|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:05 pm
Thursday December 27th
I Am with You: Tenting among You
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Many people love to go camping, tenting, or traveling from place to place in their recreational vehicles. As they are tourists, their experiences are temporary. When the Israelites left Egypt, they lived as nomads, tenting from place to place for years. Meanwhile, the presence of God went with them in the tabernacle, a tent that was a portable temple. The tabernacle pointed to Jesus. When Jesus became a man, He made His dwelling among us; that is, He tented—or “tabernacled”—among us.
The Gospel of John is an excellent sacred writing that highlights, through many miraculous signs, the presence of God dwelling in the human person of Jesus. St. John says of these signs, “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).
Jesus didn’t become human to live with us as a tourist. He tented among us in our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior in order to secure eternal life for all. He dwelled with us in human flesh so that He might be our eternal dwelling place.
Dwell with me, Lord Jesus, and make me alive with Your grace and truth. Amen.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:24 pm
Is it Tough to be a Christian? Part I
Is it becoming more and more difficult for you to be a sold-out 100 percent-committed Christian? If so, you're on the right track! The apostle Paul warned his young mentor, Timothy, that in the last days it would be very difficult to live a Christian life. Was Paul trying to discourage his young Christian friend? No. He was being truthful.
If you're truly living in radical obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, you're well aware of the fact that it's . . . tough! It's not easy to take a stand against abortion when the entire class is saying it's simply a woman's choice. It's hard to express why you're saving sexual intimacy until marriage when you're surrounded by friends (even church friends) who are playing around sexually. And it's difficult to say no to a certain movie you know God doesn't want you to see-especially when all your church friends are seeing it!
When you take a bold stand against sin, it's likely you'll be labeled a judgmental. But it's important for you to know that those who call you that doesn't really understand the concept of judgment. Do you realize the Bible says there are times when we should be judgmental? Many Christians have the mistaken idea that tolerance is always a virtue. Guess what-it's not! There are times when God expects you-just like Jesus- to take a bold stand against sin. Jesus never had an open mind toward sin. He called it for what it was-SIN. He loved sinners, but He never made excuses for the wrong in their lives.
God doesn't want you to be tolerant of sin. He wants you to tolerate people but not sin. There's a huge difference. And when you speak out against sexual intimacy outside of marriage, bisexuality, abortion or any other sin, people will point fingers at you and call you judgmental. Even Christians will accuse you of judging others.
But labeling sin for what it is isn't being judgmental; it's being factual. When you point to an apple tree and say, “Look at those apples,” are you being judgmental? No, you're being realistic. You're stating what has already been proved. “That's an apple tree. It bears apples.”
When you call sin, sin . . . you're simply stating what God has already declared as Truth in His Holy Word. That's not judgment. That's reality.
Many Christians want to focus only on God's grace. “God will forgive,” they say. And yes, God will forgive a truly repentant heart. (For a reminder on what true repentance is, flip back to...) But God is also a God of wrath. There are two sides to our heavenly Father. If there weren't, He would be imbalanced. And we serve a perfect God. It's much easier to simply overlook His wrath and focus only on His grace, isn't it? But to do so isn't living a spiritually mature life.
Know It!
Being made fun of by other Christians? Good news! You're on the right track.
Read It!
1 John 2:20-22; 1 John 4:1-6; 3 John 1:11; Jude 1:5-7.
Pray It!
Ask God to strengthen you and help you continue to stand in boldness against sin-no matter how difficult it gets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:36 am
Is it Tough to be a Christian? Part II
Most people want to hear about the benefits of Christianity-what'll they gain-but don't want to hear about what they may need to give up to follow Christ. The rich young ruler who approached Jesus fell into this category. He was a good person doing good things, and he was interested in following Jesus. But when Jesus told him it would cost him 100 percent, the young man walked away sadly. Jesus drew the line. It was as if He were saying, “This is it. You asked the question; I'm giving you absolute Truth. Will you accept it and follow Me?”
But the man didn't want Truth, did he? He wanted a “feel good” answer. He wanted Jesus to say, “I understand that your money is really important to you. You own a lot of things. You're a good person. Tell you what. Go ahead and keep living the way you want to, keep your emphasis on material things, continue to let your wealth consume you, and I'll still let you call Me Lord.”
