Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Taking Time For Godly Sorrow

"Today's Devotion" For February 28, 2006

Read: Luke 15:1-10; II Corinthians 7:5-13

TAKING TIME FOR GODLY SORROW

"...yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance...Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (II Cor. 7:9, 10)

Throughout the Western world today is known as "Shrove Tuesday." In some places, such as Australia, it’s called "Pancake Tuesday." In many "old world" locations, such as New Orleans, it's known as "Mardi gras" or "Fat Tuesday" (Mardi - "Tuesday"; Gras - "fat"). It's the last day of "Carnival" (meaning - "farewell to meat") and leads into Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent in the Christian church.

The field of scholarship which takes a look at the origins and meanings of languages is called etymology. The etymology of "Shrove Tuesday" is quite telling. The word "Shrove" is a conjugation of the Old English verb, "shrive," which means to listen to another acknowledgment of his or her sins, assure them of God's forgiveness, and give them appropriate spiritual advice. Sadly, this meaning of "Shrove Tuesday" as a lead-in to Lent has been lost in the whirlwind we call the modern world. The term "shrove" survives today, not as a willingness to pay attention to a person's confession and give absolution, but in the phrase "short shrift" which popularly means paying little attention to a person or his or her problems. The longer terminology, not often used today, is "to give him short shrift and a long rope" - to hang a criminal without delay.

The terms "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras" came to represent "Shrove Tuesday" because it was the day a thrifty house wife and mother would use up the last of her saved bacon fat and other fat drippings she used for cooking, since she wouldn't be using the fat during the fasting season of Lent. "Pancake Tuesday" is a takeoff from that because such fat is often used in certain pancake recipes." Over the centuries, the whole idea of "Shrove Tuesday" and "Mardi Gras" ("Fat Tuesday") has been pretty well lost for many Christians because "Mardi Gras" had become synonymous with debauchery and gluttony - over indulgence - before the season of Lent begins.

It seems as if we human beings will do anything we can to avoid coming to grips with our sin and disobedience to God. For many Christians, "Shrove Tuesday" is just another day of the week - "it's just Tuesday today, and tomorrow, Wednesday, is Ash Wednesday this year." For a good number of Christians and churches, Lent is just the six Sundays leading up to Easter. For a significant number of other Christians, Lent is a time to "give something up" for forty days which they consider a "sacrifice," for spiritual discipline. For still other Christians, Lent is 40-days of personal reflection (not counting Sundays), introspection, and repentance in preparation for the glorious celebration of Christ's Easter victory.

There should be no doubt in our minds that it's good for God's people to take the time for self-examination, repentance, and absolution. St. Paul's letter to the Christians at Corinth, which had chastised them, had brought them "Godly sorrow" and led them to repentance and increased faith. Their response of faith was to serve God with more conviction and determination to reach others with the Gospel. Jesus reminds us how very important and pleasing to God our repentance really is, noting that "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Lk. 15:10).

By God's grace, mercy, and love in Jesus we have received the forgiveness of all our sins. By faith in Christ Jesus, each day we approach God's throne of grace with repentant hearts to be renewed, restored, and forgiven by His Word and Spirit. We also have opportunities to "shrive" someone - to hear their repentance, comfort them with the assurance of God's forgiveness, and encourage them to lead a God-pleasing life of faith and witness. You know, maybe it's a good time for us to take another look at "ShroveTuesday" for what it was intended to be. Taking the time for Godly sorrow is certainly a faithful response to God's Will and His love.

Prayer: Father, as I enter the season of Lent, along with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I ask that You would give me Your Word and Spirit in abundant measure that I might truly repent of my sins and, receiving the assurance of Your forgiveness in Jesus, would strive to live a life that is pleasing to You and of service to my neighbor. Help me to appreciate the opportunities You give me for repentance and for listening to the sorrow of others over their sins, assure them of Your forgiveness, and encourage them to live lives of faith and trust in Your service. Bless all Your children as we enter into the season of Lent and reflect on the perfect obedience of Jesus to Your will and His suffering and death for my sins and those of the whole world. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus who suffered and died as payment for my sins so that I might have life forever with You. Amen.
************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 27, 2006

Salvation In Christ - It's No Longer "Top Secret"

"Today's Devotion" For February 27, 2006

Read: Mark 9:2-9; Psalm 96


SALVATION IN CHRIST - IT'S NO LONGER "TOP SECRET"

"As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead." (Mark 9:9)

Sometime in the next 10 days to two weeks, our son, Matthew, will be heading back to Iraq with his Marine unit. He can't tell me exactly when because it's classified information which can't be shared over an unsecured line. He can't tell me exactly where they'll be in Iraq, although it's generally accepted that it will be in much the same place as last time, because, yes, that's right, it's classified. As a retired Navy chaplain and officer I still hold a Secret security clearance. Yet information such as his date of deployment and deployed location inside Iraq - because of the nature of his unit's work - is available only on a "need to know basis." After he returns home later this year, he'll share where he was and what he did - just as he did last year when he came home. Until then he can't really tell anyone much of anything.

When Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the Mount of Transfiguration, He knew what was about to happen. It had been six days since He had begun preparing His disciples for His crucifixion and had to chastise Peter with "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me" when Peter objected to the idea of Jesus being crucified for the sins of the world. Knowing the leadership responsibilities that would be thrust upon these three apostles after His death, Jesus takes them up the mountain (Note: Mountains in Scripture are always places where God reveals another step forward in His Plan of Salvation) to strengthen their faith and prepare them for what's to come. What greater proof of who He is or what His mission was than to see Him transformed into all His heavenly glory and speaking to, arguably, the two greatest prophets of Israel!

If any of us would have been standing with the apostles and observing this event we'd have been hard-pressed to contain ourselves and not tell someone. Certainly we would have felt the same fear and awe the apostles felt. Perhaps we, too, might have proposed three tabernacles for worship as Peter did. No doubt the proclamation of the Father from heaven, "This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!" (v. 7), would have had a profound impact on us. No doubt any of us would have been itching to get off the mountain and let people know what we had seen (Note: it's interesting that Jesus took three of them up the mountain because Jewish law required corroboration of an event's occurrence by "two or three" witnesses).

The Father's command, however, gives us pause. "Listen to Him," is an order and Jesus' next words - His command - to the three was "Don't tell anyone what you've seen - it's classified ‘Top Secret’ and can't be shared until My resurrection." While Jesus was preparing Peter, James, and John for the hard times ahead and for their leadership among the disciples, He also knew that Satan would continue to work to foil God's Plan and keep Jesus from the Cross. Publicizing what they had seen on the Mount of Transfiguration might have been just the kind of news that would have made Jesus a figure of mythical proportion and kept Him from the Cross. So what the apostles saw was classified "Top Secret" until Jesus' resurrection on Easter.

Sadly, it seems as if we're still intent on obeying Jesus' command - you know, the part that goes, "Don't tell anyone what you've seen." Too often it seems as if the last part of the command, "until the Son of Man has risen from the dead" gets lost. But it's Good News. It's Great News! The sinless Son of God and Son of Man died once and for all time for the sins of the whole world that "whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). He made it to the Cross; God's Plan of Salvation for His Creation has been completed. Victory over Sin, Death, and Satan has been won. The curse of the Law no longer hangs over our heads like a guillotine.

Today is a good day to remember the last part of Jesus' command to Peter, James, and John, and tell everyone what He has done for you, me, and the whole world. It's a good day to live in God's forgiveness in Christ. It's a good day to live as forgiven people, so that our lives - our words and deeds - reflect God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ to everyone around us. What happened on the Mount of Transfiguration is no longer "Top Secret." Jesus' resurrection proclaims His victory over Sin and evil to all. As we live in His peace and joy we give voice to His salvation so that others might believe and live forever in heaven.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for so often hiding Your gift of salvation in Jesus from others. Too often my words and actions belie that I'm a forgiven sinner in a living and loving relationship with Jesus who is both my Savior and Lord and the world's as well. Too often I act as if Your gift of salvation is "top secret" and fail to share it with others. As You have forgiven me in Jesus, please also strengthen me in Him that I may boldly and cheerfully declare His name in all I say and do. Send Your Holy Spirit into my heart that my life might be a pure and holy reflection of Your gift of salvation so that others might be led to repentance, forgiveness, and faith in Jesus and eternal life with You in heaven. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Blessed By God's "Forgetfulness"

"Today's Devotion" For February 25, 2006

Read: Hebrews 8:10-12; Micah 7:14-20

BLESSED BY GOD'S "FORGETFULNESS"

"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)

In the lore of the jungle, the elephant is often touted as having a really long memory. The wily pachyderm is considered to have a tremendous memory because of the belief that domesticated elephants never forgot a wrong done to them or where they needed to go to die - the elephant grave yard. Thus, when my dad wanted to remind me that I couldn't "pull the wool over his eyes," he would say, "I have the memory of an elephant." I can honestly say that I was pretty certain if I ever messed up again in the same way, he'd remember the last time and remind me of it. I can say for certain that "this is most certainly true!"

