"Today's Devotion" For March 31, 2006
Read: John 2:1-11; Psalm 77
DO YOU NEED A MIRACLE TODAY?
"This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him." (John 2:11)
Do you need a miracle? Do you even believe in miracles? Most people will talk flippantly about it "taking a miracle" in order for some significant change from the norm to take place or a person to change their normal behavior. Ultimately, though, most such conversation is "wishing" because those "wishing" don't expect anything of significance to happen. But, when it comes to what miracles really are, believing in them requires a lot more than wishful thinking.
When the Bible talks about miracles, it is speaking about an act of God that suspends the laws of nature as He created them to be. We're most familiar with Jesus' miracles, such as changing water into wine at the Wedding in Cana (John 2), yet there were miracles as well throughout the Old Testament. John clearly defines the intent and substance of miracles when he call them "miraculous signs." They are events God uses to provide in a special way for His people and to reveal His glory and majesty, as John also notes in John 2:11. While miracles reveal God's glory and majesty, His power and His love, they are only meant for His people - Jesus' miracles never led anyone to believe in Him, only to confirm their faith in Him.
All too often people are looking for "miracles" when what they're really looking for is the Lord's guidance and some evidence that He's at work in their lives. A woman prays for a "miracle" because her husband's company is facing daily financial, production, and personnel setbacks. Another calls upon our Father in heaven to perform a "miracle" so that she and her husband might get help with their finances and save their home while he's out of work. These aren't situations calling for miracles but for God's guidance and blessings to overcome difficult situations and to provide for basic needs.
So, do you need a miracle? Do you need God to suspend the laws of nature and accomplish something for you that goes against the norm? Do you believe in miracles, trusting that God can do anything and can make good things happen despite all evidence and circumstances to the contrary? Just believing that God can stay or accelerate the basic laws of the universe to accomplish His Will and purpose for our lives isn't the point of God's miracles - His miraculous signs. Rather, believing in God's miracles is to belive that He accomplishes extraordinary things in our lives to encourage us and strengthen our faith. That's the kind of miracle God's forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love in Jesus is all about, for in Christ, God suspends His Law and declares us to be righteous and holy because Jesus paid the full price for our sins on the Cross.
That's the miracle that happens by faith in our lives every day. Do we need a miracle in our lives? Absolutely. Ever day. For we are in need of God's love and forgiveness in Christ, which overcomes every bit of Sin's power in our lives, so that we can live in Him and be with Him forever. The greatest miracle of our lives is repeated over and over again as God's Spirit lifts us up to Him and assures us that we are His beloved, redeemed, and forgiven people in Christ. The greatest miracle of our lives is repeated over and over again as we are strengthened in His forgiveness and love to share that love and forgiveness in Christ with others - fearlessly and courageously, lovingly and gladly.
Thus, in His grace, mercy, and love, our Father in heaven performs the miracle of faith in our lives every time we bow before our heavenly Father, asking Him to heal diseases that have defeated us and the doctors and He provides the healing. His miracle of faith occurs every time we share God's love in Christ Jesus with lost sinners and they come to repentance and faith. We experience God's great miracle of faith at work every time we face the pounding seas, the blustery winds, and the hurricanes and typhoons of life, and God calms the seas, quiets the winds, and stills the storms, giving us life and hope. This is the miracle of faith that our Father performs everyday of our lives, as He keeps us in His loving arms and upholds us in the palm of His hand. So, do you need a miracle today? You bet! And you can be sure that God will provide it.
Prayer: "Lord, I need a miracle today!" I need Your forgiveness and mercy and grace and love in Jesus Christ. I need You to remind me by Your Word and Spirit that You have made me Your very own child in Christ Jesus and that I experience the miracle of Your forgiveness each and every day in Him. As I walk through the "storms" of life, help me to seek Your guidance and to see Your hand at work in my behalf. Guide me in my life of faith, trusting that You will see me through every difficult time, giving me the courage and strength necessary to overcome each day's challenges. Father, work the miracle of faith in the hearts of those who don't yet know Your love in Christ, and make me an instrument to bring that about. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*************************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Hope For The Broken And Contrite Heart
"Today's Devotion" For March 30, 2006
Read: Psalm 51; Matthew 11:28-30
HOPE FOR THE BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:17)
In recent days, the Congress has been debating the issue of "illegal immigration." Of course, those who feel they're the primary targets are people who are originally from the Southern Hemisphere of the Americas. We're told that there are somewhere between 11 and 12 million such immigrants who are in the United States illegally. Great concern has been registered in some quarters about the stress and strain such numbers put on social support systems which provide assistance to the poor (of which many of these folks are). As with any situation involving people "problems" there are myriad opinions and proposed solutions. It's a situation and set of concerns that are not going to go away.
As I've observed the response of various groups of people to this pending legislation, one thing has become quite clear. For the most part it appears that the vast majority of those who fall under the classification of "illegal immigrant," don't believe they've done anything wrong. The laws of the land, prohibiting such immigration appear to be inconsequential to them. This seems quite obvious from the demonstrations against the legislation by those who aren't even citizens of the United States, waving flags from on of their home countries and declaring their "allegiance" to that country - while all the while receiving benefits from this country. It strikes me as being quite arrogant and certainly not contrite.
I only use the above example because it so clearly demonstrates one of the things that is so prevalent in all of us (this is not a political discussion on the pros and cons of immigration reform legislation). We human beings don't like to be told we're wrong, we don't like to be told we can't do something, and we don't like to be faced with the just consequences of our sinful behavior. We'll make excuses that such and such a law is wrong, especially if it suits our opinion or selfish desire. We'll defend ourselves as the sole purveyors of truth, even when the opposite reality is staring us in the face. Too often, instead of accepting our need for repentance and contrition over our sins, we instead seek to justify our behavior, trivialize the laws we've broken, and do whatever we can to mitigate the consequences of our sins by shifting the blame to others.
King David was no stranger to such behavior himself. He had disobeyed God by having Uriah the Hittite killed in battle while having an adulterous affair with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. She became pregnant; Uriah was killed; David took her as a new wife. From the account of Scripture, David exhibited no remorse, no guilt, and no contrition. That is, until the prophet Nathan called him on the carpet. Psalm 51 is the response of a sinner with a broken spirit, standing before God with a broken and contrite heart, acknowledging his sins and seeking God's forgiveness. David understood the full ramifications of his sins and accepted them (cf. 2 Samuel 12) as the just punishment and discipline of God for his disobedience. Psalm 51 not only acknowledges his sins before God, but proclaims the grace, mercy, and love of God toward those who repent.
Our world is not a place where people willingly and regularly stand before God with "broken and contrite" hearts. Yet, as those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, standing before our Father in heaven with broken and contrite hearts on a daily basis is essential. We need His forgiveness every moment of the day, even as we face the very real consequences of our sinful behavior as well as that of the world around us. Rather than being overwhelmed by guilt and remorse, God calls us in Christ to face our sinfulness with confident trust in His love and forgiveness. By His grace we stand cleansed of our sins before Him and empowered by His love to live for Him and share Jesus with others. Arrogance has no part in the lives of God's people; a humble and loving spirit motivated by God's love in Jesus accomplishes a whole lot more.
Prayer: Father, having a broken and contrite heart isn't something I want to deal with in my daily life. It's all too true that I think more highly of myself than I really ought to think, as You have reminded me through the Apostle Paul. When my sins and my disobedience to You are pointed out - and breaking the law of the land is just as much disobedience to You as lying, cheating, and stealing - I'm all too inclined to wave them away and discount the seriousness of my behavior to my relationship with You and others. Father, for the sake of Jesus, I ask Your forgiveness. Fill me with the power of Your Word and Spirit so that I might always have a "broken and contrite heart" before You - putting aside the arrogance of Sin and standing before You with a humble spirit willing to hear and obey Your Will. Lead me to live my life humbly and graciously so that I might be a living and loving witness to the world of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
*******************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Psalm 51; Matthew 11:28-30
HOPE FOR THE BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:17)
In recent days, the Congress has been debating the issue of "illegal immigration." Of course, those who feel they're the primary targets are people who are originally from the Southern Hemisphere of the Americas. We're told that there are somewhere between 11 and 12 million such immigrants who are in the United States illegally. Great concern has been registered in some quarters about the stress and strain such numbers put on social support systems which provide assistance to the poor (of which many of these folks are). As with any situation involving people "problems" there are myriad opinions and proposed solutions. It's a situation and set of concerns that are not going to go away.
As I've observed the response of various groups of people to this pending legislation, one thing has become quite clear. For the most part it appears that the vast majority of those who fall under the classification of "illegal immigrant," don't believe they've done anything wrong. The laws of the land, prohibiting such immigration appear to be inconsequential to them. This seems quite obvious from the demonstrations against the legislation by those who aren't even citizens of the United States, waving flags from on of their home countries and declaring their "allegiance" to that country - while all the while receiving benefits from this country. It strikes me as being quite arrogant and certainly not contrite.
I only use the above example because it so clearly demonstrates one of the things that is so prevalent in all of us (this is not a political discussion on the pros and cons of immigration reform legislation). We human beings don't like to be told we're wrong, we don't like to be told we can't do something, and we don't like to be faced with the just consequences of our sinful behavior. We'll make excuses that such and such a law is wrong, especially if it suits our opinion or selfish desire. We'll defend ourselves as the sole purveyors of truth, even when the opposite reality is staring us in the face. Too often, instead of accepting our need for repentance and contrition over our sins, we instead seek to justify our behavior, trivialize the laws we've broken, and do whatever we can to mitigate the consequences of our sins by shifting the blame to others.
King David was no stranger to such behavior himself. He had disobeyed God by having Uriah the Hittite killed in battle while having an adulterous affair with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. She became pregnant; Uriah was killed; David took her as a new wife. From the account of Scripture, David exhibited no remorse, no guilt, and no contrition. That is, until the prophet Nathan called him on the carpet. Psalm 51 is the response of a sinner with a broken spirit, standing before God with a broken and contrite heart, acknowledging his sins and seeking God's forgiveness. David understood the full ramifications of his sins and accepted them (cf. 2 Samuel 12) as the just punishment and discipline of God for his disobedience. Psalm 51 not only acknowledges his sins before God, but proclaims the grace, mercy, and love of God toward those who repent.
Our world is not a place where people willingly and regularly stand before God with "broken and contrite" hearts. Yet, as those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, standing before our Father in heaven with broken and contrite hearts on a daily basis is essential. We need His forgiveness every moment of the day, even as we face the very real consequences of our sinful behavior as well as that of the world around us. Rather than being overwhelmed by guilt and remorse, God calls us in Christ to face our sinfulness with confident trust in His love and forgiveness. By His grace we stand cleansed of our sins before Him and empowered by His love to live for Him and share Jesus with others. Arrogance has no part in the lives of God's people; a humble and loving spirit motivated by God's love in Jesus accomplishes a whole lot more.
Prayer: Father, having a broken and contrite heart isn't something I want to deal with in my daily life. It's all too true that I think more highly of myself than I really ought to think, as You have reminded me through the Apostle Paul. When my sins and my disobedience to You are pointed out - and breaking the law of the land is just as much disobedience to You as lying, cheating, and stealing - I'm all too inclined to wave them away and discount the seriousness of my behavior to my relationship with You and others. Father, for the sake of Jesus, I ask Your forgiveness. Fill me with the power of Your Word and Spirit so that I might always have a "broken and contrite heart" before You - putting aside the arrogance of Sin and standing before You with a humble spirit willing to hear and obey Your Will. Lead me to live my life humbly and graciously so that I might be a living and loving witness to the world of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
*******************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Blessed By Our Father's Discipline
"Today's Devotion" For March 29, 2006
Read: Hebrews 12: 7-11; Proverbs 3:11-12
BLESSED BY OUR FATHER'S DISCIPLINE
"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness." (Hebrews 12:10)
What do you think of when you hear the word "discipline?" For some, the term has negative connotations of "harsh" treatment by a parent or a teacher when they were young. For others it's a term which describes the manner in which they carry out a task, train their bodies and minds to perform, or what they do in order to correct misbehavior in a student, and inmate, or a child. For still others, "discipline" is what is instilled through military training so that the members of a unit act as one and survive the rigors of combat. In the end, it can reasonably be said that when we hear the word, "discipline," it raises a number of different emotions in all of us.
How about the word "punishment?" What comes to mind when you hear that word? For the most part, we're not apt to respond in a positive way to it. When one is punished it means that they've done something wrong, if only understood as being wrong by the one dispensing the punishment. While people for the most part accept the idea that "punishment" is the just desserts of one's disobedience to authority as defined by the law, both of God and of the state, there are many who consider themselves above any law and don't deserve to be punished for their wrongdoing. No matter how much one might accept the fact that they deserve to be punished, it can be safely said that no one looks forward to it, nor really wants to go through it.
Thus, "Discipline" and "punishment," when used in the same breath, generally carry no good connotations for us. We cringe at the mention of these words, hoping to avoid any application of them to our own lives, especially from the outside. In many ways such thinking isn't far off base, because so often the discipline and punishment that are administered by others, including those who love us, isn't always good, right, or deserved. There's no doubt, either, that we are often our own worst enemies and continue to punish ourselves long after it's helpful and salvific. Because, ultimately, from the point of view of our Father in heaven, all discipline and punishment are to be salvific - they are intended to be redemptive so that we might receive the full benefit of being His dearly beloved children - it's important that we understand them from His perspective.
By God's grace in Jesus Christ, He has called us to Himself and made us His very children. Scripture uses the term "sons" (Hebrews 12:7) in myriad places, in order to remind us that we have been restored to a full relationship with our heavenly Father in Jesus. In Christ, we receive the full rights as sons that He has. And, as His "sons," our Father in heaven, because of His great love for us, disciplines us for our good. We receive the just consequences (punishment) for our sins so that we might be not be lost to Him anymore. While our earthly fathers may fail us, the civil authorities unfairly accuse us, and the people around us treat us poorly, our Father in heaven never fails us and never falsely accuses us. He knows our hearts, He sees our sins, He understands our doubts and failures - and He continues to love us and discipline us so that we might know He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever.
God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness temper His discipline and punishment for Sin. Because Jesus paid the full price - the just punishment - for our sins, we no longer are afraid of receiving the full judgment and wrath of God toward Sin. Forgiven in Christ, we have been restored to our Father. Each day we live with confidence and hope that He holds us in the palm of His hand, cares for us as He gives us "our daily bread," and disciplines us for our good and the strengthening of our relationship with Him. His love underlies everything He does for us. It's our motivation for loving one another, forgiving one another, and eagerly sharing His love in Christ with others so they, too, might come to faith in Jesus, walk in newness of life, be called God's "sons," and be truly blessed by God's discipline.
Prayer: Father, I thank You with all my being for loving me so much that You discipline me and make certain I experience the just desserts for my disobedience so that I may not be lost to You. I also praise and thank You for tempering Your wrath toward Sin by the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus so that in Him I'm not destroyed by my sins - my disobedience to You - but forgiven and restored to You. Help me to accept Your loving discipline and punishment as the acts of a loving Father rather than an angry Judge. Lead me to live in your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness every day so that I might share these blessings in my relationships with others. Strengthen me by Your Word and Spirit, encourage me with Your baptismal grace, and empower me with Your love to be a living witness to others of what it means to be "a son" who is restored to You in Jesus; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Hebrews 12: 7-11; Proverbs 3:11-12
BLESSED BY OUR FATHER'S DISCIPLINE
"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness." (Hebrews 12:10)
What do you think of when you hear the word "discipline?" For some, the term has negative connotations of "harsh" treatment by a parent or a teacher when they were young. For others it's a term which describes the manner in which they carry out a task, train their bodies and minds to perform, or what they do in order to correct misbehavior in a student, and inmate, or a child. For still others, "discipline" is what is instilled through military training so that the members of a unit act as one and survive the rigors of combat. In the end, it can reasonably be said that when we hear the word, "discipline," it raises a number of different emotions in all of us.
How about the word "punishment?" What comes to mind when you hear that word? For the most part, we're not apt to respond in a positive way to it. When one is punished it means that they've done something wrong, if only understood as being wrong by the one dispensing the punishment. While people for the most part accept the idea that "punishment" is the just desserts of one's disobedience to authority as defined by the law, both of God and of the state, there are many who consider themselves above any law and don't deserve to be punished for their wrongdoing. No matter how much one might accept the fact that they deserve to be punished, it can be safely said that no one looks forward to it, nor really wants to go through it.
Thus, "Discipline" and "punishment," when used in the same breath, generally carry no good connotations for us. We cringe at the mention of these words, hoping to avoid any application of them to our own lives, especially from the outside. In many ways such thinking isn't far off base, because so often the discipline and punishment that are administered by others, including those who love us, isn't always good, right, or deserved. There's no doubt, either, that we are often our own worst enemies and continue to punish ourselves long after it's helpful and salvific. Because, ultimately, from the point of view of our Father in heaven, all discipline and punishment are to be salvific - they are intended to be redemptive so that we might receive the full benefit of being His dearly beloved children - it's important that we understand them from His perspective.