Jesus doesn't always tell us what we want to hear. But He is faithful to tell us what we need to hear. The truth made the young man uncomfortable. He couldn't remain in the presence of Christ any longer.
Christianity isn't really about what we want to hear. It's not even about what we want. It is about total surrender and accepting God's Word as absolute Truth.
Is it tough to be a Christian? Yes, if you give it your all. Was it tough for Jesus to obey His heavenly Father? Yes. It cost Him His life. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Will it be worth it for you to give God your all in total obedience? Absolutely.
Wait a second. This sounds pretty radical. That's not how I interpret the Bible. Then let's quit trying to interpret it . . . and simply accept it! Let's take God at His Word. Let's simply start believing what He says is true . . . and live like it!
But that's going to be tough! I mean . . . I might have to walk away from some friends. Stay away from some parties. Yes, total obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is radical. It means saying no to some things, so you can say a huge yes to Jesus.
Many people find it difficult to believe if they don't say yes to Christ, they'll actually be separated from Him forever in hell. This isn't anything new. It all started in the Garden of Eden. Satan planted doubt in Eve's mind. Do you really think eating a simple piece of fruit could be that bad? Oh come on! One piece of fruit could separate you from your Father?
Know It!
Satan is the father of lies. He's the master of deceit, and he'll work overtime to convince you that being a Christian really isn't difficult at all; that you can continue to do your own thing and call your own shots. Don't fall for his lies! If you listen to him, you're listening to the wrong voice.
Read It!
Genesis 3; Matthew 19:16-30; 1 Peter 5:8.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you live in radical obedience to His Lordship.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:49 am
Friday December 28th
I Am with You in Peril
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy Him.” Matthew 2:13
Most parents will do everything they can to keep their children from harm. King Herod had given an order to kill all baby boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem. The life of the child Jesus, God’s promised Savior, was threatened. If the Savior were killed, the hope and salvation of all humankind would be eliminated. Such a threat called for extraordinary measures.
God sent an angel to alert Joseph to the danger. Under the cover of darkness, Joseph took Mary and Jesus out of the country to safety in Egypt. God was with the holy family. God was also with those families in Bethlehem whose children lost their lives. God is with us when we are threatened during times of terror. God is with us as we enter life and when we exit life. He is with us during seasons of joy and during seasons of sadness. He is Immanuel, God with us, in every time and every place. His love and faithfulness know no end.
Prince of Peace, during times of stress and danger when I suffer fear and terror, comfort me with Your protective and peaceful presence. Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:53 am
Saturday December 29th
I Am with You in the Kingdom
The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. Luke 17:20–21
Whoever holds the remote control unit controls the television. The person with the remote is like a king. He may choose TV programs with love, justice, and consideration of the other viewers in mind. Or he may act with uncaring harshness, choosing programs only to please himself.
We could say that there really are only two kingdoms. One is the kingdom of Satan, where he is actively present and involved in every form of wickedness and evil. The other is the kingdom of God, where He is actively present and involved in everything that is right, good, and true.
The kingdom of God is not an earthly government at a specific place or time. The kingdom of God is God actively present in our lives, leading us to repentance and faith. King Jesus is actively present with us through His Word and Sacraments. He is actively present with us as we believe His holy Word and do the will of the heavenly Father. Within the kingdom of God, we experience the reality of Christ Jesus for us in the season of Immanuel.
King Jesus, be actively present in my life and in the lives of those whom I love, so that we may always remain in Your kingdom of grace. Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:44 am
Is it Tough to be a Christian? Part III
Satan has been playing the same deceptive game ever since he deceived Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden. Oh, come on! How could it be wrong to make love to someone if you really care about him? Bisexuality? What's the big deal? People are just trying to express themselves in different and creative ways. Do you really believe that could separate you from your heavenly Father? Is that really sin?
