"Today's Devotion" For May 17, 2007
Read: Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17
THE ONLY THING WE NEED TO KNOW
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want...Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:1, 6)
One Sunday School teacher gave her fourth graders a challenging task. She asked them to memorize one of the most quoted Scripture of all, Psalm 23. She gave the children a month to learn the Psalm and they attacked it with enthusiasm. One of the little boys, Billy, was really excited about the task, but he just couldn't seem to memorize the Psalm. He practiced and practiced and practiced, but to no avail. He just couldn't remember the Psalm. Then the day came when his Sunday School class was scheduled to recite the Psalm in front of the congregation. Billy was as nervous as could be. When his turn to recite came, he reluctantly stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know!"
If you think about, Billy's simple answer is cute, but it doesn't necessarily meet the needs of many adults. It's too simple. It's too imprecise. It doesn't have enough details. We live in a world where simple answers are suspect and anytime someone says that there's a simple answer to the challenges of life that threaten our safety and comfort, our first tendency is to laugh at them and consider them naive. How can there be any simple answers to rampant crime, failing marriages, broken families, rising violence, and a host of other societal maladies that threaten people's existence and challenge any sense of hope? It's not possible, according to the world's standards, that there is any way to handle such issues spiritually. Little Billy's rendition of Psalm 23's simplicity makes for good story telling, but in reality life isn't that simple. Or is it?
In Scripture, on numerous occasions, God makes it a point to let us know that no matter what challenges we may face, what dangers may touch us, and what fears may bind us, He is always present with us and will protect us, comfort us, and strengthen us so we can overcome those things in life that would harm us. The power of Sin is such that it works diligently and vigorously to lead us to despair in the face of many trials and challenges to our faith and our lives. Yet God, in His infinite wisdom and love, grace and mercy, reaches out His hand to us and lifts us up above the fray and reminds us that He is the One who saves us. As Psalm 23 says so clearly, "even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (v.2).
God's final revelation is that our true and only Shepherd is Jesus Christ. He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14) who has come to redeem His people from their sins. He has come into the world for all humanity and His promise is, no matter what happens to those who have faith in Him, that nothing can keep us away from His love and forgiveness which He won for us by His suffering, death, and resurrection. Little Billy's announcement, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know," is far more profound and meaningful than we might want to admit. Ultimately, because we are in Christ Jesus, it really is that simple - He is all we need to know to live a life of peace, hope, and joy. No matter what dangers we may face, whether as troops in a combat zone, a police officer on crime ridden streets, a firefighter facing an intense blaze, or as a homeless person on the streets of the city, there is hope and comfort offered by God in Jesus Christ who is our Good Shepherd. And that's all we really need to know.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for all the blessings You've given me, especially as I face the dangers and hardships of life which would take away my hope and joy, and fill me with fear and trembling. You have assured me by faith in Jesus as my Lord and Savior from Sin, death, and Satan, that my sins are forgiven and that nothing can take me away from Your love. You comfort me by the power of Your Word and Spirit with the sure and certain hope that there's no danger so great or hardship so intense that can separate me from Your love and forgiveness. Help me, Father, to live my life filled with the simple reality that knowing Jesus as my Good Shepherd leads me to eternal life and gives me the courage of faith to share Your love in Him with others, no matter where they're from or what they've done. Help me to live my life filled with hope and joy for all to see, no matter the circumstances I may face, so that I may be a living witness of what it is to know that Jesus, the Lord, is my Shepherd, and in Him there is no want. In His precious name. Amen.
****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
God Is Our Sure Refuge In The Face Of Fear
"Today's Devotion" For May 16, 2007
Read: Isaiah 43:1-13; Psalm 46
GOD IS OUR SURE REFUGE IN THE FACE OF FEAR
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the waves roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46:1-3)
How fearful a place is the world? Over the past weekend I read a newspaper article about a father in the central city who is doing his best to love his children and take care of them. One of the things he has done to keep them safe is to arrange the furniture in their living room so that it can form a barrier of protection in case of stray bullets shattering the silence of their home. On Monday of this week, with that story fresh in the minds of the newspaper's readers, another story was published that seemly reflects the futility of the father's attempts at safety for his children. It seems that another child, four-year old Jasmine, was killed in a drive-by shooting by a stray bullet that entered her family's living room and struck her dead.
Our world isn't a safe place. Everywhere we look violence and destruction seems to abound. We're engaged in a global "war on terror," that seems to have no boundaries and many manifestations. Terror is not only perpetrated by disgruntled rebels, religious fanatics, or political dissidents. Terror rears its ugly head when a small child is killed in a drive by shooting as collateral damage. Terror takes control when a family loses its freedom to take a walk down the street on a summer's evening to enjoy the warmth and grow their family's bonds. Terror takes control when a child brings a bullet to his school principal that he claims to have found at school and the police are called in. Terror takes control when a mentally ill student goes off the deep end and commits mayhem and murder on a university campus. The news of the day seems intricately intertwined with a sense of futility and fear that is gripping the nation and the world.
It's into such an atmosphere that God comes to humanity and says, "Pay attention to Me. I love you so much that I've sent my One and Only Son into the flesh to redeem you from slavery to Sin and the fear that it engenders in your hearts and lives." The Psalmist reminds us that the God who has created the universe and who specifically and specially created humanity in His image and likeness is "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." We're not left alone to face our fears, confront terror, and stand against evil. God's promise to Israel as they faced their enemies - those who sought to destroy them - was that they were His people. Even though they faced the powers of darkness and Sin which sought to destroy them through their enemies, God assured them that He would be with them. That same promise and assurance is ours as well, through faith in Jesus Christ.
One of the tools I use to ramp up my courage or that of others when faced with a fearful and daunting situation is to ask myself and others, "What's the worst thing that anyone can do to me? Take away my birthday?" Many times, people will look at me as if I were crazy (if you ask my wife and kids they would probably say I am:>)). Yet the reality of living a life of faith in Christ, trusting in the power and promises of God, is that if my life were taken - my birthday disappears if you will - I have the hope and assurance that I will be with God forever in heaven. In that confidence and hope we can, by faith, take heart and have the courage to face down any fear, confront any terror, and overcome any evil. God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ is the only message of hope and peace that can change the hearts of those who do evil and promote terror and fear. It's the only message that can take the fear from fear-filled hearts and replace it with hope, peace, joy, and thanksgiving. Only Jesus can change what is ailing our world, our nation, and our communities. Only God's love in Christ can change the hearts of those who would seek to destroy. In the meantime, we also take heart because our God is truly our refuge and strength in the face of any and all fear and terror and Christ is the hope of the world.
Prayer: Father, as I look around me I see death and destruction, evil and danger seemingly everywhere. The news of the day seems to say there's no place that's safe from danger and fear in the world. Even the security of my home can be breached by those who might seek to do harm to me or my family. I'm frustrated at the news accounts of little children being murdered in their homes by unthinking and uncaring people who don't care about or love anyone other than themselves. I'm both angry and fearful; angry at such people and our seeming inability to stem the tide of such destructive behavior, and fearful of stepping forward and having my voice heard and having violence visited directly upon me or those I love. It's fear that immobilizes me all too often from speaking Your truth and working for the welfare of others. Forgive me, Father, for being so self-centered and fearful that I fail to see the opportunities You give me to make a difference as Your witness and servant. Strengthen my faith by the power of Your Word and Spirit, that I may step forth boldly with the truth of Your Word and its power to change people's lives. Remind me that You are my refuge and strength in every trouble. Give me the courage to take the risks necessary to touch the lives of those who seek to harm others with Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus, so that hearing they might be changed into instruments of Your peace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Isaiah 43:1-13; Psalm 46
GOD IS OUR SURE REFUGE IN THE FACE OF FEAR
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the waves roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46:1-3)
How fearful a place is the world? Over the past weekend I read a newspaper article about a father in the central city who is doing his best to love his children and take care of them. One of the things he has done to keep them safe is to arrange the furniture in their living room so that it can form a barrier of protection in case of stray bullets shattering the silence of their home. On Monday of this week, with that story fresh in the minds of the newspaper's readers, another story was published that seemly reflects the futility of the father's attempts at safety for his children. It seems that another child, four-year old Jasmine, was killed in a drive-by shooting by a stray bullet that entered her family's living room and struck her dead.
Our world isn't a safe place. Everywhere we look violence and destruction seems to abound. We're engaged in a global "war on terror," that seems to have no boundaries and many manifestations. Terror is not only perpetrated by disgruntled rebels, religious fanatics, or political dissidents. Terror rears its ugly head when a small child is killed in a drive by shooting as collateral damage. Terror takes control when a family loses its freedom to take a walk down the street on a summer's evening to enjoy the warmth and grow their family's bonds. Terror takes control when a child brings a bullet to his school principal that he claims to have found at school and the police are called in. Terror takes control when a mentally ill student goes off the deep end and commits mayhem and murder on a university campus. The news of the day seems intricately intertwined with a sense of futility and fear that is gripping the nation and the world.
It's into such an atmosphere that God comes to humanity and says, "Pay attention to Me. I love you so much that I've sent my One and Only Son into the flesh to redeem you from slavery to Sin and the fear that it engenders in your hearts and lives." The Psalmist reminds us that the God who has created the universe and who specifically and specially created humanity in His image and likeness is "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." We're not left alone to face our fears, confront terror, and stand against evil. God's promise to Israel as they faced their enemies - those who sought to destroy them - was that they were His people. Even though they faced the powers of darkness and Sin which sought to destroy them through their enemies, God assured them that He would be with them. That same promise and assurance is ours as well, through faith in Jesus Christ.
One of the tools I use to ramp up my courage or that of others when faced with a fearful and daunting situation is to ask myself and others, "What's the worst thing that anyone can do to me? Take away my birthday?" Many times, people will look at me as if I were crazy (if you ask my wife and kids they would probably say I am:>)). Yet the reality of living a life of faith in Christ, trusting in the power and promises of God, is that if my life were taken - my birthday disappears if you will - I have the hope and assurance that I will be with God forever in heaven. In that confidence and hope we can, by faith, take heart and have the courage to face down any fear, confront any terror, and overcome any evil. God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ is the only message of hope and peace that can change the hearts of those who do evil and promote terror and fear. It's the only message that can take the fear from fear-filled hearts and replace it with hope, peace, joy, and thanksgiving. Only Jesus can change what is ailing our world, our nation, and our communities. Only God's love in Christ can change the hearts of those who would seek to destroy. In the meantime, we also take heart because our God is truly our refuge and strength in the face of any and all fear and terror and Christ is the hope of the world.
Prayer: Father, as I look around me I see death and destruction, evil and danger seemingly everywhere. The news of the day seems to say there's no place that's safe from danger and fear in the world. Even the security of my home can be breached by those who might seek to do harm to me or my family. I'm frustrated at the news accounts of little children being murdered in their homes by unthinking and uncaring people who don't care about or love anyone other than themselves. I'm both angry and fearful; angry at such people and our seeming inability to stem the tide of such destructive behavior, and fearful of stepping forward and having my voice heard and having violence visited directly upon me or those I love. It's fear that immobilizes me all too often from speaking Your truth and working for the welfare of others. Forgive me, Father, for being so self-centered and fearful that I fail to see the opportunities You give me to make a difference as Your witness and servant. Strengthen my faith by the power of Your Word and Spirit, that I may step forth boldly with the truth of Your Word and its power to change people's lives. Remind me that You are my refuge and strength in every trouble. Give me the courage to take the risks necessary to touch the lives of those who seek to harm others with Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus, so that hearing they might be changed into instruments of Your peace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Better Than Ripley's "Believe It Or Not!"
"Today's Devotion" For May 15, 2007
Read: Exodus 14:1-31; I Corinthians 1:18-31
BETTER THAN RIPLEY'S "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!"
"For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (I Corinthians 1:18)
One Sunday afternoon not long ago, nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother to share his Sunday school lesson from that morning. "Well, Mom," Joey replied, "Our teacher told us about how God had sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge upon which all the people escaped safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. Bombers were sent to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved." Joey's mother was flabbergasted at this account. "Now, Joey," she responded, "is that really what your teacher taught you?" Joey responded, "Well, no, Mom. But if I told it the way my teacher told it, you'd never believe it!"
Little Joey's not alone, is he? A whole lot of people simply laugh at the "incongruity" of the Biblical accounts of God's actions on behalf of human beings. People are always trying to "fix" the Biblical accounts so they make more sense and fit into a schema more attuned to human thought and understanding. For centuries there have been those who have sought to discount the story of salvation in Scripture. There are those who purport to be able to tell what is truly God's truth and what isn't. Many have rejected the Bible out of hand simply because it doesn't conform to their personal schema of the secular and sacred. And many organizations, groups, and individuals (for instance "The Jesus Seminar") continue to work hard to discredit the truth and power of the Scriptures because they have their own opinions about what is holy, sacred, and God's will (usually based on how their desire to have God act in keeping with their personal preferences of what is good, moral, and right).
Lest we get too smug and self-important, there isn't one of us - even among God's redeemed children - who isn't guilty of trying to stuff God in a box of our choosing. Like little Joey, we are often overwhelmed by the incredible power of God and His total love for humanity. How often haven't we found it hard to believe that we don't have to do anything to receive God's forgiveness - that He took care of that for us in Christ Jesus? Throughout the Old Testament, we see the hand of God working to redeem His people, saving them not only from those who sought to destroy them, but also promising the ultimate redemption from Sin, death, and Satan in the Savior to come. The Children of Israel experienced that power so many times, not just in their deliverance from Pharaoh as they left their slavery in Egypt, but also numerous times throughout their history when their enemies sought to drive them from the face of the earth. And all too often, even though they had seen and heard God's deliverance, His power and promises were just too good to be believed.
That's the way it is with the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ. It seems just plain foolish to think that a god, much less "The One True God," would stoop so low and care so much for His lowly creatures on earth - human beings - that He would sacrifice His only-begotten Son on the Cross as payment for the sins of the world. The story of the Cross of Christ, the Plan of God's salvation through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus as payment in full for the sins of the world, taking upon Himself the full wrath of God in our place, has been probed and prodded, edited and abridged, time and time again to somehow make it more believable.
It's hard for human beings to believe that what God says is true - salvation is found in no one else than Jesus Christ and the Cross, an instrument for the cruel and inhuman punishment of evildoers and lawbreakers, is the instrument of redemption for the world. It's a story of God's power used in our behalf that would be even too unbelievable for "Ripley's Believe It Or Not." But, praise be to God, it is true. We are saved by faith in Christ. God's almighty power is found to be at work even in the lowly and intellectually unsound act of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. It may be unbelievable to many, but it is God's power for salvation to all who believe.
Prayer: Father, I'm so often faced with the incredulity of a world that just can't seem to understand nor believe that salvation from Sin, death, and Satan isn't just necessary, but impossible to accomplish on our own. I have to admit that my own sinful condition, when left unchecked by Your forgiveness and love, leads me into the same unbelieving trap as everyone else. I, too, find it hard to believe that there's nothing I can do to save myself and earn Your forgiveness and eternal life. Just like little Joey, I find it hard to understand or believe many things You tell me in Your Word. And, like the world around me, I want to reduce everything in Your Word to human logic so I can wrap my mind around it, rather than take You at Your Word and, by the power of Your Word and Spirit, believe Your promises in Jesus. Forgive me, Father, for such foolishness and strengthen my faith so that I may be a willing and living witness to the "folly of the Cross." Give me the strength of faith and purpose to share Jesus with others so they, too, might believe the "folly of the Cross," and be saved unto eternal life. In Christ's precious name I pray. Amen.
***************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Exodus 14:1-31; I Corinthians 1:18-31
BETTER THAN RIPLEY'S "BELIEVE IT OR NOT!"
"For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (I Corinthians 1:18)
One Sunday afternoon not long ago, nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother to share his Sunday school lesson from that morning. "Well, Mom," Joey replied, "Our teacher told us about how God had sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge upon which all the people escaped safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. Bombers were sent to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved." Joey's mother was flabbergasted at this account. "Now, Joey," she responded, "is that really what your teacher taught you?" Joey responded, "Well, no, Mom. But if I told it the way my teacher told it, you'd never believe it!"
Little Joey's not alone, is he? A whole lot of people simply laugh at the "incongruity" of the Biblical accounts of God's actions on behalf of human beings. People are always trying to "fix" the Biblical accounts so they make more sense and fit into a schema more attuned to human thought and understanding. For centuries there have been those who have sought to discount the story of salvation in Scripture. There are those who purport to be able to tell what is truly God's truth and what isn't. Many have rejected the Bible out of hand simply because it doesn't conform to their personal schema of the secular and sacred. And many organizations, groups, and individuals (for instance "The Jesus Seminar") continue to work hard to discredit the truth and power of the Scriptures because they have their own opinions about what is holy, sacred, and God's will (usually based on how their desire to have God act in keeping with their personal preferences of what is good, moral, and right).
