Maybe you remember the story of Balaam. Balaam was a seer who was hired by Balak the king of Moab to curse the people of Israel. The king of Moab was worried because Israel had come out of Egypt, and they were traveling north. They were a force to be reckoned with and the king of Moab knew that he needed all the help he could get if he was going to defeat this threat coming up through the desert, so he hired Balaam to speak a curse over the people. The king of Moab believed that Balaam’s words were more than just words. He believed that Balaam’s words had power to hurt the people of Israel. Perhaps you remember how it went though. Each time Balaam began to speak a curse against the people of Israel God made him speak blessings. The king of Moab was furious but this was Balaam’s response, (from Numbers 24:13), “Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD-and I must say only what the LORD says”. All the blessings that Balaam spoke over God’s people came true. There is one that is particularly important to us during this Advent season. Balaam said, (from Numbers 24:17), “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Though he didn’t know it, Balaam was talking about Jesus. Jesus was the one who was coming and generations of God’s people from that time on continued to BEHOLD him by faith, seeing him over and over again in the word of God, till one day he came. Now we behold him. We behold him coming at Bethlehem in a lowly manger, to be our savior from sin and death. Like Balaam we continue to see him but not now to behold him, but not near, for Jesus is coming again.
Saturday, December 18th
“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” John 16:7-11
Dear Jesus, You spoke these words the night before your life on earth ended. You promised your Holy Spirit would come and he has. I sense his work every time I read your divine Word. I feel his discerning presence when the thespians on the television or at the movies shove their agenda to normalize immorality. I sense his conviction in the comments of my critics. I feel his comfort in grace and mercy when I feel guilty. I seem to have his law and gospel as my constant companion. Help me to soften my heart to his promptings. To change my course with just a nudge. Make me sensitive to him so I season my demeanor with grace, love and understanding. Use him to flush the rogue judgements out of my heart. Use him to guide me in my part of every relationship. Finally, don’t let me fall from the grace you hold out to me through him. Amen.
The Holy Spirit is the teacher of your conscience, the guide for your interpersonal relationships and the antidepressant for your heart.
Friday, December 17th
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14
Dear Jesus, These are some of the most comforting words in the entire Bible. As I read your description of heaven I go on a roller coaster. First my soul soars to heights of excitement as I hear how beautiful, peaceful, and void of earth’s temptations and trials it is. Then I read the couple of lists you have of those who won’t be there. I can find my sins in those lists and I wonder, “Will I get to be in heaven forever or am I destined for eternal unspeakable torment in hell?” Then I come to this passage where you speak to us with grace and assurance. “Blessed are those who wash their robes.” It takes me back to chapter seven where you tell us that “these in white robes are those that have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.” I have washed my sinful life in your sacrifice and now I am white with righteousness. I am worthy of heaven. I won’t be excluded. Now I read Revelation 21 and 22 with full assurance that this is my destiny. It gives me a vacation from my troubles today. Thank you for rescuing me from myself and promising me a blessed forever. Amen.
If God clears your schedule for you, be ready. He’s about to bless you more than you could have blessed yourself.
Thursday, December 16th
“Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, And a cover from the tempest, As rivers of water in a dry place, As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those will listen. Also the heart of the [b]rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly.” Isaiah 32:1-4
Dear Jesus, Isaiah foretold how when you came you would create shelters out of your followers. Each one of us has enough spiritual blessings from you dripping from your gospel promises to be shelters for others, even our enemies, even those who take care of our earthly needs. We can be a shelter of grace and forgiveness for those hurting in shame and guilt. We can be a shelter of truth and guidance for those darkened by the world’s counsel. We can be a shelter for security and love for those who have been shattered by abuse and neglect. We love to be shelters just as you were. We are your hands and feet. Guide your church, dear Jesus, to engage the world and people on her edges into the wonderful gospel truths that have made her who she is. Make me a shelter today for someone new also. Amen.
Gospel greatness resides in the heart of every Christian. Don’t put a cover over yours.
Wednesday, December 15th
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17
Dear Heavenly Father, What intentionality! You made us, watched us fall and then intentionally sent your Son not to judge us but to save us. You intentionally sent Jesus to his own people when you knew that they would reject him and have him killed. You intentionally sent him to die for us. You prompted him morning by morning to go out and find people to tell them he was here for them. You sent him day after day to reach out to his disciples and restore them time and again. You intentionally sent your Holy Spirit to enliven and enlighten the twelve apostles to start the church through preaching, teaching and writing. You forced your good news into a world that twistedly had learned to love darkness. Your love and grace are so intentional! Make me intentional too with love and grace to reach out to others with the offer of a real relationship bathed in grace and held up by truth. I want to live with intentional love toward everyone whether I know them well or not, whether they treat me well or not, whether I feel like it or not. Amen.