By God's grace in Jesus Christ, He has called us to Himself and made us His very children. Scripture uses the term "sons" (Hebrews 12:7) in myriad places, in order to remind us that we have been restored to a full relationship with our heavenly Father in Jesus. In Christ, we receive the full rights as sons that He has. And, as His "sons," our Father in heaven, because of His great love for us, disciplines us for our good. We receive the just consequences (punishment) for our sins so that we might be not be lost to Him anymore. While our earthly fathers may fail us, the civil authorities unfairly accuse us, and the people around us treat us poorly, our Father in heaven never fails us and never falsely accuses us. He knows our hearts, He sees our sins, He understands our doubts and failures - and He continues to love us and discipline us so that we might know He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever.
God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness temper His discipline and punishment for Sin. Because Jesus paid the full price - the just punishment - for our sins, we no longer are afraid of receiving the full judgment and wrath of God toward Sin. Forgiven in Christ, we have been restored to our Father. Each day we live with confidence and hope that He holds us in the palm of His hand, cares for us as He gives us "our daily bread," and disciplines us for our good and the strengthening of our relationship with Him. His love underlies everything He does for us. It's our motivation for loving one another, forgiving one another, and eagerly sharing His love in Christ with others so they, too, might come to faith in Jesus, walk in newness of life, be called God's "sons," and be truly blessed by God's discipline.
Prayer: Father, I thank You with all my being for loving me so much that You discipline me and make certain I experience the just desserts for my disobedience so that I may not be lost to You. I also praise and thank You for tempering Your wrath toward Sin by the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus so that in Him I'm not destroyed by my sins - my disobedience to You - but forgiven and restored to You. Help me to accept Your loving discipline and punishment as the acts of a loving Father rather than an angry Judge. Lead me to live in your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness every day so that I might share these blessings in my relationships with others. Strengthen me by Your Word and Spirit, encourage me with Your baptismal grace, and empower me with Your love to be a living witness to others of what it means to be "a son" who is restored to You in Jesus; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
God Can't Lie - His Word Is Always True
"Today's Devotion" For March 28, 2006
Read: Numbers 23:16-20; Hebrews 6:13-20
GOD CAN'T LIE - HIS WORD IS ALWAYS TRUE
"God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19)
Keeping our promises, following through on our word, and being considered truthful and "above board" are highly prized characteristics in society. Sadly, in reality, the evidence is greater that people aren't really good at follow through on word, keeping their promises, or telling the truth. Our news reports are replete, on almost a daily basis, with anecdotal evidence and statements by many people that many, if not all of our leaders, are not to be trusted. Depending on one's political beliefs and "take" on the world and national situations, who one might consider to be truthful, following through on their promises, and true to their word differs greatly.
Such has been the problem societies have faced since the Fall into Sin. Our sinful nature leads us to seek an advantage over others, so we make promises we either can't keep or don't intend to keep. We find ourselves telling people what they want to hear and are careful about how much information we share. We hedge our bets and use "weasel" words to keep ourselves from being "pinned down" as to the meaning of our words and our intent in speaking them. We're willing to point the finger at others, accusing them of falsehood and twisting the facts, all the time feeling "oh so smug" that we have the right "take" on the facts in question and no one should doubt our sincerity. To put it bluntly, what all this boils down to is that we human beings lie - we lie alot, even to ourselves. And we try to cover our lies, even to ourselves, by making excuses and pointing and accusing finger at others, as if our lies are their fault.
Thank God, that's not true of Him. He never lies. What He says is always the truth. He always follows through on His Word, and there's no greater evidence of that than the gift of salvation He has given us through faith in Jesus Christ. From the moment of the Fall into Sin in Eden, God made it clear that He would redeem His creation. His promise in Genesis 3:15, as He spoke to the serpent (Satan's instrument) - "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel" - was completed, through many steps in history, when Christ came to earth, took on human form, and, putting Himself under God's Law for us, obeyed it perfectly and then suffered the ignominious crucifixion as an innocent man. His resurrection is God's assurance that for all times and all place the sacrifice is complete, and all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior from Sin have their sins forgiven and will be saved for eternity with God.
In the face of a world full of prevarication, "weasel" words, and "hedging our bets," God's Word to us, His love for us, and His grace, mercy, peace, and forgiveness stand out as the only things we human beings can count on. God's nature doesn't allow for Him to lie - thus His promise is absolutely trustworthy and His oath (which He swore upon Himself) is an absolute confirmation of His promise (Hebrews 6:17-19). No matter what insecurities and uncertainties we face today and every day, we can be absolutely certain of God's promises and filled with hope in His assurance of His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Such is the strength of all who believe His promises in Christ. It's a strength that can face any hardship, any uncertainty, any lie, and any broken promise. It is our peace and our hope.
Prayer: Father, as Balaam said to Balak, You "are not a man, that (You) should lie." I thank You with all my heart and soul that I can depend on Your Word and promises each and every day. You promise me my daily bread and You deliver every day. You promsie me the necessities of life and You provide them every day. You promise me salvation and the forgiveness of my sins, and You provide those gifts of Your grace to me in Jesus every day, renewing me daily in the power of my baptism into Christ. Help me to live a life of confident trust and faith in You. Help me to depend on Your promises and never grow faint in that trust. Let my life, in words and deeds, be a living testimony to Your truthfulness and Your promises kept in Jesus so that others might also have hope and come to know Your love in Christ; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Numbers 23:16-20; Hebrews 6:13-20
GOD CAN'T LIE - HIS WORD IS ALWAYS TRUE
"God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19)
Keeping our promises, following through on our word, and being considered truthful and "above board" are highly prized characteristics in society. Sadly, in reality, the evidence is greater that people aren't really good at follow through on word, keeping their promises, or telling the truth. Our news reports are replete, on almost a daily basis, with anecdotal evidence and statements by many people that many, if not all of our leaders, are not to be trusted. Depending on one's political beliefs and "take" on the world and national situations, who one might consider to be truthful, following through on their promises, and true to their word differs greatly.
Such has been the problem societies have faced since the Fall into Sin. Our sinful nature leads us to seek an advantage over others, so we make promises we either can't keep or don't intend to keep. We find ourselves telling people what they want to hear and are careful about how much information we share. We hedge our bets and use "weasel" words to keep ourselves from being "pinned down" as to the meaning of our words and our intent in speaking them. We're willing to point the finger at others, accusing them of falsehood and twisting the facts, all the time feeling "oh so smug" that we have the right "take" on the facts in question and no one should doubt our sincerity. To put it bluntly, what all this boils down to is that we human beings lie - we lie alot, even to ourselves. And we try to cover our lies, even to ourselves, by making excuses and pointing and accusing finger at others, as if our lies are their fault.
Thank God, that's not true of Him. He never lies. What He says is always the truth. He always follows through on His Word, and there's no greater evidence of that than the gift of salvation He has given us through faith in Jesus Christ. From the moment of the Fall into Sin in Eden, God made it clear that He would redeem His creation. His promise in Genesis 3:15, as He spoke to the serpent (Satan's instrument) - "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel" - was completed, through many steps in history, when Christ came to earth, took on human form, and, putting Himself under God's Law for us, obeyed it perfectly and then suffered the ignominious crucifixion as an innocent man. His resurrection is God's assurance that for all times and all place the sacrifice is complete, and all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior from Sin have their sins forgiven and will be saved for eternity with God.
In the face of a world full of prevarication, "weasel" words, and "hedging our bets," God's Word to us, His love for us, and His grace, mercy, peace, and forgiveness stand out as the only things we human beings can count on. God's nature doesn't allow for Him to lie - thus His promise is absolutely trustworthy and His oath (which He swore upon Himself) is an absolute confirmation of His promise (Hebrews 6:17-19). No matter what insecurities and uncertainties we face today and every day, we can be absolutely certain of God's promises and filled with hope in His assurance of His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Such is the strength of all who believe His promises in Christ. It's a strength that can face any hardship, any uncertainty, any lie, and any broken promise. It is our peace and our hope.
Prayer: Father, as Balaam said to Balak, You "are not a man, that (You) should lie." I thank You with all my heart and soul that I can depend on Your Word and promises each and every day. You promise me my daily bread and You deliver every day. You promsie me the necessities of life and You provide them every day. You promise me salvation and the forgiveness of my sins, and You provide those gifts of Your grace to me in Jesus every day, renewing me daily in the power of my baptism into Christ. Help me to live a life of confident trust and faith in You. Help me to depend on Your promises and never grow faint in that trust. Let my life, in words and deeds, be a living testimony to Your truthfulness and Your promises kept in Jesus so that others might also have hope and come to know Your love in Christ; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Value Life - It's A Precious Gift From God
"Today's Devotion" For March 27, 2006
Read: I Thessalonians 4:1-12; Genesis 2:4-7,18-23
VALUE LIFE - IT'S A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD
"--the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being." (Gen.2:7)
This past week a fifteen year old boy, waiting at the bus stop for a bus, was beaten to death by four or five attackers on a north side Milwaukee street corner. Over a week ago, two young boys left one's grandfather's house to go play basketball at the local playground and have disappeared from the face of the earth. After a week of fruitless searching the police and FBI are convinced that someone knows something but isn't telling. On the news last night a police spokeswoman noted that there is an increasingly pervasive culture of "No Snitching" going on which is hindering essential police work in behalf of these boys. At the same time as these things are occurring the question of whether the state should reinstate the death penalty for those who take the lives of others. After 153 years of absence this has engendered heated debate in the legislature, in the news, on the streets, and in our institutions.
What these events and circumstances have in common is that they all pertain to how we, as a society, view the sanctity of life. I'm not going to debate the relative pros and cons of the death penalty. That's for another forum. However, as we look at our newspapers every day, the fact that life seems to be cheap for many parts of our culture appears quite apparent. When children can be taken off the streets in broad daylight and no one has any information or sees anything happen, life is cheap. When a teenager can be brutally beaten in broad daylight with no one observing, coming to his aid, or intervening in some way, life is cheap. When the question of whether to reinstate the death penalty for heinous crimes leads to acrimony and hateful speech, our disregard and disdain for each other and honest, differing opinions and perspectives becomes obvious.
Life is not something cheap to be snuffed out without a whimper. It's a precious gift of God, who never views life as cheap or expendable. Without Him there would be no life. While some might opt to believe that human beings evolved from lower life forms (which of course somehow came into existence by chance), I believe what Genesis says: God is the creator of all things. As such He is the source of human life and the only one with the right to take it away. In fact life is so precious to Him that He sent His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to redeem us from our sins so that we might live lives filled with the joy of forgiveness and have the hope of eternal life and the resurrection from the dead.
By faith in Jesus, then, we view life as sacred and holy and not to be taken lightly or squandered foolishly. It's a valuable gift from God and worthy of our best efforts to preserve it and hold it sacred. We are our "brother's keeper," for God calls us in Christ to live a life of love and compassion toward others. As we face the daily ravages of crime in the streets, illness and disease, war and pestilence, or any other factor that contributes to the loss of human life, we have hope and comfort in Christ that nothing can separate us from His love.
Prayer: Father, too many people are dying because people have a disregard for the lives of others. Too often life is considered expendable by those who would try to control others. In the name of science life is often cheapened. Father, You have blessed me with my life so that I might experience the wonders of Your creation and share in Your blessings. Help me to live a life that is full of gratitude for Your love and blessings, and show me how I might share the value of life with others. Above all, lead me to realize that the greatest gift of life is the one Jesus paid for on the Cross, and that You have called me to share that gift with others each day. In Christ's name I pray. Amen
************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I Thessalonians 4:1-12; Genesis 2:4-7,18-23
VALUE LIFE - IT'S A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD
"--the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being." (Gen.2:7)
This past week a fifteen year old boy, waiting at the bus stop for a bus, was beaten to death by four or five attackers on a north side Milwaukee street corner. Over a week ago, two young boys left one's grandfather's house to go play basketball at the local playground and have disappeared from the face of the earth. After a week of fruitless searching the police and FBI are convinced that someone knows something but isn't telling. On the news last night a police spokeswoman noted that there is an increasingly pervasive culture of "No Snitching" going on which is hindering essential police work in behalf of these boys. At the same time as these things are occurring the question of whether the state should reinstate the death penalty for those who take the lives of others. After 153 years of absence this has engendered heated debate in the legislature, in the news, on the streets, and in our institutions.
What these events and circumstances have in common is that they all pertain to how we, as a society, view the sanctity of life. I'm not going to debate the relative pros and cons of the death penalty. That's for another forum. However, as we look at our newspapers every day, the fact that life seems to be cheap for many parts of our culture appears quite apparent. When children can be taken off the streets in broad daylight and no one has any information or sees anything happen, life is cheap. When a teenager can be brutally beaten in broad daylight with no one observing, coming to his aid, or intervening in some way, life is cheap. When the question of whether to reinstate the death penalty for heinous crimes leads to acrimony and hateful speech, our disregard and disdain for each other and honest, differing opinions and perspectives becomes obvious.
Life is not something cheap to be snuffed out without a whimper. It's a precious gift of God, who never views life as cheap or expendable. Without Him there would be no life. While some might opt to believe that human beings evolved from lower life forms (which of course somehow came into existence by chance), I believe what Genesis says: God is the creator of all things. As such He is the source of human life and the only one with the right to take it away. In fact life is so precious to Him that He sent His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to redeem us from our sins so that we might live lives filled with the joy of forgiveness and have the hope of eternal life and the resurrection from the dead.
By faith in Jesus, then, we view life as sacred and holy and not to be taken lightly or squandered foolishly. It's a valuable gift from God and worthy of our best efforts to preserve it and hold it sacred. We are our "brother's keeper," for God calls us in Christ to live a life of love and compassion toward others. As we face the daily ravages of crime in the streets, illness and disease, war and pestilence, or any other factor that contributes to the loss of human life, we have hope and comfort in Christ that nothing can separate us from His love.
Prayer: Father, too many people are dying because people have a disregard for the lives of others. Too often life is considered expendable by those who would try to control others. In the name of science life is often cheapened. Father, You have blessed me with my life so that I might experience the wonders of Your creation and share in Your blessings. Help me to live a life that is full of gratitude for Your love and blessings, and show me how I might share the value of life with others. Above all, lead me to realize that the greatest gift of life is the one Jesus paid for on the Cross, and that You have called me to share that gift with others each day. In Christ's name I pray. Amen
************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
What! Me Worry? Never!
"Today's Devotion" For March 25, 2006
Read: Luke 12:22-31; Psalm 37
WHAT! ME WORRY? NEVER!
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)
Have you ever been in the situation where you were truly worried, on a regular basis, as to whether you were going to be able to put food on the table, pay the rent (or the mortgage), and cover the monthly bills? For many people it's a way of life. They live from paycheck to paycheck, never certain they're going to have enough financial resources to take care of their expenses without falling further into debt. An old expression, "I've got more month than money" is a very real part of life for many people in our world - even, and perhaps more sadly, in our own country. Now, it's certainly true that many of those folks could stand some lessons in better money management and better wisdom as to how they spend their money (I know a young mother who buys cigarettes but doesn't have enough food in the house for her children or money for gas for her car in order to get to work). Nevertheless, the element of worry is an ever present commodity in their lives.
While the paycheck to paycheck experience is a prominent feature of life in communities across the nation, that luxury isn't available for tens of millions of people around the world. Even the poorest of the poor in the United States would be considered quite wealthy in many developing countries. In those places, anxiety and worry about food, clothing, shelter, safety, and the basic necessities of life are very real, daily concerns. Children are going to bed hungry on a regular basis, their bodies emaciated, shriveling shells. On top of all this, they don't even have schools where they can learn the necessary skills and gain the knowledge they need to prepare them to provide for themselves. Many of those living in such conditions have given up hope for anything better and have resigned themselves to their "fate."
Worry isn't something that's restricted to the poor and downtrodden, however. Many people who are well off spend enormous amounts of money and time visiting psychiatrists and psychologists because they're riddled with all sorts of anxieties. On one side of the equation are those who don't have anything worrying about how they're going to eat today, while on the other side of the equation are those who have a lot and still are worried, often about keeping what they've got or having no idea what to do with what they have. Money doesn't bring contentment, even though there's a perception that if "we only had more things would be just fine."
Even though our Lord Jesus reminds us of God's promises to provide for our every need, the nature of Sin in our lives is such that we often don't real trust Him. Worry and anxiety about the necessities of life still cloud our lives. Unfortunately for many people of means, their lives are also filled with worry and anxiety - the color of their carpets, the make and year of their automobiles, the size of their homes, their club memberships, and their children's education (just to name a few). Even for those who have plenty, keeping sight of what's important and essential for life is still difficult because our sin leads us to always want more. Frequently people lose sight of what's most vital and necessary to living and what's not.