Lest we get too smug and self-important, there isn't one of us - even among God's redeemed children - who isn't guilty of trying to stuff God in a box of our choosing. Like little Joey, we are often overwhelmed by the incredible power of God and His total love for humanity. How often haven't we found it hard to believe that we don't have to do anything to receive God's forgiveness - that He took care of that for us in Christ Jesus? Throughout the Old Testament, we see the hand of God working to redeem His people, saving them not only from those who sought to destroy them, but also promising the ultimate redemption from Sin, death, and Satan in the Savior to come. The Children of Israel experienced that power so many times, not just in their deliverance from Pharaoh as they left their slavery in Egypt, but also numerous times throughout their history when their enemies sought to drive them from the face of the earth. And all too often, even though they had seen and heard God's deliverance, His power and promises were just too good to be believed.
That's the way it is with the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ. It seems just plain foolish to think that a god, much less "The One True God," would stoop so low and care so much for His lowly creatures on earth - human beings - that He would sacrifice His only-begotten Son on the Cross as payment for the sins of the world. The story of the Cross of Christ, the Plan of God's salvation through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus as payment in full for the sins of the world, taking upon Himself the full wrath of God in our place, has been probed and prodded, edited and abridged, time and time again to somehow make it more believable.
It's hard for human beings to believe that what God says is true - salvation is found in no one else than Jesus Christ and the Cross, an instrument for the cruel and inhuman punishment of evildoers and lawbreakers, is the instrument of redemption for the world. It's a story of God's power used in our behalf that would be even too unbelievable for "Ripley's Believe It Or Not." But, praise be to God, it is true. We are saved by faith in Christ. God's almighty power is found to be at work even in the lowly and intellectually unsound act of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. It may be unbelievable to many, but it is God's power for salvation to all who believe.
Prayer: Father, I'm so often faced with the incredulity of a world that just can't seem to understand nor believe that salvation from Sin, death, and Satan isn't just necessary, but impossible to accomplish on our own. I have to admit that my own sinful condition, when left unchecked by Your forgiveness and love, leads me into the same unbelieving trap as everyone else. I, too, find it hard to believe that there's nothing I can do to save myself and earn Your forgiveness and eternal life. Just like little Joey, I find it hard to understand or believe many things You tell me in Your Word. And, like the world around me, I want to reduce everything in Your Word to human logic so I can wrap my mind around it, rather than take You at Your Word and, by the power of Your Word and Spirit, believe Your promises in Jesus. Forgive me, Father, for such foolishness and strengthen my faith so that I may be a willing and living witness to the "folly of the Cross." Give me the strength of faith and purpose to share Jesus with others so they, too, might believe the "folly of the Cross," and be saved unto eternal life. In Christ's precious name I pray. Amen.
***************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The Lord - He Is God!
"Today's Devotion" For May 14, 2007
Read: I Kings 18:16-39; II Corinthians 13:1-11
THE LORD - HE IS GOD!
"When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!'" (I Kings 18:39)
There's an old story about a Sunday school teacher and the account of the Prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal. She was explaining how Elijah had challenged the priests to see who was stronger, Baal and all their other gods or the God of Israel, who saves. To that end, as we read in I Kings above, altars were built for the sacrifices of young bulls and it was first the turn of the priests of Baal. They prayed and prayed and prayed, entreating their gods to send fire down and take the offering they were giving. The failed and failed miserably.
It was then Elijah's turn. He took a young bull, slaughtered it and laid it on the altar he had built of twelve stones. He dug a trench around it and then told those who were helping him to fill four large jars with water and dump them over the bull, the altar, and all the wood for the fire. So they did so three times. It was at this point the teacher paused in her retelling of the Biblical account. She asked if anyone in the class could explain why the Lord had Elijah pour water over the bull on the altar. Certainly it was an unusual thing to do. At that a little girl's hand went up in the back of the room, "I know! I know!," she said. "God had Elijah pour all that water on the bull so he could make gravy!"
We all know the end of the story. Elijah prayed and God sent fire from heaven that consumed everything - the bull, the stones, the wood, the water, and even the dirt. The people saw it and responded, "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!" (I Kings 18:39). Obviously He wasn't "making gravy" but He was sending a clear message; a message no one could fail to understand.
We don't live in the days of the Prophets or Apostles. They're long gone. Yet the message from God that they brought to humanity is that God is the Lord and He saves His people. While the people of Israel were fooled into believing the prophets of Baal and worshiping all sorts of false gods, the true God was still watching over them and sending His Prophets, like Elijah, to remind them that "The Lord - He is God!" It's a reminder we need in the world today as well. There are so many conflicting claims as to the "way of salvation" - money, power, the right government, personal charisma, might, political will and accomplishment. Yet all these have nothing but the same false allure the people of Israel were confronted with by turning to Baal worship and forsaking God.
God's promise of salvation isn't found in the power human beings might wield, or in the power of armies, the charisma of politicians, or the overthrow of capitalism, communism, fascism, or any other of the "isms" fighting for prominence in the world. God's promise of salvation is found in the power and foolishness of the Cross of Christ, the sacrifice of God-made-flesh on that Cross to redeem the world from Sin, Satan, and the Law which condemns before God. God's promise of salvation isn't to be found in an earthly kingdom or a powerful Church, but in the simple, wondrous gift of faith in Christ as Lord and Savior - an act of God's pure grace and unmerited favor because He loves the world. In that gift of faith we have life and hope, peace and joy. In that gift of faith in Jesus we have a message of hope and peace to share with the whole world. In that gift of faith in Jesus we are no longer double-minded, for we know the truth that sets us free. In that gift of faith in Jesus we live each day with the firm conviction that "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!"
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so often led down the primrose path of destructive behavior as I'm enticed by the world's wiles and false promises of power, prestige, wealth, comfort, and peace. All around me I see the pain and sorrow caused by Sin and sinful people, but I also find myself looking for salvation from these things in people, government, society, and programs. Forgive me, gracious Lord, for so often failing to recognize that my peace and hope, and the peace and the hope of the world can only be found in Your love and forgiveness. Forgive me for so often forgetting that Jesus reminded His disciples that the kingdom of heaven is among us, but it's not a physical kingdom but a heavenly one. By the power of Your Word and Spirit continue to fill me with Your peace and forgiveness. Strengthen me with Your love and hope, and give me the courage and purpose to daily live for Jesus and share Him with everyone I meet. May my life, both in word and deed, thought and purpose, be a living testimony that shouts, "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!" for everyone to hear. In Jesus' precious name I ask this. Amen.
********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I Kings 18:16-39; II Corinthians 13:1-11
THE LORD - HE IS GOD!
"When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!'" (I Kings 18:39)
There's an old story about a Sunday school teacher and the account of the Prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal. She was explaining how Elijah had challenged the priests to see who was stronger, Baal and all their other gods or the God of Israel, who saves. To that end, as we read in I Kings above, altars were built for the sacrifices of young bulls and it was first the turn of the priests of Baal. They prayed and prayed and prayed, entreating their gods to send fire down and take the offering they were giving. The failed and failed miserably.
It was then Elijah's turn. He took a young bull, slaughtered it and laid it on the altar he had built of twelve stones. He dug a trench around it and then told those who were helping him to fill four large jars with water and dump them over the bull, the altar, and all the wood for the fire. So they did so three times. It was at this point the teacher paused in her retelling of the Biblical account. She asked if anyone in the class could explain why the Lord had Elijah pour water over the bull on the altar. Certainly it was an unusual thing to do. At that a little girl's hand went up in the back of the room, "I know! I know!," she said. "God had Elijah pour all that water on the bull so he could make gravy!"
We all know the end of the story. Elijah prayed and God sent fire from heaven that consumed everything - the bull, the stones, the wood, the water, and even the dirt. The people saw it and responded, "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!" (I Kings 18:39). Obviously He wasn't "making gravy" but He was sending a clear message; a message no one could fail to understand.
We don't live in the days of the Prophets or Apostles. They're long gone. Yet the message from God that they brought to humanity is that God is the Lord and He saves His people. While the people of Israel were fooled into believing the prophets of Baal and worshiping all sorts of false gods, the true God was still watching over them and sending His Prophets, like Elijah, to remind them that "The Lord - He is God!" It's a reminder we need in the world today as well. There are so many conflicting claims as to the "way of salvation" - money, power, the right government, personal charisma, might, political will and accomplishment. Yet all these have nothing but the same false allure the people of Israel were confronted with by turning to Baal worship and forsaking God.
God's promise of salvation isn't found in the power human beings might wield, or in the power of armies, the charisma of politicians, or the overthrow of capitalism, communism, fascism, or any other of the "isms" fighting for prominence in the world. God's promise of salvation is found in the power and foolishness of the Cross of Christ, the sacrifice of God-made-flesh on that Cross to redeem the world from Sin, Satan, and the Law which condemns before God. God's promise of salvation isn't to be found in an earthly kingdom or a powerful Church, but in the simple, wondrous gift of faith in Christ as Lord and Savior - an act of God's pure grace and unmerited favor because He loves the world. In that gift of faith we have life and hope, peace and joy. In that gift of faith in Jesus we have a message of hope and peace to share with the whole world. In that gift of faith in Jesus we are no longer double-minded, for we know the truth that sets us free. In that gift of faith in Jesus we live each day with the firm conviction that "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!"
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so often led down the primrose path of destructive behavior as I'm enticed by the world's wiles and false promises of power, prestige, wealth, comfort, and peace. All around me I see the pain and sorrow caused by Sin and sinful people, but I also find myself looking for salvation from these things in people, government, society, and programs. Forgive me, gracious Lord, for so often failing to recognize that my peace and hope, and the peace and the hope of the world can only be found in Your love and forgiveness. Forgive me for so often forgetting that Jesus reminded His disciples that the kingdom of heaven is among us, but it's not a physical kingdom but a heavenly one. By the power of Your Word and Spirit continue to fill me with Your peace and forgiveness. Strengthen me with Your love and hope, and give me the courage and purpose to daily live for Jesus and share Him with everyone I meet. May my life, both in word and deed, thought and purpose, be a living testimony that shouts, "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!" for everyone to hear. In Jesus' precious name I ask this. Amen.
********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Are You Turning Into A "Telephone Pole?"
"Today's Devotion" For May 9, 2007
Read: Luke 17:20-37; II Peter 3:1-18
ARE YOU TURNING INTO A "TELEPHONE POLE?"
"Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (II Peter 3:17, 18)
It never ceases to amaze me how children can be the source of great wisdom through the simplicity of their thinking. Sometimes that wisdom is displayed by innocent comments that show the absurdity of a situation. Sunday school teachers are often the witnesses and recipients of the "wisdom" of children, often to their amazement and often to their chagrin. One Sunday school teacher recalls she was describing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to her class and noted that Lot's wife looked back with some apparent wistfulness at the city she had called home and ended up turning into a pillar of salt. Little Jason, eager to make his contribution to the account and show that he was listening announced triumphantly, "My Mommy looked back once, while she was driving, and she turned into a telephone pole!" (cf. Genesis 19)
If you know the story of Sodom and Gomorrah at all, and remember what happened to Lot's wife, you know that little Jason didn't "get it." At the same time, all too often, we adults don't "get it" either. Jesus frequently talked about the fact that after His resurrection and ascension there would come a time where evil would begin to take over the world. God's people would find themselves on the wrong end of society. Living and acting as a child of God, living as the redeemed in Christ, would become difficult and life threatening. He continually reminded His disciples that they would need to be on their guard so they wouldn't allow themselves to act like the world and forget who they were.
Peter gives that same reminder in his Epistle. Just as Jesus had taught the Apostles, so Peter teaches us. By faith in Christ, God's precious gift to every believer, we are reminded to not only recognize our sins are forgiven, but that we are called to live a life that reflects the love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our Father in heaven. We are reminded by Peter, as Jesus reminded the Apostles, that the time will come when the world will totally forsake any thought of God's will and lawlessness will prevail. We are taught by Peter, as Jesus taught the Apostles, that there will be great temptation to go the way of the world and not remain in Christ. And, just as Jesus warned and cautioned the Apostles not to get caught up, like Lot's wife (Luke 17:32), in yearning for the things of the earth, so also does Peter warn and caution us.
Little Jason's, "My Mommy looked back once, while she was driving, and turned into a telephone pole," reminds us that because of Sin in the world, people just plain don't get the point. Often even God's people don't get the point. Why there's even a school of thought that says that there will be a thousand year reign of Christ on earth - all because even God's people find it difficult to understand that we can't look back, only forward to heaven and eternity with Christ. That's the ultimate end of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. As forgiven and restored people of God, our lives lived here are but an exercise for heaven. How are you living your life? God wiling, each of us lives by faith, looking for the day we can go home to heaven. It's a great way to live a redeemed and holy life.
Prayer: Father, I know that all too often, even when You're speaking to me in Your Word, I'm thinking about the things of this world. I wish the world would accept Your children, not disdain them. I wish that I could avoid having to experience the derision of those who hate religion, particularly those who believe in and follow Jesus. I'm too often like little Jason's mom, turning around to see where I've been and turning into a "telephone pole." Forgive me for so often putting the things of this world before my relationship with You and my witness for Jesus. Fill me with the power of Your Word and Spirit that may never look back at what has been, but always look forward to what You are giving me - Your forgiveness, love, blessings, hope, and peace - until You take me home to heaven. Hear me Father, for the sake of Christ. Amen.
*********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Luke 17:20-37; II Peter 3:1-18
ARE YOU TURNING INTO A "TELEPHONE POLE?"
"Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (II Peter 3:17, 18)
It never ceases to amaze me how children can be the source of great wisdom through the simplicity of their thinking. Sometimes that wisdom is displayed by innocent comments that show the absurdity of a situation. Sunday school teachers are often the witnesses and recipients of the "wisdom" of children, often to their amazement and often to their chagrin. One Sunday school teacher recalls she was describing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to her class and noted that Lot's wife looked back with some apparent wistfulness at the city she had called home and ended up turning into a pillar of salt. Little Jason, eager to make his contribution to the account and show that he was listening announced triumphantly, "My Mommy looked back once, while she was driving, and she turned into a telephone pole!" (cf. Genesis 19)
If you know the story of Sodom and Gomorrah at all, and remember what happened to Lot's wife, you know that little Jason didn't "get it." At the same time, all too often, we adults don't "get it" either. Jesus frequently talked about the fact that after His resurrection and ascension there would come a time where evil would begin to take over the world. God's people would find themselves on the wrong end of society. Living and acting as a child of God, living as the redeemed in Christ, would become difficult and life threatening. He continually reminded His disciples that they would need to be on their guard so they wouldn't allow themselves to act like the world and forget who they were.
Peter gives that same reminder in his Epistle. Just as Jesus had taught the Apostles, so Peter teaches us. By faith in Christ, God's precious gift to every believer, we are reminded to not only recognize our sins are forgiven, but that we are called to live a life that reflects the love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our Father in heaven. We are reminded by Peter, as Jesus reminded the Apostles, that the time will come when the world will totally forsake any thought of God's will and lawlessness will prevail. We are taught by Peter, as Jesus taught the Apostles, that there will be great temptation to go the way of the world and not remain in Christ. And, just as Jesus warned and cautioned the Apostles not to get caught up, like Lot's wife (Luke 17:32), in yearning for the things of the earth, so also does Peter warn and caution us.
Little Jason's, "My Mommy looked back once, while she was driving, and turned into a telephone pole," reminds us that because of Sin in the world, people just plain don't get the point. Often even God's people don't get the point. Why there's even a school of thought that says that there will be a thousand year reign of Christ on earth - all because even God's people find it difficult to understand that we can't look back, only forward to heaven and eternity with Christ. That's the ultimate end of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. As forgiven and restored people of God, our lives lived here are but an exercise for heaven. How are you living your life? God wiling, each of us lives by faith, looking for the day we can go home to heaven. It's a great way to live a redeemed and holy life.
Prayer: Father, I know that all too often, even when You're speaking to me in Your Word, I'm thinking about the things of this world. I wish the world would accept Your children, not disdain them. I wish that I could avoid having to experience the derision of those who hate religion, particularly those who believe in and follow Jesus. I'm too often like little Jason's mom, turning around to see where I've been and turning into a "telephone pole." Forgive me for so often putting the things of this world before my relationship with You and my witness for Jesus. Fill me with the power of Your Word and Spirit that may never look back at what has been, but always look forward to what You are giving me - Your forgiveness, love, blessings, hope, and peace - until You take me home to heaven. Hear me Father, for the sake of Christ. Amen.
*********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Go And Do Likewise
"Today's Devotion" For May 8, 2007
Read: Luke 10:25-37; Psalm 49
GO AND DO LIKEWISE
"'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?' The expert in the law replied, "the one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.'" (Luke 10:36, 37)
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?" A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."
Out of the mouth of babes! How often isn't that the response we human beings have toward those in need. We live in a dangerous world and being a "Good Samaritan" is really risky. From what I understand about the situation of life for the beaten man, the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan, it wasn't much safer for them on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho than it is on most of our cities' streets today. Robbers and brigands were prevalent. That the priest and Levite may have seen the injured man as bait in a trap is entirely possible. They, and we, could probably find a thousand reasons not to stop and offer assistance under the circumstances. But one man did stop. And, what's more, he wasn't the "right type" of person. He was a Samaritan.