Do you realize the Bible says that no other sin affects a person as sexual sin does. Every time sex sin is mentioned in the Bible, it's connected with a death sentence. God has given us some important rules to live by. They're known as the Ten Commandments. (For a quick refresher on those laws, flip back to August 10- 19.) He expects us to live by those laws, and when we don't, it's considered sin.
As this year comes to a close, maybe it would be a good idea for you to ask God to help you get back to the basics. To take His laws seriously. To commit yourself to living in radical obedience to His Lordship. And when you do? Know it will be tough to be a Christian.
Count on people giving you a hard time. Even other Christians will give you a hard time. They'll call you straight and narrow- minded. That's okay. You're walking a straight and narrow road! And yes, it's tough. It would be much easier to walk the wide road filled with thousands of other travelers. But you have a much higher calling on your life. God calls you to be a dynamic sold-out disciple living in radical obedience to His Lordship.
Know It!
The Bible tells us that everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted. In other words . . . if it's tough for you to be a Christian, you're doing something right! If those around you are making fun of your morality, you're on the right track. Rest assured that God will never allow you to experience more than you and He together can handle.
Read It!
Matthew 7:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Timothy 3:13; Revelation 21:8.
Pray It!
Ask God to strengthen you and mold you into the dynamic disciple He needs you to be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:54 am
Sunday December 30th
I Am with You in Mission
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded out. Matthew 28:19–20
Have you ever noticed that more action often seems to take place during the last few minutes of a football game than during the rest of the contest? Good players never give up, even when others have lost all hope. As long as there is time left, good teams keep playing.
As long as there is time left, we, too, have much to accomplish. We are commissioned to carry forward Christ’s mission and ministry. But we are not left alone and powerless as we do God’s work. Jesus pledged, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do. . . . I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you” (John 14:12, 20).
With Christ in us, we are His presence in the world today, continuing His mission and ministry among all who need the Savior. Time is running out. But He is still with us in His Word and Sacraments, giving us everything we need for faith and faithfulness. Blessed be God! Today is the season of Immanuel.
Continue to be with me, Lord Jesus, that I might be empowered with Your Spirit to fulfill the work You have given me to do in Your name. Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:30 am
Letter From Satan Part I
Hey, Christian!
I saw you yesterday as you climbed out of bed and started your daily routine. You began the day without praying. I kept watching you-expecting you at least to pray for your meals-but you didn't. You didn't even make time to pray before you climbed back into bed at the end of the day! I like the fact that you're so ungrateful. I can't tell you how proud I am of you for not changing your way of living since you started going to church.
You stupid idiot! You're mine . . . and you don't even know it! You think you're a Christian, but I have you fooled. You and I go way back. We've been going steady for years . . . and I still don't love you. As a matter of fact, I never will. Ha! I hate you! Do you realize that? I hate you, because I hate God. I'm only using you to get even with Him. He kicked me out of heaven, and I'm going to use you as long as possible to pay Him back.
You're so stupid! You don't even realize how much God loves you; that He has great plans in store for you. Ha! You've yielded your life to me, and I'm going to make your life a living hell.
And the best part about this relationship is that you don't even realize you've yielded to me. I love it! You're such a moron. You don't get it, do you? That by not giving your all to Jesus Christ, you end up following me by default. And you know what's really funny? Most of the time I have you convinced that I don't even exist!
Thanks to you, I'm showing God who's really boss in your life. We've been having some great times, haven't we? I love watching those dirty movies with you, cussing people out when they cut in front of you on the road, lying, being hypocritical, messing around sexually, gossiping, telling off-color jokes, stabbing people in the back, disrespecting stupid adults and moronic leaders.
I'm relieved that you don't want to give this up. We're having a great time, aren't we? And what's really funny, is the fact that you don't have a clue I'm doing all this to destroy you! Ha! You think we're just having fun. But I have eternal plans for you!
Know It!
Satan will do anything to get your attention off of Christ. Remember . . . you can't be spiritually neutral. You're either living for God, or you're following Satan by default.
Read It!
Luke 10:18; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8.
Pray It!