Lest we point our fingers at others, especially the "well to do," it should also be said that even we who believe and trust in God's promises in Christ are not immune to losing our focus on what's necessary for life and living and what's not. No matter how much we confess our faith and trust in the Lord's promises to provide us with all that we need "to sustain this body and life," we still worry and are anxious about our lives, even when we have all that we need. The truth is that we too often also lose sight of what is most vital for life - our relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We get so caught up in believing that the "abundant life" Jesus promises us (John 10:10), means having lots of things, lots of money, and lots of prestige, that we end up turning our hearts and eyes away from Jesus. In the end we open ourselves up to temptation and the sin of worry. Seeking first "His kingdom" and believing that all "these things will be given to (us) as well" (Luke 12:31), according to Jesus' promise, gets lost in our anxieties and worry.
I've always loved the expression, "What? Me worry?" It's often used by characters in movies and plays who are blustering their way through a great deal of worry and anxiety. Usually this expression is used in a comedic sense, but it's not really very funny in real life because it tends to hide the very real worry underlying the expression. By God's grace in Jesus, however, we can turn "What? Me Worry?" into "What! Me worry? Never!" Trusting in God's promises to provide us with every necessity of life, including the forgiveness of sins and the hope and promise of eternal life in Jesus, we "do not worry about tomorrow" (Matthew 6:34). After all, we are, as Jesus said, more valuable to our Father in heaven than the birds (Lk. 12:25) or the lilies of the field (Lk. 12:27). The suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus proves that. Jesus' willingness, in love, to do such an incomprehensible act, is what moves us to proclaim with our lives and voices, "What! Me worry? Never!"
Prayer: Father, it's really very easy for me to worry about money and other things so that I forget that You give me everything I need. That's Your promise to me. Help me to faithfully hold on to that promise and trust that You will provide every one of my needs. My greatest need is for forgiveness of my sins and salvation. You have faithfully and lovingly given me that huge gift. Help me to trust You for the little things as well and let my life be a living witness and testimony to Your love and blessings so that others might come to trust You through me. Hear me, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Luke 12:22-31; Psalm 37
WHAT! ME WORRY? NEVER!
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)
Have you ever been in the situation where you were truly worried, on a regular basis, as to whether you were going to be able to put food on the table, pay the rent (or the mortgage), and cover the monthly bills? For many people it's a way of life. They live from paycheck to paycheck, never certain they're going to have enough financial resources to take care of their expenses without falling further into debt. An old expression, "I've got more month than money" is a very real part of life for many people in our world - even, and perhaps more sadly, in our own country. Now, it's certainly true that many of those folks could stand some lessons in better money management and better wisdom as to how they spend their money (I know a young mother who buys cigarettes but doesn't have enough food in the house for her children or money for gas for her car in order to get to work). Nevertheless, the element of worry is an ever present commodity in their lives.
While the paycheck to paycheck experience is a prominent feature of life in communities across the nation, that luxury isn't available for tens of millions of people around the world. Even the poorest of the poor in the United States would be considered quite wealthy in many developing countries. In those places, anxiety and worry about food, clothing, shelter, safety, and the basic necessities of life are very real, daily concerns. Children are going to bed hungry on a regular basis, their bodies emaciated, shriveling shells. On top of all this, they don't even have schools where they can learn the necessary skills and gain the knowledge they need to prepare them to provide for themselves. Many of those living in such conditions have given up hope for anything better and have resigned themselves to their "fate."
Worry isn't something that's restricted to the poor and downtrodden, however. Many people who are well off spend enormous amounts of money and time visiting psychiatrists and psychologists because they're riddled with all sorts of anxieties. On one side of the equation are those who don't have anything worrying about how they're going to eat today, while on the other side of the equation are those who have a lot and still are worried, often about keeping what they've got or having no idea what to do with what they have. Money doesn't bring contentment, even though there's a perception that if "we only had more things would be just fine."
Even though our Lord Jesus reminds us of God's promises to provide for our every need, the nature of Sin in our lives is such that we often don't real trust Him. Worry and anxiety about the necessities of life still cloud our lives. Unfortunately for many people of means, their lives are also filled with worry and anxiety - the color of their carpets, the make and year of their automobiles, the size of their homes, their club memberships, and their children's education (just to name a few). Even for those who have plenty, keeping sight of what's important and essential for life is still difficult because our sin leads us to always want more. Frequently people lose sight of what's most vital and necessary to living and what's not.
Lest we point our fingers at others, especially the "well to do," it should also be said that even we who believe and trust in God's promises in Christ are not immune to losing our focus on what's necessary for life and living and what's not. No matter how much we confess our faith and trust in the Lord's promises to provide us with all that we need "to sustain this body and life," we still worry and are anxious about our lives, even when we have all that we need. The truth is that we too often also lose sight of what is most vital for life - our relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We get so caught up in believing that the "abundant life" Jesus promises us (John 10:10), means having lots of things, lots of money, and lots of prestige, that we end up turning our hearts and eyes away from Jesus. In the end we open ourselves up to temptation and the sin of worry. Seeking first "His kingdom" and believing that all "these things will be given to (us) as well" (Luke 12:31), according to Jesus' promise, gets lost in our anxieties and worry.
I've always loved the expression, "What? Me worry?" It's often used by characters in movies and plays who are blustering their way through a great deal of worry and anxiety. Usually this expression is used in a comedic sense, but it's not really very funny in real life because it tends to hide the very real worry underlying the expression. By God's grace in Jesus, however, we can turn "What? Me Worry?" into "What! Me worry? Never!" Trusting in God's promises to provide us with every necessity of life, including the forgiveness of sins and the hope and promise of eternal life in Jesus, we "do not worry about tomorrow" (Matthew 6:34). After all, we are, as Jesus said, more valuable to our Father in heaven than the birds (Lk. 12:25) or the lilies of the field (Lk. 12:27). The suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus proves that. Jesus' willingness, in love, to do such an incomprehensible act, is what moves us to proclaim with our lives and voices, "What! Me worry? Never!"
Prayer: Father, it's really very easy for me to worry about money and other things so that I forget that You give me everything I need. That's Your promise to me. Help me to faithfully hold on to that promise and trust that You will provide every one of my needs. My greatest need is for forgiveness of my sins and salvation. You have faithfully and lovingly given me that huge gift. Help me to trust You for the little things as well and let my life be a living witness and testimony to Your love and blessings so that others might come to trust You through me. Hear me, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, March 24, 2006
In God We Trust
"Today's Devotion" For March 24, 2006
Read: Psalm 56; Psalm 27
IN GOD WE TRUST
"When i am afraid, I will trust in You. In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (Psalm 56:3, 4)
"In God We Trust." This little, short paragraph, this declaration of faith and hope, is also a source of dissention and disdain. "In God We Trust" appears on all legal tender of the United States, but the faith and trust it proclaims is under increasing attack and challenge throughout our society. Nevertheless, it's both a statement of faith in a God who cares and blesses, and is involved in and concerned for the welfare of His Creation. It is further a statement of hope and faith that no matter what happens God knows it, sees it, and will see us through it.
While our forebears incorporated the phrase "In God We Trust" as the motto of the United States of America, including it on all legal tender and thus making it a daily reminder of God's loving care and providence for the nation, the phrase in Psalm 56 that follows, "I will not be afraid," reminds us just what "In God We Trust." truly means. Living in a world that disputes God's existence at every turn, that disdains and derides those who believe in Him, and finds every reason to discount His creation, divine power, and wisdom, it's not too difficult to be afraid. In many parts of the world, being a Christian brings death. A breaking story from Afghanistan reveals the plight of a man, Abdul Rahman, who is currently under sentence of death for having converted to Christianity from Islam and refusing to deny Jesus and return to Islam. According to Islamic law, which is very much a part of Afghan Law, he has insulted Allah by denying Islam and must be put to death in order to "defend" Allah. This is quite amazing in itself - how is it necessary that fallible, mortal, sinful human beings need to defend "God?"
No doubt, "In God (We) Trust" is not just some simple motto to Mr. Rahman. He is living in that trust, knowing that no matter what happens to him, He is in God's hands and will be with Jesus forever in heaven. He knows that his sins are forgiven and his true hope and peace is in Jesus. "What can man do to me?" (Ps. 56:4) isn't just a nice sentiment, but a very real truth in the life of this redeemed child of God, and, God willing, in our lives as well. Truly, by faith, we have the confidence and assurance that nothing can separate us from God's love for us in Jesus Christ. Thus, we really have nothing to fear from anyone or anything, for even if our lives on earth are ended, in Christ Jesus, as God's dearly, beloved, redeemed, and forgiven children, we are assured that we will be with Him forever. As David so clearly proclaims in Psalm 27, "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" (v. 1)
"In God We Trust." That's not just some patriotic motto, nor some sentimental, feel-good saying that has a nostalgic flavor to it. It is in fact what God's people believe every day, in every situation, facing any kind of duress or danger. "I will not be afraid" for "what can man do to me" that can separate me (and you) from God's love and forgiveness that are ours in Christ Jesus? What a powerful witness "In God We Trust" really is. It's a statement of faith and trust, hope and peace - a reminder of the faith of the Founding Fathers (and mothers) and their conviction that they had founded a nation that trusted in God and was blessed by Him. It's their reminder to succeeding generations, such as ours, that it is God who saves and protects the nation and its people when they trust in Him.
Prayer: Father, as I read stories and hear about my brothers and sisters in Christ living in far away places and suffering for the sake of the Gospel, I'm both grateful that You have seen fit to live my life in a place where worshiping and praising You and sharing Your love in Christ with others is still allowed. I'm grateful that I can confess my faith without fear of death, and that people can come to faith in Jesus without someone condemning them to death for their faith. Yet, Father, I know that all too often I take this freedom and the blessings it brings with it for granted. Too often do I turn a blind eye to the erosion of the freedoms this nation has only because our laws and principles have been based on Your Word. Forgive me for not truly taking "In God We Trust" to heart and living my life in support of those in need, those who are suffering, and those who are lost without Your love in Jesus. Too often am I afraid of what others might think of me or whether I'll have the right words to say - so I keep silent. Forgive me, Father, for this lack of trust in You and strengthen by Your Word and Spirit and the power of my Baptism so that I might live as a bold and fearless witness of Your mercy and grace in Christ in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
******************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Psalm 56; Psalm 27
IN GOD WE TRUST
"When i am afraid, I will trust in You. In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (Psalm 56:3, 4)
"In God We Trust." This little, short paragraph, this declaration of faith and hope, is also a source of dissention and disdain. "In God We Trust" appears on all legal tender of the United States, but the faith and trust it proclaims is under increasing attack and challenge throughout our society. Nevertheless, it's both a statement of faith in a God who cares and blesses, and is involved in and concerned for the welfare of His Creation. It is further a statement of hope and faith that no matter what happens God knows it, sees it, and will see us through it.
While our forebears incorporated the phrase "In God We Trust" as the motto of the United States of America, including it on all legal tender and thus making it a daily reminder of God's loving care and providence for the nation, the phrase in Psalm 56 that follows, "I will not be afraid," reminds us just what "In God We Trust." truly means. Living in a world that disputes God's existence at every turn, that disdains and derides those who believe in Him, and finds every reason to discount His creation, divine power, and wisdom, it's not too difficult to be afraid. In many parts of the world, being a Christian brings death. A breaking story from Afghanistan reveals the plight of a man, Abdul Rahman, who is currently under sentence of death for having converted to Christianity from Islam and refusing to deny Jesus and return to Islam. According to Islamic law, which is very much a part of Afghan Law, he has insulted Allah by denying Islam and must be put to death in order to "defend" Allah. This is quite amazing in itself - how is it necessary that fallible, mortal, sinful human beings need to defend "God?"
No doubt, "In God (We) Trust" is not just some simple motto to Mr. Rahman. He is living in that trust, knowing that no matter what happens to him, He is in God's hands and will be with Jesus forever in heaven. He knows that his sins are forgiven and his true hope and peace is in Jesus. "What can man do to me?" (Ps. 56:4) isn't just a nice sentiment, but a very real truth in the life of this redeemed child of God, and, God willing, in our lives as well. Truly, by faith, we have the confidence and assurance that nothing can separate us from God's love for us in Jesus Christ. Thus, we really have nothing to fear from anyone or anything, for even if our lives on earth are ended, in Christ Jesus, as God's dearly, beloved, redeemed, and forgiven children, we are assured that we will be with Him forever. As David so clearly proclaims in Psalm 27, "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" (v. 1)
"In God We Trust." That's not just some patriotic motto, nor some sentimental, feel-good saying that has a nostalgic flavor to it. It is in fact what God's people believe every day, in every situation, facing any kind of duress or danger. "I will not be afraid" for "what can man do to me" that can separate me (and you) from God's love and forgiveness that are ours in Christ Jesus? What a powerful witness "In God We Trust" really is. It's a statement of faith and trust, hope and peace - a reminder of the faith of the Founding Fathers (and mothers) and their conviction that they had founded a nation that trusted in God and was blessed by Him. It's their reminder to succeeding generations, such as ours, that it is God who saves and protects the nation and its people when they trust in Him.
Prayer: Father, as I read stories and hear about my brothers and sisters in Christ living in far away places and suffering for the sake of the Gospel, I'm both grateful that You have seen fit to live my life in a place where worshiping and praising You and sharing Your love in Christ with others is still allowed. I'm grateful that I can confess my faith without fear of death, and that people can come to faith in Jesus without someone condemning them to death for their faith. Yet, Father, I know that all too often I take this freedom and the blessings it brings with it for granted. Too often do I turn a blind eye to the erosion of the freedoms this nation has only because our laws and principles have been based on Your Word. Forgive me for not truly taking "In God We Trust" to heart and living my life in support of those in need, those who are suffering, and those who are lost without Your love in Jesus. Too often am I afraid of what others might think of me or whether I'll have the right words to say - so I keep silent. Forgive me, Father, for this lack of trust in You and strengthen by Your Word and Spirit and the power of my Baptism so that I might live as a bold and fearless witness of Your mercy and grace in Christ in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
******************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
A Real Thirst Quencher
"Today's Devotion" For March 23, 2006
Read: John 4:7-15; Psalm 42
A REAL THIRST QUENCHER
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of living water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13, 14)
Walk into any convenience store, go to its beverage coolers, and you will see a vast array of beverages. Sodas, juices, juice drinks, milk,specialty beverages and water are the main selections. Beer and wine are also often available. Have you ever noticed how many different types of water there are? It's incredible. Modern science (supposedly)has brought us purified water, mineral water, distilled water, flavored water, sports water, fitness water, and enhanced water. We bottle spring water and sell it as a replacement for tap water because people fear the supposedly unnecessary and potentially harmful chemicals and minerals it contains. Selling water is big business, a billion dollar industry, in which the price of a gallon of bottled spring water - major brand - can run as high as $9 a gallon, better than three times the current cost of a gallon of gasoline.
The bottled water/fitness water craze only succeeds because people get thirsty. While there are many types of beverages one can drink, some healthy, others not so healthy, there is still no substitute for the thirst-quenching, body cleansing and hydrating qualities of the water God created for our benefit. Yet, because human nature always believes we can do things better than God, we've done everything we can to enhance water and make it more beneficial (and palatable - it can be awfully bland by itself), to our bodies needs - at least by our estimation. No matter how much "better" we "make" water, the end result is that we're still thirsty, we still need to have it, and we can't live without it. We always have to have a source of water, whether in the desert or on the lakeshore, in order for us to hydrate our bodies, clean out the wastes, and keep alive.
The story of the Samaritan woman and Jesus at the well in the Samaritan town of Sychar illustrates our need for yet another kind of "water" that is absolutely necessary for human life. When the woman came to draw water from Jacob's Well, Jesus met her with a request for a drink of water. Her response, based on the ethnic and racial prejudices of the day, was one of incredulity. She questioned why Jesus, a Jew, would want to have, according to the feelings of that day, an inferior Samaritan give Him a drink. But, Jesus request opened a far more important door than a discussion of ethnic and racial relations. Stepping into her question, Jesus fielded it with this response, "If you knew the gift of God and Who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10).
Jesus' gift of "living water" is just as powerful a promise today as it was to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well. Jesus promises that His gift of "living water" will "become a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Through the power of His Word and Spirit our Lord Jesus continues to give us that same "living water," showing us the way to eternal life with the Father through faith in Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. Each day that hope of heaven through faith in Jesus fills our hearts and lives so that our spiritual thirst is quenched in a spiritually arid world. In Holy Baptism - the washing of the "Water" and the Word - the Holy Spirit cleanses us from our sins, bringing us God's forgiveness and peace, and fills us with the "living water" that leads us to eternal life. Our spiritual thirst is quenched in Jesus. He gives us life, abundantly here on earth, and forever with Him in heaven. More than that, His gift of "living water" becomes a spring within us so that it wells up in our hearts and souls to not only sustain our lives in Him and our hope of heaven, but to leap out from us to others so they, too, might have their spiritual thirst quenched by Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I thank You that You have given me the hope and promise of eternal life in Jesus. My thirsting soul and spirit are filled with the "living waters" of Your love grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus. Keep me ever mindful that I need that "living water" every day in a spiritual arid world, so that I might always have hope and peace in Jesus. As Jesus' words and promise of "living water" touched the life of the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well, send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure that that same "living water" might touch my life and well up as a "spring of water...to eternal life." Let my life be a "spring of living water" that burst forth daily to shower Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness upon others as I live for You and point others to Jesus; in whose precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 4:7-15; Psalm 42
A REAL THIRST QUENCHER
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of living water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13, 14)
Walk into any convenience store, go to its beverage coolers, and you will see a vast array of beverages. Sodas, juices, juice drinks, milk,specialty beverages and water are the main selections. Beer and wine are also often available. Have you ever noticed how many different types of water there are? It's incredible. Modern science (supposedly)has brought us purified water, mineral water, distilled water, flavored water, sports water, fitness water, and enhanced water. We bottle spring water and sell it as a replacement for tap water because people fear the supposedly unnecessary and potentially harmful chemicals and minerals it contains. Selling water is big business, a billion dollar industry, in which the price of a gallon of bottled spring water - major brand - can run as high as $9 a gallon, better than three times the current cost of a gallon of gasoline.