Without going into great detail, suffice it to say that the Jews considered the Samaritans as trash. In many ways I suppose one could say that Samaritans were viewed by the Jews in much the same way as Jews have been viewed by other people throughout history. There were racial, ethnic, and religious reasons for the disconnect between these two peoples, so for a Samaritan to stop and help a Jew would have been unthinkable. Of course, that's Jesus' point exactly. The lesson He was giving through this story answers not only the question, "Who is my neighbor?", but also reflects the grace, mercy, and love of God for humanity - "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
If we're honest with ourselves and how we view those with whom we have differences - racially, ethnically, nationally, religiously, spiritually - we're probably right there with the little girl's response to her Sunday School teacher's question, "I think I'd throw up!" Thank God He doesn't "throw up" when He sees our sinful condition. Thank God He determined to save us from our sins and heal our wounded souls and spirits, and most especially our relationship with Him.. In Christ Jesus we have been given a new life with our Father in heaven. By God's gift of faith to us through the power of His Word and Spirit, we know His love and are restored to Him so that we might share His love and compassion with others. "Go and do likewise" is to respond to God's love for us in Christ by loving others enough to overlook our differences and share the Good News of Jesus with them. That's how God's love touches others - through us.
Prayer: Father, I can't honestly say that I'm a very good, "Good Samaritan" in my life. All too frequently I let the differences I have with others, whether they are racial, ethnic, religious, economic, or otherwise, get in the way of loving them as You have loved me. All too often I find myself looking askance at those who are different from me and from those with whom I surround myself. As a result, I'm not always as willing to share Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus with others. I am just as afraid at times to assist those in need as were the priest and the Levite. I'm certain that Samaritan was also afraid, but his love and compassion, and I expect, his love for You, led him to overcome that fear and assist a brother in need. Father, I pray that You would send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure and move my heart and spirit to seeing others as brothers and sisters in need of Your love and compassion. Let me be an instrument of Your peace and share with those in need and those who are different from me, even those with whom I may be at odds, You love and forgiveness in Jesus, who died and rose again for all people everywhere. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Luke 10:25-37; Psalm 49
GO AND DO LIKEWISE
"'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?' The expert in the law replied, "the one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.'" (Luke 10:36, 37)
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?" A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."
Out of the mouth of babes! How often isn't that the response we human beings have toward those in need. We live in a dangerous world and being a "Good Samaritan" is really risky. From what I understand about the situation of life for the beaten man, the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan, it wasn't much safer for them on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho than it is on most of our cities' streets today. Robbers and brigands were prevalent. That the priest and Levite may have seen the injured man as bait in a trap is entirely possible. They, and we, could probably find a thousand reasons not to stop and offer assistance under the circumstances. But one man did stop. And, what's more, he wasn't the "right type" of person. He was a Samaritan.
Without going into great detail, suffice it to say that the Jews considered the Samaritans as trash. In many ways I suppose one could say that Samaritans were viewed by the Jews in much the same way as Jews have been viewed by other people throughout history. There were racial, ethnic, and religious reasons for the disconnect between these two peoples, so for a Samaritan to stop and help a Jew would have been unthinkable. Of course, that's Jesus' point exactly. The lesson He was giving through this story answers not only the question, "Who is my neighbor?", but also reflects the grace, mercy, and love of God for humanity - "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
If we're honest with ourselves and how we view those with whom we have differences - racially, ethnically, nationally, religiously, spiritually - we're probably right there with the little girl's response to her Sunday School teacher's question, "I think I'd throw up!" Thank God He doesn't "throw up" when He sees our sinful condition. Thank God He determined to save us from our sins and heal our wounded souls and spirits, and most especially our relationship with Him.. In Christ Jesus we have been given a new life with our Father in heaven. By God's gift of faith to us through the power of His Word and Spirit, we know His love and are restored to Him so that we might share His love and compassion with others. "Go and do likewise" is to respond to God's love for us in Christ by loving others enough to overlook our differences and share the Good News of Jesus with them. That's how God's love touches others - through us.
Prayer: Father, I can't honestly say that I'm a very good, "Good Samaritan" in my life. All too frequently I let the differences I have with others, whether they are racial, ethnic, religious, economic, or otherwise, get in the way of loving them as You have loved me. All too often I find myself looking askance at those who are different from me and from those with whom I surround myself. As a result, I'm not always as willing to share Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus with others. I am just as afraid at times to assist those in need as were the priest and the Levite. I'm certain that Samaritan was also afraid, but his love and compassion, and I expect, his love for You, led him to overcome that fear and assist a brother in need. Father, I pray that You would send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure and move my heart and spirit to seeing others as brothers and sisters in need of Your love and compassion. Let me be an instrument of Your peace and share with those in need and those who are different from me, even those with whom I may be at odds, You love and forgiveness in Jesus, who died and rose again for all people everywhere. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Jesus Is The Christ For Everyone
Read: Acts 11:1-18
Romans 10:1-15
JESUS IS THE CHRIST FOR EVERYONE
"As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trust in Him will never be put to shame. For this is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."'" (Romans 10:11-13)
I don't know about you, but no one is knocking down my door to put my face on the cover of GQ, or to have me pose for a fashion spread. To say that I'm overweight is an understatement of galactic proportions. I can honestly say no reporters are calling me day and night seeking my erudite opinion on the political, social, or economic events of the day. I have more bills to pay than I have money, my asset base is zero, and, all in all, I'm just a really very ordinary person. How about you?
Human beings tend to look at certain characteristics as being signs of success and prosperity, power and prestige. We put labels on people like short and fat, tall and skinny, handsome or ugly, beautiful, plain, or a "dog." How we treat others often is a result of what they look like, how they dress, how clean or dirty they might be, what their level of wealth or prestige might be, or even what kind of car they drive. We are attracted to some people and repulsed by others. The phrase, "They're our kind of people!" is a very real part of how human beings gravitate to others.
Our sinful, human nature drives wedges between us and others because "they" might not be like us. "They're not our kind of people," and so we turn away, ignore, or chase such people away. Thank God, however, that He hasn't treated us the same way. Certainly, as we hear in Scripture, "we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). If we saw ourselves as God sees us we wouldn't want anything to do with us. Yet, in His grace, mercy, compassion, and love God determined to save all humanity from the stain and stink of Sin and redeem us for Himself that we might receive His forgiveness and live with Him forever in heaven.
In Jesus, the Christ - the Anointed One, the Messiah - God fulfilled His promise to redeem all people from their sins. Jesus died on the Cross for everyone, no matter how big or small, short or tall, fat or thin, rich or poor, famous or infamous, so that all might know God's forgiveness and be at peace with Him. When we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Thus, as we have received God's grace and blessings, His love and forgiveness, all who believe in Jesus seek to share Him with others. The Gospel, the Good News, isn't the sole possession of any group or groups of people, but the power of God for salvation to all who believe. As we have received the Good News through the power of God's Word and Spirit, we seek to get that Good News out to others. As witnesses of God's love in Christ Jesus we don't take a look at the externals of people but remember that Christ died for everyone. He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior for everyone, regardless of station in life - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That's an important thing to remember the next time God gives us an opportunity to share Jesus with someone in need of His love or invite someone who isn't quite like us to come to worship with us.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for all those times I miss the opportunities You've given me to share Jesus with others. Too often I've looked at others and judged them by their clothing, their station in life, their intellect, or their wealth and then chosen not to share Your love, grace, mercy and forgiveness in Christ with them. Too often, Father, my witness is reserved for those who are "like me," forgetting that all human beings are alike in one very crucial and critical way - we are all sinners in need of repentance and salvation. Father, forgive me for such arrogance and unloving behavior and send Your Holy Spiriit into my heart so that I may truly seek to share Jesus with others. Let me witness be sure and certain; don't let human labels prevent me from being a faithful witness and disciple of Christ Jesus, in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Romans 10:1-15
JESUS IS THE CHRIST FOR EVERYONE
"As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trust in Him will never be put to shame. For this is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."'" (Romans 10:11-13)
I don't know about you, but no one is knocking down my door to put my face on the cover of GQ, or to have me pose for a fashion spread. To say that I'm overweight is an understatement of galactic proportions. I can honestly say no reporters are calling me day and night seeking my erudite opinion on the political, social, or economic events of the day. I have more bills to pay than I have money, my asset base is zero, and, all in all, I'm just a really very ordinary person. How about you?
Human beings tend to look at certain characteristics as being signs of success and prosperity, power and prestige. We put labels on people like short and fat, tall and skinny, handsome or ugly, beautiful, plain, or a "dog." How we treat others often is a result of what they look like, how they dress, how clean or dirty they might be, what their level of wealth or prestige might be, or even what kind of car they drive. We are attracted to some people and repulsed by others. The phrase, "They're our kind of people!" is a very real part of how human beings gravitate to others.
Our sinful, human nature drives wedges between us and others because "they" might not be like us. "They're not our kind of people," and so we turn away, ignore, or chase such people away. Thank God, however, that He hasn't treated us the same way. Certainly, as we hear in Scripture, "we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). If we saw ourselves as God sees us we wouldn't want anything to do with us. Yet, in His grace, mercy, compassion, and love God determined to save all humanity from the stain and stink of Sin and redeem us for Himself that we might receive His forgiveness and live with Him forever in heaven.
In Jesus, the Christ - the Anointed One, the Messiah - God fulfilled His promise to redeem all people from their sins. Jesus died on the Cross for everyone, no matter how big or small, short or tall, fat or thin, rich or poor, famous or infamous, so that all might know God's forgiveness and be at peace with Him. When we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Thus, as we have received God's grace and blessings, His love and forgiveness, all who believe in Jesus seek to share Him with others. The Gospel, the Good News, isn't the sole possession of any group or groups of people, but the power of God for salvation to all who believe. As we have received the Good News through the power of God's Word and Spirit, we seek to get that Good News out to others. As witnesses of God's love in Christ Jesus we don't take a look at the externals of people but remember that Christ died for everyone. He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior for everyone, regardless of station in life - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That's an important thing to remember the next time God gives us an opportunity to share Jesus with someone in need of His love or invite someone who isn't quite like us to come to worship with us.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for all those times I miss the opportunities You've given me to share Jesus with others. Too often I've looked at others and judged them by their clothing, their station in life, their intellect, or their wealth and then chosen not to share Your love, grace, mercy and forgiveness in Christ with them. Too often, Father, my witness is reserved for those who are "like me," forgetting that all human beings are alike in one very crucial and critical way - we are all sinners in need of repentance and salvation. Father, forgive me for such arrogance and unloving behavior and send Your Holy Spiriit into my heart so that I may truly seek to share Jesus with others. Let me witness be sure and certain; don't let human labels prevent me from being a faithful witness and disciple of Christ Jesus, in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Listening To Jesus' Voice
"Today's Devotion" For April 26, 2007
Read: John 10:22-30; Psalm 95
LISTENING TO JESUS' VOICE
"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27, 28)
Have you ever such clamoring as has been going on in the political sphere these days? Someone is always calling for someone's head, or shouting out their opposition to one position or another taken by the "other" party, or taking the final stand to end all stands against the worst possible corruption or some other "bad stuff" being committed by those elected to keep the country running. It's quite a din.
Each of the clamoring voices seeks to be the only voice heard. If someone doesn't agree with their position they are shouted down, berated, discounted, and ignored. I've noticed that the folks in some quarters seem bent on determining when a subject is closed and is no longer debatable - it's now a given and there's no room for disagreement, even if the disagreement is rational, provable, and documented. A recent series of polls by different organizations, showed that a position held by one political party, on which they were basing all their moves, was not supported by the public's responses to the polls - including from their own party. The mandate supposedly given them appears to not be supported by the facts of the polls.
I suppose we could discuss these clamoring voices 'ad infinitum.' They're all over the place and they want to be the only voices people hear and follow. While such clamoring goes on regularly in our world and is endorsed by the news media, another clamoring is also taking place that doesn't get much play, but has the power to destroy the world and every human being in it. That clamoring is the voice of those who seek to exclude God and His Word and Will from the public arena. Those clamoring voices seek to lead people to an alternative "religion," a religion of self, a religion of the community, a religion that puts human beings at the center of everything and seeks to put human wisdom on a pedestal - particularly the brand of wisdom espoused by the clamoring voices.
God's people face those clamoring voices shouting for our spiritual attention every day of our lives. They seek to deafen us to God's Word and His voice as it comes to us in the Word and Sacraments, the Means of Grace by which He touches us both spiritually and physically so that we can know by faith that He is present with us at all times and in all places. Jesus addresses this challenge to the faith of His redeemed, and reminds us that as our Good Shepherd, we are His sheep by faith, He has redeemed us to be His own forgiven people, and we know His voice, hear it and follow Him. He promises us that He will never let the clamoring voices take us away from Him nor will He allow them to keep us from heaven. We are secure in the arms of Jesus as we listen to His voice, hearing it above the clamoring of the world's voices that would take our attention away from Him. Listening to His voice, we are also moved to share that voice with others so they too may know His forgiveness, love, grace, mercy, and peace in their own lives, and know Jesus to eternal life.
Prayer: Father, this is a "noisy" world in which I'm living. Everyday, in myriad ways, I'm confronted and assailed by all the conflicting voices of the world which seek to lead me to embrace their "wisdom" and their "understanding" so that I will follow them. They don't wish me to disagree with them, and my courage is often tested when I know they're turning me off because I don't agree with what they're clamoring. Forgive me, Father, for all too often turning away from the confrontations which come when I follow Jesus and hear His voice over the clamoring voices in opposition to You and Your will for the world in Christ. Fill me with Your Spirit, Father, so that I may be able to always hear Your voice. Fill me with Your Spirit, Father, so that I may always be able to hear Jesus' voice, recognize it, and follow Him. Give me the courage to speak to others about Jesus, not as a clamoring voice insistent on having its way, but as a gentle, loving voice sharing a winsome testimony to Your love, forgiveness, and redemption of the world in Christ Jesus, my Lord, in Whose precious name I pray. Amen.
**********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 10:22-30; Psalm 95
LISTENING TO JESUS' VOICE
"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27, 28)
Have you ever such clamoring as has been going on in the political sphere these days? Someone is always calling for someone's head, or shouting out their opposition to one position or another taken by the "other" party, or taking the final stand to end all stands against the worst possible corruption or some other "bad stuff" being committed by those elected to keep the country running. It's quite a din.
Each of the clamoring voices seeks to be the only voice heard. If someone doesn't agree with their position they are shouted down, berated, discounted, and ignored. I've noticed that the folks in some quarters seem bent on determining when a subject is closed and is no longer debatable - it's now a given and there's no room for disagreement, even if the disagreement is rational, provable, and documented. A recent series of polls by different organizations, showed that a position held by one political party, on which they were basing all their moves, was not supported by the public's responses to the polls - including from their own party. The mandate supposedly given them appears to not be supported by the facts of the polls.
I suppose we could discuss these clamoring voices 'ad infinitum.' They're all over the place and they want to be the only voices people hear and follow. While such clamoring goes on regularly in our world and is endorsed by the news media, another clamoring is also taking place that doesn't get much play, but has the power to destroy the world and every human being in it. That clamoring is the voice of those who seek to exclude God and His Word and Will from the public arena. Those clamoring voices seek to lead people to an alternative "religion," a religion of self, a religion of the community, a religion that puts human beings at the center of everything and seeks to put human wisdom on a pedestal - particularly the brand of wisdom espoused by the clamoring voices.
God's people face those clamoring voices shouting for our spiritual attention every day of our lives. They seek to deafen us to God's Word and His voice as it comes to us in the Word and Sacraments, the Means of Grace by which He touches us both spiritually and physically so that we can know by faith that He is present with us at all times and in all places. Jesus addresses this challenge to the faith of His redeemed, and reminds us that as our Good Shepherd, we are His sheep by faith, He has redeemed us to be His own forgiven people, and we know His voice, hear it and follow Him. He promises us that He will never let the clamoring voices take us away from Him nor will He allow them to keep us from heaven. We are secure in the arms of Jesus as we listen to His voice, hearing it above the clamoring of the world's voices that would take our attention away from Him. Listening to His voice, we are also moved to share that voice with others so they too may know His forgiveness, love, grace, mercy, and peace in their own lives, and know Jesus to eternal life.
Prayer: Father, this is a "noisy" world in which I'm living. Everyday, in myriad ways, I'm confronted and assailed by all the conflicting voices of the world which seek to lead me to embrace their "wisdom" and their "understanding" so that I will follow them. They don't wish me to disagree with them, and my courage is often tested when I know they're turning me off because I don't agree with what they're clamoring. Forgive me, Father, for all too often turning away from the confrontations which come when I follow Jesus and hear His voice over the clamoring voices in opposition to You and Your will for the world in Christ. Fill me with Your Spirit, Father, so that I may be able to always hear Your voice. Fill me with Your Spirit, Father, so that I may always be able to hear Jesus' voice, recognize it, and follow Him. Give me the courage to speak to others about Jesus, not as a clamoring voice insistent on having its way, but as a gentle, loving voice sharing a winsome testimony to Your love, forgiveness, and redemption of the world in Christ Jesus, my Lord, in Whose precious name I pray. Amen.