We human beings have a long memory for those things which put someone else down, point out the weaknesses of others as well as their failures. Over the past week or so, as the Winter Olympics were taking place in Italy, there was a great deal of press devoted to one of the American figure skaters, Sasha Cohen, who had been finishing second for years behind Michele Kwan. Her attempts to overcome the labels of "choker" label and "isn't mentally tough enough" were well documented in both written and broadcast formats. After her short program early in the week she was in first place by three hundredths of a point and people seemed to have gained a new hope for her. Then, two days later, as she warmed up for her long program she couldn't complete a number of important jumps. When that carried over later during competition and she only attained the silver medal, the discussion of her mental toughness and being a "choker" were once again front and center. She had won an Olympic Gold Medal, but it seems that people were more interested that she'd "failed again."

In the "real" world of day to day living, long memories for the wrongs others do to us are the norm. People might be forgetful of many things, but forgetting that someone has wronged you, sinned against you, or harmed you or those you love in some way aren't included in that forgetfulness. We have long memories when people show their humanity and mess up. We have long memories about the imperfections of others - although, wouldn't you agree that it's quite interesting that we don't have the same intensity of memory about our own imperfections.

How often don't we pay lip service to forgiving someone who seeks forgiveness for something they've done to us? Instead of truly forgiving and no longer holding their sin against them, we're more than likely to forgiven conditionally - that is, we forgive them as long as they don't do it again. If God were to forgive us in the same way as we forgive others, well, we'd surely be doomed. Forgiveness also entails forgetfulness - something that's in short supply among us when it comes to the sins, failures, and imperfections of others. One of the more devastating ways we avoid forgetfulness is when we fail to accept another's repentance, thereby compounding the problem and sinning against them.

God, however, doesn't have a good memory for our sins, our failures, or our imperfections. He doesn't judge us on our failure to win Olympic gold medals or be the most influential person in our community. Our Father in heaven is eager to forgive sins and remember them no more. His Word to us through the prophets Isaiah and Micah and the writer to the Hebrews shows His eagerness to forgive our sins. His promise throughout history was that He would provide a Savior to save His people from their sins. He fulfilled that promise in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior from Sin, Death, and Satan. God never forgets us. He is everywhere and at all times present and available for us. He gives us everything we need and "not even a sparrow falls to the ground" without His knowledge (Mt. 10:29). Yet, in His great love, grace, and mercy we are blessed by God's "forgetfulness" as, in our repentance in Jesus, He "remembers (our) sins no more."

Prayer: Father, I can't ever thank You enough for Your great mercy and grace with which You forgive my every sin and failing and see me through the blood of Christ, perfect and holy, without sin. While I fail so often to forgive as You have forgiven me, You still forgive me and remember my sins no more. You, gracious Father, are so perfectly forgetful of my sins through my Lord Jesus Christ, while I, on the other hand, find it most difficult to be forgetful as others seek my forgiveness when they've wronged me. You, gracious Father, are so perfectly forgetful of my imperfection through Christ Jesus my Lord, while I, on the other hand find it easy to dwell on the failures of others. Father, forgive me of these my failures to love my neighbor as myself. In my failure to love others as I do myself, I also sin against You because in failing to love my neighbor, I fail to love You. Forgive me of all these my sins, O God, and strengthen me in my faith that I may also forgive others as You have forgiven me - remembering my transgressions no more. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
******************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 24, 2006

Guilty By Association

"Today's Devotion" For February 24, 2006

Read: II Corinthians 6:14-18; I John 1:5-10

GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION?

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (II Cor. 6:14)

For the most part it's probably reasonable to assume that most responsible parents are concerned with whom their children "hang out," i.e., who their friends are. Certainly it's not unusual an unusual situation for teenagers and young adults to "hang" with other people that make them feel special, important, or excited - all of which play into the allure of gangs (and this is true for the city, the "burbs," and small towns. Thus, the young man or woman who is normally a good student, well-mannered and well-behaved, find himself or herself in jail because they got involved in the antics of the "crowd" they were "hanging with" and the problems that resulted. We often talk about the "good kid" who's in prison because early in his life he "fell in with the wrong crowd."

While we might speak this way of young people whose judgment isn't as yet as well developed as an adult's might be, reality tells us that adults aren't very good at taking their own advice. There's a sense we have in our society that "guilt by association" is just plain wrong. Perhaps, in certain isolated circumstances, that may be true. On the other hand what looks like a snake, slithers like a snake, and hisses like a snake is most likely a snake, and if it rattles its tail real trouble is afoot. Such a situation seems to be playing itself out on the national scene at this time. There's a withering debate over the approval by the President's administration of the sale of port operating rights to major, domestic U.S. ports such as New York, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. It isn't the sale itself, but to whom the sale was made and approved - a Middle Eastern nation who has purportedly supported terrorists and helped their flow of money in the past.

Yet there is much to be said for judging situations and people based on their associations. A police officer making a traffic stop and smelling the unmistakable odor of marijuana in the vehicle doesn't try to find out whose "weed" it is, but arrests all the occupants of the vehicle, even the innocent 14 year old boy in the back seat whose older brother, the driver, along with a couple of his buddies, is dropping him off at school for music lessons. It's guilt by association. The arrest of the innocent 14 year old can be just the wake up call the parents need to get the older son some help. When a mob forms on the street and begins to riot, those in the crowd who aren't taking part in the looting and burning that's taking place are often arrested because they are present. It's guilt by association. Such a consequence might prove helpful is getting people out of situations that are volatile and potentially hazardous to others.

Such guilt by association is also applicable to our spiritual lives. We don't like to hear such a statement, nor do we feel comfortable with it. St. Paul had to address this issue with the church in Corinth who apparently had allowed false teachers into their midst and had cooperated with them in various ways. In so doing, God's people were giving sanction to the teachings and actions of the false teachers who were in reality servants of the devil. Not only did such "acceptance" of false teachers rend the fabric of the Body of Christ, destroying its harmony and fellowship, but it gave conflicting messages to those around them who needed to hear the truth of the Gospel and be saved.

Our Lord Jesus Christ calls on us no less today to recognize that being "unequally yoked with unbelievers" can also make us guilty by association. Certainly we have acquaintances and co-workers who are not Christian. You may attend school with those who are not Christian. As a nation we know that we stand for "freedom of religion" and are a pluralistic society that allows a multitude of religions to live freely under the Constitution. Certainly we can't sequester ourselves from the world and have no contact with those who don't know Jesus as their Lord and Savior from Sin. To do so would be to disavow and disobey our Lord's command to "go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15). As Jesus states in the Sermon on the Mount, we are put on the earth to "season it" (Mt. 5:13) and to let our light shine that "they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Mt. 5:16).

Every day God gives us opportunities in our work, our play, our business dealings, and every contact we have with others to be seen and known as His children. He gives us multiple opportunities to share the good news of Jesus in our words and deeds. He doesn't ask us to "hang out" with those who would commit crimes, do drugs, harm others, or blaspheme Him. At the same time He also calls us to share His Word with such people so they might hear the Law and repent; the Gospel and believe. In doing so we may very well be labeled "guilty by association," and if so we give thanks to God for allowing us to bear our cross in Jesus' name. At the same time, we don't want to be labeled "guilty by association" because we allow the things of God to be dragged in the mud by those who would pervert His truth. It's better to speak the truth in love and be derided for it than to allow falsehood and disobedience to go unchecked and be associated with it. After all, what we often forget, is that the other side of “guilty by association" is that others see us as God's people because we are faithful.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You have made me Your very own redeemed and forgiven child in Jesus. I thank You that You give me opportunities each day to touch the lives of others with Your love. I thank You that You forgive my sins each day and remember them no more. So often, though, Father, I fail to realize that I often allow others to define who I am. I may be "hanging" with the wrong people - people who seek to do harm to others rather than seek the good. I often allow myself to be influenced by those who seek to interpret Your Word in a way that's comfortable instead of truthful. Father, let me be "guilty by association" of being Your beloved child and a true disciple and witness to Your love in Christ. Help me to seek every opportunity to share the truth of Your Word others so they, too, might repent and know Your forgiveness in Christ. In Jesus most holy and precious name I pray. Amen.
******************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Delighting In God's Truth

"Today's Devotion" For February 23, 2006

Read: I John 1:5-10; Psalm 26

DELIGHTING IN GOD'S TRUTH

"The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful." (Proverbs 12:22)

Have you ever noticed how "truth" is a relative concept in our world? In recent months, during a push to get the governor of our state to negotiate a cap increase in the school voucher program, proponents and opponents ran a series of commercials intended to sway public opinion on the issue. Both sides had their own perspective on the situation with both sides shading the truth and being quite disingenuous in their pronouncements. Because we cherish our freedom of speech, however, no one gets "prosecuted" for such activity.

We value free speech so much that we allow a former Vice President of the United States to lambaste our nation's purported mistreatment of suspected terrorists incarcerated in our country in a speech given in a country that has fostered terrorism by its repression of its people and its radical religious schools. Some would charge him with treason. Others support his right to free speech even though they vigorously disagree with him. Many believe that what he said was filled with half-truths, innuendos, and lies, but we don't prosecute people for lying except under when they do so under oath or to impede a criminal investigation.

While the former Vice President is spreading his version of "truth" another man was put on trial in Switzerland for questioning various facts about "The Holocaust." Freedom of speech and expression is allowed in many "democracies" but is monitored to ensure it remains "politically correct." Russia and Latvia have also prosecuted people who have questioned historical facts about "The Holocaust" - all have been jailed. As far as the historicity of "The Holocaust" is concerned, for most of Europe any challenge to the facts related to it is a crime.

