Christ’s example

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous…

Obviously as a product of Lutheran childhood and even attending a Lutheran college, I must have not been paying attention.  I don’t ever remember Deaconess Elisabeth Fedde.  She came from Norway to minister to Norwegian sailors in New York City.  Our devotion writer relates the story and accomplishments and it is impressive.  Most impressive is God’s call to her.

God calls us too to minister in ways which use our God-given gifts and talents.  In order to be effective in our ministry, we must also be believable for those to whom we minister.   Therefore we must serve to live as we preach, by example.  Like our Lord Jesus Christ, who set the example for us to follow.

Our devotion writer writes; “we are called to live exemplary lives that witness to others about our faith. At home and abroad, we are to be Christ-like in all we do.  This is no easy task, but as we follow Jesus’ example in our thoughts, words and deeds, we grow in understanding our true identity as children of God.”

Prayer: “May my life be a song of praise to you, Lord Jesus. Amen.”

1 Peter 3:18-22

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. ¹⁹ After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— ²⁰ to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ²¹ and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Directions, please

⁴ Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

Our devotion writer writes: “As I  read through the psalms of David, I am constantly struck by his honest, open communication with God.  Many times he says the very things that weigh on my heart…David also asks God for guidance, not just deliverance—he prays for direction. David prays earnestly and in hope-filled faith, something I often forget to do.”

Isn’t that what prayer should be? Talking with God; Telling Him everything; like your best friend?  Should we not ask for direction every day and in every way.  Complaining, singing, crying, and rejoicing? So it was with David, who gives us a good example of a relationship between God and His sinful servant.  What could be a better source of comfort and direction?

When faced with challenges, ask yourself as our writer’s friend; “Have you talked to God about this?”  A profound question don’t you think?

Our writer closes; “When I follow David’s example in the psalms by praising God and remembering the holy promises, by telling God my struggles and confusion, and most importantly, by asking for guidance, God is able to direct me.”

Prayer: “May I be teachable, O God. Help me know your ways, through Christ. Amen.”

Psalm 25:1-10

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 25

Psalm 25^[a]

Of David.

¹ In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust.

² I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³ No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.

⁴ Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
⁶ Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, LORD, are good.

⁸ Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
¹⁰ All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.

A covenant, a promise

¹² And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant… “

After the great flood, God promised Noah and his sons and their descendants there would never be a flood again that covered the earth.  God created the rainbow to remind us of the covenant.  Every time we see a rainbow we are reminded of God’s promise.

God made a covenant also with us through the sacrifice of His only Son, and His resurrection that we would have sins erased with our repentance and through His grace.  The cross is our reminder of this promise.

Sometimes we think that God’s covenant of the cross is about protecting us from today’s world, but as our writer writes; “God does not promise us life without trials.”

Our devotion writer points out that today we commemorate the Christian Martyr, Polycarp. He was put to death because he would not recant his faith.  In the news recently there was the verdict of death to the Iranian Christian pastor who would not recant his Christianity.  A few weeks ago we heard of the Coptic Christians in Egypt who were being persecuted and killed for their faith.

We still must be thankful for God’s grace and that we live where we can openly worship and live our faith, but we must remember and pray for those who do not have this freedom.  No, God does not promise life without trials. But as our writer put it; “God does promise to be with us always and in all ways, through Christ.”

Prayer: “Merciful Lord, help me to trust in your promises. Amen.”

Genesis 9:8-17

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: ⁹ “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you ¹⁰ and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. ¹¹ I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

¹² And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

¹⁷ So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

Prayer: O God, we need your healing presence for members of our family.  Grant us healing as you only can and teach us through your Word. Through Christ. Amen.

Ash Wednesday

Return to the LORD your God (v. 13)

Today begins the season of Lent.  Marti Gras has ended and now we spend several weeks in contemplation of our need of forgiveness and the story of our redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

“Return to the Lord your God!”  Renew our faith and our commitment to service to the Lord and to our fellow man. We follow in the steps of Jesus as He travels to the cross. It is a time for self-examination, for repentance, and for praise.  People used to fast during Lent; to give up something as a sacrifice to change attitudes and feel something different marking this season and the passion of our Lord.