The bottled water/fitness water craze only succeeds because people get thirsty. While there are many types of beverages one can drink, some healthy, others not so healthy, there is still no substitute for the thirst-quenching, body cleansing and hydrating qualities of the water God created for our benefit. Yet, because human nature always believes we can do things better than God, we've done everything we can to enhance water and make it more beneficial (and palatable - it can be awfully bland by itself), to our bodies needs - at least by our estimation. No matter how much "better" we "make" water, the end result is that we're still thirsty, we still need to have it, and we can't live without it. We always have to have a source of water, whether in the desert or on the lakeshore, in order for us to hydrate our bodies, clean out the wastes, and keep alive.
The story of the Samaritan woman and Jesus at the well in the Samaritan town of Sychar illustrates our need for yet another kind of "water" that is absolutely necessary for human life. When the woman came to draw water from Jacob's Well, Jesus met her with a request for a drink of water. Her response, based on the ethnic and racial prejudices of the day, was one of incredulity. She questioned why Jesus, a Jew, would want to have, according to the feelings of that day, an inferior Samaritan give Him a drink. But, Jesus request opened a far more important door than a discussion of ethnic and racial relations. Stepping into her question, Jesus fielded it with this response, "If you knew the gift of God and Who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10).
Jesus' gift of "living water" is just as powerful a promise today as it was to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well. Jesus promises that His gift of "living water" will "become a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Through the power of His Word and Spirit our Lord Jesus continues to give us that same "living water," showing us the way to eternal life with the Father through faith in Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. Each day that hope of heaven through faith in Jesus fills our hearts and lives so that our spiritual thirst is quenched in a spiritually arid world. In Holy Baptism - the washing of the "Water" and the Word - the Holy Spirit cleanses us from our sins, bringing us God's forgiveness and peace, and fills us with the "living water" that leads us to eternal life. Our spiritual thirst is quenched in Jesus. He gives us life, abundantly here on earth, and forever with Him in heaven. More than that, His gift of "living water" becomes a spring within us so that it wells up in our hearts and souls to not only sustain our lives in Him and our hope of heaven, but to leap out from us to others so they, too, might have their spiritual thirst quenched by Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I thank You that You have given me the hope and promise of eternal life in Jesus. My thirsting soul and spirit are filled with the "living waters" of Your love grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus. Keep me ever mindful that I need that "living water" every day in a spiritual arid world, so that I might always have hope and peace in Jesus. As Jesus' words and promise of "living water" touched the life of the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well, send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure that that same "living water" might touch my life and well up as a "spring of water...to eternal life." Let my life be a "spring of living water" that burst forth daily to shower Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness upon others as I live for You and point others to Jesus; in whose precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
There Is No Need To Be Dying Of Thirst
"Today's Devotion" For March 22, 2006
Read: Isaiah 55:1-6; John 7:37-43
THERE IS NO NEED TO BE DYING OF THIRST
"O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1)
In various place on the earth, it can be reasonably said that the land is parched and dry. In the many deserts of the world, rainfall and other sources of water are few and far between. Vegetation in any great numbers is rare and, while scientists tell us that there is abundant animal lif, it's very unique and well-adapted to the harsh, dry, desert conditions. A number of different peoples have even found a way to live in such areas, such as the nomads in parts of Africa's Saharan region and in the Middle East, but it's a harsh and unforgiving existence. One mistake can bring a long, excruciating death from dehydration. Many of the pictures that form my vision of such places come from that great old movie, "Lawrence of Arabia." Having traveled through the desert region of the Southwestern United States a number of times, I can picture the difficulty of living in such a setting.
At the same time, as we see in the American Southwest, great portions of the desert have been and are being "reclaimed" by pumping water in from long distances and digging deeply into the earth to find springs of water. When traveling through the desert, one observes large areas of green, where flowing waters in manmade canals, has brought a lush green to a stark, deadly, and otherwise empty land. Trees, orchards, and fields filled with crops of many varieties are bringing life to an otherwise deadly landscape, and providing food and a livelihood to many. Towns and cities have sprung up in such places, supporting life as the desert could never have done on its own. Some scientists have even noted that as the desert is "reclaimed," and there are more plants to give off moisture into the air, rainfall has increased in some areas.
We live in a "thirsty" world. Not only are there areas of desert in the land, but there also exists a spiritual desert that touches every human being no matter where they live. The human heart and mind are, by nature, parched and arid places when it comes to knowing God. Sin dries up the human soul, shrivels the human spirit, and makes the hearts and minds of people - including you and me - devoid of life with God. Unless the "water of life," supplied by God, enters into our souls and refreshes our spirits, we die as people and we are dead to God. The effect that has on our relationships with others and the world in which we live is devastating. One only has to look at the many instances of man's inhumanity to man and humanity’s poor husbandry of the environment, the earth's resources, and the inhumane ways we often treat other living creatures God has given us to care for, to provide clothing for us, and for food to see the terrifying results of that "spiritual desert."
David writes, "O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You..." (Ps. 63:1a). But God is not willing that anyone should die of "spiritual thirst." He doesn't want anyone to be lost in the “spiritual desert" that Sin has visited upon the human heart. His words through Isaiah to the Children of Israel are pure Gospel - filled with the sure hope and comfort, strength and joy. They are words of "Good News" that God loves His people and provides for their spiritual as well as their physical sustenance. The final source of that "spiritual water of life" God provides us is found only in Jesus Christ. As Jesus said to the people, and to us, in John 7, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him" (vv. 37, 38). By God's grace and mercy we have the "living water" of His Word and the power of His Spirit to quench our parched spirits and renew our lives each and every day. By faith in Jesus we find our spirits' thirst quenched and our lives renewed each day. Having our spiritual thirst quenched by Jesus, He promises that Holy Spirit will burst forth from us as "streams of living water" as we live for God and touch the lives of others with the Good News of Jesus.
Prayer: Father, the old hymn, "I'm But a Stranger Here," aptly describes the world of sin and unbelief in which I live. I'm reminded by its words, "I'm but a stranger here, heaven is my home. Earth is a desert drear, heaven is my home, " that my deepest needs cannot be met by the world, only by You. Without Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ, my heart and soul would be a hot, dry, arid desert filled with nothing but hatred and rage against You because of Sin. Yet, in Christ Jesus, You have taken away my sins and have given me refreshment and new life. Your gift to me of faith in Jesus quenches my spiritual thirst daily. And in that gift of faith You also have given me Your Spirit who flows from me to others. Father, there is no need for anyone to be "dying from thirst." Use me as a vessel of the "living water" of Your Spirit to bring thirsting souls and spirits to Jesus so they might drink from Him and live. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
***********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Isaiah 55:1-6; John 7:37-43
THERE IS NO NEED TO BE DYING OF THIRST
"O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1)
In various place on the earth, it can be reasonably said that the land is parched and dry. In the many deserts of the world, rainfall and other sources of water are few and far between. Vegetation in any great numbers is rare and, while scientists tell us that there is abundant animal lif, it's very unique and well-adapted to the harsh, dry, desert conditions. A number of different peoples have even found a way to live in such areas, such as the nomads in parts of Africa's Saharan region and in the Middle East, but it's a harsh and unforgiving existence. One mistake can bring a long, excruciating death from dehydration. Many of the pictures that form my vision of such places come from that great old movie, "Lawrence of Arabia." Having traveled through the desert region of the Southwestern United States a number of times, I can picture the difficulty of living in such a setting.
At the same time, as we see in the American Southwest, great portions of the desert have been and are being "reclaimed" by pumping water in from long distances and digging deeply into the earth to find springs of water. When traveling through the desert, one observes large areas of green, where flowing waters in manmade canals, has brought a lush green to a stark, deadly, and otherwise empty land. Trees, orchards, and fields filled with crops of many varieties are bringing life to an otherwise deadly landscape, and providing food and a livelihood to many. Towns and cities have sprung up in such places, supporting life as the desert could never have done on its own. Some scientists have even noted that as the desert is "reclaimed," and there are more plants to give off moisture into the air, rainfall has increased in some areas.
We live in a "thirsty" world. Not only are there areas of desert in the land, but there also exists a spiritual desert that touches every human being no matter where they live. The human heart and mind are, by nature, parched and arid places when it comes to knowing God. Sin dries up the human soul, shrivels the human spirit, and makes the hearts and minds of people - including you and me - devoid of life with God. Unless the "water of life," supplied by God, enters into our souls and refreshes our spirits, we die as people and we are dead to God. The effect that has on our relationships with others and the world in which we live is devastating. One only has to look at the many instances of man's inhumanity to man and humanity’s poor husbandry of the environment, the earth's resources, and the inhumane ways we often treat other living creatures God has given us to care for, to provide clothing for us, and for food to see the terrifying results of that "spiritual desert."
David writes, "O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You..." (Ps. 63:1a). But God is not willing that anyone should die of "spiritual thirst." He doesn't want anyone to be lost in the “spiritual desert" that Sin has visited upon the human heart. His words through Isaiah to the Children of Israel are pure Gospel - filled with the sure hope and comfort, strength and joy. They are words of "Good News" that God loves His people and provides for their spiritual as well as their physical sustenance. The final source of that "spiritual water of life" God provides us is found only in Jesus Christ. As Jesus said to the people, and to us, in John 7, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him" (vv. 37, 38). By God's grace and mercy we have the "living water" of His Word and the power of His Spirit to quench our parched spirits and renew our lives each and every day. By faith in Jesus we find our spirits' thirst quenched and our lives renewed each day. Having our spiritual thirst quenched by Jesus, He promises that Holy Spirit will burst forth from us as "streams of living water" as we live for God and touch the lives of others with the Good News of Jesus.
Prayer: Father, the old hymn, "I'm But a Stranger Here," aptly describes the world of sin and unbelief in which I live. I'm reminded by its words, "I'm but a stranger here, heaven is my home. Earth is a desert drear, heaven is my home, " that my deepest needs cannot be met by the world, only by You. Without Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ, my heart and soul would be a hot, dry, arid desert filled with nothing but hatred and rage against You because of Sin. Yet, in Christ Jesus, You have taken away my sins and have given me refreshment and new life. Your gift to me of faith in Jesus quenches my spiritual thirst daily. And in that gift of faith You also have given me Your Spirit who flows from me to others. Father, there is no need for anyone to be "dying from thirst." Use me as a vessel of the "living water" of Your Spirit to bring thirsting souls and spirits to Jesus so they might drink from Him and live. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
***********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Living Fully And Patiently On God's Promises
"Today's Devotion" For March 21, 2006
Read: II Peter 3:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-25
LIVING FULLY AND PATIENTLY ON GOD'S PROMISES
"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance." (Hebrews 11:13)
Living in a "15-second sound bite" world (that figure may be more like 6-seconds at the present time), we are a society of high expectations of immediate results and gratification of desires. The old axiom, "Patience is a virtue," has as much meaning today as ever as it appears that, as a culture and society, we don't like to wait for anything. I recently read about a "new" way of investing in stocks where, rather than riding out the ebb and flow of the market, quick buy and sell sequences, tripped by certain indicators, are used to make a quick profit and get out of the investment. Information comes at us from so many different directions, with such speed and force, and in incredibly overwhelming volumes that instant results and instant solutions are expected and considered the norm. People who can't keep up with the speed of information are left behind, especially in the corporate and political worlds. Commercials are quick and hard-hitting because otherwise, we're told, people won't get the message - they'll have tuned out after the first six seconds.
With such a mindset, can it be that God's Word and promises fall by the wayside because they don't take place immediately? From a purely human perspective, God is not to be trusted. After all, when Adam and Eve received His promise of redemption (Genesis 3:15) and Eve became the mother of Cain, she was convinced he was the Savior promised by God. She found out differently. Although it's not recorded by the Holy Spirit, it's probably not too great a stretch to assume that Eve was disappointed and questioned God's promise. God called Abraham from his ancestral home, to go to a far away place that God would show him, and promised that Abraham's descendants would be as many as the sand on the seashore or the stars in the heavens (cf. Genesis 12). Yet Abraham didn't have an heir until he was almost 100 years old. It wouldn't be a stretch at all to believe that God's promise was bogus.
Yet by faith, Eve and Abraham saw their salvation, not in their present, but in God's good time. The writer to the Hebrews devotes a large portion of the letter to the whole idea of believing God's promises, with chapter 11 being the most significant chapter on the history of faith in God's promises in the whole of Scripture. While the world around us is looking for instant results, instant gratification, and instant "everything," we stand on God promises by faith and trust that His Will and purpose will be done in the "right time" according to His promises to us. By God's grace we have the example of those faithful of long ago who didn't see God's promise of the Messiah fulfilled, but believed His promises and trusted in His faithfulness. They knew God would "make good" on His promises and they lived their lives accordingly. And that's what God is inviting us to do in this time in history also.
We are called by faith to living fully on God's promises. By faith we believe that God became flesh and lived among us in the person of Jesus Christ. By faith we believe that Jesus came according to God's promises to Adam and Eve, and to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to Moses and to all who believed. By faith we believe that Jesus came "in the fullness of time" - a time determined to be right according to God's will and purpose, not Man's. By faith we believe that, as Jesus' has promised, He is with us always until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). By faith we believe that, according to Jesus' promise, He will return on the Last Day to take us all to Himself in the Resurrection.
The challenge for us in all this "by faith" stuff is that God's timeframe for the accomplishment of His promises doesn't fit with ours. We want what we want, now, today, at this very minute, especially when life throws us not just a few curves and foul balls (hey! it's almost time for opening day!:>). God knows the challenges to our faith and trust in His promises and fills us with His Word and Spirit so that we might not be overwhelmed by the urge for immediate gratification and thus lose sight of His promises at the right time. By His Word and Spirit, our gracious Father in heaven fills us with His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness so that we might face the temptations to doubt His promises in Jesus with courage and resolve, living fully on God's promises and waiting patiently for Jesus' return. Doing so, God's peace reigns in our hearts and lives and the rush and hubbub of the world can't take that away.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for being so impatient with You, especially since Your are infintely patient with me. When I sin, You always lift me up to You once again through the forgiveness that is mine in Christ Jesus. When I stumble on Your promises You pick me up, reminding me that my time isn't Your time and that I need to be patient for You always keep Your promises. Father, I pray that You would so fill me with Your Word and Spirit that I might learn to be patient and wait for You. Help me to live fully dependent on Your promises which fill me and guide me in my service to others in Jesus' name. Give me the patience to be gracious and loving to others, even when they seek to harm me, knowing that as I patiently share Your love and forgiveness with them, according to Your promises, You are continuing to keep Your promises to me. Fill me with the sure and certain hope of faith in Your promises that I may never be disappointed in You but always look to You for all good things. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: II Peter 3:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-25
LIVING FULLY AND PATIENTLY ON GOD'S PROMISES
"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance." (Hebrews 11:13)
Living in a "15-second sound bite" world (that figure may be more like 6-seconds at the present time), we are a society of high expectations of immediate results and gratification of desires. The old axiom, "Patience is a virtue," has as much meaning today as ever as it appears that, as a culture and society, we don't like to wait for anything. I recently read about a "new" way of investing in stocks where, rather than riding out the ebb and flow of the market, quick buy and sell sequences, tripped by certain indicators, are used to make a quick profit and get out of the investment. Information comes at us from so many different directions, with such speed and force, and in incredibly overwhelming volumes that instant results and instant solutions are expected and considered the norm. People who can't keep up with the speed of information are left behind, especially in the corporate and political worlds. Commercials are quick and hard-hitting because otherwise, we're told, people won't get the message - they'll have tuned out after the first six seconds.
With such a mindset, can it be that God's Word and promises fall by the wayside because they don't take place immediately? From a purely human perspective, God is not to be trusted. After all, when Adam and Eve received His promise of redemption (Genesis 3:15) and Eve became the mother of Cain, she was convinced he was the Savior promised by God. She found out differently. Although it's not recorded by the Holy Spirit, it's probably not too great a stretch to assume that Eve was disappointed and questioned God's promise. God called Abraham from his ancestral home, to go to a far away place that God would show him, and promised that Abraham's descendants would be as many as the sand on the seashore or the stars in the heavens (cf. Genesis 12). Yet Abraham didn't have an heir until he was almost 100 years old. It wouldn't be a stretch at all to believe that God's promise was bogus.