Incredibly, with all the effort to "speak the truth," support the "truth," and yet punish those whose understanding of "truth" is different from the "norm" none of this effort ever seems to matter when it comes to God's truth. No one wants to hear God's truth. Sin works incessantly to direct us to other "truths" besides God's truth as revealed in Jesus Christ. The truth of the Gospel, that humanity can only be saved from Sin and unbelief through Jesus Christ, is derided as too harsh, too stringent, and grossly elitist. Human beings seek to be lied to about salvation, hoping that they can work their way into heaven rather than repenting of their sins and being forgiven in Christ. Humanity has "exchanged the truth of God for a lie" (Rom. 1:22) and refuses to hold itself accountable for denying the truth.

Yet, no matter the world's position on truth, as God's people we know for certain that God doesn't lie and that He honors those who speak the truth in love. In the Gospel we are called to know the truth which sets us free from the ravages of Sin, Death, and Satan. Christ Jesus has redeemed us from the lie that we can be like God - the lie with which the serpent tempted Adam and Eve (cf. Gen. 3) - so that we might know the truth of God's forgiveness, hope, and peace in Jesus. As His dearly beloved children, forgiven and restored to Him in Jesus, we truly delight in God's truth as we share His love for the world in Jesus with others. As we live each day in His love and forgiveness, we endeavor at all times to speak the truth, living as people free from the slavery of Sin and thus anything that would bind our tongues from telling the truth about God's hatred for Sin and His love for the sinner. By God's grace and blessing we are empowered to speak His truth no matter what, with confident and peace, knowing that He holds us in the very palm of His hand and nothing shall snatch us away from Him.

Prayer: Father, the world isn't a very truthful place. What we human beings claim to be the "truth" often turns out to have no basis in fact. We hold people to incredibly high standards of "truth-telling" when it comes to how we perceive the world but ignore what's true in our relationship with You, discounting the Cross and its reality for our salvation. Father, I, too, am often guilty of exchanging Your truth for the lie that makes me feel good or makes me "important" to others. Too often I live a lie because I fail to serve You and others in Your name, even though I claim to be Your child. Forgive me, Father, for so often living a lie rather than living in and sharing Your truth with others. Help me to delight in Your truth and, with joy, take advantage of every opportunity to share Your truth in Jesus with others, no matter the consequences to me. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
**********************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Thank God There's No "I" On God's Team

"Today's Devotion" For February 22, 2006

Read: Romans 12:1-8; Psalm 89:1-18

THANK GOD THERE'S NO "I" ON GOD'S TEAM

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." (Romans 12:5)

There's probably no greater insight into the "heart" of the competitor than that which comes on the world stage. As we watch the current edition of the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy we observe both the best and the worst that competition has to offer. We've seen pieces on television talking about the triumph of an injured athletes returning to the Olympics when no one thought they had a chance of ever competing again. A good example of this is the U.S. freestyle skier who was terribly injured in Salt Lake City four years ago, of whom it was thought she'd never walk again (much less do freestyle ski-jumping at the Olympics), who, with the help of a couple of her teammates, endured the pain of the therapy and the retraining to get back into Olympic competition. It's a wonderful example of people caring about each other and working together (even though their event is an individual one) as a team to support a teammate.

In sharp contrast to stories such as this is the unfolding "drama" of the two exceptionally gifted speed skaters, who, because of their self-centeredness, lost the gold medal in the 1500-meter long track event because, as one newspaper columnist put it, "they forgot their game plan and focused on each other in a sport where time is of the essence." Then they spent a good deal of time sniping at each other at a press conference, taking one "potshot" after another, not as teammates, not as competitors, but as children focused on themselves and their own accomplishment - their own egos.

Of course, it's easy to take "swipes" at these young men for their unseemly, anti-team, and "unprofessional" behavior. They're on the world stage. Yet, in their childishness and poor manners, their arrogance and cocksureness, they're not alone. They've been given "license" for such behavior by a culture that is increasingly narcissistic and "me-centered." We can speak all we want to about there being no "I" in "team," but the reality is that "I" is very much a part of each of our lives. "Look what I've done, " "see what I've accomplished," "see how good I am." Rather than expecting others to acknowledge us, we end up acknowledging ourselves.

A good example of this can be found in many college applications. It's particularly noticeable in the applications to our military academies which ask the applicant to "brag" about his or her accomplishments during high school. A representative of the United States Naval Academy's Admissions Office emphasized the importance of such "disclosure" in a recent briefing of field representatives I attended. It's almost ironic that the "I" is emphasized in order to get into a school in order to become a member of a team and eventually a leader of it. Talk about a confusing message!

Our sinful human nature gravitates more to the "I" in Sin, than it gravitates toward the whole idea of "team." Sin leads us to think of ourselves more highly than we ought, not with a reasonable assessment and acknowledgment of God's gifts to us, but as if all we are and accomplish is solely on our own. St. Paul addresses this attitude and thought process when he writes to the Corinthian church, "When I was a child I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child" (I Cor. 13:11). When we consider ourselves better than others, look down on others who have different gifts than we have, or put ourselves above others then we're not acting like members of God's "team" - His family, the Body of Christ - but as individuals who apparently have no use for God. Rather than the mature behavior of those who acknowledge their sins before God and seek His forgiveness, we act as if everyone, God included, is beneath us.

Yet, by the grace of God, we have deliverance from ourselves and the power of Sin in our lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ not only set the standard for obedience to God's Will, but He also was obedient for us so that we might know God's forgiveness rather than His wrath. He didn't come to tell the world how "good and perfect" He was, but took on the form of a servant so that God's Will might be done and the world's salvation accomplished by His suffering, death, and resurrection.

In Christ Jesus we not only receive God's love and forgiveness but we are led to see the blessings God has given us - His gifts to share with others His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Our lives are not about us, they're about God living in us and through us to touch others with His love in Christ. Our lives are not about competition with each other but working with each other for the common good and the growth of Christ's Body, the Church. Our lives are not about being the best and gaining rewards but about letting God use us and His gifts to us for the benefit of His "team" so that others might come to know Jesus and be saved. In the end, for God's people, redeemed in Christ and washed clean from their sins in Holy Baptism, there is no "I" on God's team, for all of our eyes are turned to Jesus our Savior and Lord. For this we give humble and hearty thanks to God.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for every gift, talent, and ability You have given. Each of them is a blessing from Your loving and bountiful hand for the purpose of sharing Jesus with others. It's so very easy, Father, for me to talk about myself and what I've done. While You have made me a member of the Body of Christ, I often forget that I'm on Your team, and strike out on my own for my "individual gold." Forgive me, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake and send Your Holy Spirit upon me, working in me through Your Word, so that I might seek the good of everyone, serving You and others in Your name, not for my "glory" but for Yours; not for my "gold medal" but for the crown of life that is Your gift to me in eternity - a gift of Your grace and love in Jesus Christ alone; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
*******************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Members Of God's Family Are Never Alone

"Today's Devotion" For February 21, 2006

Read: Galatians 3:26-4:7; Psalm 113

MEMBERS OF GOD'S FAMILY ARE NEVER ALONE

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household..." (Ephesians 2:19)

How important is your family in your life? If you haven't thought about this for awhile, it might be a good idea to sit down and think about it for a minute. A story in yesterday's newspaper brought that question to mind. Its title is, "After parents' deaths, the face sadness - responsibility." The story introduces us to four children aged 1 to 21 who have just lost their mother and father/stepfather in a head on automobile accident.

The oldest is a young man of 21 years. He has a job and goes to one of the local universities. His next younger sibling is his 19yr. old sister who works part-time and goes to school part-time. They intend to take care of their little sisters (4 and 1 year olds), with the brother looking to gain legal custody of his sisters and keeping the family intact and in their home. It's a daunting task, particularly as they're all still suffering from the shock caused by the tragic deaths of their parents. The older brother and sister are serving as parents and breadwinners to keep their family together; they're also receiving assistance from extended family, neighbors, and friends. One thing is certain – they don’t yet have a clue as to what it’s going to take to provide a home for themselves financially, physically, and emotionally. While the brother says he doesn’t want people to feel sorry for them (read: he doesn’t want charity) one group of people, led by his former soccer coach, has already started a fund to help these siblings make the transition to being on their own.

How would you handle such a situation? Perhaps you have personally experienced such a loss yourself. At any time of life, the death of a parent is difficult. This family, however, is enduring the loss of the oldest three's father four years ago and the loss of their mother and the youngest's father on the same day, in the same incident. Their pain and confusion, frustration and sorrow can't be dismissed. The uncertainty of their future as a family is great.

Such was the case for humanity when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and Sin entered the world. "The wages of Sin is death" St. Paul reminds us (Rom. 6:23), and so by Adam and Eve's disobedience Death, unexpectedly and suddenly, entered the world and separated people from their Father in heaven. While physical death wasn't immediate, spiritual death was - the separation between God and humanity was apparent when Adam and Eve hid from God and then blamed Him, each other, and the serpent for their disobedience. It was as if God had died and there was no hope for His children. What had been a beautiful family relationship was torn apart by the ravages of Sin.

Yet God was not dead. He was, and is, still around to save His children from the power of Sin and the death it brings into the world. In Jesus Christ, our Savior from Sin and the Lord of life, He brings us back from the brink of destruction and, forgiving our sins, gives us new life and new hope in a loving relationship with Him. More than this, He also lifts us up from the despair and sorrow of Sin through the washing of the water and the Word in Holy Baptism and restores us to Himself. He places us into His family - the family of faith in Jesus - so that we aren't left on our own to try to "make it in the world." Through the Body of Christ we receive hope and assurance that we are not forsaken or alone as we await our home in heaven.

