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 Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:58 am
The Ultimate Superhero
But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
Do you have a favorite superhero? While this may seem like a childish question, my youth group is able to get into, not just one, but several very long debates on the subject. Personally I prefer Batman, but all superheroes seem to have one or two weaknesses. Batman always has a girl that he cares for and he is only human. Spiderman cares deeply for Mary Jane. Superman worries about Lois Lane and is powerless against Kryptonite.
There is one superhero that you can always turn to though. He is able to defeat every enemy that can rise up against you. God has no weak spots and will always be there to defend you. You don’t need to worry about Him taking a day off. There is not a single person that he cares about more than you. He will always be there for you during tough times.
God is the ultimate hero that you can turn to for every problem in your life. He doesn’t need a telephone booth, a cape, or even a web. There is nothing to slow him down. All you need to do is call on him, and then stand back and watch as he defeats the enemies in your life.
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Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:02 pm
Thursday Aug 16th
Raise the Roof
They removed the roof above [Jesus]. Mark 2:4
Some men had a friend who couldn’t walk. They knew that Jesus could heal him, but several obstacles stood between them and the Healer. A crowd of people obstructed their path. Four walls blocked their way. But these friends wouldn’t let these barriers stop them. They thought outside of the box—literally—raising the roof above Jesus to lower their friend at the feet of the Savior, who healed his body and soul.
The paralytic could not heal himself; neither could he have come to Christ, had not his friends carried him there. But the Word of Christ drew them. The shining promise of Christ’s mercy led them to seek His healing, regardless of the obstacles that stood in their way—so strong is the Savior’s compassion!
Like the paralyzed man, we are unable to help ourselves or come to Christ by our own strength or reason. But the Holy Spirit has given us the Church, which bears us on her shoulders, carries us to Christ, and lays us before the Savior’s feet. The Church does so in faithful prayer and supplication, begging Jesus to forgive and heal us in the compassion God has revealed to us in the Word of Christ.
By Your grace and favor, O crucified Christ, give us and all who are in need relief from our sin, recovery from our affliction, and freedom from our pain. Amen.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:25 am
Friday Aug 17th
Some Q and A
God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son. John 3:16
In this age of twenty-four-hour news channels, we have gotten used to seeing news interviews where reporters ask questions and famous people answer. In John 3, like a veteran news reporter, Nicodemus asks questions. Jesus provides answers.
Jesus says, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (v. 3). Nicodemus asks, “How can a man be born when he is old?” (v. 4). Jesus explains to Nicodemus—and to us—that He is talking about spiritual rebirth, about being made new creatures through Baptism by “water and the Spirit” (v. 5). Along with Nicodemus, we learn that in Holy Baptism, God offers us a fresh start and a new beginning as His children.
When Jesus says more about this born-again life, Nicodemus asks, as do we, “How can these things be?” (v. 9). Jesus reveals to Nicodemus that He is the missing piece of the puzzle. He is the one and only Son God sent to say, “I love you. I came to save you from sin and to be with you forever.” So when we have questions like “How do I know God loves me?” or “How will I be saved?” or “What does the future hold for me?” the only answer we need is “Jesus”!
Thank You, O Christ! By Your life and death and through our Baptism, You gave us born-again lives in God. Amen.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:51 am
Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me
Quick history lesson: Moses rescued the Children of Israel from Pharaoh’s bondage (they had been slaves of Egypt for years) and started them on their journey to God’s promised land. After being mistreated slaves, Moses was anxious to lead them toward a land filled with milk and honey and a life filled with prosperity.
After Moses had begun the journey, God led him up to Mt. Sinai and had a chat with him focusing on the fact that although these people would be blessed materially, it would ultimately be their lifestyle that would bring fulfillment. And their lifestyle would need to include total obedience to God. So God gave Moses 10 rules for living and instructed that they were for all people of all time.
The first four commandments focus on man’s relationship with God, and the last four deal with man’s relationship with man. It stands to reason that if we have a right relationship with God, we’ll have good relationships with each other. But until we establish a deep relationship with our Creator, we’ll always struggle in our relationships with others.
The Israelites (Children of Israel) had just left Egypt — a land of many idols and gods. It wasn’t that difficult for them to believe in God Almighty; they simply added Him to their list of all the other gods they worshipped. But when Moses announced the first of the Ten Commandments was that they couldn’t have any other gods except the Lord God Almighty, that was a different story. To live in obedience to God, they had to forsake all the other gods they had placed in their lives.