In the name of Jesus Christ, pray that Satan will get behind you, and use your authority in Christ to overcome temptation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:55 am
Monday December 31st
I Am with You Always
Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20
Some of the neighborhood mothers got together with their children to spend some time at the park. A couple of children ran to the swings, another to the slide, and others to the seesaw. One of the mothers followed her little son wherever he went. She followed so closely that the little boy had little chance to interact with the other children. One of the mothers remarked, “I pity the woman who finally marries him. He’ll be tied to his mother’s apron strings forever.”
Jesus promised to be with us always, but His presence does not prevent us from developing our own individual potential. Jesus is with us to weep with us and to laugh with us. He is with us to hear our confession of sins and to shower us with His forgiveness. He is with us in times of ease and times of stress to calm our fears, to encourage us to overcome our weaknesses, and to fill us with His love. He is with us to guide and protect us, to caution, heal, and save us. He is with us to take away our sin and to give us His innocence, blessedness, and peace. He is with us at the end of one year and at the beginning of a new year.
Alpha and Omega, You have graciously been my Immanuel from the beginning. Let Your name sustain me to the end. Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:44 pm
Letter From Satan Part II
Hey, Christian!
Yeah, I'll go ahead and call you that. I know you like it, but you have no clue what Christianity is really about. If you did, you wouldn't be hanging out with me and listening to my lies I've so carefully crafted. Ha! You're such an idiot.
Do you have any idea how much I loathe you? Do you know I'm working overtime to make sure you spend eternity with me in hell? Yeah, you've heard about hell. I talk it up as the big eternity party place. And you know what's funny? You've believed me! I heard you telling someone last week, “Maybe hell won't be so bad; I mean, I'll finally get to do what I want.”
You moron! That's what I want you to believe. But I have a big surprise for you. Hell will be nothing like that! It will be eternal damnation. Do you have any idea what that means? You're going to be in physical, emotional, spiritual and mental torment forever. And I'll be laughing my head off! Party time? No way. You won't even want to open your eyes to see who's standing next to you. The demons will surround you in fear and torment and mockery and all of HELL will break loose in your little soul.
Why am I even bothering to write you? I'm sarcastically sending you a letter of thanks for letting me use you for most of your foolish life. You are so gullible. You have no idea how much I laugh at you throughout every day. When I tempt you to sin, you give in. HA! HA! HA! You make me sick. You're so stinking weak!
Sin is beginning to take its toll on your life. You're angry. Bitter. Obsessed with stupid things . . . like your weight and people liking you. If you had any idea how temporary that stuff is! But I've got you convinced it's really important. I am so good at what I do.
Of course, morons like you make my job really easy. If you were smart, you'd run somewhere, confess your sins and live for God with what little time you have left. What a stupid jerk you are! I HATE YOU!
Know It!
Satan will try to convince you that wrong is right and right is stupid. Don't listen to him. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus and your ears tuned in to the Holy Spirit.
Read It!
Zechariah 3:2; Mark 4:15; Luke 22:3; Romans 16:20.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you memorize Scripture, so when you're tempted by Satan you can use the Bible as ammunition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:00 am
Tuesday January 1, 2008
Before His Death, His Life
And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus.Luke 2:21
The world celebrates the start of a new year. We Christians celebrate the start of a perfect life—the life Jesus lived for us.
When Jesus was eight days old, His parents took Him to be circumcised. He shed His blood for us for the first time. Yet even before that day, Jesus had begun saving us with His perfection.
Beginning in His conception by the Holy Spirit,
He redeemed the tiny embryos who never know their mother’s touch. In His virgin birth, He became the righ-teousness of newborn babes who scream their way into this world.
In His death, Jesus demonstrates His sacrificial love and mercy for young and old alike. In His resurrection, He exercises His power over death, which marks us all.
In Jesus’ life—from conception, to birth, to circumcision, to Passion, to death—we see His humanity. Jesus’ humanity makes His work meaningful for us, because by His humanity, He is like us. And because He is like us, His perfect life becomes ours, from perfect beginning to perfect end.
Father, deliver Your Word anew to us this new year, so we may rely ever more on Christ’s perfection for us. Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:11 pm
A Letter From God
My dear, dear Child.