St. Paul reminds us that in Christ, we are members of God's household. No matter what happens to us in this world, whether we lose our parents, our siblings, our health, our livelihoods, or anything else that is essential to our lives, we have the sure and certain promise of God that we aren't alone and that He will provide us with everything we need. We are comforted to know that He has given us brothers and sisters in Christ who share their faith, their time, their talents, and their treasures - all gifts from His gracious and bountiful hand - so that when we are in need, spiritually and physically, we are sustained and blessed by "God's household." As members of God's family in Jesus Christ, we take hope, are comforted, and rejoice in the face of adversity and sorrow because that family lifts us up, cares for us, strengthens us, and assures us we're never alone or on our own without what we need to live lives filled with hope and peace.

Prayer: Father, thank You for making me one of Your children in Holy Baptism, washing me clean from my sins and giving me the gift of faith in Jesus. All around me I can see the death and destruction of human beings, both physically and spiritually, because of the power of Sin. To see the horrible results of Sin in the world can bring despair and hopelessness, even to Your children. Yet, as You promise me each day in the power of my Baptism, there is nothing that can separate me from Your love. Thank You for making me a member of Your household, so that I might be uplifted and strengthened by my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank You for the opportunities You give me to share Your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness with them, as well as helping them meet their physical needs in their time of trouble, just as they do for me. Father, help me and all my brothers and sisters in Christ - Your household of faith - to love and care for one another in the face of sin and death so that the world might see our love for one another and be led to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*******************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 20, 2006

Blessed Is The Nation Whose God Is The Lord

"Today's Devotion" For February 20, 2006

Read: I Peter 2:13-17; Psalm 33

BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance." (Psalm 33:12)

Today is "Presidents' Day" in the United States. It's a national holiday, meaning that many schools, all banks, the Post Office, and the Federal Government is on a "holiday." Many states' offices will also be closed in honor of this day. Some of you may remember that we used to have Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday as separate, national observances, but now there's a national holiday which ostensibly is supposed to be in honor of them and, I suppose, every other President of the United States who has ever served in that highest office in the land.

The Presidency of the United States is a unique and individual office, found nowhere else in the world. Since the United States is the only true democratic republic on the earth, that would stand to reason. Our Presidents have been, are, and will be - God willing - people who truly understand that their primary and sole responsibility as President is to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." We seek, therefore, to have Presidents who are people of good character, moral conviction, and have a servant's heart to ensure that every citizen has access to the rights and privileges accorded them by the Constitution. That this is a difficult task our nation's history leaves no doubt. Therefore, it's a good thing for us to honor the memory of those who have held that high office and have done their best to fulfill their responsibilities. Every President, regardless of political conviction, has a difficult, often thankless task. No greater testament to the difficulty of their position can be made than that of Benjamin Franklin, who, when asked at the end of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, "What have you wrought?" replied, "...a Republic, if you can keep it."

The world is a very different place than it was in 1787 when George Washington was President and the Constitution was ratified. It's a very different place than it was 1862 when President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves and further dividing a nation already plunged into a horrific Civil War. Communications are instantaneous; travel is so swift you can leave New York City after breakfast and arrive in London or Paris in tmie for a luncheon meeting; the world is no longer "out there across the ocean" but is in our living rooms in living color every evening before we "sign off" for the night; our weapons are so powerful - and horrible - that entire cities can disappear, reduced to dust and ash in an instant; the economics of the world's nations are so intertwined that when a recession hits the United States its repercussions reverberate around the world.

With the power of Sin rampant in the world, with death and destruction always looming as imminent, it's not too hard to understand that people are living in fear. Terrorism is the "new" form of "ethnic" and "religious" cleansing of our day. We face a growing realization that Edmund Burke's famous words, "Evil triumphs only when good men do nothing," are truer than many people would like to admit. It's in such times and circumstances that we are drawn to look to God for deliverance and stability more than we ever have before. Sadly, it seems that only such times can get us to pay closer attention to our relationship with God and His salvation in Jesus Christ - and that's becoming ever more difficult all over the world, even here at home.

The Psalmist (Psalm 33) reminds us that God is the One who has created everything, including us, and that He is to be feared by the nations. He gives us encouragement as people and as a nation to turn to God and look to Him for deliverance out of all our troubles and to establish His peace in the earth. We are reminded that the nation which trusts in God is blessed, no matter the struggles, pitfalls, and troubles it endures. Thus, as our Presidents endeavor to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States," we are reminded that without God's help and strength their task will be impossible. Nothing can be more critical for the nation in this time of history - as it has been in all other times - than for the President of the United States to walk humbly before God and kneel in prayer for His guidance and protection.

There is also no more critical need for our nation than for us to heed Peter's exhortation to "submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men...Live as free men (free from the slavery of Sin), but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect for everyone...fear God, honor the king" (I Peter 2: 13, 16, 17). We do these things as we lift up our governmental and military leaders in prayer before God. We do these things as we obey the laws of the land and seek the best for our neighbors. We do these things as we address the wrongs and ills of our society with the Word of God and His gracious love. We do this as we participate fully in our government and our communities, seeking to serve rather than to be served.

We receive encouragement in our nation's future in the world, but more especially before God, when we take a look at those who are serving the nation. Paying particular attention to the men and women of an all-volunteer military, we see the blessings of God upon us. This past weekend a young woman, 26-years old, a captain in the United States Marine Corps, came to Milwaukee to conduct training for people representing the Admissions Office of the United States Naval Academy. She was gracious, witty, kind, respectful, sharp, confident of her ability to lead, a good communicator, and she knew her stuff.. She went along on some high school visits this past Friday to answer guidance counselor's questions about what the Academy has to offer and did so in a winsome way. She's a year older than my oldest daughter, the second oldest in her family, and she knows Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Her greatest goal in life is to be a "stay at home mom."

This same wisp of a young woman is a United States Marine who has served two tours in Iraq making sure that all the troops received the supplies they needed, coordinating the logistical support over a vast area, and being responsible for tens of millions of dollars of equipment and supplies. As we look at people like her and her generation, we give thanks to God that people such as her are willing to serve and put themselves in "harm's way" in answer to Benjamin Franklin's answer to what he had "wrought." Some of them may one day be Presidents of the United States, charged with the very same responsibilities all of our Presidents have had. Today is a good time to pray that God would raise up godly men and women to fill that position of leadership so that the Psalmist's words, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord," might, in fact, truly apply to the United States of America until Jesus returns on the Last Day.

Prayer: Father, thank You for all those men who have served this nation faithfully as President. I believe that You have raised each of them to that position of responsibility and leadership because each of them was the person You wanted in that role. I pray that You would continue to raise up leaders for the nation, men and women, who are people of God, who seek to serve You and the nation in Your name. Raise up leaders among us who recognize the power of Sin and evil (Satan) in the world, and who will seek the power of Your Word and Spirit to overcome them so the nation and the world might be blessed by You. Help me to serve You faithfully in the role of a Christian citizen, fulfilling any responsibilities for leadership and service You might give me. Help me to see, each day, how You use my talents and abilities - Your gifts to me - for the furtherance of Your kingdom and the sharing of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus. And, Father, lest I forget, be with and bless all those who are serving the nation, especially those who are Your children in Christ, that they may truly be Your servants and servants of the people so that Your Will might be done. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Remembering God's Sacrifice To Save Us

"Today's Devotion" For February 18, 2006

Read: II Peter 1:12-19; Psalm 77

REMEMBERING GOD'S SACRIFICE TO SAVE US

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your deeds of long ago."
(Ps.77:1)

In an old cemetery in the south of England comes a story that shares a powerful lesson in the fickleness of the human memory. In that cemetery, in the yard of a church in that village, there is a rather unique section. This section holds fifty graves, surrounded by a low brick wall in which a granite slab carries the inscription: "We shall never forget your sacrifice." These graves are the graves of fifty young men from New Zealand, ages 17 to 25, who were apparently stationed in the village during World War I. It appears they were victims of the 1918 flu epidemic.

Sadly, grass chokes the grave sites and the wall is in disrepair. Doesn't sound much like anyone really "remembers" these young men in spire of what the inscription says. In fact, no one in the village can recall who these men were or why this particular section of the cemetery had been erected. Essentially the granite inscription is invalid. The village has long forgotten those young men, why they were there, and the sacrifice they made so far from home.

Peoples' forgetfulness isn't just restricted to this village or the young men who died there. As we observe what goes on around us, how people treat one another and how the world suffers with pain, frustration, hatred, greed, power struggles, lies, deceit, crimes of all kinds, and myriad other problems, it becomes quite obvious that God is also forgotten, much like the young men who died in that village. God is ignored, decried, blasphemed, and cursed. We're told that God is an invention of the human mind; that He's just a figment of our imaginations. Atheists strive to have the phrase, "one nation under God" declared unconstitutional and removed from the "Pledge of Allegiance." People seeking "freedom from religion" strive to have the Ten Commandments removed from courthouses across the nation. There are also those who would deny the use of any Christmas displays on public property.