**********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Bound Together In Christ
"Today's Devotion" For April 25, 2007
Read: Ephesians 4:1-6
I Peter 3:8-18a
BOUND TOGETHER IN CHRIST
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)
A community columnist in Wednesday's local newspaper was decrying the latest Supreme Court decision that upheld the prohibition against "partial-birth abortion." This person is a retired clergyperson and was arguing, not from a Scriptural perspective, but a humanistic perspective. A recent conversation "between a pro-choice advocate and an anti-abortion activist" broadcast over National Public Radio was noted by the columnist. The moderator had asked if there were any place that these two people could find common ground, since their arguments were the same rehashed ones heard ad infinitum. According to the columnist the "pro-choice person's" response was that both sides could work to prevent unplanned pregnancies and the reaction by the "anti-abortion proponent" was silence.
Now it seems to me that allowing for Christian freedom, this columnist and retired minister may speak his/her mind on this subject. I don't agree with abortion and have even graver misgivings about partial-birth abortions. Others would disagree. Yet, how are the people of God who are obviously on both sides of the question going to be able to discuss the issues when each sides deliberately disrespects the other.
For instance, take a look at the descriptions given of the two people in the conversation on NPR. The person in favor of abortion is "pro-choice" and an "advocate" (all positive phrases), while the person that doesn't approve of abortion is labeled as "anti-abortion" and an "activist" (both negative phrases). It's hard to seek "common ground" when one side wraps itself in positives and seeks to label the other side's position in the negative. It would hard to find any kind of common ground or a means of open communication if, by the same token, a person who doesn't approve of abortion would label someone in favor of it "pro-abortion" and an "activist" while labeling his/her position as "pro-life” and an "advocate." In the end, the same issue arises - how can people find common ground when they choose to use language that puts others down or minimizes them? It's disingenuous and intellectually dishonest to look for common ground when one isn't willing to treat those with whom the disagree with basic respect.
God's people are often at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to many social decisions. Whether the issue is abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, or a host of other social concerns, many time Christian people find themselves at odds with each other. Those who are called to be bound together in Christ are often found baiting each other, fighting one another, and hating each other. If we can't respect one another and deal with such issues using the power of God's Word, lovingly and patiently working with each other to come to a God-pleasing decision on such issues, then how can we expect the world to listen to the message of salvation in Jesus coming out of our mouths?
We have been called by the Gospel into the marvelous light of God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. By the power of God's Word and Spirit, we have been led to repentance and hope in Christ. Faith in Christ is God's precious and marvelous gift to all who believe - it's not something anyone has gained by his/her own efforts and merits (Ephesians 2:8-9). God has gathered us together to be His family, His people, His redeemed children so that we might be lights to the world through our lives and words of faith and hope to others. How important it is for us to seek to live together in the Body of Christ in peace and unity. How essential to the witness of the Gospel it is for all who confess the name of Jesus to show what it means to walk together in love, compassion, and mercy, recognizing our differences and seeking to end them lovingly and honestly. Living in a world that has no use for God and His Christ, it becomes even more essential that God's people "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).
Prayer: Father, there is perhaps no more difficult task I have as one of Your redeemed children than living according to Your will and Word. It's all too easy to succumb to the world's thinking and try to find ways to fit it into Your will. It's all too easy to argue with others about our differences than it is to find ways for us to talk with each other in love so that Your Word and Spirit can bring us to common ground and a true understanding of what is truly Your Will and purpose for each of Your children. Forgive me for speaking and acting in ways that seek to get the upper hand on those with whom I disagree; putting them down, speaking pejoratively of them, and otherwise finding ways to minimize them as people. By the power of Your Word and Spirit lead me instead to speak the truth in love, listen to what others of my brothers and sisters in Christ think and feel, and then to speak with Your Spirit's wisdom so that all might be blessed. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Ephesians 4:1-6
I Peter 3:8-18a
BOUND TOGETHER IN CHRIST
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)
A community columnist in Wednesday's local newspaper was decrying the latest Supreme Court decision that upheld the prohibition against "partial-birth abortion." This person is a retired clergyperson and was arguing, not from a Scriptural perspective, but a humanistic perspective. A recent conversation "between a pro-choice advocate and an anti-abortion activist" broadcast over National Public Radio was noted by the columnist. The moderator had asked if there were any place that these two people could find common ground, since their arguments were the same rehashed ones heard ad infinitum. According to the columnist the "pro-choice person's" response was that both sides could work to prevent unplanned pregnancies and the reaction by the "anti-abortion proponent" was silence.
Now it seems to me that allowing for Christian freedom, this columnist and retired minister may speak his/her mind on this subject. I don't agree with abortion and have even graver misgivings about partial-birth abortions. Others would disagree. Yet, how are the people of God who are obviously on both sides of the question going to be able to discuss the issues when each sides deliberately disrespects the other.
For instance, take a look at the descriptions given of the two people in the conversation on NPR. The person in favor of abortion is "pro-choice" and an "advocate" (all positive phrases), while the person that doesn't approve of abortion is labeled as "anti-abortion" and an "activist" (both negative phrases). It's hard to seek "common ground" when one side wraps itself in positives and seeks to label the other side's position in the negative. It would hard to find any kind of common ground or a means of open communication if, by the same token, a person who doesn't approve of abortion would label someone in favor of it "pro-abortion" and an "activist" while labeling his/her position as "pro-life” and an "advocate." In the end, the same issue arises - how can people find common ground when they choose to use language that puts others down or minimizes them? It's disingenuous and intellectually dishonest to look for common ground when one isn't willing to treat those with whom the disagree with basic respect.
God's people are often at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to many social decisions. Whether the issue is abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, or a host of other social concerns, many time Christian people find themselves at odds with each other. Those who are called to be bound together in Christ are often found baiting each other, fighting one another, and hating each other. If we can't respect one another and deal with such issues using the power of God's Word, lovingly and patiently working with each other to come to a God-pleasing decision on such issues, then how can we expect the world to listen to the message of salvation in Jesus coming out of our mouths?
We have been called by the Gospel into the marvelous light of God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. By the power of God's Word and Spirit, we have been led to repentance and hope in Christ. Faith in Christ is God's precious and marvelous gift to all who believe - it's not something anyone has gained by his/her own efforts and merits (Ephesians 2:8-9). God has gathered us together to be His family, His people, His redeemed children so that we might be lights to the world through our lives and words of faith and hope to others. How important it is for us to seek to live together in the Body of Christ in peace and unity. How essential to the witness of the Gospel it is for all who confess the name of Jesus to show what it means to walk together in love, compassion, and mercy, recognizing our differences and seeking to end them lovingly and honestly. Living in a world that has no use for God and His Christ, it becomes even more essential that God's people "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).
Prayer: Father, there is perhaps no more difficult task I have as one of Your redeemed children than living according to Your will and Word. It's all too easy to succumb to the world's thinking and try to find ways to fit it into Your will. It's all too easy to argue with others about our differences than it is to find ways for us to talk with each other in love so that Your Word and Spirit can bring us to common ground and a true understanding of what is truly Your Will and purpose for each of Your children. Forgive me for speaking and acting in ways that seek to get the upper hand on those with whom I disagree; putting them down, speaking pejoratively of them, and otherwise finding ways to minimize them as people. By the power of Your Word and Spirit lead me instead to speak the truth in love, listen to what others of my brothers and sisters in Christ think and feel, and then to speak with Your Spirit's wisdom so that all might be blessed. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The Power Of God's Love
"Today's Devotion" For April 24, 2007
Read: Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 5:1-11
THE POWER OF GOD'S LOVE
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5)
If you've got friends or relatives like I do you probably receive your share of email "pass alongs." You know the ones I'm talking about. Those are the "don't break this chain and you'll receive a blessing" variety of emails. I regularly toss them, or, if it's one I haven't seen before (or don't remember) I file it for later use - sometimes they provide me with ideas for "Today's Devotion" - which is the case today.
The following is one of those emails that I've received a couple of times - never sent it out, but it stuck with me as being appropriate for looking at the Christian's life with God. Whoever wrote the following was very creative and not a bad mathematician (I've been told that in some quarters it's believed that mathematics can solve all the ills of society - perhaps you've seen the television series, NUMBERS). Here's what I received:
From a strictly mathematical point of view it's suggested that we can determine what it means to give 100% and also what it means to give more than 100% as well. It's suggested that we take the alphabet, A to Z, and assign each letter a numerical, percentage value from 1% to 26%, with "A" being "1%" and "Z" being "26%." If we use the numerical values of each letter, the idea is that we can measure how much certain activities on our part can build our relationship with each other and with God. So let's take a look at the following:
"Hardwork" is often seen as crucial for any amount of success we might have in life. So, based on our formula, "H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K" would look like this in numerical values: 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%. Now that's close to 100%, but it doesn't quite make the grade.
The there's "Knowledge." Knowledge is touted in many was as the "end all and be all" for success. If you only have the proper knowledge, you can accomplish anything is one of the preeminent concepts we often hear. If we break "K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E" down to its mathematical components based on our formula, then its equation would look like this: 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%. Now 96% can still get you an "A" in school, but it's still short of 100%.
Of course it could be argued that "Hard Work" by itself is useless without "Knowledge," and "Knowledge" without application, i.e., "Hard Work," doesn't get you anywhere either. That's a function of "Attitude" we're told, so getting our "Attitude" in place is critical to one's success. The formula for "A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E" according to our premise is: 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%. We've hit the 100% level, but does that get us any closer to God?
According to Scripture, no amount of hard work, knowledge, or attitude is going to win God's approval, His forgiveness, or eternal life. Paul writes that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He further assures us that what saves us isn't our hard work, knowledge, or attitude because none of them can measure up to God's standards by themselves. Sin so taints our lives, our human nature, that all our hard work, knowledge, and attitude is negatively affected so that we can't achieve God's purposes by ourselves. On the other hand, St. Paul reminds us that not only is faith in Christ a gift from God, but "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10).
And so we are returned to our mathematical formula and what it says about the "love of God" for us: "L- O- V- E-O-F-G-O-D" equals 12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%. The only thing that brings us into a full and loving relationship with God, receiving His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Christ is His love for us. One could say that this is a "mathematical certainty."
What we can say, however, that God's love for us is so great, and it's power so encompassing, that it affects every aspect of our life and living. His love for us lives in us through the washing of Holy Baptism, through the forgiveness of all of our sins, and through His continued presence with us through His Word. As Christ lives in our hearts and lives we are empowered to live lives of hope, joy, peace, and confidence, knowing that we are held in the very palm of God's hand. When we couple "hard work - 98% - the ability which comes from God," "knowledge - 96% - a gift of God to us," and "attitude - 100% - because God has changed our hearts and minds through faith in Christ," and we add them with the "love of God - 101% - for us as revealed in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have a the world's greatest winning formula. For it is the power of God's love which makes every good thing happen in our lives and in the lives of others through us. What a blessing we have from God!
Prayer: Father, I know that playing around with numbers and formulas doesn't prove Your love for me or the world in any way shape or form. I realize that nothing can prove Your love except the truth that Christ came into the world to save sinners, including me. Forgive me for so often forgetting that there's nothing I can do or have done to deserve Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, but that You have done it all for me through Jesus. Help me always look to You for the strength, wisdom, knowledge, attitude, and abilities necessary to live in and through You as a true witness to others of Your redeeming love in Jesus. Father, I pray that You would send Your Holy Spirit upon me in abundant measure to keep me fully assured by faith of the redemption You have given me in Christ, certain that I will be with You in heaven, and confident that You will use every gift and talent You've given me so that I may be a blessing to others and demonstrate the power of Your love in Jesus. In whose precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 5:1-11
THE POWER OF GOD'S LOVE
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5)
If you've got friends or relatives like I do you probably receive your share of email "pass alongs." You know the ones I'm talking about. Those are the "don't break this chain and you'll receive a blessing" variety of emails. I regularly toss them, or, if it's one I haven't seen before (or don't remember) I file it for later use - sometimes they provide me with ideas for "Today's Devotion" - which is the case today.
The following is one of those emails that I've received a couple of times - never sent it out, but it stuck with me as being appropriate for looking at the Christian's life with God. Whoever wrote the following was very creative and not a bad mathematician (I've been told that in some quarters it's believed that mathematics can solve all the ills of society - perhaps you've seen the television series, NUMBERS). Here's what I received:
From a strictly mathematical point of view it's suggested that we can determine what it means to give 100% and also what it means to give more than 100% as well. It's suggested that we take the alphabet, A to Z, and assign each letter a numerical, percentage value from 1% to 26%, with "A" being "1%" and "Z" being "26%." If we use the numerical values of each letter, the idea is that we can measure how much certain activities on our part can build our relationship with each other and with God. So let's take a look at the following:
"Hardwork" is often seen as crucial for any amount of success we might have in life. So, based on our formula, "H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K" would look like this in numerical values: 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%. Now that's close to 100%, but it doesn't quite make the grade.
The there's "Knowledge." Knowledge is touted in many was as the "end all and be all" for success. If you only have the proper knowledge, you can accomplish anything is one of the preeminent concepts we often hear. If we break "K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E" down to its mathematical components based on our formula, then its equation would look like this: 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%. Now 96% can still get you an "A" in school, but it's still short of 100%.
Of course it could be argued that "Hard Work" by itself is useless without "Knowledge," and "Knowledge" without application, i.e., "Hard Work," doesn't get you anywhere either. That's a function of "Attitude" we're told, so getting our "Attitude" in place is critical to one's success. The formula for "A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E" according to our premise is: 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%. We've hit the 100% level, but does that get us any closer to God?
According to Scripture, no amount of hard work, knowledge, or attitude is going to win God's approval, His forgiveness, or eternal life. Paul writes that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He further assures us that what saves us isn't our hard work, knowledge, or attitude because none of them can measure up to God's standards by themselves. Sin so taints our lives, our human nature, that all our hard work, knowledge, and attitude is negatively affected so that we can't achieve God's purposes by ourselves. On the other hand, St. Paul reminds us that not only is faith in Christ a gift from God, but "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10).
And so we are returned to our mathematical formula and what it says about the "love of God" for us: "L- O- V- E-O-F-G-O-D" equals 12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%. The only thing that brings us into a full and loving relationship with God, receiving His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Christ is His love for us. One could say that this is a "mathematical certainty."
What we can say, however, that God's love for us is so great, and it's power so encompassing, that it affects every aspect of our life and living. His love for us lives in us through the washing of Holy Baptism, through the forgiveness of all of our sins, and through His continued presence with us through His Word. As Christ lives in our hearts and lives we are empowered to live lives of hope, joy, peace, and confidence, knowing that we are held in the very palm of God's hand. When we couple "hard work - 98% - the ability which comes from God," "knowledge - 96% - a gift of God to us," and "attitude - 100% - because God has changed our hearts and minds through faith in Christ," and we add them with the "love of God - 101% - for us as revealed in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have a the world's greatest winning formula. For it is the power of God's love which makes every good thing happen in our lives and in the lives of others through us. What a blessing we have from God!
Prayer: Father, I know that playing around with numbers and formulas doesn't prove Your love for me or the world in any way shape or form. I realize that nothing can prove Your love except the truth that Christ came into the world to save sinners, including me. Forgive me for so often forgetting that there's nothing I can do or have done to deserve Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, but that You have done it all for me through Jesus. Help me always look to You for the strength, wisdom, knowledge, attitude, and abilities necessary to live in and through You as a true witness to others of Your redeeming love in Jesus. Father, I pray that You would send Your Holy Spirit upon me in abundant measure to keep me fully assured by faith of the redemption You have given me in Christ, certain that I will be with You in heaven, and confident that You will use every gift and talent You've given me so that I may be a blessing to others and demonstrate the power of Your love in Jesus. In whose precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Christ Is Our Stability In A Topsy-Turvy World
"Today's Devotion" For April 23, 2007
Read: James 1:12-18; Psalm 127
CHRIST IS OUR STABILITY IN A TOPSY-TURVY WORLD
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)
How well have you been able to keep up with our changing world? Technological changes alone have been sweeping. I remember learning to type on a manual typewriter in high school; I remember the old, black Remington my dad had at his desk in the basement. Even though we had already landed on the moon, the next step in word processing for me was an electric typewriter. When my wife and I got married in 1980, we even got a new portable electric typewriter - it was soon obsolete; we couldn't even find ribbon cartridges for it after awhile. It's still gathering dust, sitting alone and useless in a hall closet. The old transistor radio I used to carry next to my ear to listen to ball games is nowhere to be found except in antique stores and musty basements. I-Pods, with 3,500 or more songs, are the music delivery system du jour.
Technology isn't the only thing that has changed over my lifetime - and in 55 years I've seen sea change in technology. Society has also changed. From the more staid 50's, we moved into the revolutionary, "Flower Child" 60's, the "Sexual Revolution" and "Women's Liberation" 70's, through the challenges of the 80's and 90's. We're almost finished with the first decade of the 21st Century. The societal changes, the changes in mores, morality, concepts of right and wrong, social justice concepts, and a host of other people-centered changes have been, are, and will be taking place.