You probably don’t have a shrine set up in your bedroom with a menagerie of brass idols and foreign gods. But an idol is anything we allow to become as important (or more important) than our relationship with Jesus Christ. If winning a track scholarship is just as important to you as living in obedience to Christ, you have an idol in your life. If spending time with your boyfriend/girlfriend is more important than spending time with your Creator, you’ve established an idol, and that guy or girl has become a god in your life.
Know It!
You serve a jealous God. He created you, and He wants total commitment from you. Take time to evaluate your relationship with Him right now. Is He truly Lord? Or have you allowed other gods to settle in your life?
Read It!
Exodus 20:1-3; Psalm 14:1; Matthew 4:10; Revelation 3:16.
Pray It!
Ask God to point out any idols you may have established in your life, and give them to Him.
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:27 am
Saturday Aug 18th
Swimming Lessons
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14
As a child, I took swimming lessons. I remember one
morning when I flailed aimlessly in the frigid pool while my instructors, clad in warm tracksuits, blew whistles and barked orders from deck chairs. I continued to splash in vain until one instructor took off his tracksuit and got into the water to show me exactly what I needed to do. I was soon doing the breaststroke on my own.
Some people picture God as being like those tracksuit-wearing swim instructors—sitting above us, barking commands from a distance, and getting angry. But the reality is that God loves us and drew near to us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to take off His crown of glory and put on our human flesh so that He could plunge Himself into our world.
My swim instructor got into the pool to show me how to swim, but Jesus came to us in our world to “swim” for us. He lived the perfect life we could never live. His righteousness substitutes for our unrighteousness. He suffered the consequences we deserved for our sin, not because He deserved it, but to be our substitute and Savior. By dying on the cross, Jesus saved us from drowning in our sins. Through Holy Baptism, we “swim” in His grace and love.
By Your grace, let us live in You, O Lord. Keep us afloat in the one true faith. Amen.
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 9:52 am
Thou Shalt Not Steal
Jesus once told the story of a man journeying from Jerusalem to Jericho. You might remember this as the story of the Good Samaritan. The man was robbed, beaten and left by the side of the road. A priest and a Levite passed by the man but didn’t stop to help. A Samaritan saw the man and stopped to help him. This Samaritan also made financial provisions for the man and made sure he was nursed back to health.
Obviously, the robbers believed “What belongs to this guy, also belongs to me. I can take whatever I want.” That’s active and blatant stealing — the most common way this commandment is broken.
But there are other ways to steal that aren’t quite as blatant. To carelessly go into debt without the means to pay off what you’ve purchased is stealing. Many people rack up huge bills on several credit cards, and then simply declare bankruptcy. To purposefully go into debt knowing you don’t have the means to pay your bills, is breaking this eighth command from God.
To be hired for a full day’s work and not put in a full day is also stealing. Taking too long on a break, coming in late, leaving early — all these habits are ways of taking what’s not rightfully yours.
We can also steal by taking someone’s good reputation and purposefully ruining it. Every time you gossip about someone and negate their character, you’re stealing from him. You may have friends who have tried to steal your faith. Perhaps they’ve laughed at you and made fun of your belief in Christ. They’re trying to rob you of something you own.
We can also steal by refusing to share with others. Jesus told of a man who was very wealthy and had much more than he needed. Instead of sharing his wealth, he simply built bigger barns and hoarded what he had. Everything you have was given to you by God Himself. It’s possible to hold so tightly onto your material possessions that you end up losing them. God meant for you to share what He has blessed you with. To refuse to do that is stealing, because you’re not giving away what God intended you to share with another in need.
Know It!
You can also steal from God by not giving Him what is rightfully His. Have you given Him complete control of your money, your talent, your service? Do you give generously in tithes and offerings?
Read It!
Exodus 20:15; Luke 10:30-37; Luke 12:16-21; Malachi 3:8.
Pray It!
Pray Mark 8:36, and tell God to make you aware of anything you’ve stolen. Then ask for His strength to make it right.
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:16 am
Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor
To bear false witness is to deceive, and to deceive is to lie. It’s easy to deceive others by leaving something out of a story, or by telling only part of the truth instead of the whole truth. That’s why when we’re sworn in by a court of law, we have to promise to “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” In other words, a judge is commanding that we leave nothing out; that we focus intensely on all that is true and nothing else.
A far greater Judge commands the same of His children. Whether it’s deceiving our neighbor, our friends, our parents or strangers, God says it’s wrong. Deception has become a way of life for many people. Instead of being truthful, they twist and deceive to make themselves look good. Which of the following can be labeled as deceitful answers?