Yet, when something goes wrong in the lives of those who deny God's existence and His Lordship, they're not averse to saying, "God help me!" We also hear the cry, when such people slam their fingers in a door or hit them with a hammer, "God d..n it!" How often haven't we heard people call upon God in time of trouble, only to push Him aside and forget Him when everything's alright. God is frequently ignored and forgotten as our world strives to be in control of itself. People ignore God, seeking to control their own lives and "destinies."

That God is so often forgotten and ignored in our world is evidenced by the world's morality - or lack thereof. As we look at recent world history we can see God's hand at work delivering the world from a wide assortment of troubles starting with two world wars, an assortment of conflicts and police actions, economic downturns and depressions, disease epidemics and pandemics, tsunamis, horrific tornados and hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, just to name a few. Yet, not only doesn't the world see God's hand at work, but even His children forget His deliverance. Rather than our world becoming a better place, people continue to find ways to destroy the lives of others and visit pain and suffering upon their neighbors.

In the face of our forgetfulness of God's grace and mercy in our lives, the Psalmist calls us to have long memories concerning the works of the Lord. We are reminded by Peter to remember God's divine power by which he has called us to His glory and excellence through Jesus Christ. Peter exhorts us to never forget how much God loves us and how precious is His forgiveness of all our sins. We want to remember every day that God has made us His very own children in Jesus Christ and that He has called us to be His redeemed children, to live our lives as followers of Christ Jesus, and to share the Good News of salvation with the world. We want to remember that no matter how difficult the times are, that no matter how many troubles, trials, and problems come to us each day, that God sees us through everything, no matter how hard, because He loves us and wants the best for us. The greatest blessing of all is that we, by faith, remember God's sacrifice of His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Having such a memory is a special blessing.

Prayer: Father, I know that every day I'm guilty of forgetting You and Your love for me in Jesus. I'm a sinner and I am too often focused on my problems, troubles, and difficulties in life, than I am on Your promises to deliver me and lift me up no matter what troubles I face. I'm too prone, Father, to trying to "do it myself," forgetting that my only true deliverance from Sin and evil is the power of Your Word and Spirit. Forgive me, gracious Father, and help me to trust You for deliverance. Lead me to remember each day that You have blessed Your people throughout the ages with Your presence and protection according to Your promises. Help me to remember Your promises and see Your deliverance from sin and every evil. Help me to share those memories with others so they also might see Your had at work deliverance from trouble. Let every moment of my day be a testimony of my remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice for me. In His name I pray. Amen.
*******************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Good, Excellent, and Profitable - Godly Behavior

"Today's Devotion" For February 17, 2006

Read: Titus 3:1-8; Psalm 15

GOOD, EXECELLENT, AND PROFITABLE - GODLY BEHAVIOR

"And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." (Titus 3:8)

The headline blared its message: "Telephone scam nets $10million." The subheading announces, "Scheme collected donations for fake charities...8 people charged." When you see or hear such a headline, how do you feel? What do you think about those who perpetrated the scam? Are you glad that you had nothing to do with it - either being tricked into donating or carrying out the scam?

Of course, as we hear more about the scam, as the details are filled in, revulsion may begin to set in. It seems the perpetrators called all over the country, except in their own state of operation, seeking donations to help hospitalized veterans sharing toothbrushes, sheriff's deputies who can't afford their bulletproof vests, and troops in Iraq who need supplies. Such heart-rending accounts kept nearly 500,000 people on the line long enough to be convinced to make donations to "the cause." What's more, law enforcement authorities note that the scheme was well planned and executed by the perpetrators. They played on the heartstrings of caring, loving people to make a financial killing for themselves.

However each of us might respond, it begs the question, "Are we really surprised at this?" Since the Garden of Eden and Satan's temptation of Adam and Eve, deceit and lies have been a regular part of human existence. Human beings want more - more things, more power, more prestige, more riches - and are often willing to take advantage of others to get what they want. Deceit, lies, cheating, and stealing are prominent in our world as people interact with each other. The idolatry of greed and avarice works very hard to lead people away from Jesus. Satan's work in Eden was to deceive and lead our first parents away from God as he offered them more than they the "all" that they already had by God's hand. Throughout Scripture and the history of the world it's not too hard to see the idoatry of greed and avarice - and people succumbing to this idolatry and taking advantage of others.

To address the temptations which would lead us to take advantage of others, St. Paul reminds us that we have been called out of such a life and called into God's presence in Jesus Christ. Through the rebirth and renewal that is ours through the washing of Holy Baptism, we are thoroughly equipped to be people of faith who deal honestly and lovingly with others. Paul assures us that our sins are forgiven in Christ and that in His forgiveness we live fruitful and "wealthy" lives of faith and trust in God our Savior. We know, by faith, that in Baptism our Father in heaven gives us His presence and the power of His Spirit guides us in our service to Him. Rather than seeking to take things away from others, we seek to assure them that God loves them and is blessing them with every good thing from His bountiful hand. Rather than being slaves to greed and avarice, which would lead us to live lives of deceit and lovelessness, we are free from the curse of the Law, the power of Sin, and the wiles of Satan. We live today, and each day, as God's dearly beloved children caring for one each other and the world around us believing that true "Godly behavior" is good, excellent, and profitable for ourselves, but more importantly, for others.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for being greedy and selfish, seeking only my good, rather than the good of others. Forgive me for every deceitful action that would lead me to take advantage of others. Be with those who do such things in disobedience to Your Will and purpose and deliver them - and me - from the power of Sin and disobedience that they might live a "godly life," filled with everything good, excellent, and profitable. Father, let my life set an example of such living so that I might never "scam" anyone and all whom I meet might be touched by Jesus with His love and forgiveness. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
***********************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Made Rich By God's Grace In Jesus

"Today's Devotion" For February 16, 2006

Read: I Timothy 6:3-10; Ecclesiastes 5:8-12

MADE RICH BY GOD'S GRACE IN JESUS

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (I Timothy 6:10)

On Tuesday of this week, our local newspaper had an article that typifies our current culture milieu. The article was entitled, "For $5 million, lawyers can ease the pain of indignity." Was this a story of the "legal eagles" flying to the rescue to right an egregious wrong perpetrated by some low-life "scum" who had taken advantage of some poor, defenseless people? Alas, the story only served to let us know that there are "legal eagles" out there who are more concerned with "feathering their nests" than flying to the aid of the "injured."

These "legal eagles" filed a class action lawsuit against a prominent, multi-state cable television provider whom they claimed had sold private information about their customers to marketers. Of course, the consumers who are supposed to be the plaintiffs, for the most part don't know they're supposed to be the plaintiffs - the offended parties - at least not yet. They're going to be contacted when the settlement is reached. In its defense the cable company denies any wrong doing, but the allegations are still there. They've been fighting the lawsuit for the past seven years and determined it would be a better business decision to offer a settlement than to continue to drain company profits - and stockholders' confidence.

What's the settlement you ask? A number of free services to the "injured parties" for a period of a month - including two fee $3.95 Movies On Demand movies, providing one already has digital cable - for which they will have to continue to pay after the "settlement period" is over, or cancel the service. Oh, wait! There's more! It seems the "legal eagles" who have flown to the rescue of aggrieved consumers are going to receive a payment of $5 million. They defend the money settlement because of the length of time they've been working on the lawsuit, the fact that four different law firms have worked on the lawsuit, the fact that this lawsuit was so extraordinarily complex, and that the cable company is now required to have a "privacy officer" who job will be to make sure they don't do it again.

Is anyone, besides me, offended by this? It's not the cable company's alleged "violation" of my privacy that is offensive (we had their service during the four years they're alleged to have sold private information about our household), but the ridiculous nature of the settlement. While the allegedly aggrieved consumer gets next to nothing, how, we may ask, does a month of free services compensate for the loss of one's privacy? And if the consumer's are really the aggrieved and injured parties, why are the "legal eagles" flying high with a $5 dollar settlement? Their answer, of course, is that the money is just recompense for all their hard work bringing this egregious "wrong" to the light of day and a "big, bad corporation" to justice.

Yet, we shouldn't be surprised. This attitude and such actions are taking place every day some place in our nation. When St. Paul wrote to Timothy about the challenges facing God's people in the world, he noted that there were many who thought that "godliness is a means to financial gain" (I Tim. 6:5). Human self-righteousness seeks to validate itself by the financial, material, and power gains it makes when it rights a "wrong" (as defined by the accuser). There are even many Christians who preach a "health and wealth" message that claims that God wants Christians to be financially secure, even rich, often going so far as to claim that Christians who aren't financially secure don't have enough faith. Such claims are in direct contradiction to God's Word, such as Paul's counsel to Timothy. Truly, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (I Tim. 6:10). Certainly a good steward will exercise good judgment to "grow" the resources God gives him or her to care for, but God doesn't promise that the result will be great personal riches.

Money isn't an "accursed" thing. In and of itself it's only a tool of commerce - a means of exchange for the value of good and services provided. Paul's words are quite clear. He doesn't say, as is often misquoted by so many, that the "love of money is 'the' root of all evil," but that it is "a root" of "all kinds of evil." When used for its intended purposes, money becomes a useful tool that God uses to provide us with food, clothing, shelter, health, and other necessities of life. When it's abused, however, as in the case of "frivolous" lawsuits and claims that God wants His children to be wealthy, it becomes a tool for evil and the fueling of greed.