Yet by faith, Eve and Abraham saw their salvation, not in their present, but in God's good time. The writer to the Hebrews devotes a large portion of the letter to the whole idea of believing God's promises, with chapter 11 being the most significant chapter on the history of faith in God's promises in the whole of Scripture. While the world around us is looking for instant results, instant gratification, and instant "everything," we stand on God promises by faith and trust that His Will and purpose will be done in the "right time" according to His promises to us. By God's grace we have the example of those faithful of long ago who didn't see God's promise of the Messiah fulfilled, but believed His promises and trusted in His faithfulness. They knew God would "make good" on His promises and they lived their lives accordingly. And that's what God is inviting us to do in this time in history also.
We are called by faith to living fully on God's promises. By faith we believe that God became flesh and lived among us in the person of Jesus Christ. By faith we believe that Jesus came according to God's promises to Adam and Eve, and to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to Moses and to all who believed. By faith we believe that Jesus came "in the fullness of time" - a time determined to be right according to God's will and purpose, not Man's. By faith we believe that, as Jesus' has promised, He is with us always until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). By faith we believe that, according to Jesus' promise, He will return on the Last Day to take us all to Himself in the Resurrection.
The challenge for us in all this "by faith" stuff is that God's timeframe for the accomplishment of His promises doesn't fit with ours. We want what we want, now, today, at this very minute, especially when life throws us not just a few curves and foul balls (hey! it's almost time for opening day!:>). God knows the challenges to our faith and trust in His promises and fills us with His Word and Spirit so that we might not be overwhelmed by the urge for immediate gratification and thus lose sight of His promises at the right time. By His Word and Spirit, our gracious Father in heaven fills us with His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness so that we might face the temptations to doubt His promises in Jesus with courage and resolve, living fully on God's promises and waiting patiently for Jesus' return. Doing so, God's peace reigns in our hearts and lives and the rush and hubbub of the world can't take that away.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for being so impatient with You, especially since Your are infintely patient with me. When I sin, You always lift me up to You once again through the forgiveness that is mine in Christ Jesus. When I stumble on Your promises You pick me up, reminding me that my time isn't Your time and that I need to be patient for You always keep Your promises. Father, I pray that You would so fill me with Your Word and Spirit that I might learn to be patient and wait for You. Help me to live fully dependent on Your promises which fill me and guide me in my service to others in Jesus' name. Give me the patience to be gracious and loving to others, even when they seek to harm me, knowing that as I patiently share Your love and forgiveness with them, according to Your promises, You are continuing to keep Your promises to me. Fill me with the sure and certain hope of faith in Your promises that I may never be disappointed in You but always look to You for all good things. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Hope In The Face Of Disaster
"Today's Devotion" For March 20, 2006
Read: Matthew 9:35-10:8; I John 1:5-10
HOPE IN THE FACE OF DISASTER
"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits - Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."(Ps.103:2,3)
Over the past couple of years we've been receiving warnings that a new kind of flu virus is "brewing." It's a new form of avian flu, "bird flu," which is still confined to birds - and mostly farm poultry as far as is known at this time - and hasn't jumped into the human population. Scientists are telling us that there's no known vaccine against this particular flu virus and once it mutates and makes the jump to humans so that it can be passed one human being to another we can expect a worldwide pandemic. The death toll estimates from this form of flu are projected to be in the millions worldwide.
Certainly such a pandemic is a fearful thing. For all intents and purposes, it appears that it's inevitable - it can't be prevented, only, God willing, contained. Governmental, scientific, and medical agencies on the local, state, national, and international levels are doing what they can to get people ready to face what many believe to be the inevitable crisis. Medical researches and other scientists are working feverishly (or so we're told) to find a way to prevent the disease or mitigate its effects. At the same time, I'm struck by the thought that no matter how well prepared we might be to face this new health threat, people are going to die, perhaps even you and me. And that's a scary thought, not so much because we might fear death (which we have no need to fear if we are in Christ), but because it seems obvious we can't control the disease. This is made more evident when we realize that we're in the time of year when the migration of so many birds over large portions of the earth is taking place.
Yet, no matter how devastating such a pandemic might be, it's a minor nuisance in the face of the greatest pandemic of all - Sin. Because of Sin, humanity is separated from God, even going so far as to refuse His grace and mercy. Because of Sin, death is a reality of life - only because of Sin could there be any danger of a "bird flu" pandemic and the death it can bring. Because of Sin, death doesn't just affect people in time and space, but also in eternity - a total and devastating separation from God (spiritual death) for eternity.
When people look into the face of such destruction, it's quite reasonable for people to despair. Yet, God brings His healing power into our lives, spiritually healing us through the forgiveness of sins He offers through faith in Jesus Christ. In His great love He also provides various means of healing, just as Jesus healed during His ministry on earth, so that people might experience His grace, mercy, and love in tangible and meaningful ways. Through the vocations of doctors, nurses, medical specialists, pharmacists, researchers, and a host of other people who work in the health and medical fields, God works to bring us His love and His healing in the face of Sin's devastation. In His great grace and mercy, our Father in heaven works through others for our good and His glory. No matter how much the world might look at the potential of a pandemic of "bird flu" and the death toll it's projected it will exact, or, for that matter, as we face every other challenge to life and limb, peace and tranquility in life, God offers us hope and peace in Jesus. Confessing our sins, then, we are confident of Christ's forgiveness and certain that, no matter what, we will be with Him forever in heaven.
Prayer: Father, as I listen to the news of the day I hear so many frightening and terrible things happening in this world. There are projections of millions of deaths from a potentially deadly virus. War and terror also exact a toll of human life in various places. Crime and human folly also cost people their lives every day. The disease of Sin grips the world, Father, and it fosters diseases of every type and stripe. Finding a cure by human intervention will never happen, for there are no vaccines against sinning and the consequences of sinning. Only Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ can cure the diseases that affect me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. As I face the potential disasters of life, gracious Father, give me the strength of Your Word and Spirit so that I might at all times acknowledge my sin before You, repent of it, and, trusting in Jesus, receive Your forgiveness and love. As I live in Your forgiveness help me to live a fearless life in Jesus, even in the face of disaster, filled with Your joy and peace, fully prepared to boldly proclaim Your love and forgiveness to all the world. In Christ's precious name I pray. Amen.
*******************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 9:35-10:8; I John 1:5-10
HOPE IN THE FACE OF DISASTER
"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits - Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."(Ps.103:2,3)
Over the past couple of years we've been receiving warnings that a new kind of flu virus is "brewing." It's a new form of avian flu, "bird flu," which is still confined to birds - and mostly farm poultry as far as is known at this time - and hasn't jumped into the human population. Scientists are telling us that there's no known vaccine against this particular flu virus and once it mutates and makes the jump to humans so that it can be passed one human being to another we can expect a worldwide pandemic. The death toll estimates from this form of flu are projected to be in the millions worldwide.
Certainly such a pandemic is a fearful thing. For all intents and purposes, it appears that it's inevitable - it can't be prevented, only, God willing, contained. Governmental, scientific, and medical agencies on the local, state, national, and international levels are doing what they can to get people ready to face what many believe to be the inevitable crisis. Medical researches and other scientists are working feverishly (or so we're told) to find a way to prevent the disease or mitigate its effects. At the same time, I'm struck by the thought that no matter how well prepared we might be to face this new health threat, people are going to die, perhaps even you and me. And that's a scary thought, not so much because we might fear death (which we have no need to fear if we are in Christ), but because it seems obvious we can't control the disease. This is made more evident when we realize that we're in the time of year when the migration of so many birds over large portions of the earth is taking place.
Yet, no matter how devastating such a pandemic might be, it's a minor nuisance in the face of the greatest pandemic of all - Sin. Because of Sin, humanity is separated from God, even going so far as to refuse His grace and mercy. Because of Sin, death is a reality of life - only because of Sin could there be any danger of a "bird flu" pandemic and the death it can bring. Because of Sin, death doesn't just affect people in time and space, but also in eternity - a total and devastating separation from God (spiritual death) for eternity.
When people look into the face of such destruction, it's quite reasonable for people to despair. Yet, God brings His healing power into our lives, spiritually healing us through the forgiveness of sins He offers through faith in Jesus Christ. In His great love He also provides various means of healing, just as Jesus healed during His ministry on earth, so that people might experience His grace, mercy, and love in tangible and meaningful ways. Through the vocations of doctors, nurses, medical specialists, pharmacists, researchers, and a host of other people who work in the health and medical fields, God works to bring us His love and His healing in the face of Sin's devastation. In His great grace and mercy, our Father in heaven works through others for our good and His glory. No matter how much the world might look at the potential of a pandemic of "bird flu" and the death toll it's projected it will exact, or, for that matter, as we face every other challenge to life and limb, peace and tranquility in life, God offers us hope and peace in Jesus. Confessing our sins, then, we are confident of Christ's forgiveness and certain that, no matter what, we will be with Him forever in heaven.
Prayer: Father, as I listen to the news of the day I hear so many frightening and terrible things happening in this world. There are projections of millions of deaths from a potentially deadly virus. War and terror also exact a toll of human life in various places. Crime and human folly also cost people their lives every day. The disease of Sin grips the world, Father, and it fosters diseases of every type and stripe. Finding a cure by human intervention will never happen, for there are no vaccines against sinning and the consequences of sinning. Only Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ can cure the diseases that affect me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. As I face the potential disasters of life, gracious Father, give me the strength of Your Word and Spirit so that I might at all times acknowledge my sin before You, repent of it, and, trusting in Jesus, receive Your forgiveness and love. As I live in Your forgiveness help me to live a fearless life in Jesus, even in the face of disaster, filled with Your joy and peace, fully prepared to boldly proclaim Your love and forgiveness to all the world. In Christ's precious name I pray. Amen.
*******************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
The Tongue - An Instrument Of Progress
"Today's Devotion" For March 18, 2006
Read: Matthew 12:33-37; James 3:1-12
THE TONGUE - AN INSTRUMENT OF PROGRESS
"For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37)
In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries there was a Roman Catholic French philosopher by the name of Joseph Joubert. He was known for his intellect, his gentleness, his willingness to serve, and his search for virtue. After his death a large body of his written work was discovered which shared his direct, unvarnished thoughts on attaining virtue. Many of these thoughts were published after his death. One that stands out as a commentary that's as applicable to today as any other time in history goes like this: "The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory but progress."
How often don't we find that just the opposite is true for us and for others? People may disagree, but they don't have to be disagreeable in the process. We're not generally intent upon "progress" in an argument or discussion, only victory. "I'm right and your wrong" is very much a reality when issues are debated, questioned, and disputed. Whether we're talking about politics and all the "positioning" that goes on among politicians and the various sides in a controversy or the day to day interactions between us and those we work with, play with, or live with. How often doesn't a "discussion" or "argument" between parents and children result in a "victory" for one or the other (of course, hopefully, for the parents :>) and the relationship between them suffer rather than grow? How often don't husbands and wives "get into it with each other" and end up going backwards in their relationship rather than forward? Of course, part of the dynamics of these situations is the human tongue and how we use it.
For my money one of the most succulent pieces of meat, a veritable gourmet's delight, is calf's tongue. My mother used to prepare it as a special treat (it's a very German food). She would boil it, slice it, and serve it with boiled potatoes. It was a rarity since it wasn't something we could always afford, but when we had it it was always an epicurean delight. I have no doubt, however, that not everyone shares my opinion on the succulence of calf's tongue. That would include my wife and children, who, in fact, as far as I know have never had calf's tongue, and don't feel particularly compelled to try it (although I contend that if they tried it they'd like it) I suppose it's a bit exotic in this day and age, and I think it probably brings up some negative images.
Interestingly enough, the human tongue does much the same thing in people's mouths. It can deal sweetly with others, delivering words of kindness and love. It can also be quite distasteful, delivering hatred, dislike, unkindness, lies, and a myriad of other quite bitter and harmful thoughts formed into words. It's the tongue that betrays our hearts and how we feel and think. Certainly it's our use of our tongues which is the deciding factor as to whether an argument or discussion leads to victory or progress. No doubt the Pharisees were looking to find a way to discredit Jesus and gain a victory as they betrayed their hearts and their hatred for Christ by declaring His was the work of Satan. And, lest we point to strongly at the Pharisees, it's a good thing for us to remember that we also use our tongues in ways that betray our relationship with Jesus by speaking without love and uncaringly to and about others.
Jesus described the acid tongued Pharisees as a "brood of vipers," which is an apt description when you realize that it's that forked tongue which betrays the snake. Of course we'd like to believe we're better than that and above the fray, yet all too often we use our tongues to "slice and dice" so we can get the upper hand on others. Just as Jesus called the Pharisees to repentance, encouraging them to reexamine their hearts and use their tongues to seek forgiveness, so also does His call go out to us as well. We, too, need to be careful of our tongues, lest we fall into the same trap of the Pharisees. Careless words often betray the love we say we have for Jesus, and certainly betray His love for us. And when our tongues are used to tear others down to win an argument instead of finding progress in our relationships, we end up betraying our relationship with Jesus. At the same time, by God's grace and mercy, we are offered the opportunity in Christ to repent of our sins and, receiving His forgiveness and love, turn our tongues into instruments of faith sharing God's peace in Christ with the world.
Prayer: Lord, I know that my tongue gets me into trouble way too often. I frequently don't know when to be quiet. Too often I use it to "get even" with others with whom I am angry or I don't like instead of seeking progress in our relationship. In so doing, I know that I betray Your love for me and my relationship with You. Help me to use my tongue to sing Your praises and tell others of Your love and forgiveness. Help me to use my tongue to come to You in repentance for forgiveness of my sins so that my relationship with You might progress. Let my tongue be an instrument of Your peace as I declare Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness to the world around me. Hear me dearest Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 12:33-37; James 3:1-12
THE TONGUE - AN INSTRUMENT OF PROGRESS
"For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37)
In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries there was a Roman Catholic French philosopher by the name of Joseph Joubert. He was known for his intellect, his gentleness, his willingness to serve, and his search for virtue. After his death a large body of his written work was discovered which shared his direct, unvarnished thoughts on attaining virtue. Many of these thoughts were published after his death. One that stands out as a commentary that's as applicable to today as any other time in history goes like this: "The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory but progress."
How often don't we find that just the opposite is true for us and for others? People may disagree, but they don't have to be disagreeable in the process. We're not generally intent upon "progress" in an argument or discussion, only victory. "I'm right and your wrong" is very much a reality when issues are debated, questioned, and disputed. Whether we're talking about politics and all the "positioning" that goes on among politicians and the various sides in a controversy or the day to day interactions between us and those we work with, play with, or live with. How often doesn't a "discussion" or "argument" between parents and children result in a "victory" for one or the other (of course, hopefully, for the parents :>) and the relationship between them suffer rather than grow? How often don't husbands and wives "get into it with each other" and end up going backwards in their relationship rather than forward? Of course, part of the dynamics of these situations is the human tongue and how we use it.
For my money one of the most succulent pieces of meat, a veritable gourmet's delight, is calf's tongue. My mother used to prepare it as a special treat (it's a very German food). She would boil it, slice it, and serve it with boiled potatoes. It was a rarity since it wasn't something we could always afford, but when we had it it was always an epicurean delight. I have no doubt, however, that not everyone shares my opinion on the succulence of calf's tongue. That would include my wife and children, who, in fact, as far as I know have never had calf's tongue, and don't feel particularly compelled to try it (although I contend that if they tried it they'd like it) I suppose it's a bit exotic in this day and age, and I think it probably brings up some negative images.
Interestingly enough, the human tongue does much the same thing in people's mouths. It can deal sweetly with others, delivering words of kindness and love. It can also be quite distasteful, delivering hatred, dislike, unkindness, lies, and a myriad of other quite bitter and harmful thoughts formed into words. It's the tongue that betrays our hearts and how we feel and think. Certainly it's our use of our tongues which is the deciding factor as to whether an argument or discussion leads to victory or progress. No doubt the Pharisees were looking to find a way to discredit Jesus and gain a victory as they betrayed their hearts and their hatred for Christ by declaring His was the work of Satan. And, lest we point to strongly at the Pharisees, it's a good thing for us to remember that we also use our tongues in ways that betray our relationship with Jesus by speaking without love and uncaringly to and about others.
Jesus described the acid tongued Pharisees as a "brood of vipers," which is an apt description when you realize that it's that forked tongue which betrays the snake. Of course we'd like to believe we're better than that and above the fray, yet all too often we use our tongues to "slice and dice" so we can get the upper hand on others. Just as Jesus called the Pharisees to repentance, encouraging them to reexamine their hearts and use their tongues to seek forgiveness, so also does His call go out to us as well. We, too, need to be careful of our tongues, lest we fall into the same trap of the Pharisees. Careless words often betray the love we say we have for Jesus, and certainly betray His love for us. And when our tongues are used to tear others down to win an argument instead of finding progress in our relationships, we end up betraying our relationship with Jesus. At the same time, by God's grace and mercy, we are offered the opportunity in Christ to repent of our sins and, receiving His forgiveness and love, turn our tongues into instruments of faith sharing God's peace in Christ with the world.
