Lutheran Hours Collection (5)
Here is a collection of bible study stuff! =] Read and be built up! =]
August 11, 2008
"Stealing Devoted Things"
They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.
Joshua 7:11b
"Thou shalt not steal." That's not a complicated commandment, and people don't have much difficulty understanding it. The problem is some have a hard time following it. The words which serve as the theme for our devotion come from the Lord who was upset when Achan kept some of the spoils from the fallen city of Jericho such as gold and silver which had been claimed by God and a high couture Babylonian robe. Achan shouldn't have done what he did, but many people can understand the attraction of fashion and cold cash.
On the other hand, most of us will have some problems understanding the thieves who are stealing manhole covers and grates in Flint, Michigan. According to a recent article in the Flint Journal, almost 400 cast iron grates and covers have been taken. The neighboring community of Burton says they've lost 200 of the same type of items. This leads me to ask: "Wouldn't you think someone might notice the thieves who were ripping off that many heavy, awkward covers? After all, they're not the kind of thing you can easily hide in your back pocket." I'm curious, "Don't you imagine a company which buys scrap iron might think it suspicious when a fellow shows up with a few hundred manhole covers labeled 'City of Flint, Michigan'?"
It all goes to prove that when financial times get tough, some folks will do just about anything, including stealing covers which can create a dangerous hole for inattentive motorists and curious children. Of course, when things become difficult financially there are those who go a different way: They rely upon the Lord Jesus. Rather than turning to the dark side, they are turned to the Savior. They know that Jesus who gave His life on the cross to save them, who rose on the third day to show His victory and power, will keep His promises to those who believe on Him.
They know they can call upon Him in the day of trouble even as they believe they can cast their cares upon Him. That times are tough is a given. What remains undecided is what we will do during those times. Will we go to God, or will we give up on Him? We know the answer should be an easy one.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, there are people who are always searching for shortcuts to security. In these difficult days may I find my peace, my security, my hope in You. This day, and every day, I pray You will bring me closer to Your ways and Your will. In Your Name. Amen.
August 8, 2008
"Love Your Enemies"
But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 5:44
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
Many people living in the Middle East and North Africa live in a world where Jesus is considered to be someone other than the Savior of the world. Many think of Him as only a prophet, neither greater nor lesser than Abraham or Mohammad. Sadly, the redemptive work accomplished by Jesus on the cross as our Savior is not believed by the majority of people in the Middle East. Bitter animosities between different faiths and cultures have a long history in the Middle East.
Often, these hard feelings lead to violence and injury - - or worse. When strained relationships lead to fresh wounds, the Christian faith encourages forgiving. The Christian is to turn the cheek and forgive.
Christians are to go the extra mile in seeking and offering forgiveness, especially to their enemies. Jesus teaches us this very clearly when He said, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
When people hate one another for decades, huge barriers develop and it becomes very difficult to forgive. Yet, we are told that even these hatreds can be overcome, ". . . with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26b). As we look to Jesus as our example we, too, can learn from Him. His words on the cross were, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). It is an easy thing to say we will forgive our enemies but, in fact, it is very difficult. It is difficult because we feel we are becoming weak and letting the enemy off easy.
In truth, offering this forgiveness is something that requires enormous strength - - possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us to learn from Jesus to fully and honestly forgive our enemies. Fill our hearts with Your peace and comfort. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
August 7, 2008
"God's Name"
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
1 John 3:1
Most people don't like their names. That's what one study after another has shown. Most people, at least for part of their lives, don't like the names their parents gave them. With that as a given, I wonder how soon-to-be-born Dixon Willoughby Partin will feel about his name as he's growing up. I think Dixon Willoughby is going to feel put out.
You see, Dixon Willoughby's father, David, has promised he will name his son after two hosts on a Florida radio station. Dixon Willoughby's father, David, won a contest by promising to name his son after those two radio personalities. And what was the grand prize which Dixon Willoughby's father, David, has received for winning this contest? He received - - are you ready for this - - a $100 gas card.
It's hard for me to believe that this bit of news is going to help the boy's self-esteem or increase his sense of self-worth. In truth, a name ought to be worth more than a gas card, which is here today and driven away tomorrow. I know my name is worth more. So is yours, if you're called a "Christian."
That's what St. John was trying to convey to God's people when he wrote, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God . . . ." John wanted them to know that being called "children of God" was something wonderful and honorable. John was able to offer such encouragement because he had seen the Father's love in the person of Jesus. John had been there and seen the wonder, compassion, and power of Jesus' miracles; he had heard the Savior's words of wisdom; John had witnessed the Christ's arrest, trial, and crucifixion. John had been among the first to look into Jesus' empty tomb and had been blessed to repeatedly visit with the risen Redeemer.