Money has a powerful allure for us sinners. It can take on a life of its own, with no room in that life for a faithful, trusting, and loving relationship with our Father in heaven. By the power of God's Word and the working of His Spirit, however, we are empowered by faith to overcome the temptation to make "money" our god, and put our lives into the hands of our Creator. As we live our lives each day then, we live them with the sure and certain assurance that God will provide, just as He has promised, for our every need. His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of all our sins in Jesus is the greatest wealth He has given us. Living with those great riches, we are empowered to touch the lives of others with Christ's love and compassion, His forgiveness and peace, and share our "wealth" with them. We don't have to "sue" for such blessings; they are ours because we are in Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for every gift and blessing You give me each day which sustain my life and meet my every need. Thank You for the great "wealth" You have given me through faith in Jesus, for how much wealthier can I be than to know Your forgiveness of all my sins because of His sacrifice on the Cross? Forgive me, Father, for too often thinking that "if only I had just a little more money everything would be better." Forgive me for thinking and acting as if my life, my health, and my welfare can only be sustained with more money and more things. Help me to remember that there is no greater treasure than Your forgiveness and the relationship You give me with You in Jesus. By the power of Your Word and Spirit help me to be content with what I have and to live my life as a good steward of Your blessings to me as an example to others. Let me be a faithful and true witness of Your love for humanity in Jesus and let each life I touch be filled with Your blessings. Hear me, gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus. Amen.
******************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Have A New "Heart" - On Jesus

"Today's Devotion" For February 15, 2006

Read: Colossians 3:1-17;Psalm 51

HAVE A NEW "HEART" - ON JESUS

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me...a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:10, 17b)

She was 64 years old. She walked into her doctor's office for a check-up, fully intending to attend a wedding afterward. He told her she couldn't even go home. Her heart was so diseased - a condition that runs in her family - that she needed a heart transplant or she would die. Today, eight years later, now 74 years old, she has seen two great- grandchildren born and life has had a greater meaning for her since that fateful day eight years ago. She received this new "lease on life" because a woman in Kentucky, two years her junior, died and her organs were donated.

She has a "new heart." It was a gift from someone who didn't need it anymore. Because someone said, "Have a new heart – on me," literally, this lady has a new lease on life. It replaced her old, diseased heart which was carrying her to her grave faster than a healthy heart might have done. True, she could have walked out of the doctor's office that day, been hit by a car, and died. It wouldn't have been her heart that put her in the grave, but she still would have been dead and buried, diseased heart and all. If we acknowledge the reality of life, there's not a whole lot that's guaranteed. Life, the most precious of all our "possessions" is, by far, the least guaranteed. It can be snuffed out in an instant, without a second thought, and we're gone from this earth. Our loved ones, our friends, our careers, our property, and our dreams mean nothing in the face of death - dreams that, perhaps, may live on as but distant memories in the minds of those left behind.

While there are many illnesses, diseases, organ failures, and "accidents" that can bring death into our lives, only the heart stands out as, perhaps, the most critical of those things, for without a heart we die. We note, of course, that medical science has developed artificial hearts, but they're not all that reliable and often are rejected by the human body. In the meantime, we can stand the loss of a kidney, have a part of our livers and stomachs removed, lose a limb, a finger, or a toe, or have an appendix removed and we're still able to live, with the assistance, over the long-term, of machines if necessary. While we're also blessed with the medical know-how to harvest and transplant organs, including hearts, we also know that rejection is a very real concern, and most people have to continue to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their lives.

Hearts, however, have an even deeper meaning for life in the Scriptures, for in Scripture the heart is the source of life, the seat of Sin, and the place of relationship with God. While I can't attest to this statement because I haven't fully checked it out, I'm guessing that there isn't a book of the Bible that doesn't speak about the importance one's heart plays in our relationship with God. Jesus cautions us that "out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'...(Matthew 15:19, 20a)." The "heart" is the place of trouble and despair, as evidenced by Jesus' words to the disciples when they were growing fearful about His impending death on the cross, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me" (John 14:1). Psalm 51 is a Psalm of David, who is crying out from an anguished "heart," burdened with the guilt and sorrow of his sins before God. He seeks God's mercy, unfailing love, and forgiveness, asking Him to "create" a pure heart in him - turning him toward God's love and away from Sin's allure and evil. David's cry is for a "heart transplant," a new, pure and holy life dedicated in service to God.

By God's grace in Jesus Christ we, too, have received "heart transplants." In His death and resurrection we have received new life - a new "heart" - for an eternity with Him. We have, by the washing of the water and the Word in Holy Baptism, received full pardon and forgiveness for all our sins, having had them wiped away from God's memory, and have had our "hearts" and lives turned toward Him. Our "hearts" are new again through faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior from Sin. Our "hearts" are renewed and filled with a life filled with God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection brings new life to everyone who believes in Him. It's as if God has come to us and said, :"Have a new 'heart' - on Jesus - and be Mine forever.

Prayer: Father, You have given this world so many blessings that they can't be counted. In fact, Father, it's pretty obvious to me that the world, including me, forgets most of them and rarely acknowledges them. Your gifts to medical science include the ability to transplant organs so that people's lives on earth might continue longer than they might otherwise have continued because the ravages of Sin took their toll. Forgive me for too often failing to recognize and acknowledge Your gifts and blessings to me in my life, particularly taking for granted the "clean heart" and "renewed spirit" You have given me through faith in Jesus. Your forgiveness and love are new to me each morning. Each day, in the power of my Baptism, You remind my by Your Word and Spirit that You have invited me to "have a new 'heart' on Jesus." Fill my "heart" with the joy of this gift and strengthen my faith so that I might share the gift of my new "heart" with others - giving them Your invitation to have a new "heart" as well, on Jesus. In His precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
**********************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Jesus - The Original Valentine

"Today's Devotion" For February 14, 2006

Read: John 10:7-18; Psalm 118

JESUS - THE ORIGINAL "VALENTINE"

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Valentine's Day has traditionally been a day for exchanging professions of love, particularly between men and women. It's a day that has a long history of romantic notions and activities - most focused around the concept of romantic love. In our present day, in many ways, Valentine's Day has become a "Hallmark Day" as cards and small gifts of affection are exchanged (two of my grandnieces made sure we got our "Valentines" from them a week ago already).

But the true history of Valentine's Day goes all the way back to the third century A.D. Valentine was a priest living during the days of the Roman Emperor Claudius. Claudius was having trouble getting volunteers for the armies of Rome. It seems that married men didn't want to leave their wives and children to fight battles, so very few men volunteered for such service. This infuriated Claudius to the point that he decided that he would no longer allow any marriages. Without wives and families about which to be concerned, he would have ample volunteers to fill his armies.

This new law was not well received by the young people, as you can well imagine. They still wanted to get married, and Valentine, the priest, decided to help them. Legend has it that he secretly performed marriages in direct violation of the Emperor's decree, and when he was found out he ended up in prison, sentenced to death. While in prison he was visited often by one of the young people to whom he had been ministering who was the jailer's daughter. They became fast friends. On February 14, 269 Valentine was put to death. Before he died, however, he wrote a letter to his special friend, thanking her for her compassion, friendship, and encouragement. He signed it, "Love, from your Valentine."

While much of the story of St. Valentine is surrounded by legend and conjecture, it does reflect a compassion and commitment to the welfare of others, even under the most trying and dangerous circumstances. In many ways, the story of St. Valentine is the story of a follower of Christ, called to His service, who took to heart Jesus' description of Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. While today we think of Valentine's Day as a day for romance, cards, candy, flowers, and candlelit dinners, the real Valentine in his day reflected the Savior's love to people in dire straits in defiance of, arguably, an unjust law.

As poignant a story as the legend of St. Valentine is, it can't hold a candle to the world's original Valentine - our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In defiance of all the powers arrayed against Him - the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Herod, Satan, and the Roman Empire - Jesus proclaimed the Good News of salvation in Him according to the promises of the Father. They couldn't "shut Him up," nor could they answer His challenges. Wherever they looked, He was showing them that their way wasn't God's way. The end was inevitable, as the Father, and He, always knew, and He went the way of the Cross - suffering death and the judgment of the Father for our sins.

So great is the love of our Lord Jesus Christ for you and me and the whole world, that He gave His life for our redemption and the forgiveness of all of our sins. As we commemorate and remember St. Valentine's Day today, may we be pointed to the first and only true "Valentine" - love letter from God - our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the One who made the priest, Valentine, of the third century, "St. Valentine," as the Spirit led him to live his faith by serving others, regardless of the danger to his own life. In that, however, Valentine wasn't breaking new ground, but following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus, as we are all called by faith to do. As we exchange our greeting of love and affection with our loved ones this day, let's also remember that our love for each other has no staying power without Christ's love living in us. So, in Christ's love and service, have a very Happy and Blessed Valentine's Day.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your great love and compassion for me so that You sent Jesus to be my Savior from Sin, Death, and Satan. Thank You for giving me examples of faith and love, such as Valentine who lived his life, according to tradition, in a way that loved others in Your name, regardless of the consequences to himself. Help me to live my life with the same joy, peace, and boldness in Jesus so that I may be an effective and faithful witness to Your love as I live in Your love and share it with others so they, too, might be forever with You in heaven. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
******************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 13, 2006

God Is Our Refuge And Strength

"Today's Devotion" For February 13, 2006

Read: Psalm 71; Psalm 9

GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will honor Me." (Ps. 50:15)

If you pick up any daily newspaper in the United States, today or any other day, it's a good bet that there will be reports with headings such as the following: "1 man dies, 1 is injured in shooting near bar;" "Shot fired into house kills...woman;" "Car veers from road, strikes...man;" "...woman killed in crash identified;" "Victim identified in...crash;" "Trial set for man accused of fatally stabbing friend." It's a seeminly endless list and only covers a small section of the local news section of the daily newspaper. If we add in the news from the surrounding communities, the state, the nation, and the world we get a picture of a pretty dangerous world.