Prayer: Lord, I know that my tongue gets me into trouble way too often. I frequently don't know when to be quiet. Too often I use it to "get even" with others with whom I am angry or I don't like instead of seeking progress in our relationship. In so doing, I know that I betray Your love for me and my relationship with You. Help me to use my tongue to sing Your praises and tell others of Your love and forgiveness. Help me to use my tongue to come to You in repentance for forgiveness of my sins so that my relationship with You might progress. Let my tongue be an instrument of Your peace as I declare Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness to the world around me. Hear me dearest Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, March 17, 2006
With Christ In Pursuit Of Kindness
"Today's Devotion" For March 17, 2006
Read: I Peter 3:8-15a; Psalm 34
WITH CHRIST IN PURSUIT OF KINDNESS
"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thessalonians 5:15-17)
How do you react if someone questions your heartfelt opinion on an issue? When someone challenges your work or questions your loyalty what's your response? No doubt there are myriad answers to this and certainly we'd all like to say we're understanding, gracious, and kind. More than likely, however, it's probably not a stretch to say that, in general, most of us are all too apt to respond negatively, vigorously, and with a certain amount of venom in their words and actions. Such reactions are all too common when people feel threatened, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Some would say such responses are a part of our "survival instincts."
Lashing out at others in response to their "attacks" on us or disagreements with us, even on the issues we're most passionate about, never solves the problem, though, does it? Usually, those to whom we respond negatively will generally respond negatively as well. They may harangue, insult, berate, or become condescending - not too unlike how we also might respond to them. The end result is an escalation of emotions but not a whole lot of positive result. People end up far apart and filled with either derision or animosity toward the other, or both. That this is indicative of our sinful nature and our separation from God we shouldn't doubt. But, there is a solution.
By faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior from Sin, we have confidence and peace that God has declared us to be His own dear children. He forgives us of all our sins and assures us that, in Jesus, we will be with Him in heaven. As forgiven sinners and children of our heavenly Father, God empowers us by His Word and Spirit to rise above the fray and respond with kindness, love, forgiveness, and peace to those who would challenge us, berate us, or put us down for our opinions, ideas, values, or principles. While we are always open to "constructive criticism," we can also survice "destructive criticism" with peace and joy.
As Paul notes in his words to the Thessalonian Christians, it's important that we practice such behavior among ourselves first. Being kind to one another in the household of faith is a critical step in being kind to others who don't as yet know God's forgiveness and love in Jesus. All too often the world sees God's children fighting with each other, denigrating one another, and acting spitefully toward brothers and sisters in Christ just because we don't always agree on everything. How can other trust what we say if they see us saying and doing things contrary to what we believe.
So today is a good day to heed Paul's advice and forget about "getting even" with those who wrong us; instead we'll seek to treat them with the same kindness with which we'd want to be treated (I Thess. 5:15). It's also a good day to live in the joy that God gives us in Christ, knowing that no one can separate us from His love and forgiveness in Jesus. Today is a good day to continue to pray for one another, our leadeers, our cities, counties, states, nation, and the world that God would shower His blessings upon people everywhere. And, as we offer those prayers of love and concern for others, we ask the Spirit of God to give us thankful hearts ready to do God's Will in all things, to seek His wisdom, and touch the lives of others with His love in Jesus (vv.16, 17).
Prayer: Father, You have been gracious and kind to me, for You sent Jesus to suffer and die for my sins so that I might know Your forgiveness and love for me. Fill me with Your love, joy, and peace, and help me to be a loving, living witness to others of Your grace, mercy, and love in Jesus. When others attack what I believe or even me personally because they don't agree with me, help me to listen kindly to their opinions and treat them with respect. I especially ask that You would give me a kind heart, filled with Your peace, so that even if a brother or sister in Christ were to seek to harm me, I would be patient and willing to work to restore a loving relationship with that person. Let my life as Your forgiven child in Jesus be a reflection of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness to me and all the world, so that others might be introduced to Jesus through me and receive Your forgiveness and peace. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
***************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I Peter 3:8-15a; Psalm 34
WITH CHRIST IN PURSUIT OF KINDNESS
"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thessalonians 5:15-17)
How do you react if someone questions your heartfelt opinion on an issue? When someone challenges your work or questions your loyalty what's your response? No doubt there are myriad answers to this and certainly we'd all like to say we're understanding, gracious, and kind. More than likely, however, it's probably not a stretch to say that, in general, most of us are all too apt to respond negatively, vigorously, and with a certain amount of venom in their words and actions. Such reactions are all too common when people feel threatened, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Some would say such responses are a part of our "survival instincts."
Lashing out at others in response to their "attacks" on us or disagreements with us, even on the issues we're most passionate about, never solves the problem, though, does it? Usually, those to whom we respond negatively will generally respond negatively as well. They may harangue, insult, berate, or become condescending - not too unlike how we also might respond to them. The end result is an escalation of emotions but not a whole lot of positive result. People end up far apart and filled with either derision or animosity toward the other, or both. That this is indicative of our sinful nature and our separation from God we shouldn't doubt. But, there is a solution.
By faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior from Sin, we have confidence and peace that God has declared us to be His own dear children. He forgives us of all our sins and assures us that, in Jesus, we will be with Him in heaven. As forgiven sinners and children of our heavenly Father, God empowers us by His Word and Spirit to rise above the fray and respond with kindness, love, forgiveness, and peace to those who would challenge us, berate us, or put us down for our opinions, ideas, values, or principles. While we are always open to "constructive criticism," we can also survice "destructive criticism" with peace and joy.
As Paul notes in his words to the Thessalonian Christians, it's important that we practice such behavior among ourselves first. Being kind to one another in the household of faith is a critical step in being kind to others who don't as yet know God's forgiveness and love in Jesus. All too often the world sees God's children fighting with each other, denigrating one another, and acting spitefully toward brothers and sisters in Christ just because we don't always agree on everything. How can other trust what we say if they see us saying and doing things contrary to what we believe.
So today is a good day to heed Paul's advice and forget about "getting even" with those who wrong us; instead we'll seek to treat them with the same kindness with which we'd want to be treated (I Thess. 5:15). It's also a good day to live in the joy that God gives us in Christ, knowing that no one can separate us from His love and forgiveness in Jesus. Today is a good day to continue to pray for one another, our leadeers, our cities, counties, states, nation, and the world that God would shower His blessings upon people everywhere. And, as we offer those prayers of love and concern for others, we ask the Spirit of God to give us thankful hearts ready to do God's Will in all things, to seek His wisdom, and touch the lives of others with His love in Jesus (vv.16, 17).
Prayer: Father, You have been gracious and kind to me, for You sent Jesus to suffer and die for my sins so that I might know Your forgiveness and love for me. Fill me with Your love, joy, and peace, and help me to be a loving, living witness to others of Your grace, mercy, and love in Jesus. When others attack what I believe or even me personally because they don't agree with me, help me to listen kindly to their opinions and treat them with respect. I especially ask that You would give me a kind heart, filled with Your peace, so that even if a brother or sister in Christ were to seek to harm me, I would be patient and willing to work to restore a loving relationship with that person. Let my life as Your forgiven child in Jesus be a reflection of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness to me and all the world, so that others might be introduced to Jesus through me and receive Your forgiveness and peace. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
***************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Praising And Cursing With The Same Tongue?
"Today's Devotion" For March 16, 2006
Read: James 3:1-12; Psalm 140
PRAISING AND CURSING WITH THE SAME TONGUE?
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing." (James 3:9, 10)
The other day someone responded to a devotion on the "Today's Devotion" blog using as many "curse" words as possible. No doubt the person who wrote them is an angry human being - although he (or she) didn't give a name, a blog address was given and, upon checking it out, it was easy to see the anger and hatred toward a variety of things and people, God included. One of the blessings of the internet is the ability to reach a lot of people one might not otherwise touch with the Gospel; one of the "curses" is that it's such an anonymous venue that there's often no way to lovingly address such people.
That the use of such language as a way of expressing ones anger and frustration is common these days was punctuated by a series of news article on a popular internet news portal just this morning. It seems that in Austria there is small village with only 32 houses that has the name of "F---cking," which in German is pronounced "Fooking." It seems some tourists (from a country that will remain nameless - not the U.S. by the way) find the name so humorous that they've been stealing the signs. This may seem to be "harmless" in and of itself (it's still theft by the way), but that same country has such a problem with "swearing" that at least one of its secondary schools as instituted a five-word swearing limit in each class. After five "swears," as noted by the teacher on the chalkboard, no one is allowed to swear for the duration of the class. If the rule is broken there are severe consequences - the class receives a "severe talking to" by the teacher.
What we call "swearing" is not what the Scriptures mean by "swearing." While we consider "swearing" to be the use of all sorts of coarse and negative language, including taking the Lord's name in vain, Scripture considers "swearing" to mean calling on God's name in support of something we've said or done. James uses the term "curse" as a distinction between "swearing" and the use of bad/coarse language that tears another down and harms our relationship with them. It's been my experience that, as rich as the English language is in its ability to convey thoughts clearly and distinctly, people seem to be more and more ready to resort to words and expressions which lend themselves to demeaning, degrading, and destroying others.
How about you and me? Are we also too apt to praise and curse in one breath? Is our first response, whether in anger or frustration, to lash out with an obscene gesture (I know it's not "cursing" per se, but the thought is there and our thoughts give way to the words spoken) or yell out a series of invectives which can only exacerbate the situation? Are we as willing to use our tongues to praise others, lift them up, encourage them, or intelligently and courteously challenge a position with which we disagree? Ultimately, how we use our tongues reflects the condition of our hearts. There's no doubt that when we use our tongues to "tear others down" or "get in a shot to even the score," we are reflecting our sinful nature. Rather than loving God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves, such a use of our tongues destroys any relationship we might have with God or our neighbor.
Our tongues can be used, therefore, as instruments of hope and praise or as instruments of despair, condemnation, hatred, and destruction. But by God's grace and mercy, through the power of His Word and Spirit, we are, by faith in Jesus, empowered to put our tongues to use in a manner that praises God and uplifts and helps our neighbor. God's own Word is a reflection of God's use of His "tongue" as He offers us His forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love in Christ Jesus. As we read and hear His Word we are blessed, scolded, challenged, chastised, and loved. He encourages us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and loves other people in His name. He gives us the very strength and courage we need to speak to others with words of kindness and love in all types of situations, no matter the provocation to anger and hateful speech we might experience. What a great gift God has given us, that we are able to live in His love and share that love through the use of our tongues in praise and honor of His holy name and for the benefit and blessing of others.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for the awful ways I use my tongue. Too often I use it to lash out at others in anger and frustration, hoping to hurt them and cause them to feel as hurt and bruised as I might at that moment. Too often I use my tongue to put others down whose ideas don't agree with mine, rather than speaking to them with a loving spirit, effectively using Your gift of language to question, reason, and convince. Help me, gracious Father, to remember that no matter how much provocation another person might give me, that each human being is created in Your likeness and is due the every bit of Your love and mercy in Jesus that I can share. Teach me to use my tongue to praise rather than curse, to uplift rather than tear down, and to love rather than hate. In Jesus' most precious and holy name I pray. Amen.
***********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright (c) 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: James 3:1-12; Psalm 140
PRAISING AND CURSING WITH THE SAME TONGUE?
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing." (James 3:9, 10)
The other day someone responded to a devotion on the "Today's Devotion" blog using as many "curse" words as possible. No doubt the person who wrote them is an angry human being - although he (or she) didn't give a name, a blog address was given and, upon checking it out, it was easy to see the anger and hatred toward a variety of things and people, God included. One of the blessings of the internet is the ability to reach a lot of people one might not otherwise touch with the Gospel; one of the "curses" is that it's such an anonymous venue that there's often no way to lovingly address such people.
That the use of such language as a way of expressing ones anger and frustration is common these days was punctuated by a series of news article on a popular internet news portal just this morning. It seems that in Austria there is small village with only 32 houses that has the name of "F---cking," which in German is pronounced "Fooking." It seems some tourists (from a country that will remain nameless - not the U.S. by the way) find the name so humorous that they've been stealing the signs. This may seem to be "harmless" in and of itself (it's still theft by the way), but that same country has such a problem with "swearing" that at least one of its secondary schools as instituted a five-word swearing limit in each class. After five "swears," as noted by the teacher on the chalkboard, no one is allowed to swear for the duration of the class. If the rule is broken there are severe consequences - the class receives a "severe talking to" by the teacher.
What we call "swearing" is not what the Scriptures mean by "swearing." While we consider "swearing" to be the use of all sorts of coarse and negative language, including taking the Lord's name in vain, Scripture considers "swearing" to mean calling on God's name in support of something we've said or done. James uses the term "curse" as a distinction between "swearing" and the use of bad/coarse language that tears another down and harms our relationship with them. It's been my experience that, as rich as the English language is in its ability to convey thoughts clearly and distinctly, people seem to be more and more ready to resort to words and expressions which lend themselves to demeaning, degrading, and destroying others.
How about you and me? Are we also too apt to praise and curse in one breath? Is our first response, whether in anger or frustration, to lash out with an obscene gesture (I know it's not "cursing" per se, but the thought is there and our thoughts give way to the words spoken) or yell out a series of invectives which can only exacerbate the situation? Are we as willing to use our tongues to praise others, lift them up, encourage them, or intelligently and courteously challenge a position with which we disagree? Ultimately, how we use our tongues reflects the condition of our hearts. There's no doubt that when we use our tongues to "tear others down" or "get in a shot to even the score," we are reflecting our sinful nature. Rather than loving God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves, such a use of our tongues destroys any relationship we might have with God or our neighbor.
Our tongues can be used, therefore, as instruments of hope and praise or as instruments of despair, condemnation, hatred, and destruction. But by God's grace and mercy, through the power of His Word and Spirit, we are, by faith in Jesus, empowered to put our tongues to use in a manner that praises God and uplifts and helps our neighbor. God's own Word is a reflection of God's use of His "tongue" as He offers us His forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love in Christ Jesus. As we read and hear His Word we are blessed, scolded, challenged, chastised, and loved. He encourages us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and loves other people in His name. He gives us the very strength and courage we need to speak to others with words of kindness and love in all types of situations, no matter the provocation to anger and hateful speech we might experience. What a great gift God has given us, that we are able to live in His love and share that love through the use of our tongues in praise and honor of His holy name and for the benefit and blessing of others.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for the awful ways I use my tongue. Too often I use it to lash out at others in anger and frustration, hoping to hurt them and cause them to feel as hurt and bruised as I might at that moment. Too often I use my tongue to put others down whose ideas don't agree with mine, rather than speaking to them with a loving spirit, effectively using Your gift of language to question, reason, and convince. Help me, gracious Father, to remember that no matter how much provocation another person might give me, that each human being is created in Your likeness and is due the every bit of Your love and mercy in Jesus that I can share. Teach me to use my tongue to praise rather than curse, to uplift rather than tear down, and to love rather than hate. In Jesus' most precious and holy name I pray. Amen.
***********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright (c) 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
God Gives Us What We Need Today
"Today's Devotion" For March 15, 2006
Read: Luke 12:22-34; I Corinthians 15:50-58
GOD GIVES US WHAT WE NEED TODAY
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
Will you need to eat today? No doubt. Will you need to drink today? Most certainly. Will these needs cost anything? Of course. Can you be certain you'll have those needs met? Well, that's a little tricky.
Do you have a job - a way to earn a living? If so, great! But, what about those who don't? According to the latest job statistics, the labor market is getting tighter and employers are searching for employees because there are more jobs than people. Yet there are many people still wandering the streets of our cities looking for work because they don't meet the educational or skill qualifications for many of the available work opportunities. Is it possible, do you think, that these folks are worried about where their going to get their next meal or whether they'll have a roof over their heads tonight?
It's not too difficult to understand why people in such circumstances would worry. I've been in such need myself at one point in my life and I can tell you that, no matter how firm my faith was in Jesus, I still worried. So did my wife. Even now, today, as we continue to raise the children still remaining at home and help support, as we are able, those who are in college, the temptation to worry about how the bills are going to be paid or whether the cars are going to start the next day can be intense. In a recent session with my pastoral coach/counselor, I was asked if our son, Matthew's deployment to Iraq with the Marine Corps was playing on my mind. While I said no, as I think about it, perhaps at the back of my mind and deep in my heart there is an element of concern - perhaps even worry - about his welfare, safety, and, for the future, his safe return home.
No doubt most everyone who reads these words can find something with which to relate. Your circumstances may be the same. They may be different. But, there's no doubt in my mind, nor should there be in yours, that every one of us is concerned and, yes, worried about receiving our "daily bread" - everything that's important and essential to life and living. Whether we are poor or wealthy; are working or searching for work, are healthy or facing illness or debilitating disease the specter of worry still rears its ugly head.
