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.
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--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.

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.

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.
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--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.
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--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.
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--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.
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--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.
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--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.
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--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.
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--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.
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--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.
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--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.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Sent With Christ's Peace To Strengthen Us

"Today's Devotion" For April 9, 2007

Read: John 20:19-23; Psalm 30

SENT WITH CHRIST'S PEACE TO STRENGTHEN US

"Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.'" (John 20:21)

I believe that if I had been at the foot of the Cross on that first Good Friday, I would have been no less confused, hurt, and afraid than Jesus' disciples were. Not only that, but I'm not so certain I wouldn't have been just as troubled and fearful had I discovered that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and no one seemed to know what had happened. If it had been me hearing the angels' reminder, "remember what He said...", I still don't think I would have understood. On top of all that I'm pretty certain that I would have been just as afraid of the Jewish leaders as the disciples were and would have found myself in that locked room on the evening of that first Easter.

How about you? Can you relate to what the disciples must have been going through? We're privileged with the hindsight to be able to hear and see the reminders of what was happening to Jesus and what work He was accomplishing that were so visible in the events of that first Good Friday and Easter. Yet, if we're honest with ourselves, we would have been just as much in need of our Lord's greeting of peace as the other disciples. Just as they had run and hidden while He hung on the Cross, and just as they had remained skeptical and doubtful about His Resurrection, and just as they were in seclusion, confused, afraid, and doubting, so also do we find ourselves all too often when the world challenges our faith and trust in Jesus.

Into that time of fearfulness and confusion comes our Lord Jesus Christ. As He appeared in that locked room and shared His "Peace" with the disciples, so also does He share His peace with us. Instead of scolding them for running away and hiding; instead of scolding them for their doubt and unbelief, Jesus wishes them peace - He offers them His forgiveness and love, compassion and mercy, grace and hope. He is alive, just as He had said. He is no longer in the grave for He has overcome Sin, death, and Satan for us. Because of this reality, this great blessing and gift from God, His people have no need to be afraid of anyone or anything. Nothing can keep us from His love and forgiveness. Our hope of heaven is assured in His resurrection and we have Good News to tell others.

Jesus' peace rests upon us in all of our life and living. His peace can see us through every challenge of faith, every time of doubt and fear, and every temptation. When we touch the lives of others, we have His peace to remind and encourage us to share His peace and love with them. The Good News is for everyone. Just as He sent His disciples that first Easter, so also does He send us to tell and share the forgiveness of sins with the world. As we live in His peace and forgiveness we are empowered by His Word and Spirit to boldly proclaim Him to the world through our words and deeds.

Prayer: Father, thank You for establishing Your peace with the world through my Lord Jesus Christ. Your peace gives me hope in the midst of a world that would just as soon do things its own way as Yours. So often I'm afraid to share Your love in Christ with others, filled with the same fears and doubts as the disciples had that first Easter evening. Forgive me for failing to look to You for strength, hope, and peace. Forgive me for so often forgetting that You have removed my sins from me for the sake of Jesus and that I am clothed in His righteousness and holiness by faith. Help me to put aside fear and confusion, doubt and despair as I face a world at odds with You. Instead, filled with Christ's peace and forgiveness, lead me to boldly live for You and share Christ with the world so others might know Your peace, love, and forgiveness and gain the same hope of heaven You have given me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

WOULDA's, COULDA's, SHOULDA's

"Today's Devotion" For April 7, 2007

Read: Luke 23:50-56; Revelation 5:1-14

WOULDA's, COULDA's, SHOULDA's

"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." (Revelation.5:9)

Have you ever second-guessed yourself? I suppose most of us could say we'd like to have the opportunity to do something over again. Maybe we could have done it better; maybe we could have prevented a problem from occurring. How often don't we live with recriminations, either from ourselves or others as our actions and the actions of others come under the scrutiny of hindsight? It's a scenario that plays out in our lives all the time. We see it in our communities as we face the issues of suffering, poverty, crime, and the other maladies of society. We experience it as news media and others question the judgment and actions of those chosen to lead communities, states, and the nation. How often don't we hear the "woulda's, coulda's, and shoulda's" from the critics. No doubt it's easier for us to see what might have been after the fact, than it is for us to make the correct decisions all the time.

