur frequently on our roadways, in our neighborhoods, and around our cities, counties, states, and the nation. (With some chagrin I confess my own venomous thoughts and angry words shouted at the television screen at the "hypocrisy, inanity, and arrogance" of a senator, known for his excesses, grilling the current U. S. Supreme Court nominee on issues of ethics and ethical behavior.) As God's people we find our life of faith challenged - that is, how truly and faithfully we live according to our faith in Jesus - by our professional relationships and our business activities. Students are faced with challenges to living a faithful life in their interactions with other students, teachers, administrators, teammates, and coaches.
As God's people redeemed in Jesus Christ, we face some unique challenges in our lives. Because of the corruption of God's creation by Sin, life is difficult enough the way it is. Yet, because we are in Christ, we are called to live our lives in a way that reflects God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in all things. Our speech, our actions, and even our thoughts (from which our actions come) all reflect on our faith in Jesus. Our goals and dreams, whether they are personal, family, or professional (and all the permutations within each category) are challenged to be different than those of others who don't have a relationship with Jesus. Because we are in Christ, our goals, dreams, thoughts, words, and deeds are informed by our faith in Jesus. As followers of Jesus, each day we our faith is challenged as we make decisions about how we will speak in any given situation, how we think about others actions, and how we act in every circumstance. Each day our faith leads us to make decisions related to family, play, school, work, and career which often conflict with how the world around us feels, thinks, and acts.
As followers of Jesus Christ, the decisions we make always revolve around our faith in Him. We are reminded by Peter that we are God's children, not because we're so good, or important, or pretty, or handsome, or athletic, orrr..., but because Christ suffered, died, and rose again for us. From Him and in Him we receive every spiritual blessing. In Him and through Him, our loving God and Father in heaven protects us by the power of Spirit from anything and everything that would try to take us away from Him. With confidence in His love and taking courage in His grace, mercy, and forgiveness we gladly face the trials and tribulations of faith for the sake of Jesus. Each challenge to our faith is an opportunity to be found faithful, to be strengthened in our faith and service to God and others in Jesus' name, and to have our faith in Jesus proved and approved by Him. By our faithfulness others are lead to give our Lord "praise, glory, and honor" in which, as His beloved children, we also will share. Tested and found faithful, we experience now and in eternity, joy beyond expression and the salvation of our souls. It's a large piece of Good News we don't want to neglect sharing with others.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for those times when I have failed to act faithfully and honorably in facing the challenges to my faith which occur each day. Help me to act in a manner that praises and glorifies You. Test me that my faith in Jesus might be proved and approved each day, helping me to grow stronger in my relationship with You and my trust in Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection for my salvation. Lead me, by the power of Your Word and Spirit, to be an example of faithfulness and a messenger of Your love and forgiveness. In the precious name of Jesus hear my prayer, O God. Amen.
***********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
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