In the face of such doubt and worry, our Lord Jesus Christ brings words of hope and comfort. He encourages us to take heart in the face of our worries by reminding us that life is greater that the sum of its parts. Food sustains life, but it's not life itself. Clothes protect the body, but they don't give life. A roof overhead gives us shelter from the elements and safety from "predators" but it doesn't breathe life into a body or lift up the soul. He reminds us that our Father in heaven knows precisely what we need, when we need it, and how to supply it. It comes in His time, the right time, and, through faith in Jesus we have the courage to wait for God to give us what we need today.
Above all, God's greatest gift to us, to meet our most critical need, is Jesus Himself. Our heavenly Father wants us to inherit His kingdom - to know and believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we are His very own, redeemed, restored, and forgiven children in Christ. What comfort and courage we can take when by faith we believe Jesus' words, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom" (Lk. 12:32)! To believe this promise and assurance of heaven is to be free to live for Christ and serve Him by reaching out to others. To believe this promise and live in its assurance is to not be wedded to our possessions and personal desires, but to trust God for life's necessities and reach out in loving compassion to those in need - both physical and spiritual need. Our truest treasure is also our greatest need - heaven - and God has provided it for us in Jesus. He truly does give us what we need today and everyday!
Prayer: Father, I hate to admit it, but I do worry a lot. I've even come to the conclusion that I worry about things I'm not even aware I'm worried about. Your Word and Spirit truly convict me of my lack of faith and trust in You and Your promises to me. At times I take many of Your blessings for granted; at other times I yearn for things that aren't necessary for my life and living. My sinful heart and mind too often focus on things that are nonessential and selfish rather than on Your blessings to me so that I might be a blessing to others. Forgive me, Father, for Jesus' sake and lead me to greater faith and trust in You and Your promises to me. Lead me to be a faithful witness to Your love and blessings so that others might see and have hope in Your goodness and love as well. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
***********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Luke 12:22-34; I Corinthians 15:50-58
GOD GIVES US WHAT WE NEED TODAY
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
Will you need to eat today? No doubt. Will you need to drink today? Most certainly. Will these needs cost anything? Of course. Can you be certain you'll have those needs met? Well, that's a little tricky.
Do you have a job - a way to earn a living? If so, great! But, what about those who don't? According to the latest job statistics, the labor market is getting tighter and employers are searching for employees because there are more jobs than people. Yet there are many people still wandering the streets of our cities looking for work because they don't meet the educational or skill qualifications for many of the available work opportunities. Is it possible, do you think, that these folks are worried about where their going to get their next meal or whether they'll have a roof over their heads tonight?
It's not too difficult to understand why people in such circumstances would worry. I've been in such need myself at one point in my life and I can tell you that, no matter how firm my faith was in Jesus, I still worried. So did my wife. Even now, today, as we continue to raise the children still remaining at home and help support, as we are able, those who are in college, the temptation to worry about how the bills are going to be paid or whether the cars are going to start the next day can be intense. In a recent session with my pastoral coach/counselor, I was asked if our son, Matthew's deployment to Iraq with the Marine Corps was playing on my mind. While I said no, as I think about it, perhaps at the back of my mind and deep in my heart there is an element of concern - perhaps even worry - about his welfare, safety, and, for the future, his safe return home.
No doubt most everyone who reads these words can find something with which to relate. Your circumstances may be the same. They may be different. But, there's no doubt in my mind, nor should there be in yours, that every one of us is concerned and, yes, worried about receiving our "daily bread" - everything that's important and essential to life and living. Whether we are poor or wealthy; are working or searching for work, are healthy or facing illness or debilitating disease the specter of worry still rears its ugly head.
In the face of such doubt and worry, our Lord Jesus Christ brings words of hope and comfort. He encourages us to take heart in the face of our worries by reminding us that life is greater that the sum of its parts. Food sustains life, but it's not life itself. Clothes protect the body, but they don't give life. A roof overhead gives us shelter from the elements and safety from "predators" but it doesn't breathe life into a body or lift up the soul. He reminds us that our Father in heaven knows precisely what we need, when we need it, and how to supply it. It comes in His time, the right time, and, through faith in Jesus we have the courage to wait for God to give us what we need today.
Above all, God's greatest gift to us, to meet our most critical need, is Jesus Himself. Our heavenly Father wants us to inherit His kingdom - to know and believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we are His very own, redeemed, restored, and forgiven children in Christ. What comfort and courage we can take when by faith we believe Jesus' words, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom" (Lk. 12:32)! To believe this promise and assurance of heaven is to be free to live for Christ and serve Him by reaching out to others. To believe this promise and live in its assurance is to not be wedded to our possessions and personal desires, but to trust God for life's necessities and reach out in loving compassion to those in need - both physical and spiritual need. Our truest treasure is also our greatest need - heaven - and God has provided it for us in Jesus. He truly does give us what we need today and everyday!
Prayer: Father, I hate to admit it, but I do worry a lot. I've even come to the conclusion that I worry about things I'm not even aware I'm worried about. Your Word and Spirit truly convict me of my lack of faith and trust in You and Your promises to me. At times I take many of Your blessings for granted; at other times I yearn for things that aren't necessary for my life and living. My sinful heart and mind too often focus on things that are nonessential and selfish rather than on Your blessings to me so that I might be a blessing to others. Forgive me, Father, for Jesus' sake and lead me to greater faith and trust in You and Your promises to me. Lead me to be a faithful witness to Your love and blessings so that others might see and have hope in Your goodness and love as well. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
***********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
No Condemnation In Christ
"Today's Devotion" For March 14, 2006
Read: Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 11
NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1)
In recent days a senator from my home state has publicly called for a censure of the President of the United States for sanctioning "illegal domestic wiretapping" in the war on terrorism. The senator's stance is that any type of wiretapping without a warrant is illegal and even the President's war time powers don't give him any such authority. Obviously there's great debate on this issue with the President's party condemning it out of hand and the senator's party approaching it cautiously. The current polarization of the Congress, the Administration, and the nation over political, ethical, and moral issues seems to be lending itself to a continuous stream of efforts to condemn someone, for something, for any reason or none at all because someone doesn't agree with or doesn't like whomever is the target. In essence, it seems quite obvious that there's not a whole lot of love lost or respect for those with whom one disagrees.
Of course we shouldn't be surprised at this type of behavior. It's part and parcel of how we live as human beings every day. Our sinful nature tends to lead is in the direction of putting ourselves before others and finding ways to put the other down. Questioning the actions of others is one thing, but Sin also leads us to condemn their intentions as well. A good example of this is found in the example above - the senator is challenging the President's actions while some who oppose the senator's challenge are questioning the senator's motives (regardless of the validity or lack thereof of his contentions) because it appears that he's heading toward a run for the Presidency himself. While we might sit back and point fingers at such things as being wrong-headed, the reality of life and the Sin that nips at our heels everyday is that we do this to each other regularly.
Satan's greatest effort is to get us to forget our own sinfulness and point the finger at others. Between the wiles of Satan and our own sinful nature, it's easy for us to ignore our own sinfulness while pointing it out in others. In so doing sorrow over our sin and repentance of our sinful behavior gets lost in the shuffle. In the end, Sin and Satan lead us before God to stand condemned and worthy of nothing from Him but eternal damnation in Hell, totally and irrevocably separated from Him forever.
Yet God is not "willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). Therefore in His great love, mercy, grace, and compassion He took on our flesh and blood in the person and form of Jesus Christ so that we might be saved in Him. By His blood and righteousness we stand before God washed clean from our sins clothed in the holiness and righteousness of Christ. We no longer stand condemned before God, regardless of Satan's accusations and our own disobedience, because Christ has redeemed us and paid the price of Sin for us. God has declared us His own children. He has declared His love and forgiveness to us and confirms that in us through Holy Baptism each and every day.
We are free, therefore, to live each day as a new day full of promise, hope, and opportunities of service. When we feel the weight of the world upon our shoulders because our sins weigh heavily upon us, we are comforted by God's promise in Jesus that we are forgiven and He remembers our sins no more. When others condemn us for not going along with their ideas or buying into their values because they run contrary to God's Word and Will, we don't stand alone for our Lord Jesus is present with us and His Spirit is lifting us up to serve Him faithfully. So, no matter if one is the President of the United States doing what he believes to be right, or the senator challenging his actions and wishing to censure his behavior - at the same time having his intentions impugned - or you and me going about our everyday, ordinary tasks and activities of life and service, if any is in Christ he is a new creation and no longer stands condemned before God. That's great news; it's empowering news; it's news that sets us free - free to know God and His love for us and to love Him and serve Him and others in His name.
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to set me free from the curse and condemnation of Sin and Satan in my life. Forgive me for too often forgetting Your compassion and forgiveness that You offer me and confirm for me as I remember my baptism each day. By the power of Your Word and Spirit fill strengthen my faith and trust in You and lead me to daily, heartfelt repentance of my sins so that I may truly live a life that is free to serve You and others in Your name. Help me to avoid the temptation to condemn others for their sins; instead lead me to freely share Your forgiveness and love with them. Let me life be an example of what it means to live free from the condemnation of Sin so that others might see how great Your love and compassion really are. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 11
NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1)
In recent days a senator from my home state has publicly called for a censure of the President of the United States for sanctioning "illegal domestic wiretapping" in the war on terrorism. The senator's stance is that any type of wiretapping without a warrant is illegal and even the President's war time powers don't give him any such authority. Obviously there's great debate on this issue with the President's party condemning it out of hand and the senator's party approaching it cautiously. The current polarization of the Congress, the Administration, and the nation over political, ethical, and moral issues seems to be lending itself to a continuous stream of efforts to condemn someone, for something, for any reason or none at all because someone doesn't agree with or doesn't like whomever is the target. In essence, it seems quite obvious that there's not a whole lot of love lost or respect for those with whom one disagrees.
Of course we shouldn't be surprised at this type of behavior. It's part and parcel of how we live as human beings every day. Our sinful nature tends to lead is in the direction of putting ourselves before others and finding ways to put the other down. Questioning the actions of others is one thing, but Sin also leads us to condemn their intentions as well. A good example of this is found in the example above - the senator is challenging the President's actions while some who oppose the senator's challenge are questioning the senator's motives (regardless of the validity or lack thereof of his contentions) because it appears that he's heading toward a run for the Presidency himself. While we might sit back and point fingers at such things as being wrong-headed, the reality of life and the Sin that nips at our heels everyday is that we do this to each other regularly.
Satan's greatest effort is to get us to forget our own sinfulness and point the finger at others. Between the wiles of Satan and our own sinful nature, it's easy for us to ignore our own sinfulness while pointing it out in others. In so doing sorrow over our sin and repentance of our sinful behavior gets lost in the shuffle. In the end, Sin and Satan lead us before God to stand condemned and worthy of nothing from Him but eternal damnation in Hell, totally and irrevocably separated from Him forever.
Yet God is not "willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). Therefore in His great love, mercy, grace, and compassion He took on our flesh and blood in the person and form of Jesus Christ so that we might be saved in Him. By His blood and righteousness we stand before God washed clean from our sins clothed in the holiness and righteousness of Christ. We no longer stand condemned before God, regardless of Satan's accusations and our own disobedience, because Christ has redeemed us and paid the price of Sin for us. God has declared us His own children. He has declared His love and forgiveness to us and confirms that in us through Holy Baptism each and every day.
We are free, therefore, to live each day as a new day full of promise, hope, and opportunities of service. When we feel the weight of the world upon our shoulders because our sins weigh heavily upon us, we are comforted by God's promise in Jesus that we are forgiven and He remembers our sins no more. When others condemn us for not going along with their ideas or buying into their values because they run contrary to God's Word and Will, we don't stand alone for our Lord Jesus is present with us and His Spirit is lifting us up to serve Him faithfully. So, no matter if one is the President of the United States doing what he believes to be right, or the senator challenging his actions and wishing to censure his behavior - at the same time having his intentions impugned - or you and me going about our everyday, ordinary tasks and activities of life and service, if any is in Christ he is a new creation and no longer stands condemned before God. That's great news; it's empowering news; it's news that sets us free - free to know God and His love for us and to love Him and serve Him and others in His name.
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to set me free from the curse and condemnation of Sin and Satan in my life. Forgive me for too often forgetting Your compassion and forgiveness that You offer me and confirm for me as I remember my baptism each day. By the power of Your Word and Spirit fill strengthen my faith and trust in You and lead me to daily, heartfelt repentance of my sins so that I may truly live a life that is free to serve You and others in Your name. Help me to avoid the temptation to condemn others for their sins; instead lead me to freely share Your forgiveness and love with them. Let me life be an example of what it means to live free from the condemnation of Sin so that others might see how great Your love and compassion really are. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Doing The "Work" God Requires
"Today's Devotion" For March 13, 2006
Read: John 6:22-29; I John 3:21-24
DOING THE "WORK" GOD REQUIRES
"Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent." (John 6:29)
In 1787, Thomas Jefferson gave his daughter, Martha, the following advice: "Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much can be done if we are always doing." It's hard to argue with such advice. Certainly there is ample evidence in our lives of the truth of Jefferson's advice. No doubt there are more than just a few people who remember those long, hot afternoons of summer vacation when the days just seemed to drag and there "wasn't anything to do." No doubt every parent has, at one time or another, had a child complain about how bored they were and how there was nothing for them to do, especially with school out for the summer.
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop," goes another old saying about the value of working and engaging in constructive endeavors. Our whole culture has a foundation which historically has held to the Biblical principle of: "He who would not work, neither should he eat" (II Thessalonians 3:10). The hard work of immigrants has been instrumental in building the nation. One of the most important reasons people are driven to come to the United States, legally or illegally, is that so many of them are looking for an opportunity to work hard and attain their own conception of success.
Work has been established by God as an important part of human endeavor. In the beginning, God told Adam and Eve that they were to tend the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15). While work was intended as a blessing, after the Fall into Sin, work became a part of the curse of Sin in our lives (Gen. 3:17-19). From that "stellar" beginning, work has always been essential to achieving great things, acquiring great wealth, and gaining power. In fact, work is so much a part of our lives that it's understandable, although incorrect, that we would see work as a way to make ourselves pleasing to God and get us into heaven.
That's the challenge Jesus was given when the people who had experienced His feeding of five thousand people with five small barley loaves and two small fish (cf. John 6:1-14) caught up to Him on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Yet, as Jesus noted, they were more interested in the fact that He had filled their bellies that they were missing the whole point of the miracle, which was that Jesus was (and is) the promised Messiah who would redeem God's people from their sins. Their question of Jesus, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" (Jn. 6:28), shows that they expected to earn God's forgiveness and achieve eternal life by pious works. It's an understandable error when we realize that we, too, are inclined to look for ways to work our way into heaven, rather than trusting in our redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Jesus answers the question very clearly. He points them, and us, to the truth that the only true work God "requires" for salvation is that we "believe in the One He has sent" (Jn. 6:29). John further reiterates Jesus' response in his first letter (I John 3:23) when he writes, "And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us." By the power of God's Word and Spirit, that very faith He requires of us, that "work" we "need" to do to be saved and know God's forgiveness, is worked in our hearts and lived out in our lives. In that same faith, we also live out Jesus' love for us as we touch the lives of others, both believers and nonbelievers, with the hope and comfort of the Gospel. This is the work that's important to God and which He requires of us. If we want to keep "busy" and not "lose any time" there's no doubt that a living faith in Christ is a full time vocation and certain to make a difference in the world.
Prayer: Father, You have called me by the Gospel into the marvelous light of Your grace which You have revealed in Jesus Christ. You have worked a great miracle in my life, bringing me out of the darkness of Sin and despair - lost without Your love and forgiveness - into a saving relationship with Christ through the washing of Holy Baptism. You have made me Your very own, redeemed and restored child that I may declare the wonders of Your love and forgiveness for the whole world in Jesus. Keep me ever mindful that there are no works of my hands that can gain Your love and forgiveness, nor can I in anyway work my way into heaven, but that the "work You require" is to believe in Jesus as my Savior and Lord - the Word made flesh who has come into my lfie and made me Your own. Let my every word and deed be a reflection of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus to those I touch each day. Let them meet Jesus through me so they can also know "the work You require" and believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life with You. In Jesus' precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 6:22-29; I John 3:21-24
DOING THE "WORK" GOD REQUIRES
"Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent." (John 6:29)
In 1787, Thomas Jefferson gave his daughter, Martha, the following advice: "Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much can be done if we are always doing." It's hard to argue with such advice. Certainly there is ample evidence in our lives of the truth of Jefferson's advice. No doubt there are more than just a few people who remember those long, hot afternoons of summer vacation when the days just seemed to drag and there "wasn't anything to do." No doubt every parent has, at one time or another, had a child complain about how bored they were and how there was nothing for them to do, especially with school out for the summer.