Oh, how I love you! I long for you to spend eternity with Me. I've been diligently preparing a place for you in My perfect Kingdom. You'll love it. You don't have the capacity to even imagine what it's like, but someday you'll be living here with Me in person. That is . . . if you let Me have total control of your life.
I know you can't comprehend how very much I love you, but I'm hoping you'll know that My death was specifically for you. That's right. Even though you've heard that I died for the world at large, I want you to understand it was really for you! You see . . . if you had been the only person in all the world, I still would have chosen to leave the glory and splendor of heaven to come to earth and experience the torture I endured . . . just for you. I love you that much.
You are my pride and joy! I dream such big dreams for you! I want to do extraordinary things with your life. But, my child, I need all of you. I won't force you to give Me your life. I love you too much to control your decisions, but I yearn for you to trust Me with your all.
My child, I am perfect, and My Kingdom is perfect. Therefore I cannot allow sin into My Kingdom. Knowing, however, that you were born with sin, I gave Myself-in the form of My Son-to pay the price for you, so you could spend eternity with Me. It's My ultimate gift to you. You can't earn it, and you can't buy it. I simply want to give it to You. But again . . . I won't force you to accept it. You have to make that decision on your own.
Please choose to follow Me, My child. I love you more than life itself. And I'm working diligently on our eternal home.
Your heavenly Father,
God
Know It!
God is crazy about you and has gone to great lengths to let you know it. How will you respond?
Read It!
Psalm 19:1; Jeremiah 31:37; Jeremiah 32:17; John 3:16.
Pray It!
Give God your all and ask Him to help you begin living in radical obedience to His Lordship.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:24 am
Wednesday January 2nd
No Other God before Him
You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3
Idolatry today is seldom as clear as it is in the stories of the Old Testament. Ancient idolaters built false gods of gold or stone. We build false gods of our own wishes and dreams. Our gods are not graven images, but mirror images, reflecting our sinful desires in a fallen world.
Our one true God and Father, build our faith so we worship You in the just, righteous, merciful, and forgiving image You have given us in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:36 am
Paid In Full
A young many was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could easily afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As graduation day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.
Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young mans name embosses in gold.
Angrily, he rose and said to his father, “With all your money, you give me a Bible?” And he stormed out of the house.
Many years passed, and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family but knew his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day years earlier.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still gift- wrapped Bible just as he had left it years ago. With tears running down his face, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse of Scripture: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11).
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation and the words “Paid in Full.”
How many times do we miss God's blessings because we can't see past our own desires?
(Author unknown)
Know It!
God, as your loving, heavenly Father, wants to bless you. He loves to give gifts to His children. Can you trust Him to know your needs and desires even better than you do?
Read It!
Deuteronomy 7:13; Psalm 72:15; Ezekiel 34:26; Acts 20:35.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, I know You're not a giant Santa Claus with a bag of goodies. But I am beginning to realize that You will bless those who follow Your path. I want to follow Your path, Jesus - not just to get blessings - but because I love You and trust that You know what's best for my life. Thank You so much for the incredible blessings You've already given me. I love Your faithfulness, Lord.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:16 am
Devotional Reading for:
1/3/2008
Associated Scripture Readings:
Luke 1:46–55
Psalm 20
The Name above All Names
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
For most of us, our names say little about who we are or how we behave. That is not the case with God’s names, which tell us who He is and what He does. Jesus means “He saves”; Immanuel means “God with us.”
Too often, we fail to honor God’s name. We call on Him carelessly. We speak falsely about His character. We show we misunderstand who God is and what
He does. Because of our sinful natures, we do not trust completely in Christ’s life and death for us.
Jesus, on the other hand, keeps the Second Commandment perfectly—and not simply by holding
His tongue when others would swear. He goes further, revering God’s name by His perfect obedience, even to death on a cross. His life and death are the literal embodiment of God’s name among sinful people. His life, death, and resurrection are God’s work that saves us.
Through Jesus, God has revealed His nature most fully to us. Jesus fulfilled the Law. He bore our sins. He overcame death. He gives us life. Because of who He is and what He does, Jesus is the name above all names. He is the Mighty One who has done great things to save us.
Father, increase our faith and understanding of who You are and what You do for us through Christ Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