People's belief in and relationship to spiritual things has also changed. Already back in the late 80's, when I was serving a congregation, the Barna Institute and the PEW Research Institute both published studies that showed an increasingly, Biblically illiterate society. Even reading the Bible simply as good literature had fallen by the wayside - a situation that continues to this day.
As God's people in Jesus Christ, we're faced every day with a changing culture, often not for the best. What was acceptable one day is now politically incorrect. What was right yesterday will be considered wrong tomorrow because a judge somewhere ruled that something was no longer socially acceptable, even though it is the law. In short, as the hymn, "Abide With Me" states, "change and decay in all around I see..." and we have to live with the uncertainty that that change and decay brings.
Thanks be to God! He doesn't change. No matter what, He still loves us. No matter what, His forgiveness of all our sins in Christ is sure and certain for eternity. No matter what, we can be certain His promised redemption in Christ is ours and that by faith in Jesus we have the hope and promise of eternal life. No matter what changes occur around us in the world, our communities, and even our own families God never changes. His promises are always certain. He never goes back on His Word and He continues to send His Holy Spirit to uplift us in our Baptisms and bring His forgiveness physically into our lives in the Body and Blood of Christ Jesus in the Lord's Supper. Our Father in heaven gives us stability in a topsy-turvy world, for which we give thanks and breathe a sigh of relief. No matter how crazy things may get, how many new gadgets find the light of day, and no matter how many new rules for behavior the world throws out to us, God's will and Word stay the same. In that we are greatly blessed and have a message of Good News to share with others.
Prayer: Father, You understand better than I do how confusing the world has become. Nothing ever stays the same, and while change can be good, there are changes that are taking place because of the power of Sin and Satan in the world that are leading more and more people away from Your love. All too often, Father, I get pushed off course in my life of faith as well. So often I find myself just wanting to do what everyone else does because it's easier than remaining true to You. Father, send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure so that, through the power of Your Word I might be equipped and prepared to stand firm in Jesus, stand solid against the ways of the world, and be a living witness to Your grace, mercy, love and forgiveness in Christ which never changes. Father, keep me ever grounded in the solid Rock of faith in Jesus - that self same rock that led Peter to confess, "You are the Christ, the Son of God." In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: James 1:12-18; Psalm 127
CHRIST IS OUR STABILITY IN A TOPSY-TURVY WORLD
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)
How well have you been able to keep up with our changing world? Technological changes alone have been sweeping. I remember learning to type on a manual typewriter in high school; I remember the old, black Remington my dad had at his desk in the basement. Even though we had already landed on the moon, the next step in word processing for me was an electric typewriter. When my wife and I got married in 1980, we even got a new portable electric typewriter - it was soon obsolete; we couldn't even find ribbon cartridges for it after awhile. It's still gathering dust, sitting alone and useless in a hall closet. The old transistor radio I used to carry next to my ear to listen to ball games is nowhere to be found except in antique stores and musty basements. I-Pods, with 3,500 or more songs, are the music delivery system du jour.
Technology isn't the only thing that has changed over my lifetime - and in 55 years I've seen sea change in technology. Society has also changed. From the more staid 50's, we moved into the revolutionary, "Flower Child" 60's, the "Sexual Revolution" and "Women's Liberation" 70's, through the challenges of the 80's and 90's. We're almost finished with the first decade of the 21st Century. The societal changes, the changes in mores, morality, concepts of right and wrong, social justice concepts, and a host of other people-centered changes have been, are, and will be taking place.
People's belief in and relationship to spiritual things has also changed. Already back in the late 80's, when I was serving a congregation, the Barna Institute and the PEW Research Institute both published studies that showed an increasingly, Biblically illiterate society. Even reading the Bible simply as good literature had fallen by the wayside - a situation that continues to this day.
As God's people in Jesus Christ, we're faced every day with a changing culture, often not for the best. What was acceptable one day is now politically incorrect. What was right yesterday will be considered wrong tomorrow because a judge somewhere ruled that something was no longer socially acceptable, even though it is the law. In short, as the hymn, "Abide With Me" states, "change and decay in all around I see..." and we have to live with the uncertainty that that change and decay brings.
Thanks be to God! He doesn't change. No matter what, He still loves us. No matter what, His forgiveness of all our sins in Christ is sure and certain for eternity. No matter what, we can be certain His promised redemption in Christ is ours and that by faith in Jesus we have the hope and promise of eternal life. No matter what changes occur around us in the world, our communities, and even our own families God never changes. His promises are always certain. He never goes back on His Word and He continues to send His Holy Spirit to uplift us in our Baptisms and bring His forgiveness physically into our lives in the Body and Blood of Christ Jesus in the Lord's Supper. Our Father in heaven gives us stability in a topsy-turvy world, for which we give thanks and breathe a sigh of relief. No matter how crazy things may get, how many new gadgets find the light of day, and no matter how many new rules for behavior the world throws out to us, God's will and Word stay the same. In that we are greatly blessed and have a message of Good News to share with others.
Prayer: Father, You understand better than I do how confusing the world has become. Nothing ever stays the same, and while change can be good, there are changes that are taking place because of the power of Sin and Satan in the world that are leading more and more people away from Your love. All too often, Father, I get pushed off course in my life of faith as well. So often I find myself just wanting to do what everyone else does because it's easier than remaining true to You. Father, send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure so that, through the power of Your Word I might be equipped and prepared to stand firm in Jesus, stand solid against the ways of the world, and be a living witness to Your grace, mercy, love and forgiveness in Christ which never changes. Father, keep me ever grounded in the solid Rock of faith in Jesus - that self same rock that led Peter to confess, "You are the Christ, the Son of God." In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Living As God's Chosen Instruments
"Today's Devotion" For April 19, 2007
Read: Acts 9:1-22; Psalm 30
LIVING AS GOD'S CHOSEN INSTRUMENTS
"This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name." (Acts 9:15, 16)
I'm pretty certain that none of us remember our birth. I'm also quite certain that, if your mother is still alive, she does. Your father also may remember the circumstances of your birth, but your mother most certainly does; every excruciating moment of it. I suppose it could be reasonably said that every one of us has been dragged, kicking and scream into the world. Some of us may have been born more easily than others, but it's a sure bet that describing our entering into the world as being "dragged, kicking and screaming" into it is a pretty apt description.
Our spiritual births weren't much different. Certainly the kicking and screaming part probably didn't apply, although I've had a few such babies brought to Holy Baptism. Yet the kicking and screaming part of our new birth into Jesus Christ took place in our hearts and souls, as the power of Sin in us tried to put up a fight against God's Word and Spirit. Yet, by God's grace and mercy, He sent His Spirit to work through His Word and change our hearts so that we might be His own children, redeemed and restored to Him in Christ Jesus.
A fellow named Saul, who later described himself as "a Pharisee of Pharisees," had made it his business to seek out all those who claimed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, who believed that He had risen from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father, to arrest them and bring them before the Sanhedrin where they could be tried and convicted. Many died because of their faith in Jesus, much as Stephen did (Acts 8:54-9:1). And Saul often had a hand in such actions. While engaged in a campaign to root out followers of Jesus ("The Way"), Saul headed to the synagogues in Damascus. Here was a man who knew the Scriptures as well as anyone in his day, and yet he refused to see them pointing to Jesus as the Christ, the promised Messiah and Savior from Sin. So, on the road to Damascus, Saul had his "dragged, kicking and screaming" experience. Jesus appeared to Him on the road. He was blinded and could not see and his men had to lead him into Damascus where he was left to heal.
God chose Saul, later to be known as Paul, to be His missionary to the Gentiles. He healed his blindness, poured out His Holy Spirit on him, and through Holy Baptism washed Him clean from his sins and clothed him in the righteousness of Christ. Saul/Paul became a chosen instrument of our Father in heaven to share the Good News of Jesus with the world.
We, too, are God's chosen instruments to share His message of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ with the world. Sometimes He has to "drag us kicking and screaming" to forget about ourselves and our fears and trust His Word and Spirit to provide us with the strength and purpose to be witnesses for Jesus. Just as with Saul/Paul, we have God's Word and Spirit to strengthn our faith in Jesus and give us the words we need, when we need them, so we can share Christ's love with others so that they, too, might come to faith in Him and be clothed with His righteousness. Each of us, who have been baptized into Christ have become a new creation, God's chosen instruments to share Christ with the world.
Prayer: Father, You have truly blessed me with the privilege of being Your child, redeemed and restored to You in Christ Jesus. Yet, the truth is that so many times I let my own desires and Sin rule my heart and life and I run away from You and Your call to me to live in Your love, receive Your forgiveness, and be Your chosen instrument to share Jesus with others. Forgive me, gracious Father, and so fill me with Your Word and Spirit that I may gladly and willingly live in Christ's love and, living in that love, seek to tell others what You have done for me and for them in Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. Strengthen my faith that I may be a willing instrument, chosen by You, of Your grace, mercy, and love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Acts 9:1-22; Psalm 30
LIVING AS GOD'S CHOSEN INSTRUMENTS
"This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name." (Acts 9:15, 16)
I'm pretty certain that none of us remember our birth. I'm also quite certain that, if your mother is still alive, she does. Your father also may remember the circumstances of your birth, but your mother most certainly does; every excruciating moment of it. I suppose it could be reasonably said that every one of us has been dragged, kicking and scream into the world. Some of us may have been born more easily than others, but it's a sure bet that describing our entering into the world as being "dragged, kicking and screaming" into it is a pretty apt description.
Our spiritual births weren't much different. Certainly the kicking and screaming part probably didn't apply, although I've had a few such babies brought to Holy Baptism. Yet the kicking and screaming part of our new birth into Jesus Christ took place in our hearts and souls, as the power of Sin in us tried to put up a fight against God's Word and Spirit. Yet, by God's grace and mercy, He sent His Spirit to work through His Word and change our hearts so that we might be His own children, redeemed and restored to Him in Christ Jesus.
A fellow named Saul, who later described himself as "a Pharisee of Pharisees," had made it his business to seek out all those who claimed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, who believed that He had risen from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father, to arrest them and bring them before the Sanhedrin where they could be tried and convicted. Many died because of their faith in Jesus, much as Stephen did (Acts 8:54-9:1). And Saul often had a hand in such actions. While engaged in a campaign to root out followers of Jesus ("The Way"), Saul headed to the synagogues in Damascus. Here was a man who knew the Scriptures as well as anyone in his day, and yet he refused to see them pointing to Jesus as the Christ, the promised Messiah and Savior from Sin. So, on the road to Damascus, Saul had his "dragged, kicking and screaming" experience. Jesus appeared to Him on the road. He was blinded and could not see and his men had to lead him into Damascus where he was left to heal.
God chose Saul, later to be known as Paul, to be His missionary to the Gentiles. He healed his blindness, poured out His Holy Spirit on him, and through Holy Baptism washed Him clean from his sins and clothed him in the righteousness of Christ. Saul/Paul became a chosen instrument of our Father in heaven to share the Good News of Jesus with the world.
We, too, are God's chosen instruments to share His message of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ with the world. Sometimes He has to "drag us kicking and screaming" to forget about ourselves and our fears and trust His Word and Spirit to provide us with the strength and purpose to be witnesses for Jesus. Just as with Saul/Paul, we have God's Word and Spirit to strengthn our faith in Jesus and give us the words we need, when we need them, so we can share Christ's love with others so that they, too, might come to faith in Him and be clothed with His righteousness. Each of us, who have been baptized into Christ have become a new creation, God's chosen instruments to share Christ with the world.
Prayer: Father, You have truly blessed me with the privilege of being Your child, redeemed and restored to You in Christ Jesus. Yet, the truth is that so many times I let my own desires and Sin rule my heart and life and I run away from You and Your call to me to live in Your love, receive Your forgiveness, and be Your chosen instrument to share Jesus with others. Forgive me, gracious Father, and so fill me with Your Word and Spirit that I may gladly and willingly live in Christ's love and, living in that love, seek to tell others what You have done for me and for them in Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. Strengthen my faith that I may be a willing instrument, chosen by You, of Your grace, mercy, and love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Father, Deliver Us From The Evil One
"Today's Devotion" For April 18, 2007
Read: Matthew 15:21-28; Psalm 28
FATHER, DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE
"...but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:13)
A young man walks around a university and shoots upward of 50-60 people, killing 32 and then himself. He videotapes a rambling and threatening monologue in which he "explains" the reason for the massacre in which he's about to engage. The resulting carnage has families, friends, the community, the university, and the authorities are asking why this happened. The news media, despite protestations to the contrary, has been sensationalizing this video as "legitimate" news reporting and drawn attacks for its lack of compassion and just, plain commonsense courtesy to the suffering. The inevitable political debate over the legality of handguns or the need to outlaw them altogether has been engaged once more. And, just as inevitably, there is the standard "who knew, when did they know, and why didn't they do something about it," as the "blame game" begins once more concerning the signs of the mental and emotional instability of yet another human being that “went off the deep end.”
Now I suppose that many might consider any one or all of the above perfectly legitimate concerns, arguments, or analyzing the story. Yet what concerns me, and it's very much in line with the problem the daughter of the Canaanite woman had. According to her mother she was "suffering terribly from demon-possession" (Matthew 15:22). I realize that it's not fashionable or considered realistic to speak of demon-possession in the "post-modern" age we live in, yet I can't help but wonder if the young Virginia Tech student who took so many lives, including his own, wasn't suffering from a spiritual emptiness and control of demons.
The reality of our contemporary world is that demon possession is somewhat akin to science fiction. In fact, movies that carry plots of demon possession are most often shown on the Sci-Fi Channel on cable television. In recent weeks movies such as Carrie, The Shining, and The Exorcist have been on the Sci-Fi Channel, a clear indication that our modern, "sophisticated" world regards such genre as so much fantasy. Unfortunately, with such an attitude prevailing in our culture, people such as this young man are going to continue to harm others and then themselves because no one recognizes the spiritual emptiness of which the devil is taking advantage. Ultimately, the real concern in such cases as the Virginia Tech massacre isn't whether or not handguns are able to be obtained legally (they can certainly be obtained illegally, no matter what any legislation might say), nor is it about whether or not the young man showed symptoms of his problems and who knew when. In the end, this young man slipped through the cracks in society because spiritual things, the things of God, are not the highest priority in the world or our culture.
God's people need to remember this. We need to pray diligently every day, as Jesus teaches us in the Lord's Prayer, "but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). We can pray that petition with confidence that God will answer us and keep us safe from the evil one, because that's what Jesus accomplished for us and the entire world by His suffering, death, and resurrection. Satan is defeated. The devil has no power over God's people any longer. By faith in Christ, all who believe have God's power to defeat Satan through His Word and Spirit. As forgiven sinners, we are confident that the devil has nothing to offer us that God hasn't already promised us in Christ. As we live as Christ's witnesses in our communities and world, we pray that God would lead us to touch the lives of others with the Good News of His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Christ - a message which could have given the Virginia Tech student the hope and peace that was obviously lacking in his life. After all, when we know Christ Jesus and live in God's forgiveness, mercy, and love, we have no worries and no one else’s behavior, power, or possessions (all part of the shooter's ramblings) can tear us away from Him.
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to take away the guilt of my sins and open the doors of heaven to me, a poor, miserable sinner. Father, I think about the spiritual pain and anguish the young man in Virginia must have been going through for him to take not only the lives of others, but his own as well. I'm struck by his apparent hopelessness and despair. My heart aches because I firmly believe that if he had only known Your love and forgiveness in Jesus, none of what he did would have happened. Father, I know there are others like him in the community and the world. Lead me and all Your redeemed children to have hearts for all who are lost and in spiritual darkness and pain, suffering the stings and arrows of the devil as he seeks to wreak havoc on Your redeemed world before Jesus comes again. Give me Your wisdom and fill me with Your Spirit, so that I may be an active witness to others of Your gift of salvation in Christ. And Father, as I am tempted by the power of Sin and Satan, the world and my sinful flesh, hear me as I pray, "Father, deliver us from the evil one." In Jesus' name. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 15:21-28; Psalm 28
FATHER, DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE
"...but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:13)
A young man walks around a university and shoots upward of 50-60 people, killing 32 and then himself. He videotapes a rambling and threatening monologue in which he "explains" the reason for the massacre in which he's about to engage. The resulting carnage has families, friends, the community, the university, and the authorities are asking why this happened. The news media, despite protestations to the contrary, has been sensationalizing this video as "legitimate" news reporting and drawn attacks for its lack of compassion and just, plain commonsense courtesy to the suffering. The inevitable political debate over the legality of handguns or the need to outlaw them altogether has been engaged once more. And, just as inevitably, there is the standard "who knew, when did they know, and why didn't they do something about it," as the "blame game" begins once more concerning the signs of the mental and emotional instability of yet another human being that “went off the deep end.”
Now I suppose that many might consider any one or all of the above perfectly legitimate concerns, arguments, or analyzing the story. Yet what concerns me, and it's very much in line with the problem the daughter of the Canaanite woman had. According to her mother she was "suffering terribly from demon-possession" (Matthew 15:22). I realize that it's not fashionable or considered realistic to speak of demon-possession in the "post-modern" age we live in, yet I can't help but wonder if the young Virginia Tech student who took so many lives, including his own, wasn't suffering from a spiritual emptiness and control of demons.