I suspect that this was true of Jesus' disciples on the first Holy Saturday. About that first Sabbath following Jesus' crucifixion we don't hear anything in Scripture. After the drama of Holy Week - Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, His driving out of the merchants and sellers from the Temple, His celebration of the Passover and institution of the Lord's Supper, His arrest in Gethsemane, His trial before the Sanhedrin, being questioned by Pilate, sent to Herod, returned to Pilate and subsequently handed over to His accusers to be, crucified on Golgatha, and then buried in a new tomb - that Saturday (Sabbath) was quiet and tame. Perhaps, on that particular Sabbath Jesus' disciples were filled "woulda's, coulda's and shoulda's" as they wondered what they might have done differently to prevent Jesus' Crucifixion. If only they had foreseen that the hatred of the members of the Sanhedrin would result in Jesus' arrest, false accusations, mock trial, and death sentence. Perhaps Peter, filled with bitterness and remorse following his denial of Jesus, found himself second-guessing himself and his failed courage. And, what recriminations might there have been over Judas' betrayal of Jesus and Judas' subsequent suicide? It seems reasonable that Jesus' followers were in turmoil and confused.

Some 50 years later, in a time of intense persecution, John receives a marvelous vision from God which he delivered to the Church in the Book of Revelation. Jesus gives John this vision in the Book of Revelation so that God's people might be comforted as they faced increasingly deadly persecution for their faith and their refusal to worship the Emperor Domitian. Jesus shows John that God is fully in charge of His creation and Jesus' suffering and death serves God's ultimate purpose of saving His people and the world from Sin. John uses a powerful picture of God sitting on His throne to assure the readers that God is in total control - no matter what is happening, He's not pacing the floor or worried about anything - after all, He is God. No matter how active evil is in the earth and the mass confusion it brings with it, spiritually and physically, God has triumphed over Sin and the devil; Christ has won the ultimate, final victory and the angels cry out in praise and adoration of the "Lamb who was slain" and who lives again and forever.

How blessed we are, that in the midst of all the confusion and danger in the world we can have the hindsight that God has done great things for us and has saved us for Himself! How blessed we are that we have the "present sight" that we receive God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness by faith in Jesus every day! How blessed we are that by faith, we have the foresight to know and believe that nothing can ever separate us from God's love for us in Jesus Christ which will have it full and complete reality in heaven! It's true that we often second-guess ourselves with the "woulda's, shoulda's, and coulda's" that plague our sinful condition. Yet, because Jesus has died for our sins, we know that God has wiped the slate clean and remembers our sins no more. Our Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the Cross in our place means that we are no longer enslaved by the "woulda's, coulda's, and shoulda's" of our sinful nature, but are now free to know God and have a relationship with Him, both now and forever in heaven. This "Holy Saturday" is a really good day for us to look back at God's work on our behalf and to look forward to the ultimate end of that work as we dwell with Him forever in Paradise.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You accomplished Your saving Will in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Your Son, my Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ. Help me to look back at my life to see clearly You hand at work in making me Your own child. Help me to look forward with confidence and complete trust that You are always with me in Christ and that my promised inheritance of heaven is sure and certain in Him. You have forgiven me of all my sins. Let that forgiveness be so powerful in my life that I may live fully and completely Your own, a witness to Your great and merciful love, and a testimony to Your amazing grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Jesus' Work Is Done - "It Is Finished"

"Today's Devotion" For April 6, 2007 (Good Friday)

Read: John 19:16-30; Isaiah 53:1-12

JESUS' WORK IS DONE - IT IS FINISHED

"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John.19:30)

If our calendars are correct, Christians all over the world are observing the 1,977th Good Friday. Today we remember the emotionally packed, violence strewn, and spiritually devastating events that changed the world forever. On a hill outside the city gates of Jerusalem, a place called Golgotha ("The Place of the Skull) God completed His plan for the world's salvation from Sin by allowing the crucifixion of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It was an ignominious death, one reserved for the worst criminals and enemies of the Roman state. It placed Jesus the Christ of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Prince of Peace, the sinless, holy Son of the Father on a cross flanked on either side by two criminals.

Jesus final words from the Cross, "It is finished" draw our attention to the most important truth in the world - His perfect obedience to God's Law, His righteousness and holiness, and His selfless, total love for humanity fulfilled the Father's will, met His justice, and once and for all time paid the price every sinner deserves to pay for disobedience to God. God makes His forgiveness available to all humanity, and we, by the faith worked in us by God's Word and Spirit, are the recipients of are declared just and righteous before Him for the sake of Jesus. Because of Jesus' selfless act of love for us, when He says "It is finished" we are assured that God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness are ours.

