Lutheran Hours Collections (11/13/08 - 11/17/08)
November 13, 2008
"All Trick No Treat!"
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6
Some things that look good to eat aren't.
Eve and Adam found that out when they took a chunk out of the forbidden fruit. It looked good, but it wasn't.
That also could have been the case for two children who went trick or treating in Ramsey, Minnesota.
They came back with some assorted Halloween treats, $85 in cash, and something that looked like rock candy.
It wasn't candy. The police said it was crystal meth -- enough of the drug to kill the children had they eaten it.
As I said, there are some things that look good to eat, but aren't.
You know, the devil likes to put some pretty nice wrappings around his temptations, doesn't he? He polishes his enticements, spiffs up his persuasions, drapes them in fancy paper, pretty bows, and says, "Here, I made this just for you."
That's right -- custom temptations -- exclusively for you.
Now, I don't know what particular temptation Satan has picked out for you, but I do know you have a Savior who lived, died, and rose to free you from your sins. Because of Jesus, those temptations -- once taken - can't hold you forever. You can be forgiven.
I also know that our Lord sends His Holy Spirit to help each of us see those temptations for the garbage they really are. And then, once we've seen them, He helps us avoid them.
In short, like the title of this message says, Satan's all trick and no treat.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the devil has a great deal of experience and success in tempting us. He really is good at making garbage look like good stuff. Now, I rejoice that Jesus has come to set me free from all my sins, but I'd also pray for strength to see Satan's seductions before I am lead to sin. This ability to see I ask in the Name of my crucified and ever-living Savior. Amen.
November 17, 2008
"For Goodness Sake"
For the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Genesis 8:21b
"... a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."
According to Fred Edwords, spokesman for a Washington-based humanist group, the above comment what we Christians need. To help us along, they are conducting an advertising campaign where signs on the sides of buses ask, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness sake."
Of course, the American humanists need to be thanked. Their slogan is much more mild than the British Humanist Association which has begun a campaign saying, "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."
Both campaigns leave me somewhat concerned - questioning, if you prefer.
To the American humanists who are encouraging us to be "good for goodness sake," I wonder if they have met many people who are consistently good because it's the right thing to do?
From what I see in preparing our daily devotions, the Bible is correct when it says the intention of our hearts are evil from our youth.
We can try to be good, but we don't do so good - at being good, that is.
To the British humanists who maintain, "There's probably no God...." I'd like someone to answer this question: "But what if there is a God?" He's probably not going to be overly pleased with a bunch of folks running around questioning His being.
And for both groups, I'd like to have them respond to the statement found in the book of Psalms (53:1a). You don't have to look it up. It says, "The fool says in his heart, 'there is no God.'"
You see, looking around at the evil in this world and inside me, I find it far easier and better to believe there is a God, and that this God cares enough about my eternity to send His Son to save me.
Understand this, I'm not trying to be nasty or judgmental. I'm just trying to plant a seed of rational thought, critical thinking, and questioning in the minds of humanists.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for sending Your Son into this world to live, die, rise and intercede for me, I am most thankful. Now, I pray that You will send Your Holy Spirit upon those who are spending so much time fighting against a God they say doesn't exist. If it be possible, call them to faith in their Savior. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.