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop," goes another old saying about the value of working and engaging in constructive endeavors. Our whole culture has a foundation which historically has held to the Biblical principle of: "He who would not work, neither should he eat" (II Thessalonians 3:10). The hard work of immigrants has been instrumental in building the nation. One of the most important reasons people are driven to come to the United States, legally or illegally, is that so many of them are looking for an opportunity to work hard and attain their own conception of success.
Work has been established by God as an important part of human endeavor. In the beginning, God told Adam and Eve that they were to tend the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15). While work was intended as a blessing, after the Fall into Sin, work became a part of the curse of Sin in our lives (Gen. 3:17-19). From that "stellar" beginning, work has always been essential to achieving great things, acquiring great wealth, and gaining power. In fact, work is so much a part of our lives that it's understandable, although incorrect, that we would see work as a way to make ourselves pleasing to God and get us into heaven.
That's the challenge Jesus was given when the people who had experienced His feeding of five thousand people with five small barley loaves and two small fish (cf. John 6:1-14) caught up to Him on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Yet, as Jesus noted, they were more interested in the fact that He had filled their bellies that they were missing the whole point of the miracle, which was that Jesus was (and is) the promised Messiah who would redeem God's people from their sins. Their question of Jesus, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" (Jn. 6:28), shows that they expected to earn God's forgiveness and achieve eternal life by pious works. It's an understandable error when we realize that we, too, are inclined to look for ways to work our way into heaven, rather than trusting in our redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Jesus answers the question very clearly. He points them, and us, to the truth that the only true work God "requires" for salvation is that we "believe in the One He has sent" (Jn. 6:29). John further reiterates Jesus' response in his first letter (I John 3:23) when he writes, "And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us." By the power of God's Word and Spirit, that very faith He requires of us, that "work" we "need" to do to be saved and know God's forgiveness, is worked in our hearts and lived out in our lives. In that same faith, we also live out Jesus' love for us as we touch the lives of others, both believers and nonbelievers, with the hope and comfort of the Gospel. This is the work that's important to God and which He requires of us. If we want to keep "busy" and not "lose any time" there's no doubt that a living faith in Christ is a full time vocation and certain to make a difference in the world.
Prayer: Father, You have called me by the Gospel into the marvelous light of Your grace which You have revealed in Jesus Christ. You have worked a great miracle in my life, bringing me out of the darkness of Sin and despair - lost without Your love and forgiveness - into a saving relationship with Christ through the washing of Holy Baptism. You have made me Your very own, redeemed and restored child that I may declare the wonders of Your love and forgiveness for the whole world in Jesus. Keep me ever mindful that there are no works of my hands that can gain Your love and forgiveness, nor can I in anyway work my way into heaven, but that the "work You require" is to believe in Jesus as my Savior and Lord - the Word made flesh who has come into my lfie and made me Your own. Let my every word and deed be a reflection of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus to those I touch each day. Let them meet Jesus through me so they can also know "the work You require" and believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life with You. In Jesus' precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
God's Truth Isn't "Politially Correct"
"Today's Devotion" For March 11, 2006
Read: Matthew 7:3-5; Psalm 119:1-8
GOD'S TRUTH ISN'T "POLITICALLY CORRECT"
"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord." (Psalm 119:1)
Do you ever feel that as a society we spend too much time "straining at gnats and swallowing camels" (cf. Matthew 23:1ff, 24)? One of the ongoing battles in the arena of what has become known as "political correctness" is that which surrounds the use of "Indian" names for school sports teams. A community columnist in the local newspaper waded into the debate by noting that in many cases names like "Warriors," sans the "Indian" caricatures that used to accompany such names, are no longer specific, but generic terms. As such it seems pointless, according to the columnist, to continue the debate since what was ostensibly offensive - the mascot - is no longer a part of the equation. He notes that since the debate continues unabated perhaps there's truth to the argument that there is a broader agenda than just the "Indian" mascots.
Isn't it amazing that in so many cases people are willing to point the finger at others but aren't willing to pay attention to their own behavior? Over the years I've noticed how people on both ends of an issue are more inclined to believe they're totally correct and the other side is totally wrong than they are to sit down and find out what they have in common. Such intransigency does nothing but accomplish legislative gridlock at all levels of government, ignore the needs of our neighbors, and create an adversarial atmosphere in and among different segments within our communities.
The truth is that we human beings are hypocritical and "political correctness" is the height of hypocrisy. I always find it interesting to note that "political correctness" always seems to be defined by those who believe they're open-minded, yet always seem to know better than I do what's right and what's wrong - who want my beliefs and behavior to fit their perception of how I ought to live. While it's "politically incorrect" to cause real or perceived offense to others, if I'm offended by the "accepted" version of "political correctness" because I believe it to be wrong, it's of no consequence because I have a "closed mind." Yet, if human beings truly want to be concerned about not offending anyone, perhaps our first concern would be better focused on not offending God.
All too often Christians also fall into that trap and try to force others to believe as we do or do things the way we want them done. Yet God never forces anyone to believe. He never forces anyone to repent. If He doesn't force the issue - God clearly tells the world what the consequences of sin are - then why would we (and so often we do)? Jesus addresses this very pointedly when He reminds us that we must first pay attention to and acknowledge our own sins and need for repentance before we start trying to "fix" the sins of others. It's the height of hypocrisy for God's people to point the finger of blame at others while at the same time failing to acknowledge and repent of our own sins and disobedience to God.
By God's grace in Christ, forgiveness of our sins and the power of God's Word and Spirit are ours daily so that we might live in Him and for Him. God's truth isn't "politically correct" because it offends sinners and calls them to repentance and faith. Thus, Jesus' example of faithfulness to the Father was "politically incorrect" to the world around Him. Obeying God's Word and living as forgiven sinners, redeemed in Jesus Christ, we can expect to be considered "politically incorrect" in much of what we believe and how we live. Perhaps there's no more egregious form of "political incorrectness" according to the standards of our cultural milieu than to call Sin, Sin and evil, evil. By faith in Jesus, however, we stand firm in our convictions and seek to be living examples of the people of God - forgiven sinners in Christ.
Prayer: There's an old hymn that speaks to this issue well. It's titled, "Oh, that the Lord Would Guide My Ways" and it's a prayer for God to lead us to serve Him faithfully and honestly in all our living, as obedient and redeemed children. This is the prayer for today:
Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways To keep His statutes still! Oh that the Lord would grant me grace To know and do His will!
Order my footsteps by Thy Word And make my heart sincere; Let Sin have no dominion, Lord, But keep my conscience clear.
Assist my soul, too apt to stray, A stricter watch to keep; And should I e'er forget Thy way, Restore Thy wand'ring sheep.
Make me to walk in Thy commands - 'Tis a delightful road - Nor let my head or heart or hands Offend against my God. (Isaac Watts, 1719)
In Jesus' precious name. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 7:3-5; Psalm 119:1-8
GOD'S TRUTH ISN'T "POLITICALLY CORRECT"
"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord." (Psalm 119:1)
Do you ever feel that as a society we spend too much time "straining at gnats and swallowing camels" (cf. Matthew 23:1ff, 24)? One of the ongoing battles in the arena of what has become known as "political correctness" is that which surrounds the use of "Indian" names for school sports teams. A community columnist in the local newspaper waded into the debate by noting that in many cases names like "Warriors," sans the "Indian" caricatures that used to accompany such names, are no longer specific, but generic terms. As such it seems pointless, according to the columnist, to continue the debate since what was ostensibly offensive - the mascot - is no longer a part of the equation. He notes that since the debate continues unabated perhaps there's truth to the argument that there is a broader agenda than just the "Indian" mascots.
Isn't it amazing that in so many cases people are willing to point the finger at others but aren't willing to pay attention to their own behavior? Over the years I've noticed how people on both ends of an issue are more inclined to believe they're totally correct and the other side is totally wrong than they are to sit down and find out what they have in common. Such intransigency does nothing but accomplish legislative gridlock at all levels of government, ignore the needs of our neighbors, and create an adversarial atmosphere in and among different segments within our communities.
The truth is that we human beings are hypocritical and "political correctness" is the height of hypocrisy. I always find it interesting to note that "political correctness" always seems to be defined by those who believe they're open-minded, yet always seem to know better than I do what's right and what's wrong - who want my beliefs and behavior to fit their perception of how I ought to live. While it's "politically incorrect" to cause real or perceived offense to others, if I'm offended by the "accepted" version of "political correctness" because I believe it to be wrong, it's of no consequence because I have a "closed mind." Yet, if human beings truly want to be concerned about not offending anyone, perhaps our first concern would be better focused on not offending God.
All too often Christians also fall into that trap and try to force others to believe as we do or do things the way we want them done. Yet God never forces anyone to believe. He never forces anyone to repent. If He doesn't force the issue - God clearly tells the world what the consequences of sin are - then why would we (and so often we do)? Jesus addresses this very pointedly when He reminds us that we must first pay attention to and acknowledge our own sins and need for repentance before we start trying to "fix" the sins of others. It's the height of hypocrisy for God's people to point the finger of blame at others while at the same time failing to acknowledge and repent of our own sins and disobedience to God.
By God's grace in Christ, forgiveness of our sins and the power of God's Word and Spirit are ours daily so that we might live in Him and for Him. God's truth isn't "politically correct" because it offends sinners and calls them to repentance and faith. Thus, Jesus' example of faithfulness to the Father was "politically incorrect" to the world around Him. Obeying God's Word and living as forgiven sinners, redeemed in Jesus Christ, we can expect to be considered "politically incorrect" in much of what we believe and how we live. Perhaps there's no more egregious form of "political incorrectness" according to the standards of our cultural milieu than to call Sin, Sin and evil, evil. By faith in Jesus, however, we stand firm in our convictions and seek to be living examples of the people of God - forgiven sinners in Christ.
Prayer: There's an old hymn that speaks to this issue well. It's titled, "Oh, that the Lord Would Guide My Ways" and it's a prayer for God to lead us to serve Him faithfully and honestly in all our living, as obedient and redeemed children. This is the prayer for today:
Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways To keep His statutes still! Oh that the Lord would grant me grace To know and do His will!
Order my footsteps by Thy Word And make my heart sincere; Let Sin have no dominion, Lord, But keep my conscience clear.
Assist my soul, too apt to stray, A stricter watch to keep; And should I e'er forget Thy way, Restore Thy wand'ring sheep.
Make me to walk in Thy commands - 'Tis a delightful road - Nor let my head or heart or hands Offend against my God. (Isaac Watts, 1719)
In Jesus' precious name. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Seeing The Face Of God In Jesus
"Today's Devotion" For March 10,2006
Read: Hebrews 12:1-3; II Corinthians 4:1-6
SEEING THE FACE OF GOD IN JESUS
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 4:6)
It's often been said that "the eyes are the window to the soul." Averting one's eyes from another is often a sign of guilt and remorse for some action that person has taken against the other person. We take great pride in seeing the confidence displayed by a young man or woman who has grown to the point that they can now look their parents in the eye. One popular commercial for the United States Army shows a father talking with his son, a young soldier home on leave, saying, "When you got off that train, you did something you've never done before. You shook my hand and looked me square in the eye. Where did that come from?"
Body language experts tell us that a sure way to tell if someone is lying is to what how they use their eyes. If they are lying you can be certain they won't look you in the eye. If they do "look you in the eye," the direction their eyes looked prior to responding to a query will give them away. Whether someone is telling the truth is also said to be revealed by their eyes.
Throughout the history of the world, human beings have subjugated others. Kings and other royalty had their subjects, most of whom were not allowed to look their king "square in the eye" nor gaze on his face. Subjects were required to bow, walk backwards out of the king's presence, and keep their eyes lowered to the ground. Slavery and indentured servitude have also been means by which people have been subjugated under the power of others. In much the same way as with kings and subjects, neither slaves nor indentured servants were allowed, for the most part, to look their owner or master "square in the eye," but instead were required to avert their faces. Even today, in our own country, there are those among us who have an arrogant and superior, sense of self- importance by which they require a similar obeisance and servitude from those whom they employ to serve their every need.
Although people might expect God to treat us this way (and many religions have gods that do), He does not. When Moses asked God if he could see His glory, God responded, "I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim My name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But...you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live...There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see My back; but My face must not be see" (Exodus 33:18-23). God's reason is clear. It wasn't safe for a sinful human being, even one who was one of His greatest prophets, to look at God's face and see the fullness of His glory. Iit was for Moses' protection.
Fast forward to Jesus Christ. We remember that He took Peter, James, and John up on the Mount of Transfiguration with Him and they saw His glory revealed in the presence of Moses (Wow!) and Elijah. They lived. St. Paul declares that in Christ we are no longer in danger of our lives in God's presence for God's glory, which Moses wasn't allowed to see for his own safety, is seen in the face of Christ (II Cor. 4:6).
The writer to the Hebrews encourages us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). In Christ, God allows us to see His face, because in Christ our sins are forgiven and we stand before the throne of God holy and sinless, washed in the Blood of the Lamb. In Christ we have been brought into the presence of the Father and declared to be His own, precious children. We are, as God children, enslaved and subservient to no one because we are His sons and daughters. Looking on the face of God as we "fix our eyes on Jesus" we are free to know His love and see His glory and speak His name. Washed clean of our sins in Jesus Christ we are able to look at our Father's face with confidence and trust. Now we are free to serve others in His name as people who see the glory of God in the face of Jesus.
Prayer: Father, thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to pay the price for my sins so that I might "see Your face in Him" and live. I praise and glorify Your holy name that I'm no longer a slave to Sin or the wiles of the devil. I praise and glorify Your name that You love me so much as to reveal Yourself to me in Jesus so that I might live in Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. As I have received this gift - this forgiveness and knowledge of You - without any worthiness on my part, so also give me the strength and courage to share it freely and confidently with others. Fill me with Your Word and Spirit that I may live as one fully forgiven and who sees Your glory in the face of Jesus; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Hebrews 12:1-3; II Corinthians 4:1-6
SEEING THE FACE OF GOD IN JESUS
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 4:6)
It's often been said that "the eyes are the window to the soul." Averting one's eyes from another is often a sign of guilt and remorse for some action that person has taken against the other person. We take great pride in seeing the confidence displayed by a young man or woman who has grown to the point that they can now look their parents in the eye. One popular commercial for the United States Army shows a father talking with his son, a young soldier home on leave, saying, "When you got off that train, you did something you've never done before. You shook my hand and looked me square in the eye. Where did that come from?"
Body language experts tell us that a sure way to tell if someone is lying is to what how they use their eyes. If they are lying you can be certain they won't look you in the eye. If they do "look you in the eye," the direction their eyes looked prior to responding to a query will give them away. Whether someone is telling the truth is also said to be revealed by their eyes.
Throughout the history of the world, human beings have subjugated others. Kings and other royalty had their subjects, most of whom were not allowed to look their king "square in the eye" nor gaze on his face. Subjects were required to bow, walk backwards out of the king's presence, and keep their eyes lowered to the ground. Slavery and indentured servitude have also been means by which people have been subjugated under the power of others. In much the same way as with kings and subjects, neither slaves nor indentured servants were allowed, for the most part, to look their owner or master "square in the eye," but instead were required to avert their faces. Even today, in our own country, there are those among us who have an arrogant and superior, sense of self- importance by which they require a similar obeisance and servitude from those whom they employ to serve their every need.
Although people might expect God to treat us this way (and many religions have gods that do), He does not. When Moses asked God if he could see His glory, God responded, "I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim My name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But...you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live...There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see My back; but My face must not be see" (Exodus 33:18-23). God's reason is clear. It wasn't safe for a sinful human being, even one who was one of His greatest prophets, to look at God's face and see the fullness of His glory. Iit was for Moses' protection.
Fast forward to Jesus Christ. We remember that He took Peter, James, and John up on the Mount of Transfiguration with Him and they saw His glory revealed in the presence of Moses (Wow!) and Elijah. They lived. St. Paul declares that in Christ we are no longer in danger of our lives in God's presence for God's glory, which Moses wasn't allowed to see for his own safety, is seen in the face of Christ (II Cor. 4:6).
The writer to the Hebrews encourages us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). In Christ, God allows us to see His face, because in Christ our sins are forgiven and we stand before the throne of God holy and sinless, washed in the Blood of the Lamb. In Christ we have been brought into the presence of the Father and declared to be His own, precious children. We are, as God children, enslaved and subservient to no one because we are His sons and daughters. Looking on the face of God as we "fix our eyes on Jesus" we are free to know His love and see His glory and speak His name. Washed clean of our sins in Jesus Christ we are able to look at our Father's face with confidence and trust. Now we are free to serve others in His name as people who see the glory of God in the face of Jesus.
Prayer: Father, thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to pay the price for my sins so that I might "see Your face in Him" and live. I praise and glorify Your holy name that I'm no longer a slave to Sin or the wiles of the devil. I praise and glorify Your name that You love me so much as to reveal Yourself to me in Jesus so that I might live in Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. As I have received this gift - this forgiveness and knowledge of You - without any worthiness on my part, so also give me the strength and courage to share it freely and confidently with others. Fill me with Your Word and Spirit that I may live as one fully forgiven and who sees Your glory in the face of Jesus; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
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