Our devotion writer writes; “..spend the next forty days in contemplation, study and prayer…In fact, today’s verses contain the words we sing throughout Lent for the congregation’s’ response to the reading of the scriptures.  We are asked to ‘return to the Lord, your God.’ What follows is a description of God’s character.  God is gracious, we are told, merciful and slow to anger. The Lord is abounding in steadfast love…the Lord longs for us to return. But most of all, God longs for us to understand just how deeply we are loved, though Christ.”

¹³ Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,

Prayer: “Almighty and loving God, bring us closer to you during this Lenten season, though Christ. Amen.”

Joel 2:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

Joel 2

An Army of Locusts

¹ Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy hill.

Let all who live in the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming.
It is close at hand—
² a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
a large and mighty army comes,
such as never was in ancient times
nor ever will be in ages to come.

Joel 2:12-17

New International Version (NIV)

Rend Your Heart

¹² “Even now,” declares the LORD,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

¹³ Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
¹⁴ Who knows? He may turn and relent
and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
for the LORD your God.

¹⁵ Blow the trumpet in Zion,
declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly.
¹⁶ Gather the people,
consecrate the assembly;
bring together the elders,
gather the children,
those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Let the priests, who minister before the LORD,
weep between the portico and the altar.
Let them say, “Spare your people, LORD.
Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”

The mystery of faith

⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great

Our devotion writer asks; “How can I explain my faith and my beliefs to others? How do I convey what I feel deep in my heart?”

Do you have these questions too?  I have. Faith is a mystery because you believe certain things because  you have decided and you have been called by the Spirit.  When it comes right down to it, it is hard to explain with any proof.

Our devotion writer; “The wind sets things in motion, but I cannot see it. I can only see the effect it has on that which it touches.  Though I can’t hold it in my hands, I can hold my hands out and fee its power.  I cannot touch my Lord any more than I can hold the wind, but I am a witness to how Jesus can change people and alter circumstances.  The mystery of the Christian faith is great, but I don’t have to understand it.  I don’t need to see it or be able to touch it.  I simply know it’s true.”

I have not heard a better explanation of faith.  I pray I will remember these words when I am asked to explain my faith.

Prayer: “Holy God, make me a faithful witness for your Son, my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.”

1 Timothy 3:14-16

New International Version (NIV)

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.

Escape clause

³ how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?

I read the devotion writer’s story about a man who was pardoned for many sins of selfishness and self-gratification and putting himself above all others.  I thought ‘only in the movies.’   Maybe a TV cop and lawyer series…not real life.

The criminal, Sid, had his attorney, his “advocate”, by his side who represented him before the court, speaking in Sid’s defense, and he stood before the judge with remorse and a resolve to reform his behaviors.

The writer of Hebrews explains that we cannot ignore the words of God–

¹ We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard… ² For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,

So as we stand condemned and full of remorse before the almighty, we have our advocate, Jesus Christ, who represents us and argues for us and we receive forgiveness, pardon, and our record is erased clean.  Like a transformation.

Our devotion writer writes; “When we stand before god to receive our just penalty, our Adovcate will stop in to argue our case before the Great Judge.  Jesus provides us with an escape clause that sets us free.  He is our salvation!”

Prayer: “Thank you , Jesus, for being my Advocate. Amen.

Hebrews 2:1-4

New International Version (NIV)

Hebrews 2

Warning to Pay Attention

¹ We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. ² For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, ³ how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Transfiguration Sunday

Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. (v. 5)

Hasn’t everyone been on a Christian retreat?  I just returned from a secular industry conference.  It was three days of intense sharing of information which I take with me back to work.  Information which will help me prepare and plan for the future.  It is information that I will share with all my associates and intended to help us work smarter, efficiently and legally.  I return to work with new and refreshed insight and ideas.

Christian retreats are even more inspiring.  The prayerful focus on scripture and the intense time for study and group prayer have always inspired, and refreshed me.  Especially helpful I remember were church council retreats where the leader ship of the church focus’ on their mission together.  The same can be done with youth retreats, marriage retreats, the list goes on.  As our devotion writer puts it; “The experience (of retreats) lifts me spiritually and emotionally, renews my devotion to God, and reawakens me to Christ’s profound love—a love given freely, unearned, and undeserved.”

So today’s text about Christ’s Transfiguration is reminiscent of a retreat.  Peter, James and John were awed by this trip to a high mountain.  Jesus was not the only one “transfigured” the experience was so great they wanted to build a monuments in honor.  But instead, Jesus told them to tell no one until after He had arisen from the dead.