Every day of our lives we face the reality and inevitability of injury, pain, suffering, famine, war, death, and a host of other "maladies" that threaten our well-being, safety, comfort, and our lives. For some people this reality is too painful and they hide in their homes, afraid to venture forth much past their front doors. Parents are concerned when their children are driving on the roads, especially if they're new drivers. A random shot fired in the night, for no apparent reason, barely finds the inside edge of a window and kills a 46-year old woman in her own home and injures a family member. A child on a school playground during recess on a school day, perhaps a thousand yards away from an altercation, is hit by a bullet fired in anger. And, it seems, each day another group of people are killed by acts of war or terrorism somewhere in the world.

With all the violence, pain, suffering, and death that are out in the world around us, it's a wonder that more people don't just stay home. In many of the central cities of the nation, fear is a constant companion of children, parents, and other residents. Violent crimes are a staple of many such communities, but they aren't totally alone. Many of the suburbs are also showing increases in violent crimes, many associated with drug dealings and unfettered rage and anger at other people - "road rage" comes to mind.

So how do we, as God's people, redeemed in Jesus Christ, respond to such fear, danger, and uncertainty? Our Lord Jesus Christ often started His teaching by saying, "Don't be afraid." He always goes on to show us that, no matter the trouble and danger we might face in our lives, we are held in the very palm of God's hand and nothing can separate us from His love. Regardless of the challenges we might face today or tomorrow or the next day, or month, or year, or in our lifetimes He assures us that He is always with us and encourages us: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and You will honor Me" (Ps. 50:15). Peter reminds us to "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (I Peter 5:7).

Today is another Monday. It's the beginning of another "work week." As we venture forth on our various activities of life, sustained by the Word of God and filled with the hope of His promises to us in Jesus Christ, we do so with a glad heart, unafraid of the challenges ahead of us. We stand firm in Jesus' love, comforted by His grace and mercy, and assured by His forgiveness that we are His very own people. He is our "refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1)

Prayer: Father, it's very easy to grow despondent with each piece of "bad news" read or heard in the news media. So often the "bad news" overwhelms the "good news." Free my heart and spirit so that I might not be overwhelmed by the "bad news" that occurs every day, nor stand in fear of what "might happen to me," in daily living. Rather, Father, help me to be always ready to be called home into Your eternal presence. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, keep me also ready to face any trial, any trouble, any pain, and any sorrow, knowing that You are with me and hold me in the very palm of Your hand. Let my life be a living testimony to the hope, peace, joy, and love You offer to everyone in Christ Jesus, so they, too, might not be afraid of living - for life is a precious gift from You. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
***************

--Pastor Boeck.

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

A Face To Face Friendship With God

"Today's Devotion" For February 11, 2006

Read: Exodus 33:7-11; Numbers 12:1-6

A FACE TO FACE FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

"The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend." (Exodus 33:11)

How many friends do you have? My son and I were discussing this just the other day. As I mentioned earlier this week, he had been home on predeployment leave from the Marine Corps (he goes back to Iraq in a month) and had spent a great deal of time with his friends. I noted that it was a pleasant surprise that he came home as he had earlier determined he wouldn’t be home until October, when he returned from Iraq. He responded that, besides seeing us, he needed to see his friends before he left. He didn’t want to wait until he came back to the States. After all, he noted, he only has a few people he can really call "friends" - people who will stick with him in "thick and thin," "come hell or high water." That’s something I to which I can relate – perhaps that’s true of you also.

There's no doubt that a true friendship is one of the most valuable and beneficial resources any of us have in our lives. To have at least one human being besides a spouse, parents, brothers, sisters, sons, or daughters to depend upon is critical to our well-being as persons - someone in addition to our loved ones who won't turn his or her back on us even if we've committed the most heinous deed. It's a relationship born out of shared experiences, shared values, and, most especially, a shared faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. To have one such friend in life, besides one's spouse, parents, siblings, or children, is to be doubly blessed by God.

However, no matter how intimate and fulfilling a relationship we may have with members of our families or a close, personal, true friend, nothing can compare with the offer of friendship our Father in heaven offers us. There is, perhaps, no greater picture of this truth than that which is found in the Book of Exodus, where we read that "the Lord would speak to Moses, as a man speaks with his friend" (Ex. 33:11). Every time I read this section of Scripture I am awestruck by this picture. So great was the depth of relationship God had with Moses that Moses actually heard God speaking to him - they were "face-to-face," if you will, in their conversations. It's a picture of the kind of friendship our heavenly Father offers to each of us through faith in Jesus Christ. It's a picture of the friendship our heavenly Father establishes with us through the washing of Holy Baptism, as His Word and Spirit cleanse us from our sins and declare us to be His own dear children in Christ. It's a picture of the friendship our heavenly Father offers to each of us when He calls us to read His Word and bring our petitions and intercessions before Him in prayer.

Today, February 11, 2006, is a Saturday. Tomorrow, Sunday, a good many of us will be worshipping once more in the company of our fellow believers in a church. Those of us who attend a church that has a more formal liturgy, will be reminded that we are entering into the House of God and, thus, are being ushered into His presence. Through the Word and Sacraments God will be coming to us and speaking to us :"as a man speaks to his friend," so that we might be lifted up to Him and bask in His majesty and rejoice in His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

The intimate friendship that God offers to us in Jesus Christ is just that - His offering to us. We don't go looking for Him - He comes looking for us to save us from ourselves. Our heavenly Father's greatest statement of friendship and love is Jesus Christ, His one and only Son, who took on our human form, put Himself under obedience to God's Law in our stead, and then, as the sinless, perfect, and holy Son of God, carried the burden and guilt of our sins upon Himself on the Cross - in our place. Because of Christ, God looks at us now through Jesus' blood and righteousness and sees as spotless, pure, and holy - cleansed of all Sin. Truly, in Christ, we also have that special gift of God offered to us, just as He offered it to Moses - a face to face friendship with God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have called me by name in Holy Baptism and made me Your very own child. You have forgiven me of all my sins and declared me holy and righteous before You for the sake of Christ. Send Your Holy Spirit to help me to grow in faith toward You that my relationship with You, through Christ my Lord and Savior, may grow more and more intimate. Bring me into a "face to face relationship with You" each day of my life through the power of my Baptism and the strengthening of my faith through You Word and Spirit. As You spoke to Moses, the prophets, the apostles, and all Your Church on earth in past times, speak also to me, gracious Father, that I may grow ever closer to You and ever more faithful in my service to You and others in Jesus' name. Amen.
******************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 10, 2006

Living As People Belonging To God

"Today's Devotion" For February 10, 2006

Read: I Peter 2:9-12; Isaiah 43:1-21

LIVING AS PEOPLE BELONGING TO GOD

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God..."(I Peter 2:9)

There's a commercial currently airing on television which is promoting a particular mortgage company's offer to consolidate debt with their special brand of home equity loans. The commercial is centered on a man who lives in the "right kind of neighborhood," drives a new "right kind of vehicle," has the "right membership in a country club, has a "perfect family," a "perfect swimming pool," and a "perfect lawn." He asks how we like each of these things he has, and then responds with, "How do I do it? I'm in debt up to my eyeballs. Somebody help me.!"

Every time I see this commercial I'm reminded of the old "keep up with the Joneses" mentality that was often used in my younger days. It was a way to describe people's obsession with having more things than their neighbors. It was especially understood to be a "suburban thing," much like the focus of the aforementioned commercial. In both cases, the principle and point is the same: "How do I feel special unless I've got all these 'things?'"

Human nature has a tendency to identify "success" or "failure" by the amount and value of material possessions or memberships in the "right kind" of organizations. Thus, from a human perspective, Peter's description of God's people, redeemed by Jesus Christ, should mean that Christians are wildly "successful," have "valuable material possessions," and "auras of invincibility" around their heads. How else would human beings understand Peter's description of God's redeemed children as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God," unless such a description suggested an "elitism" unacceptable to the world.

The reality of a life of faith in Jesus Christ is that God considers us to be His own special people. We are unique and different in God's eyes, but not because of what we own or what positions we hold in commerce, industry, politics, the church, or the Kiwanis Club." We are unique and different in the eyes of God, but not because we have more money, are better looking (although that could be argued for some of us :>)), or are smarter "than the average bear."

What makes us unique and different is solely God's doing. In His great love for the world and all of creation He determined from the Fall into Sin in Eden to redeem the world and creation from the powers of Sin, Death, and Satan. Inexorably, over the millennia, God continued to work our His plan for salvation until the time was right for the work to be done. Then He came into the world Himself, in the person and form of Jesus Christ. He was God's only begotten Son, who lived the holy, perfect life we couldn't live in order to bear the sins of the whole world on His head. He took our place on the Cross where His opened the door to heaven as God's accepted that sacrifice as the final payment for our sins, once and for all time. Jesus' sacrifice brings home the reality of God's love and His forgiveness for all who believe.