Jesus' words, "It is finished," stand in stark contrast to our own failures to please God. Our human nature always believes that it can do that which is necessary to please God. Bound by the chains of Sin and unbelief by nature however, we are unable to obey God's Will in any way shape or form. We have the testimony of the Patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - King David, the Prophets - Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Malachi - and a host of others that God's promise of salvation was necessary and essential. And, even though many of God's people were confused or unbelieving about the truth of His plan of salvation (so many looked for a political messiah rather than a spiritual messiah) Jesus still completed His mission. "It is finished" assures us that God's plan has come to fruition and we are saved.

So the words of Jesus Christ on the Cross resound like the clear pealing of a bell. "It is finished" is the dying utterance of the Son of God, the Savior of the world, declaring that once and for all time, God's peace rests upon this world and its inhabitants. "It is finished" sounds the death knell for Sin's power over us. "It is finished" means the job is done, it can't be improved upon, it will never need doing over, nor will it ever fade away. Our sins are forgiven and removed from us by faith in Him. We need do nothing. He has done it all. "It is finished."

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You gave Yourself as a ransom for many, paying the ultimate price for my sins and the sins of the whole world. On the Cross You suffered the indignity of innocence being punished in the place of the guilty. You became "guilty" for the whole world so that I and all people might be forgiven and restored to the Father once and for all times. As I remember Your words, "It is finished," help me to also hear the finality and completeness of those words. Help me to understand and believe that there truly is nothing that I can do to save myself, but that You have done it totally and completely for me. Lead me to share that fully with others as I live in its total message of forgiveness each and every day. Thank You Lord for this marvelous gift that gives me life and hope. In Your name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

God's Promises Fulfilled In Jesus

"Today's Devotion" For April 5, 2007

Read: Luke 22:24-38; Psalm 116

GOD'S PROMISES FULFILLED

"It is written: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in Me. Yes, what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment." (Luke 22:37)

Have you ever made a promise you couldn't keep? I dare say that's true for everyone. The reasons for not keeping a promise are myriad. Circumstances beyond our control might keep us from following through with a promise - illness, accident, disaster, and storm are good examples, to name a few. Sometimes promises are made with no intention of keeping them because it's convenient, achieves an objective, or gets someone off one's back. I'm sure that if we carried this discussion further we could come up with countless times promises are made and broken and the myriad reasons for such failure. In the end, however, there's no doubt that broken promises have their origins in our sinful, human condition.

It's that very condition, the condition of sinners separated from God by disobedience and unbelief, which caused God to make a promise that has been kept. Jesus' addresses this for His disciples and us in conjunction with the events of the events of the Thursday of Holy Week - Maundy Thursday - by sharing with them His body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine in the Last Supper, the final Passover meal Jesus' celebrated on earth. In His subsequent conversations with them on that night, as the disciples argued among themselves as to whom would be the greatest among them, as Peter declared his loyalty and willingness to suffer for Jesus, and Jesus urging them to get ready to travel, He reminds them that He had come for a purpose - to fulfill the prophecy and promise of the Father that the Christ would suffer and die for the sins of the world.

As we continue our walk along the "Via Dolorosa" with Jesus again today and are reminded that His body and blood have been given and shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins, we take heart and have courage in the face of a dangerous world. God has kept His promises to send a Savior for us. God has fulfilled those promises in Jesus. Jesus gladly and willingly went to the Cross and bore our sins upon Himself, sinless and holy though He was, so that we and all who believe in Him would be saved, would be covered by His righteousness, and could stand before the Father, holy and sinless in Jesus. While there are many promises flying around the world, off our lips and the lips of others, which we can never be sure are going to happen, or which have been continually broken, we have confidence and hope that God's promises are sure and certain. They have been kept by Him - Jesus has fulfilled them. In Him we have forgiveness of sins, the hope of heaven, and the courage to share His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with others.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me the gift of eternal life in Christ. You have kept Your promises to me and all humanity by fulfilling salvation in the blood of Jesus. Forgive me for all too often forgetting Your promises and trying to live life without Your strength and wisdom to guide me. Forgive me for failing so often to keep my own promises, including those I've made to You. Help me to follow Jesus' example of obedience and be faithful in my promises by faith to live in Him and to share Your Good News with everyone I meet each day. Guide me to proclaim the fulfillment of Your promised salvation in Jesus and the assurance of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life with You forever in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

The Cross Of Christ - God's Foolishness

"Today's Devotion" For April 4, 2007

Read: I Corinthians 1:18-25; Psalm 19


THE CROSS - GOD'S FOOLISHNESS

"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)

Yesterday, in the State of Wisconsin, there was an election for a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. There were two candidates, both female, from different ends of the political spectrum. Now this particular electoral race is supposed to be non-partisan, but of course, as you can well imagine, the two major political parties gravitated to the candidate that better fit their political preferences. Now, I'm bringing this race to your attention because some very interesting things happened that I believe help illustrate what Paul is writing to us in today's reading in First Corinthians.