The reality of our contemporary world is that demon possession is somewhat akin to science fiction. In fact, movies that carry plots of demon possession are most often shown on the Sci-Fi Channel on cable television. In recent weeks movies such as Carrie, The Shining, and The Exorcist have been on the Sci-Fi Channel, a clear indication that our modern, "sophisticated" world regards such genre as so much fantasy. Unfortunately, with such an attitude prevailing in our culture, people such as this young man are going to continue to harm others and then themselves because no one recognizes the spiritual emptiness of which the devil is taking advantage. Ultimately, the real concern in such cases as the Virginia Tech massacre isn't whether or not handguns are able to be obtained legally (they can certainly be obtained illegally, no matter what any legislation might say), nor is it about whether or not the young man showed symptoms of his problems and who knew when. In the end, this young man slipped through the cracks in society because spiritual things, the things of God, are not the highest priority in the world or our culture.
God's people need to remember this. We need to pray diligently every day, as Jesus teaches us in the Lord's Prayer, "but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). We can pray that petition with confidence that God will answer us and keep us safe from the evil one, because that's what Jesus accomplished for us and the entire world by His suffering, death, and resurrection. Satan is defeated. The devil has no power over God's people any longer. By faith in Christ, all who believe have God's power to defeat Satan through His Word and Spirit. As forgiven sinners, we are confident that the devil has nothing to offer us that God hasn't already promised us in Christ. As we live as Christ's witnesses in our communities and world, we pray that God would lead us to touch the lives of others with the Good News of His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Christ - a message which could have given the Virginia Tech student the hope and peace that was obviously lacking in his life. After all, when we know Christ Jesus and live in God's forgiveness, mercy, and love, we have no worries and no one else’s behavior, power, or possessions (all part of the shooter's ramblings) can tear us away from Him.
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to take away the guilt of my sins and open the doors of heaven to me, a poor, miserable sinner. Father, I think about the spiritual pain and anguish the young man in Virginia must have been going through for him to take not only the lives of others, but his own as well. I'm struck by his apparent hopelessness and despair. My heart aches because I firmly believe that if he had only known Your love and forgiveness in Jesus, none of what he did would have happened. Father, I know there are others like him in the community and the world. Lead me and all Your redeemed children to have hearts for all who are lost and in spiritual darkness and pain, suffering the stings and arrows of the devil as he seeks to wreak havoc on Your redeemed world before Jesus comes again. Give me Your wisdom and fill me with Your Spirit, so that I may be an active witness to others of Your gift of salvation in Christ. And Father, as I am tempted by the power of Sin and Satan, the world and my sinful flesh, hear me as I pray, "Father, deliver us from the evil one." In Jesus' name. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Our Greatest Act Of Love
"Today's Devotion" For April 17, 2007
Read: John 15:1-17; Romans 12:9-20; 13:7-9
OUR GREATEST ACT OF LOVE
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
On the campus of Virginia Tech University on Monday a student went berserk murdering 32 people, wounding another 20, and finally took his own life. No one knows exactly why he did what he did, nor what set him off. The anguish, pain, suffering, emotional distress of thousands of family members, friends, classmates, and the entire university community are palpable. The shock that has gripped the university has also touched the nation. This rampage has been labeled the worst mass murder in the history of the United States.
Amidst all the speculation, discussion, and interviews that I've read and heard in the news media, one relatively small article struck me as of more importance in many ways, than all the rest of the reporting. A professor by the name of Liviu Librescu is among the many shot dead, but his is a singular story. It seems that, according to emails received by his wife from his students, he saved their lives by barricading the door to his classroom with his body, preventing the shooter from reaching his students, while he urged his students to flee. Opening windows they leaped two stories to safety. We're told that Professor Librescu was a Nazi-holocaust survivor in Romania, who also managed to flee Romania to Israel, eventually coming to the United States to teach. Obviously he was a man who had faced death not just a few times before. This time he faced it for the sake of others, not with a weapon to defend himself, but with his body to defend others.
I share this account with you because it reminds me of Jesus' words to His disciples on His way to Jerusalem, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus had just told them how much He loved them and how important they, and the whole world were, to the Father. He wanted them, and He wants us, to recognize that our salvation comes with a price. We're not saved by our actions, our goodness, our obedience, or our intellect. No amount of wealth, fame, or power can gain God's forgiveness, love, and favor. Nothing we do, nothing we have, and nothing we might be can get us to heaven. Our sins keep us from knowing God's love unless God does something about it.
Jesus' suffering and death for the sins of the world - for your sins and mine - was and is the only way anyone can be saved and freed from the bondage of Sin and Death that would keep human beings forever apart from God's love and presence. While it's true that Jesus could have called on legions of angels to defend Him and keep Him from the Cross, He was obedient to the Father's Will. He knew that the only way God's perfect justice could be answered was if He paid the price we owe God for our disobedience. While He could have saved Himself, while He could have gotten down from the Cross as the one thief wanted Him to do, and while He could have struck every Roman soldier and Jewish leader dead on the spot, He instead offered His life for ours. He gave His life. No one took it from Him.
As you and I live in the forgiveness of sins and the new life with God we have through faith in Jesus, we are called by our Lord to give our lives for others as well. We are called by faith to sacrifice our comfort and gain for the sake of those in need and who don't know God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Our Lord doesn't demand this of us - He calls us to it. He doesn't force us to serve Him and others - He asks us to share what He has given us. He doesn't demand that we forgive others - He asks us to forgive as we have been forgiven by Him. Ultimately, our sacrifice is the gift of ourselves for the sake of others in response to God's love for us in Christ Jesus. We give the gift of ourselves not for personal gain or because we want recognition, but because we love as He first loved us. Our greatest act of love is the sacrifice of ourselves for the sake of others - following in our Lord and Savior's footsteps.
Prayer: Father, I can't thank You enough for sending me a Savior. You took on human form in the person of Your Son Jesus Christ so that I and all people of every time and place could be redeemed to You and saved from the eternal damnation that Sin, Death, and Satan bring into the world. Jesus' sacrifice of Himself, "not considering equality with You a thing to be grasped," paid the ultimate price for my sins and the sins of the world so that I might know Your forgiven and love and the sure and certain hope of life with You forever in heaven. Help me to live my life filled with that certain hope and strengthen my faith in Jesus so that my greatest act of love is to give my life for the purpose of sharing Christ with others in any and all circumstances, whatever the cost. Thank You for calling me to be Your very own child. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved
Read: John 15:1-17; Romans 12:9-20; 13:7-9
OUR GREATEST ACT OF LOVE
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
On the campus of Virginia Tech University on Monday a student went berserk murdering 32 people, wounding another 20, and finally took his own life. No one knows exactly why he did what he did, nor what set him off. The anguish, pain, suffering, emotional distress of thousands of family members, friends, classmates, and the entire university community are palpable. The shock that has gripped the university has also touched the nation. This rampage has been labeled the worst mass murder in the history of the United States.
Amidst all the speculation, discussion, and interviews that I've read and heard in the news media, one relatively small article struck me as of more importance in many ways, than all the rest of the reporting. A professor by the name of Liviu Librescu is among the many shot dead, but his is a singular story. It seems that, according to emails received by his wife from his students, he saved their lives by barricading the door to his classroom with his body, preventing the shooter from reaching his students, while he urged his students to flee. Opening windows they leaped two stories to safety. We're told that Professor Librescu was a Nazi-holocaust survivor in Romania, who also managed to flee Romania to Israel, eventually coming to the United States to teach. Obviously he was a man who had faced death not just a few times before. This time he faced it for the sake of others, not with a weapon to defend himself, but with his body to defend others.
I share this account with you because it reminds me of Jesus' words to His disciples on His way to Jerusalem, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus had just told them how much He loved them and how important they, and the whole world were, to the Father. He wanted them, and He wants us, to recognize that our salvation comes with a price. We're not saved by our actions, our goodness, our obedience, or our intellect. No amount of wealth, fame, or power can gain God's forgiveness, love, and favor. Nothing we do, nothing we have, and nothing we might be can get us to heaven. Our sins keep us from knowing God's love unless God does something about it.
Jesus' suffering and death for the sins of the world - for your sins and mine - was and is the only way anyone can be saved and freed from the bondage of Sin and Death that would keep human beings forever apart from God's love and presence. While it's true that Jesus could have called on legions of angels to defend Him and keep Him from the Cross, He was obedient to the Father's Will. He knew that the only way God's perfect justice could be answered was if He paid the price we owe God for our disobedience. While He could have saved Himself, while He could have gotten down from the Cross as the one thief wanted Him to do, and while He could have struck every Roman soldier and Jewish leader dead on the spot, He instead offered His life for ours. He gave His life. No one took it from Him.
As you and I live in the forgiveness of sins and the new life with God we have through faith in Jesus, we are called by our Lord to give our lives for others as well. We are called by faith to sacrifice our comfort and gain for the sake of those in need and who don't know God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Our Lord doesn't demand this of us - He calls us to it. He doesn't force us to serve Him and others - He asks us to share what He has given us. He doesn't demand that we forgive others - He asks us to forgive as we have been forgiven by Him. Ultimately, our sacrifice is the gift of ourselves for the sake of others in response to God's love for us in Christ Jesus. We give the gift of ourselves not for personal gain or because we want recognition, but because we love as He first loved us. Our greatest act of love is the sacrifice of ourselves for the sake of others - following in our Lord and Savior's footsteps.
Prayer: Father, I can't thank You enough for sending me a Savior. You took on human form in the person of Your Son Jesus Christ so that I and all people of every time and place could be redeemed to You and saved from the eternal damnation that Sin, Death, and Satan bring into the world. Jesus' sacrifice of Himself, "not considering equality with You a thing to be grasped," paid the ultimate price for my sins and the sins of the world so that I might know Your forgiven and love and the sure and certain hope of life with You forever in heaven. Help me to live my life filled with that certain hope and strengthen my faith in Jesus so that my greatest act of love is to give my life for the purpose of sharing Christ with others in any and all circumstances, whatever the cost. Thank You for calling me to be Your very own child. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Taking God At His Word
"Today's Devotion" For April 16, 2007
Read: Matthew 22:23-33; Psalm 119:89-112
TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD
"You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God." (Matthew 22:29)
There's nothing I appreciate more than a good, open, honest debate. Argumentation can be a positive, useful tool for developing understanding of others. If done in a respectful, intelligent manner debate can be an agent for positive, meaningful, and lasting change. True debate revolves around each person debating being respectful of the position of the other and sharing opposing points of view. The end result of debate doesn't have to be agreement, but it should never be anger or hatred. Being argumentative isn't the same as giving an argument.
Unfortunately, that's often not the case with debates in these times. This is especially true of debates concerning the subject o race, politics, and religion, as such debates often become personal and filled with negativism and combativeness, even hatred. When it comes to these topics, people are often so deeply entrenched in their opinions that they're not too likely to listen to other opinions or honestly and openly entertain information that may shed a different light upon their strongly held beliefs.
I've found that this is often true when speaking to people about the difference between having faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior from Sin as a Christian and following what might best be described as the Christian religion which requires obedience to God in order to get to heaven. There are so many people who call themselves theologians and seek to discredit God's Word, challenging its efficacy and God's plan of salvation - redeeming the world from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan through the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Of course such disagreement, skepticism, and unbelief is also a result of many people believing that there's no heaven or hell, and thus no life after death. Often attacks on God's Word are a result of sinful people realizing that God's Word and will doesn't agree with their personal desires.
That was the argument of the Sadducees, a religious-political party of Israel in Jesus’ day, who didn't believe in the Resurrection. As far as they were concerned - and it could be argued they were very much in at least one part of the Epicurean camp - they, too, saw nothingness at the end of live. Jesus knew their hearts and their intent and sought to help them understand that resurrection and eternal life were God's gifts to humanity and that human beings were made to be in relationship with God for eternity. Jesus' own suffering and death would mean nothing without His Resurrection, because in His Resurrection, the Father lets us know that He has accepted Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of the world once and for all times.
Just as Jesus didn't argue with the Sadducees, so also do we forsake arguing about faith with others. Instead we seek to share God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ by how we live. Respecting others, we live as God's people, caring for everyone, loving even the unlovable, and helping people to understand that faith is God's gift to all who believe and nothing something He or we will try to force on anyone. We seek, by the power of the Word and Spirit, as baptized, redeemed, and forgiven children of our heavenly Father, to love others as Christ loves us and gave Himself up as a ransom for many. Filled with God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness, living in His peace and joy, we take God at His Word and gladly and willingly seek to help others take Him at His Word also.
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me Your Word of Truth that I may know Your more completely and appreciate all You have done for me in Jesus Christ. Forgive me for those times that I argue with others about how wrong they are in their beliefs, instead of taking the time to listen to them, understand them, and show them respect so that I may also share Your love with them as I share Jesus with them. Help me to be patient in my life of faith as it touches those who don't know Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ. Give me the strength of faith and spirit to live a life that openly takes You at Your Word - practicing what I believe so that my actions may speak louder than my words. Equip me, by Your Word, to be an effective ambassador for Christ, always prepared to focus the issue on Your truth and love for all to hear and see. Hear my prayer, Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
***************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 22:23-33; Psalm 119:89-112
TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD
"You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God." (Matthew 22:29)
There's nothing I appreciate more than a good, open, honest debate. Argumentation can be a positive, useful tool for developing understanding of others. If done in a respectful, intelligent manner debate can be an agent for positive, meaningful, and lasting change. True debate revolves around each person debating being respectful of the position of the other and sharing opposing points of view. The end result of debate doesn't have to be agreement, but it should never be anger or hatred. Being argumentative isn't the same as giving an argument.
Unfortunately, that's often not the case with debates in these times. This is especially true of debates concerning the subject o race, politics, and religion, as such debates often become personal and filled with negativism and combativeness, even hatred. When it comes to these topics, people are often so deeply entrenched in their opinions that they're not too likely to listen to other opinions or honestly and openly entertain information that may shed a different light upon their strongly held beliefs.
I've found that this is often true when speaking to people about the difference between having faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior from Sin as a Christian and following what might best be described as the Christian religion which requires obedience to God in order to get to heaven. There are so many people who call themselves theologians and seek to discredit God's Word, challenging its efficacy and God's plan of salvation - redeeming the world from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan through the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Of course such disagreement, skepticism, and unbelief is also a result of many people believing that there's no heaven or hell, and thus no life after death. Often attacks on God's Word are a result of sinful people realizing that God's Word and will doesn't agree with their personal desires.
That was the argument of the Sadducees, a religious-political party of Israel in Jesus’ day, who didn't believe in the Resurrection. As far as they were concerned - and it could be argued they were very much in at least one part of the Epicurean camp - they, too, saw nothingness at the end of live. Jesus knew their hearts and their intent and sought to help them understand that resurrection and eternal life were God's gifts to humanity and that human beings were made to be in relationship with God for eternity. Jesus' own suffering and death would mean nothing without His Resurrection, because in His Resurrection, the Father lets us know that He has accepted Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of the world once and for all times.
Just as Jesus didn't argue with the Sadducees, so also do we forsake arguing about faith with others. Instead we seek to share God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ by how we live. Respecting others, we live as God's people, caring for everyone, loving even the unlovable, and helping people to understand that faith is God's gift to all who believe and nothing something He or we will try to force on anyone. We seek, by the power of the Word and Spirit, as baptized, redeemed, and forgiven children of our heavenly Father, to love others as Christ loves us and gave Himself up as a ransom for many. Filled with God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness, living in His peace and joy, we take God at His Word and gladly and willingly seek to help others take Him at His Word also.
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me Your Word of Truth that I may know Your more completely and appreciate all You have done for me in Jesus Christ. Forgive me for those times that I argue with others about how wrong they are in their beliefs, instead of taking the time to listen to them, understand them, and show them respect so that I may also share Your love with them as I share Jesus with them. Help me to be patient in my life of faith as it touches those who don't know Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ. Give me the strength of faith and spirit to live a life that openly takes You at Your Word - practicing what I believe so that my actions may speak louder than my words. Equip me, by Your Word, to be an effective ambassador for Christ, always prepared to focus the issue on Your truth and love for all to hear and see. Hear my prayer, Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
***************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Faith In Christ Is Reflected In Action
"Today's Devotion" For April 14, 2007
Read: I John 2:3-17; Psalm 1
FAITH IN CHRIST IS REFLECTED IN ACTION
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." (I John 2:3)
I suppose it could be said that we live in cynical times. All too often we find ourselves doubting the word of others. Politics is a particularly fruitful place for innuendo, prevarication, and deceit. What you see and hear in the political realm frequently fails to be what you get. Duplicity seems to be the watchword for the day, and it doesn't matter which political party one belongs to because it seems as if each politician is "in it for himself or herself" and the "good of the nation" is just so much rhetoric.
This is a powerful lesson for those who call themselves Christians and claim to be disciples - followers - of Jesus Christ. God's people are often not too honest with themselves or others. While we might confess that Jesus is Lord and that He is our Savior from Sin, Death, and Satan, our actions don't always follow suit. One of the more telling debates in the battle for culture these days is whether or not faith and religion have any place in the public sphere.