Thus, by God's grace, in Christ we are all that Peter describes us to be. By God's grace we are a unique and special people with a unique and special purpose. We are called into God's family, forgiven of all of our sins, live lives of daily repentance and faith so that we might be beacons of the light of God's grace to a lost and fallen world. In Christ we are truly unique and special, "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God," whose sole and only purpose in life is to live for Christ and in word and deed share His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with the world. Instead of lamenting "someone help me" as the man in the mortgage company commercial, we are sharing Jesus so that He can lift them out of the despair of Sin into the marvelous light of God's grace. That's what make God's people, you and me, unique, special, chosen, and God's own people - we are focused, not on ourselves, but on Jesus and reaching others for Him.

Prayer: Father, too often I measure myself and my value based upon the standards of the world and how others might treat me or see me. Forgive me for forgetting that the only standards that count are Yours, and Your standards are focused in Christ, and it is through His righteousness that You see me. Help me to understand how very special I am in Your eyes and lead me to respond in humble gratitude by living a God-pleasing life as an example to the world of Your mercy and grace. Hear me, O Father, for the sake of Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
*****************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

The Only Thing Left Is To Trust In The Lord

"Today's Devotion" For February 9, 2006

Read: Psalm 46; Psalm 91

THE ONLY THING LEFT IS TO TRUST IN THE LORD

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

One of the most challenging issues of life is not being in control of every circumstance. I don't know about you, but I like to have control. Some people have even suggested that I'm a "control freak." Regardless of the accuracy of such perceptions, the truth is that I get frustrated when there's no way to control what's going on. Whenever that happens one of two things, motivated by my sinful nature, can happen. Either I respond in frustration with excessive vigor or I shut down and get depressed. In either case, the affect on my mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness, not to speak of my relationships with God and other people, is devastating.

This morning our older son, Matthew, returned to Marine Corps Base, Twenty-nine Palms, California. He had been home on predeployment leave for the past ten days and is due to return to Iraq in March. As I dropped him off at the airport and said goodbye, I had another of those, "I'm not in control" moments. He's scheduled to return in October, God willing, but there are no guarantees. While that's true of every situation where our loved ones depart from us, as time goes by I find that it becomes more pronounced when it entails a hostile place and armed conflict. I'm not in control. It's not possible. Only God's hand can do what must be done and will be done.

There is no other circumstance quite like seeing an offspring head off to war. While one can intellectually recognize that our loved ones - children, spouses, relatives, and friends - are subject to all sorts of dangers every day - disease, car accidents, violent crime - it seems to me that none of these has the same impact as knowing a child (or a spouse) is going off to a hostile place where bullets, bombs, and explosives punctuate the life of the people every day. I'm not discounting the feelings of doubt and fear that enter into the lives of the families of policemen and firefighters; what is most disconcerting about the circumstances of war is that our loved ones are gone for long periods of time (months, years as opposed to an eight-hour shift), completely out of touch (even with the internet and modern communications). We see them when we see them, and there's nothing more that can be done about it.

It's in such circumstances that one really begins to understand that "the only thing left to do is to trust in the Lord." He promises to send His angels to watch over us and keep us safe as we walk with Him each day. He promises to "cover (us)"with His feathers and under His wings (we) will find refuge" (Ps. 91:4a). He assures us that He is faithful and that He will be our "shield and rampart" (v.4b). Our Lord promises us that we have nothing to fear, whether it be the forces of darkness or the evil that would plague our lives; whether we face war and pestilence or scorn and ridicule, His presence is with us and His love uplifts us.

Some of the more encouraging words of comfort and strength in Scripture come to us in Psalm 46. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea..." (Ps. 46:1, 2). The Psalmist goes on to talk about the great deeds of God in the earth on behalf of His children and finishes with the reminder and the promise: "The Lord almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (v. 11).

No matter what we face in life, nor how "out of control" life might seem to be for us, God is still in control. He never leaves us or forsakes us. Not only are we always in the palm of His hand, with His angels watching over us, but so are all our loved ones. Our prayers are always that God would send His angels to protect our loved ones, send His Spirit to keep them in faith and a loving relationship with Him, and remind us that no matter the circumstances we or our loved ones may experience "the only thing left to do is trust in the Lord" with all our heart. It brings an incredible sense of peace and joy to our lives and chases frustration and worry away.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your great love for me in Jesus. You send Your angels to watch over me and my loved ones out of Your marvelous grace and mercy. Even when i forget to trust You and want to wrest control of my life out of Your loving and almighty hands, You continue to lift me up and keep me safe in Your arms. Help me to remember today, and every day, that no matter the challenges I face, no matter the lack of control over my and my loved ones lives and circumstances, that You are always present and providing for every need. Above, help me to live confidently in Your redemption of me in Christ Jesus that I may put away frustration and fear and live in You joy and peace. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
***********************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Living In Christ - A Daily Challenge

"Today's Devotion" For February 8, 2006

Read: Romans 7:14-25; Galatians 5:16-26

LIVING IN CHRIST - A DAILY CHALLENGE

"For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (Romans 7:18b-20)

As I write today, I'm engaging in some personal "therapy," so I ask you to please bear with me. Last night I did something I haven't done in six years of varsity basketball announcing at our children's high school. I jumped on the officiating. At the announcer's table I'm supposed to keep quiet and keep my opinions to myself. It's a place of neutrality, and even though I didn't say anything into the microphone, I did verbalize it a coupe of time loudly enough for one of the officials to hear me. I could try to excuse myself by saying that I've reached a heretofore unknown frustration level with the play of my daughter's team and, in my opinion, the quality of the officiating. Last night I gave voice to that frustration in a way that was embarrassing to others (a few who were aware of what I'd said) as well as me. I humbly apologized for my actions, yet, last night and this morning the whole situation is still plaguing me to the point that I didn't sleep well and was exceedingly short with my dear wife this morning.

Perhaps you know what I'm talking about. Have you ever found yourself so frustrated by things that are out of your control that you lash out, doing or saying "stupid" things? It's been happening to me a lot lately and I'm certain that there's some "spiritual sifting" going on - Sin and Satan are doing their best to frustrate me, and, unfortunately, I seem to be cooperating. Perhaps you've noticed that in yourself from time to time. It's the "what to do about it" that's the real challenge. I don't like what I've done or how I've been feeling. I'm not happy that I've said or done things that were disrespectful or hurtful to others - loved ones or others. The clue to the solution comes in the word "SIN" - there are a lot of "I's" in these two paragraphs - for it's not about "ME" but rather about how God uses me, and you, to glorify Him and honor Him as we live for Him and share His love with others through our words and actions.

When our actions and words fail to honor God and reflect His love to others, the effects on us can be, to say the least, horrible. When we let our sinful nature and the world around us get under our skin and we react to it rather than responding to God's love, grace, and mercy the results are not very becoming to us. Certainly they are not a reflection of God's love, nor do such actions or words honor Him. On top of all that such behavior only serves to put other people down and, if it doesn't bother you or me, then we've really got a problem with our relationship with God.

St. Paul often writes about the temptations and challenges that plagued him in his life as an apostle and disciple of Jesus Christ. As he strove to live in Christ he was painfully aware of Sin living in him and working to lead him to live contrary to God's will. Certainly, as we read his words in Romans 7 and Galatians 5, we recognize those very same challenges and temptations in our own lives as well. It's so very easy to act like everyone else. It's really easy to talk about what it means to be a Christian example to others - quite another to carry it out without fail and a daily basis and every circumstance of life that we might face.

There is great comfort in Paul's words when we face our failures to be good examples of those who are in Christ. As we read them, it's not too difficult to see that he, too, was struggling with the power of Sin in his life. Did he have sleepless nights because of things he'd said or done that hurt others? I'm guessing he did or he wasn't human. Did he feel frustrated that he couldn't control things? No doubt he did (cf. II Corinthians 12:7-10). It's one of the realities of life that Sin affects our world for ill and we can't avoid it.

Thankfully, in the face of our sins, in Christ there is forgiveness and strength to overcome them. In Christ we can be certain that our sins are forgotten by God for Jesus' sake - in His forgiveness He no longer remembers them. While we might continue to dwell on our sinful failures to serve God, in His forgiveness of our sins He declares that He does not. We are the ones who need to truly understand that repenting and trusting in God's forgiveness for us in Christ means that we, too, need to "forget it" and move on, both personally and in our dealings with others.

Each day that challenge to live in Christ and the forgiveness of sins looms large. Each day we face circumstances which lead us to do or say things we know we shouldn't be doing - yet we do them anyhow. In each of our lives we are faced with circumstances over which we have no control leading to frustration and saying and doing things which are not representative of a child of God. And, each day, in every circumstance, in the face of all challenges, problems, difficulties, and temptations, our heavenly Father sends us His love through His Word and Spirit so that we migh know His forgiveness and be comforted in His arms. Living in Christ is certainly a daily challenge. It's also a marvelous blessing and brings peace to our souls and spirits everyday.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for failing to truly represent You in all of my life. Forgive me for lashing out at others in my frustration at not being in control of every circumstance, situation, or other people's actions. Forgive me, also, gracious Father, for my failure to receive Your forgiveness as I often dwell on how I've failed - even losing sleep over it. Help me, by the power of Your Word and Spirit, to turn everything over to You and receive Your forgiveness with joy and peace. Guide my actions and words so that they might not reflect my frustrations but Your love for me and others in Christ. Help me to be a loving and gracious example of Your mercy and peace in Christ so that others might be brought to Jesus by my example. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
***********************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.