The first thing that stood out in this race was the amount of money spent. According to news sources, over $1.5 million was spent - a record for a contest for the Supreme Court of Wisconsin. Mudslinging was a staple of the campaign right from the start. One of the candidates never prosecuted a criminal case in her life, never sat on a judicial bench of any kind, and focuses on immigration law. The other candidate had been an assistant U. S. Attorney, prosecuting many criminal cases, has been a sitting judge for a long time, and has the experience and credentials to sit on the Supreme Court of Wisconsin. Her opponent began questioning her integrity and judgment by claiming the judge had not recused herself from cases involving a business on whose board of directors her husband sat. Another charge was to single out a few sentences that seemed quite lenient for sexual predators - obviously ignoring the fact the judge is known for issuing longer sentences as a whole for sexual predators than the State average.

The results of the election? If you live in Wisconsin you know the sitting judge was elected by a 58% to 42% margin. While many have declared it a landslide, I see that almost half of the voters chose to believe the innuendo and mudslinging of the judge's opponent - or just voted for the opponent because of her political leanings. I'm wondering how much this shows how foolish we really are as a people and a society; that we can't see through the nonsense and grasp the truth.

Spiritually, God's people find themselves in the same kind of situation. We have come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior from Sin. He's walked the walked, talked the talk, and walked the talk all the way to the Cross. His suffering, death, and resurrection are living testimony of God's love and compassion for humanity, and His burning desire to redeem human beings from the curse of Sin, death, Satan, and the Law. Yet the mudslinging continues unabated - the Christ was mocked and ridiculed all the way to the Cross and the same mocking and ridicule is experienced by those who follow Him today.

The message of the Cross is, as St. Paul notes, foolishness to the world. How stupid is a "God" who takes on being human and suffers and dies the ignominious death of a common criminal and thug. And we, the people of God, scratch our heads and wonder over and over again why others can't see the truth, can't get past the "mudslinging," and just won't open their eyes to see the One who walked the walk of the perfect and obedient Son of the Father. Jesus' perfect obedience to God's Law for us becomes our righteousness, our obedience before the Father. It's not foolishness, but God's wisdom. It's not nonsense, but God's free gift of His grace that saves us for eternity with Him.

Rest assured, the Cross is and will remain God's foolishness to those who reject Him and His love. But for you and me who believe it is the greatest wisdom in the Universe. Jesus paid the price for us. Our sins are forgiven. As we walk the "Via Dolorosa" with Jesus this Holy Week, may His Spirit remind us that God's truth is foolishness to sinners but wisdom to His saints.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of forgiveness and life that is mine through faith in Jesus. Forgive me when I let the false wisdom of the world dictate my feelings toward You, my behavior toward others, and doubts and fears concerning Your love for me. While the world all around me continues to deny Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus, give me the strength of faith by Your Word and Spirit, to ignore the mudslinging and derision that come to all who confess Jesus' name and proclaim Your love in Him to a sin filled world. Keep me from being fearful of what others might think about You and Your gift of salvation in Christ Jesus, and boldly live my confession of faith so that all may see my "credentials" as Your child and know that Your "foolishness" is the wisdom that saves. Thank You, Father, in Jesus' name. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Dying To Live Eternally

"Today's Devotion" For April 3, 2007

Read: John 12:23-29; Psalm 47

DYING TO LIVE ETERNALLY

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:24, 25)

As the weather gets warmer, the ground thaws, and the rains come we who live in the northern climes know that planting season is just around the corner. Not only are the farmers working their fields, but flower aficionados and backyard vegetable gardeners are getting things ready to plant. Where I live, there’s still danger of frost, so most vegetable and flower gardens will have to wait for the seeds and transplants to be put into the ground. It's springtime. Death is being replaced by life. It's a fitting time for Easter to be celebrated.

The imagery that Jesus uses in this section of John is very much in keeping with this season of the year. He is going to be hung on the Cross in just a couple of days. His death will mean life for the world, because He is to bear the sins of the world on His shoulders. He is the "kernel of wheat", itself the most essential of grains, that nourishes and gives life, which gives life, through His suffering and death to all who believe in Him. His death pays the price God's justice requires for our sins, and lifts us up to a new life and relationship with our heavenly Father.