• “Josh, were you cheating on the quiz?” Mrs. Wilson asked.
“Oh, come on, Mrs. Wilson! Surely you know me better than that!” he replied as he slid the cheat sheet inside his jacket.
• You’ve had a crush on Adam for two weeks but have recently heard he likes Tabitha. She doesn’t know he likes her, and when she approaches you with, “Isn’t Adam great? What a guy!” you respond with, “Don’t bother. I heard he’s already taken.”
• It’s obvious this is the sales clerk’s first day on the job. Though you’re not counting every piece of change he places in your hand, you’re pretty sure he gave you an extra bill. He shuts the register and looks confused. “Did I give you the right amount back?” he naively asks. “I wasn’t counting,” you respond. “Okay,” he says with a smile and a shrug of his shoulders. “It’s been really hectic today.”
In each of the above situations the person responding hasn’t been completely honest, therefore deceit took place. And when we purposefully deceive someone, we’re breaking this ninth commandment.
Aren’t you glad God is totally honest with you? He doesn’t withhold any of His truth from you. He expects no less of you. But what about the times when the truth will hurt someone? you may be thinking. There are ways to tell the truth cushioned in love. For example, Hillary has a new dress that’s way less than flattering on her. She says, “How do you like my new dress?” Instead of responding, “I love it!” you could say, “Hillary, I’m excited that you got a new dress, but I’ve seen other colors that bring out your features better.”
Know It!
There are no lies or deceit in God’s kingdom, so Start practicing honesty right now. Determine to live a life of integrity. Make it your goal to known for gentle truthfulness. Let others know you can be fully trusted.
Read It!
Exodus 20:16; Psalm 63:11; Proverbs 19:22; Revelation 21:8.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you develop a lifestyle of pure honesty and integrity. Seek His forgiveness for any deceit that comes to your mind.
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:43 am
Sunday Aug 19th
Fire Means Life
Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 NIV
On a popular reality television show in which contestants are left at a remote locale, the host says, “In this game, fire means life.” That statement proves true. Teams must find a way to make fire so they can stay warm at night, boil water for drinking, and cook food for nourishment. Without fire, they will surely die.
For Christians, the fire of the Holy Spirit—first revealed at Pentecost—means life for us. The Holy Spirit sparks our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation. The Holy Spirit enlightens our hearts in hope as we read the Word of God. The Holy Spirit fans into flame our desire to love God and serve one another with joy and gladness. The Holy Spirit keeps us in the faith, even as we struggle in this oftenharsh world. Without the Holy Spirit flickering within us, our spiritual lives would most certainly die.
That is why the Bible says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” Our indulgence in willful sins grieves the Holy Spirit. Our neglect of the Word of God, the Lord’s Supper, and the Divine Service keeps us away from the fuel the Holy Spirit uses to protect and preserve us in the faith. Through God’s Word and Sacraments, the Spirit’s fire keeps our faith lively and bright.
O Holy Spirit, keep us burning with Your gift of life. Amen.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:20 am
Monday Aug 20th
Scrapbooking
These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ. John 20:31
Scrapbooking has become a popular pastime. Putting pictures, tickets, and postcards together in a book helps people remember a favorite vacation or special event. Scrapbooks also provide a way for people to share the stories of their lives easily with others.
The Bible is like a scrapbook for the family of God. It shows us where we’ve been. As we page through the Old Testament, God shows us our fall into sin and His promise of a Savior in the Garden of Eden, His freeing His children from slavery in Egypt, His giving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, and the straying and repentance of His people in the Promised Land.
In the New Testament, God shows us the Savior He promised, Jesus. He came to us in a manger, at the table with His friends, and on the cross for our sins. In page after page, God shows us how He helped His wayward people, how He loved them, and how He led them, and now leads us, to a future with Him in heaven.
Now it is our turn to sit down and share with others the story of salvation found in this holy “scrapbook,”
the Holy Scriptures. We get to open the Bible and say, “Look what God has done!” We will be saying of our God, “Remember when . . . ?”
Reveal Yourself to us, O Lord, through the pages of Scripture. Amen.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:27 am
Thou Shalt Not Covet
God’s final rule for life is that we shouldn’t covet. In other words, we shouldn’t want what our neighbor has. God knows, much better than we do, that material possessions won’t make us happy. While it’s natural to admire what someone else has and even think, I’d love to have a car like that! it’s when we become envious that we’re breaking this tenth commandment. When we envy what someone else has, we become resentful of him. A covetous spirit leads to spiritual downfall.