What kind of love enables us to be called "children of God"? It's a love that never stopped giving, sacrificing, and reaching out.
What kind of love? We have a love that, because of Jesus, forgives our sins and moves us from hell to heaven.
What manner of love? It is the kind of love that can only come from a unique and wonderful Father.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for Your love which has made me a child of God, I offer my thanks. May I live like one of Your children. Amen.
August 6, 2008
"Bad Days"
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34
People have bad days. Recently, police officer Tim Pochron had a bad day. A few weeks ago, Tim was sworn into his new job in Bart, Indiana. The following Monday was scheduled to be his first day at work. Tim's excitement was visible to all. Tim was ready, eager, and able. He had the skills; he had the equipment; he had a new patrol car. Everything that could be ready was ready.
Everything was ready until Tim Pochron's police vehicle was wrecked in a crash. No, it wasn't Tim's fault. Tim wasn't in the car; he wasn't near the car. Tim was still in his house when, one half hour into his first day of work, another car hit a tree and plowed into Tim's parked squad car. It hit Tim's car so hard it bent the rear axle. And Tim, rather than going to work, ended up at headquarters filling out an accident report.
People do have bad days. Like the fellow who was arrested, after he tested positive for drugs, after he lost control of his vehicle, and after that vehicle rammed into the parked patrol car of officer Tim Pochron. Now I just mention Tim's story because his story seems like ours. Sooner or later, we all have bad days. You may, like Tim Pochron, be the person who is crashed into; you may, like the anonymous fellow who was arrested, be the person who does the crashing.
Either way, it's a bad day. Our Lord Jesus recognized a sinful world would produce bad days, both real and imagined. Because of those bad days that come, and those that might, the Savior told us not to worry. Yes, He realized saying that was easier than doing that. But, so we could be given peace - - a peace that passes human understanding - - Jesus came into this world.
Jesus came to forgive us, ransom us, redeem us, and rescue us from the worry of bad days. With every breath He took, Jesus showed His mastery over sin, devil, death, and bad days.
Read through the Gospel stories, and you will be amazed to see the level of Jesus' concern. There was no problem too large or too small for Jesus. There still isn't.
Look at the cradle, the cross, the empty tomb and believe. Believe Jesus has redeemed you and believe Him when He says, "do not be anxious about tomorrow. . . . " Jesus is in control.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for being willing to bear my sins and help me through my bad days, I thank You. Today and tomorrow, no matter what comes, may I believe You will get me through it. In Your Name. Amen.
July 29, 2008
"The Right Path"
You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
Daniel Boone was once asked, "Have you ever been lost?" He replied, "Nope, but I was once mighty confused for three days." Boone's answer was cute. The story of Kay Gadsby is tragic.
Kay was a 21-year-old English woman who suffered numerous physical problems. In her brief life, she had already gone through a heart transplant and was on the waiting list for her third kidney replacement. Kay Gadsby died in an ambulance that had lost its way as it made the 30-mile run to the hospital. It seems the driver had only been to the hospital once before and when the navigation system in the ambulance conked out, he couldn't figure which way to go.
As Kay repeatedly asked her mother, "I'm not going to die, am I?", the paramedic helping her had to climb into the front seat of the ambulance to give directions to the confused driver. As I travel to various speaking engagements, I see tens of thousands of cars and trucks. So do you. It often occurs to me that many of these people have no relationship with the Savior. They're very busy going somewhere, but the somewhere to where they are going isn't heaven. They are lost and although they may not know it, like Kay Gadsby, they are also terminal. They are going to die.
This is one of the reasons you and I, souls who have been saved by the Christ, do what we do. If we know someone whose navigational system is broken, we point him or her to the Holy Scriptures where, as the Psalmist says, the Lord makes known to us the path of life. If they are in need of a transplant, we introduce them to the Savior who is the great Physician of both body and soul. If they are confused as to which way they should proceed, we try and direct them to Jesus who alone is the way.
My friends, it is a great tragedy that Kay died as she did. It will be a far greater tragedy if those around us, those who are lost and dying, never meet the Savior who can forgive their sins, heal their souls, and take them straight to heaven.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, all around me are people who are lost and dying. Whenever possible, I ask You to use me to help give them directions and assistance. In the Name of Jesus who alone is the way, I pray it. Amen.