Our writer closes; “A retreat helps me remember and refocus, and it helps me take God’s love into the world especially into the valleys where it seems to be needed most…when packing my suitcase to return home…I tuck in some grace to share, some faith to wear, and a lot of love to care.”

Prayer: “Thank you, O God, for both the mountaintop and valley moments of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Mark 9:2-9

New International Version (NIV)

The Transfiguration

² After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. ³ His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

⁵ Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

⁷ Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Lighthouses

Let light shine out of darkness… (v. 6)

Lighthouses are becoming less important with today’s GPS technology.  Many of the lighthouses we have are more historical than useful, but they glare out into the darkness.  Showing the way and warning seafaring travelers to stay safely away, less they crash on the rocks.

Our devotion writer today helps us focus, not just with the illumination the Word gives us to life, but as a beacon and a warning to keep us on track.  Our writer writers; “We, too, need a strong beam of light to guide us.  Paul warned the church at Corinth not to be blinded by the world, but to see and follow the light of gospel.”

Martin Luther, also was concerned with the earthly ways of the church in his day and he stood up and confronted them.  Both Martin Luther and Paul, in his day, were not well received with church leaders, but they served as beacons of light to help keep the churches on track.

I sometimes feel that certain decision made by our own national leadership are more politically motivated than scriptural based.  It seems as if they choose to interpret Gospel differently in order to appear politically correct. More to avoid the truth so as not to scare people away. But maybe that is just me.  Is it being blinded by the world around us?

Our writer also comments; “God’s Word is a light shining into the darkness, a beacon to keep us on course, to warn and guide us away from those things in the world that would harm us.

Did you ever notice just how much a small amount of light can change everything when it is very dark?

Prayer: “Holy God, set me as a beacon to the world, pointing to you as the true source of light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

New International Version (NIV)

³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

God summons the earth

³ Our God comes and will not be silent;

We don’t often hear about God’s judgment on Sunday. We hear a lot about God’s grace and forgiveness, which is only right.  We can do a pretty good job at judging ourselves and passing on a lot of guilt at the same time.  Our devotion writer puts it this way; “God expects us to behave in a certain way, as surely as any earthly authority figure would.  There will be consequences and God will sit in judgment.  Thank Goodness God doesn’t judge the way we do.”

We judge others with righteous indignation.  God judges with patience and persistence, teaching us; always with love and caring.

⁶ And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.

Prayer: “Help us do everything in love, mighty God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Psalm 50:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.

¹ The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
² From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
³ Our God comes
and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.
⁴ He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
⁵ “Gather to me this consecrated people,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
⁶ And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.

A double portion

“Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” (v. 9)

Did you have a mentor? A teacher? A person who trained you to do something and then left you to continue on your own?  Did you feel alone or afraid to step out on your own?  I think about learning to ride my bike. I first had training wheels and was afraid to take them off even after one of them broke.  I remember the anxiety I felt when my Dad removed the remaining wheel and I was faced with bike riding on my own.

Elijah time on earth was coming to an end and Elisha knew it. Elisha so admired Elijah, his mentor, that when asked what he wanted before he was left on his own, he asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.

Our devotion writer writes; “What it must have been like to have been taught by such a great prophet…Finally the moment comes that Elisha has been dreading, hoping to delay. But before he goes, Elijah asks his pupil, what may I do for you?…He asks not only for Elijah’s spirit to rest on him, but for a double portion of it. With such a blessing comes responsibility. Surely Elisha knew this. Perhaps that is exactly why he asked for a double portion.”

I am sure we have all had someone we learned from or observed who had a powerful energy and presence that we admired and wished we had some of that energy.  If we had a double portion, what could we do for Jesus?

Prayer: “Holy God, pour your love into me, for you are the one I wish to be more like, through Christ. Amen.”

2 Kings 2:1-12

New International Version (NIV)

2 Kings 2

Elijah Taken Up to Heaven

¹ When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. ² Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.”

But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

³ The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?”

“Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”

⁴ Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho.”

And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.

⁵ The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?”

“Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.”

⁶ Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.”

And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on.

⁷ Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. ⁸ Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

⁹ When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”

“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

¹⁰ “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”

¹¹ As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. ¹² Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.