To covet something means we begin thinking inward, focusing on ourselves and what we want and how we can get it. This naturally removes our focus from God. He wants us to forget about ourselves and become lost in Him. When we do that, we naturally want to meet the needs of others instead of constantly fulfill our own.
This final commandment from God teaches us to learn the secret of contentment — to be happy with what we have. How do learn this secret? By allowing God to produce the fruit of His Spirit in our lives — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When we’re truly living out these characteristics, we allow them to take the place of our sinful nature: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfishness and envy.
Since true contentment is found only in a solid, growing relationship with Jesus Christ, we need to allow Him to meet all of our needs. When you become envious of someone, ask God to help you dig a little deeper to see if there’s a more basic need you’re lacking.
For example, if you’re envious of Nathan’s being elected class president, look a little deeper. Maybe you’re feeling insecure, unappreciated or lonely. Ask God to meet your basic needs, and this will help guard against covetousness.
Which of the following statements depict an envious spirit?
• “Wow! Did you see Beth’s new car? I’d love to be driving one just like it someday.”
• “I can’t believe Alex got the new Nikes! I’ve gotta have them. Hmmm. Wonder how I can get them? He doesn’t even need new shoes. I really deserve them! I’ll watch and see if he leaves them in his locker during P.E. If he does . . . too bad, Alex! They were meant for my feet!”
• “Hi, Sami. I heard you’re moving to a new house. One with a pool. I guess you think you’re pretty special now, don’t you?”
Again, there’s nothing wrong with admiring something that someone else has — as in the first example. It’s only when that admiration becomes selfish, arrogant and destructive that it turns into envy.
Know It!
When you allow God to be the source of your contentment, you’re automatically guarding against envy.
Read It!
Exodus 20:17; Proverbs 14:30; Galatians 5:19-26; Philippians 4:11-13.
Pray It!
Pray for total contentment in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:45 am
Do You Understand?
Some things are just tough to understand. For example . . .
• In medical terms, a black eye is technically a “bilateral periorbital hematoma.”
• Years ago, rabies was called hydrophobia, because one of the strangest symptoms of the disease has to do with the repulsion and fear of water. Here’s what happens: Once someone has been inflicted with rabies, the act of drinking water immediately causes violent throat spasms choking, gagging and great panic. As the disease progresses, even the sight or sound of water will trigger these reactions.
• If we could place your circulatory system in a straight line, it would measure 60,000 miles. That’s enough to circle the globe two and a half times!
• When searching for the healthiest place to build a hospital, doctors in ninth-century Baghdad, hung pieces of meat at various locations. The site at which the meat last turned rotten, was the place they would build the hospital.
It’s tough to understand the intricacy of the human circulatory system, why physicians thought the way they did in ninth-century Baghdad and why rabies and water don’t get along. But thankfully, it’s not important we truly understand these things. It is important, though, that we understand, know and put into practice the Ten Commandments.
Aren’t you glad God gave us 10 rules for living that are easy to understand? Think about it: We don’t have to analyze them, interpret them or discuss them. We simply need to accept them. They’re black and white. There are no gray areas to complicate things. They’re simple rules given by God to help us get the very most out of life.
If you’ve never broken one of God’s commandments, you don’t need a Savior. But each one of us is guilty, because each one of us is born with sin. It’s only because of God’s grace that we can be forgiven when we break His heart by breaking His commands.
Know It!
It’s impossible to keep God’s commands in our own strength. We need His power to live the holy life He commands we live. Realize these commands weren’t given to make your life miserable, rather they were given so that you can truly live abundantly!
Read It!
Exodus 20:3-17; John 3:16; John 10:10; Philippians 4:13.
Pray It!
Seek God’s forgiveness for any commandments you have broken and ask Him to empower you with His strength so you may live in obedience to His rules for living.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:43 pm
Tuesday Aug 21st
Passing By
He passed by on the other side. Luke 10:31He passed by on the other side. Luke 10:31
In Jesus’ familiar story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus describes how both a priest and a Levite “passed by on the other side” of where a wounded traveler lay dying (Luke 10:31–32). I always thought that I would never be one of those who passed by. But one Sunday morning, as I was leaving church, I saw a man in the parking lot trying to replace a tire. In my haste to get to lunch, I “passed by on the other side” of the parking lot.
I remember thinking, I wouldn’t be of any help; it looks like he’s got it under control. Surely someone else coming out of church will lend this guy a hand.
I can rationalize all I want, but the truth is I acted just like the priest and the Levite.