It's not unheard of to hear politicians support social and legal positions which conflict with God's Word and will. Often, in order to be accepted by the most amount of people (and be more electable), politicians who call themselves Christians have taken positions on such issues as abortion, euthanasia, same sex marriage, and "alternative lifestyles" that are clearly in violation of God's Word. Of course, in order to hold these positions, the prevailing mantra is that there are "other interpretations of God's Word" that are just as valid.
What we're left with in all of this, whether in the political realm or the everyday situations of life, is John's statement of reality from God's perspective: "By this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" (I John 2:3). It seems this should be pretty simple for God's redeemed in Christ to understand, yet, because there are so many disparate "interpretations" of God's commandments, even the people of God can't seem to agree on what it means to obey God.
Perhaps we're making it too complicated for ourselves. If we go further into our reading in John's letter for today we're reminded by John that living in and for Jesus is to love others and put others ahead of ourselves. It means realizing that even though human beings may have determined that alternative approaches to what's right and wrong are "loving" toward others, the reality is all too often that it brings their ultimate harm and destruction because they end up forever outside God's presence.
Ultimately, if we say we believe in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Savior of the world from Sin, Death, and Satan, then our lives will reflect that faith. We certainly will be challenged by Sin, the world, and our flesh to "modify" our faith so that it can accommodate the world's thinking. Yet, by God's grace and the power of His Word and Spirit in our Baptisms, we have the strength of faith to live for Him according to His purpose for us. Our faith is reflected in our actions, as we love others before ourselves, in the same way as He has loved us and forgiven us and given us the assurance and sure hope of heaven. And, as we reflect truly and surely our relationship with Him by loving others in His name, not only will we be filled with His peace, but we will be able to face any challenge to our faith with joy and thanksgiving.
Prayer: Father, to live for Jesus is a wonderful gift from You, yet all too often I end up giving in to the world's wisdom and acting and living contrary to Your Will. I understand that living in Christ means also living according to Your Will as an example to others who don't yet know Your love and forgiveness. I realize that I'm not always ready, willing, and able to love other as You have loved me, and that "walking in the darkness" is often a whole lot more fun than "walking in the light." Forgive me, Father, for so often claiming to be Your child but acting otherwise. Strengthen my faith in Jesus so that I may truly be a living example of what it means to believe in Him as I touch the lives of others with Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*******************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I John 2:3-17; Psalm 1
FAITH IN CHRIST IS REFLECTED IN ACTION
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." (I John 2:3)
I suppose it could be said that we live in cynical times. All too often we find ourselves doubting the word of others. Politics is a particularly fruitful place for innuendo, prevarication, and deceit. What you see and hear in the political realm frequently fails to be what you get. Duplicity seems to be the watchword for the day, and it doesn't matter which political party one belongs to because it seems as if each politician is "in it for himself or herself" and the "good of the nation" is just so much rhetoric.
This is a powerful lesson for those who call themselves Christians and claim to be disciples - followers - of Jesus Christ. God's people are often not too honest with themselves or others. While we might confess that Jesus is Lord and that He is our Savior from Sin, Death, and Satan, our actions don't always follow suit. One of the more telling debates in the battle for culture these days is whether or not faith and religion have any place in the public sphere.
It's not unheard of to hear politicians support social and legal positions which conflict with God's Word and will. Often, in order to be accepted by the most amount of people (and be more electable), politicians who call themselves Christians have taken positions on such issues as abortion, euthanasia, same sex marriage, and "alternative lifestyles" that are clearly in violation of God's Word. Of course, in order to hold these positions, the prevailing mantra is that there are "other interpretations of God's Word" that are just as valid.
What we're left with in all of this, whether in the political realm or the everyday situations of life, is John's statement of reality from God's perspective: "By this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" (I John 2:3). It seems this should be pretty simple for God's redeemed in Christ to understand, yet, because there are so many disparate "interpretations" of God's commandments, even the people of God can't seem to agree on what it means to obey God.
Perhaps we're making it too complicated for ourselves. If we go further into our reading in John's letter for today we're reminded by John that living in and for Jesus is to love others and put others ahead of ourselves. It means realizing that even though human beings may have determined that alternative approaches to what's right and wrong are "loving" toward others, the reality is all too often that it brings their ultimate harm and destruction because they end up forever outside God's presence.
Ultimately, if we say we believe in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Savior of the world from Sin, Death, and Satan, then our lives will reflect that faith. We certainly will be challenged by Sin, the world, and our flesh to "modify" our faith so that it can accommodate the world's thinking. Yet, by God's grace and the power of His Word and Spirit in our Baptisms, we have the strength of faith to live for Him according to His purpose for us. Our faith is reflected in our actions, as we love others before ourselves, in the same way as He has loved us and forgiven us and given us the assurance and sure hope of heaven. And, as we reflect truly and surely our relationship with Him by loving others in His name, not only will we be filled with His peace, but we will be able to face any challenge to our faith with joy and thanksgiving.
Prayer: Father, to live for Jesus is a wonderful gift from You, yet all too often I end up giving in to the world's wisdom and acting and living contrary to Your Will. I understand that living in Christ means also living according to Your Will as an example to others who don't yet know Your love and forgiveness. I realize that I'm not always ready, willing, and able to love other as You have loved me, and that "walking in the darkness" is often a whole lot more fun than "walking in the light." Forgive me, Father, for so often claiming to be Your child but acting otherwise. Strengthen my faith in Jesus so that I may truly be a living example of what it means to believe in Him as I touch the lives of others with Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*******************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Living At Peace When All Around You Are On Edge
"Today's Devotion" For April 13, 2007
Read: I Thessalonians.4:1-12; Romans 12:9-21
LIVING AT PEACE WHEN ALL AROUND YOU ARE ON EDGE
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18)
Is it possible for us to live in a world without conflict? Probably not. Human beings being who and what they are, the likelihood of a world without conflict isn't too likely this side of heaven. We don't have to look too far to see conflict at work. In the past two weeks a prominent radio broadcaster, known for his "shock jock" style has come under the gun for making a remark that called into question the virtue of a group of young women. Interestingly enough, those who have been asking for his head (which incidentally, they got; the broadcaster was fired) have been known to be less than stellar in their treatment of the women in their lives. The one thing that seems to stand out in all of this, from my perspective, is that no matter how often and how much the broadcaster apologizes for his words, no one seems to be willing to forgive him. In fact, public pronouncements discount his apologies as "too little, too late."
We live in a conflicted world. We see behavior in others we don't like and are quick to point it out, while at the same time ignoring our own shortcomings, often in the same areas as those at whom we're pointing our fingers. Rather than seeking to find a solution and a way to bring people together, it seems we're more disposed to putting the other person down, getting in their face, seeking their demise, and gaining the upper hand. This is conflict at its worst. It's neither constructive or helpful because it only serves to exacerbate the problem.
For those who follow Christ Jesus, who are God's children through faith in Christ and have been washed in the waters of Holy Baptism and declared holy and righteous before God, living at peace has a whole different meaning. When we deal with others and face the conflicts that often occur in daily living, we do so with the knowledge that God, for Christ's sake, has forgiveness us all our sins. We know that Jesus suffered and died on the Cross to pay the full penalty for Sin that is required by God's perfect justice, so that all who believe in Him might know God's forgiveness. We live with the sure and certain assurance that God raised Him from the dead - that He has overcome death - and thereby declared our Lord's sacrifice a complete and full pardon for all who believe in Him. God has established His peace with us. He offers it to all humanity. We who believe in Him are His ambassadors of that peace and show that peace in our lives. Because we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, we are empowered by God's Word and Spirit to share that peace with others. As our lives touch and are touched by the lives of others, we have the opportunity to show them God's peace through our words and deeds. Our lives become instruments of God's peace, and, with God's help, no matter the challenges we face and the conflicts we endure, we endeavor to live at peace with everyone.
Yes, it's true that the world can be a most disagreeable place to live. It's also true that God calls us to be "seasoning" for the earth - Jesus calls us the "salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:11) - because, through our witness and living for Christ, we bring God's peace to bear in the lives of others. While everyone around us is running around, constantly on edge, wondering what everyone else is thinking about them or seeking to do to them, we live with the calm and certain assurance that nothing and no one can separate us from God's love and forgiveness in Christ. Thus, as St. Paul urges us, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). We can't control what others do or how they want to live, but we do have something to say about how we deal with others for we have been freed from the power of sin which seeks to put barriers between us and others. In Christ, we have God's peace; through Him we share it with others. And, no matter how bad things get, we know for certain that God's peace in Christ is ours.
Prayer: Father, the world is a pretty frenetic place. It's a place in which people are constantly at odds with one another. Often just a little word, a glance, or a body motion sets off a firestorm of anger, violence, and conflict. All too often, I, too, get caught up in the firestorm of conflicts that permeate daily life - much less abound on a grander scale. In those times, Father, I need Your gracious presence and the power of Your Word and Spirit to remind me that I am forgiven in Christ and Your peace rests upon me. In those times, Father, I need Your forgiving love to so fill me that I reflect Your peace to others, and, as the Holy Spirit tells me through St. Paul, as far as it depends on me to live at peace with others. Help me, Father, to truly live in Your peace and share that peace with others, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Guide me to look to You for strength and calm even when all "hell" breaks loose, so that I might be a true ambassador of Your peace and a witness for Christ. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I Thessalonians.4:1-12; Romans 12:9-21
LIVING AT PEACE WHEN ALL AROUND YOU ARE ON EDGE
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18)
Is it possible for us to live in a world without conflict? Probably not. Human beings being who and what they are, the likelihood of a world without conflict isn't too likely this side of heaven. We don't have to look too far to see conflict at work. In the past two weeks a prominent radio broadcaster, known for his "shock jock" style has come under the gun for making a remark that called into question the virtue of a group of young women. Interestingly enough, those who have been asking for his head (which incidentally, they got; the broadcaster was fired) have been known to be less than stellar in their treatment of the women in their lives. The one thing that seems to stand out in all of this, from my perspective, is that no matter how often and how much the broadcaster apologizes for his words, no one seems to be willing to forgive him. In fact, public pronouncements discount his apologies as "too little, too late."
We live in a conflicted world. We see behavior in others we don't like and are quick to point it out, while at the same time ignoring our own shortcomings, often in the same areas as those at whom we're pointing our fingers. Rather than seeking to find a solution and a way to bring people together, it seems we're more disposed to putting the other person down, getting in their face, seeking their demise, and gaining the upper hand. This is conflict at its worst. It's neither constructive or helpful because it only serves to exacerbate the problem.
For those who follow Christ Jesus, who are God's children through faith in Christ and have been washed in the waters of Holy Baptism and declared holy and righteous before God, living at peace has a whole different meaning. When we deal with others and face the conflicts that often occur in daily living, we do so with the knowledge that God, for Christ's sake, has forgiveness us all our sins. We know that Jesus suffered and died on the Cross to pay the full penalty for Sin that is required by God's perfect justice, so that all who believe in Him might know God's forgiveness. We live with the sure and certain assurance that God raised Him from the dead - that He has overcome death - and thereby declared our Lord's sacrifice a complete and full pardon for all who believe in Him. God has established His peace with us. He offers it to all humanity. We who believe in Him are His ambassadors of that peace and show that peace in our lives. Because we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, we are empowered by God's Word and Spirit to share that peace with others. As our lives touch and are touched by the lives of others, we have the opportunity to show them God's peace through our words and deeds. Our lives become instruments of God's peace, and, with God's help, no matter the challenges we face and the conflicts we endure, we endeavor to live at peace with everyone.
Yes, it's true that the world can be a most disagreeable place to live. It's also true that God calls us to be "seasoning" for the earth - Jesus calls us the "salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:11) - because, through our witness and living for Christ, we bring God's peace to bear in the lives of others. While everyone around us is running around, constantly on edge, wondering what everyone else is thinking about them or seeking to do to them, we live with the calm and certain assurance that nothing and no one can separate us from God's love and forgiveness in Christ. Thus, as St. Paul urges us, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). We can't control what others do or how they want to live, but we do have something to say about how we deal with others for we have been freed from the power of sin which seeks to put barriers between us and others. In Christ, we have God's peace; through Him we share it with others. And, no matter how bad things get, we know for certain that God's peace in Christ is ours.
Prayer: Father, the world is a pretty frenetic place. It's a place in which people are constantly at odds with one another. Often just a little word, a glance, or a body motion sets off a firestorm of anger, violence, and conflict. All too often, I, too, get caught up in the firestorm of conflicts that permeate daily life - much less abound on a grander scale. In those times, Father, I need Your gracious presence and the power of Your Word and Spirit to remind me that I am forgiven in Christ and Your peace rests upon me. In those times, Father, I need Your forgiving love to so fill me that I reflect Your peace to others, and, as the Holy Spirit tells me through St. Paul, as far as it depends on me to live at peace with others. Help me, Father, to truly live in Your peace and share that peace with others, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Guide me to look to You for strength and calm even when all "hell" breaks loose, so that I might be a true ambassador of Your peace and a witness for Christ. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Feed My Lambs - Feed My Sheep
"Today's Devotion" For April 12, 2007
Read: John 21:15-19; Psalm 23
FEED MY LAMBS - FEED MY SHEEP
"The third time He said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?....Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said, 'Feed My sheep.'" (John 21:17)
I read earlier today that the Iraqi Parliament was bombed and six people died. Not only is it a sad thing that people would do such a thing, but it's really sad that the group of people targeted are trying to make Iraq a safer and better place to live for its citizens. In other parts of the world, the picture isn't any rosier. In Africa genocide and other atrocities are taking place as groups of people try to force their will on others. In refuge camps food is often scarce and sanitary conditions are frequently horrible. When we look at our own cities we see poverty, homelessness, drugs, crime, and myriad societal maladies. And, if we have any concern for others at all, we wonder why no one seems to care.
O, I know you and I care about those in need, those who were killed, and those who face annihilation. Yet, what are we doing about those things? Have we gone out of our way lately to help a homeless person, send food to a food pantry, donate clothing to a thrift shop or clothing bank, or bought a hungry person a meal? Have we taken the time to pray for those who are committing the atrocities of terror in Iraq and Africa as well as other parts of the earth? Do we encourage our elected officials to find ways to help us reach out with love and compassion to provide assistance to those in need all over the globe - assistance that's meaningful and generous? While we might realize that we are our "brother's keeper," all too often we fall short of providing the care and concern which so many hurting people need.
Besides the physical hunger people face there is the spiritual hunger that's integrally wound around the fabric of human existence. We, who have been called into the marvelous light of God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ through the washing of Holy Baptism have also been called by our Lord and Savior to share that same spiritual food with others. No one cares or loves the people of this world as our heavenly Father does. No one has paid so great a sacrifice for the life of human beings - physical, spiritual, and eternal - as has Jesus the Christ. This is the very point that Jesus was making to Peter in our reading from John's Gospel - as He had died for Peter, He was also calling Peter to share what he had received through faith in Jesus with others. Calling upon His words earlier in John (10:14ff), Jesus calls upon Peter, and us, to share His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with everyone - His lambs, His sheep - those for whom He died so they might have life forever in Him.
Today our Lord is calling us to the same calling He gave to Peter - Feed My lambs; feed My sheep." He's calling us to bring the power of His Word and Spirit to bear in people's lives, just as He has brought it to bear in our lives through those who have loved us in His name. As we live in the fullness of Christ's love and salvation, we are filled with joy and we no longer hunger and thirst spiritually in Him. As He is the bread of life in our lives, we heed His call to us and share that bread of life with others each day. By God's grace we are compelled by faith to obey Jesus' calling to "feed My lambs; feed My sheep" so that many may come to Him for forgiveness. With all the troubles that this world is facing, the hatred, pain, despair, and myriad maladies and disregard for the welfare of others, the only true answer, the only sure solution, is for us to share Jesus with everyone and thus fulfill our calling from Jesus to "Feed My Sheep."
Prayer: Father, You have called me into the marvelous light of Your grace and have fed me with Your Word and Spirit, so that I might be filled with Your peace no matter the circumstances of life I might face. All over the world, however, gracious Father, people are suffering from physical, mental, and spiritual malnutrition. Terrorism, genocide, and just plain homelessness and hunger face countless of Your dear children - the "sheep" that Jesus died for. Forgive me for so often ignoring the needs of others and failing to share both physical and spiritual food and others of Your blessings with them. Help me to be more aware of Your call to me through Jesus to be feeding "Your lambs" and "Your sheep" so they might know Your love in Christ and receive, by faith, Your forgiveness and love, hope and peace. Let me be ready and eager at all times to bear witness to Your promise of heaven for all who believe, so that no one ever misses hearing about Jesus from me when the opportunities arise. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, and send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure. In Christ's most holy and precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 21:15-19; Psalm 23
FEED MY LAMBS - FEED MY SHEEP
"The third time He said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?....Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said, 'Feed My sheep.'" (John 21:17)
I read earlier today that the Iraqi Parliament was bombed and six people died. Not only is it a sad thing that people would do such a thing, but it's really sad that the group of people targeted are trying to make Iraq a safer and better place to live for its citizens. In other parts of the world, the picture isn't any rosier. In Africa genocide and other atrocities are taking place as groups of people try to force their will on others. In refuge camps food is often scarce and sanitary conditions are frequently horrible. When we look at our own cities we see poverty, homelessness, drugs, crime, and myriad societal maladies. And, if we have any concern for others at all, we wonder why no one seems to care.