But Jesus also throws in a cautionary word as well. While His death fulfills God's justice, and His resurrection assures us that God has accepted His sacrifice for our sins, bringing forgiveness and hope of eternal life into our lives, Jesus reminds us that while we live in the world we are not of it. If we remain focused on the things of this world, on getting and having things, power, wealth, prestige, fame, and all the other trappings of this world, His sacrifice for our sins will have no lasting effect on our lives. We will remain estranged from our Father in heaven and, in the end, our lives will end, not in God's presence forever, but without Him for eternity.

God's gift of life to us in Christ Jesus leads us to see our time on earth as transitory. As His redeemed and dearly beloved children, we seek to make the most of our time on earth, sharing His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with others. Rather than seeing life on earth as the epitome of our existence, we long for heaven and hope for God's eternal presence in the face of all the trials and troubles the world throws our way. By faith, filled with hope and God's peace, we seek to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to people everywhere. We willingly and joyfully face any hardship for the sake of the Gospel and the people of this world who don't yet know Jesus, but for whom He died and rose again. Filled with power of God's Word and Spirit, we are literally dying to live eternally, forsaking the world and living for Jesus.

Prayer: Father, life is a precious gift. Life with You because of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection is even more precious. All too often I get so engrossed in my life and living that I forget that this life is transitory - it's only true meaning comes in my service to You and others in Jesus' name. Forgive me, Father, for so often forgetting that Jesus' death on the Cross is the beginning of a new life for all the world in Your gracious presence. Help me to remember that if I live for myself, my life is replaced by death, but if I die to myself and live for Jesus, my life is eternal and will be spent in Your presence forever. As I live in that hope and peace, lead me to share Your love and forgiveness with others so they, too, may die to self and live forever in Jesus; in His precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

Monday, April 02, 2007

We Have A Gentle, Compassionate God And Savior

"Today's Devotion" For April 2, 2007

Read: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 96

WE HAVE A GENTLE, COMPASSIONATE GOD AND SAVIOR

"A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till He establishes justice on earth." (Isaiah 42:3, 4)

Are you tough? Can you stand on your own two feet? I suspect that most people would answer these questions in the affirmative. Our pride as human beings generally leads us to believe we can handle anything, that we can overcome any obstacle, and that we can control our destiny. Yet, as we stand on the "Via Dolorosa" - "The Way of Sorrows" - and watch Jesus move closer and closer to the Cross we come face to face with our brokenness as human beings and our inability to save ourselves from the horrific results that Sin visits upon our lives and our world.

We don't have to look very far to understand human frailty and failure. Our newspapers and other news media speak on a daily basis about war, disease, poverty, crime, and economic turmoil. Hopelessness is evident in every corner of the globe; have you seen the looks in people's eyes and their body language as television and reporters' cameras catch the destruction, squalor, and suffering being visited upon human beings by other human beings? How helpless and hopeless do you feel when you see the suffering of others - all as a result of Sin in the world?

What a wonderful message comes to the world and to us as we hear God's words through the Prophet Isaiah! His promise to send a Savior to redeem the world from Sin, overcome death, and defeat Satan brought hope then, and brings hope now. Not only this, but the picture of this Savior in one of compassion, kindness, concern, patience, and love (just to name a few). The imagery of people who are "broken reeds" and "smoldering wicks" - spiritually and emotionally hurting and dying - is a powerful reminder of the consequences of Sin in the world and in people's lives. God, our heavenly Father, didn't give up on us. He determined to redeem us and bring us, and the world, back to Him.

And so Jesus walked the "Via Dolorosa" as the gentle, compassionate, suffering Servant whose suffering and death paid the full and complete penalty of God's justice for the sins of the world. As we prepare once again to remember His death and then rejoice in His resurrection, we walk that "Way of Sorrows" with Him and experience His compassion, love, grace, and mercy in our own lives. We are able to face the world and all its sorrows and despair with hope and courage because Jesus has paid the price of Sin for us and all humanity. By faith in Him our sins are forgiven - a forgiveness offered to the world - and God's justice is complete. No longer do we despair or lose hope because we walk with Jesus as His dearly beloved children - and seek to share that same hope and love with others.

Prayer: Father, thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to take my place on the Cross. Thank You for Your compassion and mercy that led You to seek my redemption instead of my destruction. Forgive me for not turning to You and Your love and forgiveness as I so often try to "fix" things over which I have no control. Forgive me for not speaking up boldly when I see others trying to do the same and leaving You out of the picture. As I walk with Jesus along the "Way of Sorrows" again this Holy Week, send Your Holy Spirit into my heart and mind that I may look to Jesus for strength and hope for living and the courage to share Your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Him with everyone I meet today and everyday. In His precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2007 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.