July 16, 2008
"My Ears are Itchin'"
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
2 Timothy 4: 3-4
I'm a Cubs fan. There, I've said it. In St. Louis, where Cardinal fanatics are everywhere, a Cubs fan needs support.
A recent article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch implies I've got it. The article spoke of Sister Colleen Olsen, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Sister Colleen is a wonderful lady, every year going to El Salvador to work in a maternity hospital, a hospital with a small chapel.
It was during one of her frequent visits to the chapel that Sister Colleen noticed something on the flagstone wall behind the altar. It was an image of the Chicago Cubs Bear. That's right; the team, which hasn't won the pennant in 100 years, has its mascot's image on a wall in an El Salvadorian chapel. Sister Colleen thinks it's a sign. She said, "I think this is our year." I think it would be nice.
On the other hand, I have a tough time believing God is using chapel walls to let the world know His favor is resting on the Cubs. Which takes me to the point of this devotion.
In 2nd Timothy, Paul warned the day would come when a lot of people would shop around for a preacher who would tell them the things they want to hear. These people would turn away from the truth and wander off into believing myths.
Now I don't doubt Sister Colleen is a good woman. I'm sure she is. But God's people need to be certain to follow the Lord's will and avoid shopping for a god who follows their own. And where will we find God's will?
Look to the Scriptures. There we are told of our sin and God's grace; there we will hear of how God loved us enough to send His only Son so all who believe on Him will not perish eternally, but will be given eternal life. And one thing we will not hear is anything about the Cubs winning the pennant in 2008.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for the Word that shows me my sinful shortcomings and Your great grace, which has come to me in Jesus. Help me to be faithful to Him and follow Your guidance. In His Name. Amen.
July 18, 2008
"Faith Is Pleasing To God"
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words. In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours, Kenneth R. Klaus Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
We each have a desire for things to make sense. This certainty of mind, however, isn't always possible. Life often gives us more gray areas than it does black and white. When it comes to matters of faith, we are to trust in God's Word.
However, this is a constant struggle because of the continued presence of sin in our lives. We want to trust in God. We know we should rely on Him exclusively in all situations, but then we also want to know that if we have to - - if it really comes down to it - - we can handle the situation ourselves.
In other words, we like to hedge our bets. If it looks like God isn't going to give us the answer we seek, we are prepared to step in and take care of the matter for Him. Faith, however, isn't supposed to be provisional. It's not something we apply on one occasion, only to suspend on another. Our relationship to God is based on faith. By faith we acknowledge Him as Creator of the heavens and the earth. By faith, we believe He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins.
By faith, we trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding. We have this faith knowing that though we may fall short, God's power, mercy, and love will never fall short. The condition of our faith and the way we exercise it very much concern God, according to the book of Hebrews. It says, "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Christ will "render to every man according to what he has done" (Revelation 22:12b). May our faith in Him increase so that we, too, may lead lives pleasing to Him.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Your love and power are beyond all human reason. You did for us what it makes no sense to do - - You died for each one of us and through the Holy Spirit You give us faith to believe in You and live for You. Grant such faith to us all. Amen.
July 24, 2008
"Who Has The Last Word?"
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:33
I remember the day the policeman came to the parsonage and asked me to go with him to break the news to a family their husband and father had suddenly been killed. I went and I believe as their pastor, my presence and, especially, the comfort of Scripture made a difference. Even so, it was not my favorite kind of home visit.
Two weeks ago, ABC News ran a wonderful article about the soldiers whose difficult job is to notify families that their loved one has been killed. The story said it's not the kind of job every soldier can, or wants to do. It told of the training these personnel receive. It referred to the commitment these soldiers feel toward a fallen comrade and their willingness to do what is necessary so the family might be helped through the initial days of mourning. The article spoke about Casualty Affairs Personnel. That's right; that's what they're called.
It told how these individuals must possess the utmost sensitivity. Those folks about whom I have never thought are on my daily prayer list now. May God give them the grace to do a necessary and unapplauded job. Even as I have been praying for these military personnel, I have also been offering up a prayer of thanks.
You see, unlike the Casualty Affair Personnel, every time I have entered a home with news of a death, I was able to share the story of the Savior. Because of what the Christ has done through His life, His crucifixion on Calvary's crest, and His resurrection victory over death, I was always able to assure families that death would not have the last word. Most certainly there were tears; there was pain; there was a profound sense of loss and dark days of mourning.
But the Savior's story of salvation made it possible for me to point these heartbroken families to that place where tears will be wiped away, where pain will be set aside, and where mourners will be comforted. I was able to quote the Savior who said, "Because I live, you shall live also" (John 14:19b). In short, the Savior gives Bible-believing pastors and congregations a message - - a message that military folks are officially not allowed to deliver: that Jesus and His resurrection make all the difference. It made all the difference.
THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, throughout the world death has created mourning families and grieving friends. Send Your Holy Spirit that, while there is time, the joy of Jesus and the salvation He has won for us, may take root in these downcast hearts. By Your power, may families know that in Jesus there is an unending reunion of joy. In His Name I ask it. Amen.