O, I know you and I care about those in need, those who were killed, and those who face annihilation. Yet, what are we doing about those things? Have we gone out of our way lately to help a homeless person, send food to a food pantry, donate clothing to a thrift shop or clothing bank, or bought a hungry person a meal? Have we taken the time to pray for those who are committing the atrocities of terror in Iraq and Africa as well as other parts of the earth? Do we encourage our elected officials to find ways to help us reach out with love and compassion to provide assistance to those in need all over the globe - assistance that's meaningful and generous? While we might realize that we are our "brother's keeper," all too often we fall short of providing the care and concern which so many hurting people need.
Besides the physical hunger people face there is the spiritual hunger that's integrally wound around the fabric of human existence. We, who have been called into the marvelous light of God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ through the washing of Holy Baptism have also been called by our Lord and Savior to share that same spiritual food with others. No one cares or loves the people of this world as our heavenly Father does. No one has paid so great a sacrifice for the life of human beings - physical, spiritual, and eternal - as has Jesus the Christ. This is the very point that Jesus was making to Peter in our reading from John's Gospel - as He had died for Peter, He was also calling Peter to share what he had received through faith in Jesus with others. Calling upon His words earlier in John (10:14ff), Jesus calls upon Peter, and us, to share His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with everyone - His lambs, His sheep - those for whom He died so they might have life forever in Him.
Today our Lord is calling us to the same calling He gave to Peter - Feed My lambs; feed My sheep." He's calling us to bring the power of His Word and Spirit to bear in people's lives, just as He has brought it to bear in our lives through those who have loved us in His name. As we live in the fullness of Christ's love and salvation, we are filled with joy and we no longer hunger and thirst spiritually in Him. As He is the bread of life in our lives, we heed His call to us and share that bread of life with others each day. By God's grace we are compelled by faith to obey Jesus' calling to "feed My lambs; feed My sheep" so that many may come to Him for forgiveness. With all the troubles that this world is facing, the hatred, pain, despair, and myriad maladies and disregard for the welfare of others, the only true answer, the only sure solution, is for us to share Jesus with everyone and thus fulfill our calling from Jesus to "Feed My Sheep."
Prayer: Father, You have called me into the marvelous light of Your grace and have fed me with Your Word and Spirit, so that I might be filled with Your peace no matter the circumstances of life I might face. All over the world, however, gracious Father, people are suffering from physical, mental, and spiritual malnutrition. Terrorism, genocide, and just plain homelessness and hunger face countless of Your dear children - the "sheep" that Jesus died for. Forgive me for so often ignoring the needs of others and failing to share both physical and spiritual food and others of Your blessings with them. Help me to be more aware of Your call to me through Jesus to be feeding "Your lambs" and "Your sheep" so they might know Your love in Christ and receive, by faith, Your forgiveness and love, hope and peace. Let me be ready and eager at all times to bear witness to Your promise of heaven for all who believe, so that no one ever misses hearing about Jesus from me when the opportunities arise. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, and send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure. In Christ's most holy and precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Believing In Jesus Has Eternal Consequences
"Today's Devotion" For April 11, 2007
Read: John 20:30-31
Psalm 139
BELIEVING IN JESUS HAS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES
"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31)
We live in a world that doesn't have a lot of regard for "right believing." For many people, to say there's a right way to believe, that there are absolutes, is just plain backward and unenlightened thinking. We’re told that everyone is entitled to believe what they want to believe about religion, God, and spirituality. Even when it comes to morality, ethics, and values, there's a creeping relativism that is affecting our culture and the world. For some, lyrics that are degrading toward women or racially charged are acceptable if used by one group of people, but misogynistic and racist when used by another group. A radio talk show host makes degrading comments "in jest" about a group of people and a host of people want him fired. Yet the most vocal of those calling for his head are among those who turn the other way when others do the same things. (If you’re thinking of anyone in particular, please note it’s happened a few times in the past couple of years so I’m not specifically referring to any one individual, male or female.)
It seems that the reality of life these days is that everyone is insisting that everyone else agree with them or their wrong-headed, prejudiced, racist, or worse. In the same way, when the Gospel is shared and the Word of God proclaimed, we so often hear that Christians who believe in Jesus as the only way to forgiveness of sins and eternal life are bigoted and unloving. As a disciple of Jesus Christ in today's world, it's not unusual to be considered closed minded, ignorant, and judgmental because we share Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) and that He's the only way to heaven and eternity in God's presence (and those are Jesus’ own words).
What we believe about Jesus, who He was and is, has eternal consequences for knowing God’s peace, love, and forgiveness both now and in heaven. John has revealed who Jesus is throughout his Gospel account. He has declared openly that Jesus is the one and only way to heaven, using Jesus' own words and actions. As he ends his account with the resurrection of Jesus, John simply states the following: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (20:31). It's significant that John also notes that he only wrote about some of the things Jesus said and did, but enough that those who hear might believe and, believing, receive God's forgiveness and promise of eternal life.
John's purpose was to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. By the power of God's Word and Spirit he tells us about Jesus the Savior of the world. He is direct and firm about letting all who hear or read these words know that what they believe about Jesus has eternal consequences. And, as John's purpose was to make it clear for us who Jesus was and is, so also is our purpose clear as the redeemed and forgiven children of God in Jesus Christ - to clearly and firmly, without concern for the consequences nor worry about what others might think of us, share the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that by believing everyone might have life in His name. It's a task with eternal consequences, for which God has equipped us by His Word and Spirit. What a great opportunity for service to Him who gave Himself for us!
Prayer: Father, with the passage of time it seems as if there are more and more people at odds with the truth of Your Word and the reality of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection as payment for the sins of the world. I look around me and realize that there are many permutations of religion and religious beliefs, including among those who call themselves Christians. The world has developed it's own "religion" which seems to include everything people want to believe, or not, except that which is true according to Your Word. I have to admit that I often find myself wanting to take the easy way out and just "get along" with everyone - accepting everyone's beliefs as true for them and good enough. Forgive me for such lack of faith and trust in You that I'm willing to compromise another's eternal life because I'm afraid of offending someone with the Good News of Jesus. Father, give me the strength of faith in Christ that is necessary for me to boldly and vigorously proclaim Your love for humanity and Your redemption of people from their sins. Help me to never give up on sharing the Gospel in word and deed, regardless of the consequences to me. Remind me always that the only consequences for my faith that are of any real concern are the eternal consequences of being with You in heaven. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 20:30-31
Psalm 139
BELIEVING IN JESUS HAS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES
"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31)
We live in a world that doesn't have a lot of regard for "right believing." For many people, to say there's a right way to believe, that there are absolutes, is just plain backward and unenlightened thinking. We’re told that everyone is entitled to believe what they want to believe about religion, God, and spirituality. Even when it comes to morality, ethics, and values, there's a creeping relativism that is affecting our culture and the world. For some, lyrics that are degrading toward women or racially charged are acceptable if used by one group of people, but misogynistic and racist when used by another group. A radio talk show host makes degrading comments "in jest" about a group of people and a host of people want him fired. Yet the most vocal of those calling for his head are among those who turn the other way when others do the same things. (If you’re thinking of anyone in particular, please note it’s happened a few times in the past couple of years so I’m not specifically referring to any one individual, male or female.)
It seems that the reality of life these days is that everyone is insisting that everyone else agree with them or their wrong-headed, prejudiced, racist, or worse. In the same way, when the Gospel is shared and the Word of God proclaimed, we so often hear that Christians who believe in Jesus as the only way to forgiveness of sins and eternal life are bigoted and unloving. As a disciple of Jesus Christ in today's world, it's not unusual to be considered closed minded, ignorant, and judgmental because we share Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) and that He's the only way to heaven and eternity in God's presence (and those are Jesus’ own words).
What we believe about Jesus, who He was and is, has eternal consequences for knowing God’s peace, love, and forgiveness both now and in heaven. John has revealed who Jesus is throughout his Gospel account. He has declared openly that Jesus is the one and only way to heaven, using Jesus' own words and actions. As he ends his account with the resurrection of Jesus, John simply states the following: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (20:31). It's significant that John also notes that he only wrote about some of the things Jesus said and did, but enough that those who hear might believe and, believing, receive God's forgiveness and promise of eternal life.
John's purpose was to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. By the power of God's Word and Spirit he tells us about Jesus the Savior of the world. He is direct and firm about letting all who hear or read these words know that what they believe about Jesus has eternal consequences. And, as John's purpose was to make it clear for us who Jesus was and is, so also is our purpose clear as the redeemed and forgiven children of God in Jesus Christ - to clearly and firmly, without concern for the consequences nor worry about what others might think of us, share the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that by believing everyone might have life in His name. It's a task with eternal consequences, for which God has equipped us by His Word and Spirit. What a great opportunity for service to Him who gave Himself for us!
Prayer: Father, with the passage of time it seems as if there are more and more people at odds with the truth of Your Word and the reality of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection as payment for the sins of the world. I look around me and realize that there are many permutations of religion and religious beliefs, including among those who call themselves Christians. The world has developed it's own "religion" which seems to include everything people want to believe, or not, except that which is true according to Your Word. I have to admit that I often find myself wanting to take the easy way out and just "get along" with everyone - accepting everyone's beliefs as true for them and good enough. Forgive me for such lack of faith and trust in You that I'm willing to compromise another's eternal life because I'm afraid of offending someone with the Good News of Jesus. Father, give me the strength of faith in Christ that is necessary for me to boldly and vigorously proclaim Your love for humanity and Your redemption of people from their sins. Help me to never give up on sharing the Gospel in word and deed, regardless of the consequences to me. Remind me always that the only consequences for my faith that are of any real concern are the eternal consequences of being with You in heaven. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Faith Triumphs Over Doubt
"Today's Devotion" For April 10, 2007
Read: John 20:24-29; Hebrew 11:1-3
FAITH TRIUMPHS OVER DOUBT
"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" (John 20:29)
It's true that Missouri calls itself the "Show Me State." You've probably also heard the expression, "More stubborn than a Missouri mule." Both expression are highly descriptive of an attitude that many in our sister state, Missouri, like to cultivate about themselves and who they are. However, with all due respect and apologies to our fellow Americans living in Missouri, they don't have a corner on skepticism, stubbornness, or hard-headedness. Everywhere we look in our communities, states, and the nation as a whole, we see "Missourians" in every nook and cranny of the nation. Skepticism, doubt, and stubbornness are staples of American life.
This is especially true, it seems to me, when it comes to spiritual things - the things of God. People have their own perceptions concerning who God is, how He should think and act, and how people should respond to Him. Some would say that any concept of a God or gods is absurd. If there is a God, some ask, why are there wars and other calamities in which people die? I have an instructor in my doctoral program who challenges the efficacy of any religious beliefs, regardless of their origins - pagan or Christian - when so many horrible things have been done throughout history in the name of religion..
The questions of the doubters of religion, much less Christianity, are often heartfelt. People want God to "show me" He exists and that He's really making a difference in their world. Lost in the human concept of religion that sets ground rules for living and behavior, and convinced by their sinful condition that God is only a figment of our collective imagination, God becomes a non-entity, a fictitious being created by humanity's fertile imagination, to help us hide from our troubles, fears and all the many problems we face in life, including the apparent finality of death.
John reminds us that such doubting occurred even among the apostles. Thomas wasn't with them when Jesus first appeared to them on Easter evening. He didn't believe their report. His response was a typical "Show Me State" response - "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it" (v.25). When Jesus did appear again, and invited Thomas to do just what he said was necessary for him to believe Jesus was risen and alive, Thomas believed. He had seen Jesus and believed. Yet, Jesus noted that believing because he had seen wasn't the same as having faith when the object of faith is unseen.
We can take comfort and have peace because our faith in Christ is based on the eyes of faith. Only through the eyes of faith do we see Jesus. Only through the eyes of faith do we experience and receive the forgiveness of sins and the hope of heaven. Only through the eyes of faith do we take heart in the face of trials and tribulations, sharing Jesus' love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with others. Faith triumphs over doubt as the Holy Spirit continues to work in our lives through the power of our Baptisms and the power of God's Word. While Thomas may have doubted and only believed Jesus had arisen from the dead because he saw Him, the Holy Spirit worked faith in the risen Christ in Thomas' heart. Millions of Christians in India trace the roots of their faith in Christ back to Thomas, whom, tradition tells us, was the apostle to India in the First Century. Not too bad for a doubter. Thomas' life and ministry remind us that faith triumphs over doubt - as it did for Thomas, so also will faith in Jesus do for us as well.
Prayer: Father, as I hear the many challenges to my faith in the newspapers, on television or the radio, and from those I meet each day, help me to meet them head on with the power of the faith in Christ Jesus You have worked in my heart by the power of Your Word and Spirit. Forgive me for succumbing all too often to my doubts and fears, losing sight of my Savior who died for me and rose again. Forgive me when I doubt Your Word as the logic and arguments of those who despise You and deny Your existence play on my heart and mind and get me looking for proof of Your promises instead of just believing them. Strengthen my faith, gracious Father, so that I may have a faith that will move mountains and a hope that is so certain that I may fearlessly and enthusiastically, filled with Your joy and peace, tell everyone what You have done for the world in Christ Jesus my Savior and Lord. So fill me with Your Word and Spirit that at all times in my life, faith triumphs over doubt. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 20:24-29; Hebrew 11:1-3
FAITH TRIUMPHS OVER DOUBT
"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" (John 20:29)
It's true that Missouri calls itself the "Show Me State." You've probably also heard the expression, "More stubborn than a Missouri mule." Both expression are highly descriptive of an attitude that many in our sister state, Missouri, like to cultivate about themselves and who they are. However, with all due respect and apologies to our fellow Americans living in Missouri, they don't have a corner on skepticism, stubbornness, or hard-headedness. Everywhere we look in our communities, states, and the nation as a whole, we see "Missourians" in every nook and cranny of the nation. Skepticism, doubt, and stubbornness are staples of American life.
This is especially true, it seems to me, when it comes to spiritual things - the things of God. People have their own perceptions concerning who God is, how He should think and act, and how people should respond to Him. Some would say that any concept of a God or gods is absurd. If there is a God, some ask, why are there wars and other calamities in which people die? I have an instructor in my doctoral program who challenges the efficacy of any religious beliefs, regardless of their origins - pagan or Christian - when so many horrible things have been done throughout history in the name of religion..
The questions of the doubters of religion, much less Christianity, are often heartfelt. People want God to "show me" He exists and that He's really making a difference in their world. Lost in the human concept of religion that sets ground rules for living and behavior, and convinced by their sinful condition that God is only a figment of our collective imagination, God becomes a non-entity, a fictitious being created by humanity's fertile imagination, to help us hide from our troubles, fears and all the many problems we face in life, including the apparent finality of death.
John reminds us that such doubting occurred even among the apostles. Thomas wasn't with them when Jesus first appeared to them on Easter evening. He didn't believe their report. His response was a typical "Show Me State" response - "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it" (v.25). When Jesus did appear again, and invited Thomas to do just what he said was necessary for him to believe Jesus was risen and alive, Thomas believed. He had seen Jesus and believed. Yet, Jesus noted that believing because he had seen wasn't the same as having faith when the object of faith is unseen.
We can take comfort and have peace because our faith in Christ is based on the eyes of faith. Only through the eyes of faith do we see Jesus. Only through the eyes of faith do we experience and receive the forgiveness of sins and the hope of heaven. Only through the eyes of faith do we take heart in the face of trials and tribulations, sharing Jesus' love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with others. Faith triumphs over doubt as the Holy Spirit continues to work in our lives through the power of our Baptisms and the power of God's Word. While Thomas may have doubted and only believed Jesus had arisen from the dead because he saw Him, the Holy Spirit worked faith in the risen Christ in Thomas' heart. Millions of Christians in India trace the roots of their faith in Christ back to Thomas, whom, tradition tells us, was the apostle to India in the First Century. Not too bad for a doubter. Thomas' life and ministry remind us that faith triumphs over doubt - as it did for Thomas, so also will faith in Jesus do for us as well.
Prayer: Father, as I hear the many challenges to my faith in the newspapers, on television or the radio, and from those I meet each day, help me to meet them head on with the power of the faith in Christ Jesus You have worked in my heart by the power of Your Word and Spirit. Forgive me for succumbing all too often to my doubts and fears, losing sight of my Savior who died for me and rose again. Forgive me when I doubt Your Word as the logic and arguments of those who despise You and deny Your existence play on my heart and mind and get me looking for proof of Your promises instead of just believing them. Strengthen my faith, gracious Father, so that I may have a faith that will move mountains and a hope that is so certain that I may fearlessly and enthusiastically, filled with Your joy and peace, tell everyone what You have done for the world in Christ Jesus my Savior and Lord. So fill me with Your Word and Spirit that at all times in my life, faith triumphs over doubt. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*********************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
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