How busy we have become! How blind we are to those God puts in our paths to help, love, and serve. How helpless we have become, lying battered and dying, in need of a Savior to deliver us!
Jesus does not pass by on the other side. He comes to us in our need, cleansing us with His forgiveness, anointing us with His Spirit, binding our wounds by His Word, and providing for all our needs through the “inn” of the Church. He covers our failings with the perfect service He offered for us on the cross, to heal us.
O Lord, who rescued us from sin, may we never pass by those we see in need. Amen.
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:35 am
Wednesday Aug 22nd
Hide-and-Seek
The man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8
Playing hide-and-seek can be fun. But the game of hide-and-seek Adam and Eve played with God was serious. Adam and Eve hid because they knew they had eaten of the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They hid out of fear, shame, and embarrassment. By their actions, they seemed to say, “If God doesn’t see us, He won’t know what happened.” But God called out, “Where are you?” as He walked through the Garden (Genesis 3:9). “Ready or not, here I come,” He could have called. The game was over. Adam and Eve, and their sin, had been found.
Like Adam and Eve, we play hide-and-seek with God. We try to cover up our disobedience by acting overly pious. We fail to confess certain sins to God, thinking He somehow won’t notice. We try to distract God from our own wrongdoing by pointing out the faults of others. But nothing is hidden from God.
Mercifully, when God calls “Where are you?” He comes not to destroy but to deliver. So much does He love us that He came to seek and save us, to take our place on the tree of the cross. Instead of letting us hide in sin and shame, God comes to reconcile us to Himself.
Forgiven through Christ, let us live at peace with You, O God. Amen.
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:44 am
Are You Paying Attention?
Ready for a fun brain teaser? Okay, here goes! Read the following statement:
FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-
IC STUDY COMBINED WITH
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.
Now count the F’s in the above statement. Count only once!
Guess what — there are actually six F’s in that statement. Many people only count three; some will find four or five their second time around. But there are actually six.
It really does make a difference to pay close attention to the details, doesn’t it? Are you paying close attention to what God is trying to teach you? Are you truly growing closer to Him every day? The truth is, God dreams BIG dreams for you! But ignoring Him and not paying attention to His voice can cause you to miss out on all He has in store for you.
One way to help your spiritual growth is to develop some accountability. Ask God to bring someone to your mind — someone you admire spiritually — who can ask you the tough questions to ensure you’re “paying attention spiritually.”
Seek someone of the same sex. (When you try to develop an accountability relationship with a friend of the opposite sex, it soon becomes complicated with feelings and confusion.) You may want to choose someone a little older. But it needs to be someone you know is spiritually grounded, someone who will keep your confidences and someone who will daily hold you up in prayer.
After you’ve found an accountability partner, establish a specific time you can get together. At this first meeting, share prayer requests, struggles and praises of what God is doing in each of your lives. Then decide how often, when and where you’ll continue to meet. You’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to pay attention to God’s voice when you know someone will soon be asking you what He’s teaching you!
Know It!
God wants to make sure you “get it.” That’s why He provided the Bible, and that’s why He brings spiritually mature friends into our lives.
Read It!
Romans 8:37-39; Romans 14:9-13; Romans 15:7-9, 13.
Pray It!
Ask God to bring someone to your mind whom you can approach about becoming accountable.
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:26 am
Thursday Aug 23rd
Just a Little Love
Let it alone this year also. Luke 13:8
In the classic television special
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Linus tells Lucy that a tiny, withered tree only needs to be shown some love. Linus, Lucy, and their friends put a blanket around the base of the tree, add lights and some ornaments, and, voilà, the tree is beautiful!
The vinedresser in Jesus’ parable of the failing fig tree begged to give his tree a little love too. He’ll dig around the tree to loosen the soil so the tree can get more water. He’ll fertilize around the tree so it can get more nutrients. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep the tree alive, help it to grow, and make it fruitful.
Like Charlie Brown’s scrawny Christmas tree and the fig tree in Jesus’ parable, we do not always thrive or produce the fruit of the Spirit as we should. We are not growing as we ought. We deserve to be cut down.
Yet Jesus, in His compassion, gives us what we need to be healthy, fruitful plantings of the Lord. He nourishes and strengthens us with His Word. He works the soil of our souls to make us more repentant and receptive to His grace. And He allowed Himself to be killed on the cross in our place, so that we might never have to be cut down because of our sins.
Jesus, our compassionate caretaker, thank You for Your mercy that tends us that we may flourish in faith. Amen.
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