Few things in life are more impactful than being intentionally loved by another human being.
Tuesday, December 14th
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Dear Heavenly Father, I love Paul’s prayer. It touches on two of the biggest needs I have. I need love and perseverance. Both come from you. They do not originate with me but I need them oh so desperately. If I follow my heart there is a good chance I will end up in a black hole. I need to follow you as you lead my heart. Then I read that you will lead it into love and perseverance. You know those whom I struggle to love. You know how prone I am to avoid, criticize and blame. You know how discouraged I get. You see every nook and cranny in my soul. Come Lord and Savior and lead me out of my dark corner into the bright light of forgiving and given love. Lead me away from debilitating self-pity into an open transparent optimism based on your gospel of life now and life eternal! Amen.
If your heart is running sluggish, check the fluids: grace, faith, hope and love. With these filled back up you’ll be good to go!
Monday, December 13th
“I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
Dear Jesus, These are some of the most thought provoking words in your whole Bible. I kind of just want to sit near them and think with my mouth shut and my hands off the keyboard. The power of your resurrection has to be about living with joy even in hard times because we know we will survive and be raised up at the last day. But then Paul follows with “I want to know the participation in his (yours) sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Now, that’s a mind-bender. I don’t wake up any morning wanting to fellowship in your sufferings, at least not by nature. But that’s what he said. He said he wanted to participate in your sufferings! I know that you will put us through suffering just like you had. But I don’t see how I can want to have you do that! If I sit quietly and meditate on it, I believe your Holy Spirit will lead me to understand and embrace it. Help me to want to suffer anything and everything in order to serve humanity the way you did. Help me want to do it! I won’t if you don’t. Amen.
When the Sacrificial Christ lives in your heart, he makes you suffer willingly to serve people like he did.
ADVENT-What Does This Mean? (week 3)
The third candle on the banner is labeled “rejoice.” The angels come to mind immediately. On the evening of Jesus birth, the whole company of angels appear to the shepherds in the hills above Bethlehem, Luke 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” We join with them when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her king.” Indeed, the birth of Christ gives us every reason to rejoice. For his coming into the world is the beginning of our salvation. This child born in Bethlehem would one day carry his own cross to Golgotha, be nailed to it, and die. He will die not for his mistakes but for ours, and through his death God forgives us all our sins. Of course, we rejoice at Christmas, but we will also rejoice when Jesus comes again. When that day comes many people will be scared. They will be terrified. They will be angry because they are going to hell for all eternity. You and I though are going to rejoice. We are going to rejoice because this sinful world will be destroyed. We are going to rejoice because Jesus is coming to take us to our eternal home with him forever. So, rejoice this Advent. Rejoice because your savior was born for you, rejoice because one day he will come back for you.
Saturday, December 11th
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ‘I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind.’” Jeremiah 17:9-10a
Dear Heavenly Father, You are so patient that you would put up with the deception that lurks in all of our hearts. You knew that we would fall into deep self-conception when Adam and Eve fell. Yet, you were so optimistic in your grace that you refused to scrap the human project. Instead, you forged forward to fill the earth with human beings who had a marred image compared to what you had planned. You knew you would have to patiently deal with each one of us to help us come to our senses about our own fallen-ness and need for redemption, divine change and restoration. I love how you announce it here through your prophet. “I the Lord search the heart and mind!” It’s not an order to find a reason to destroy us. No! It’s to help us self-realize our great need for honesty, forgiveness and change. Thank you for searching my heart and using circumstances and people to be the mirror that reveals the blemishes there. I will watch for how you arrange my life today through events and people to help me purge myself of all self-deception. Give me the humility and wisdom to embrace the pressure washer you use on my soul. Amen.
When God “pressure washes” your soul, don’t run and hide. Make sure he gets every nook and cranny.
Friday, December 10th
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
Dear Heavenly Father, How will I ever know if my life is pleasing to you? I fail at so many things. I’m constantly reminded of my shortcomings. I wonder if I’ll ever get it right. Here you tell me that if I am living in love and acting out of love, then my life is pleasing to you. It’s the heart transformed by your gospel of love that pleases you. I have been made your child through the grace of your Son. As a family member, I bear your resemblance. I’m compassionate, sacrificial, honest, humble and kind. I’m not perfect but I’m redeemed and motivated by love. Give me the wisdom and the discernment to live in love and not my natural tendencies. Make me a vessel of grace for others. Change my thinking every moment to reflect your love and not my self-centered fears and foibles. Keep your Son’s life story in the forefront of my mind as my example, model and mentor. Change me so that in my remaining days I will encourage and strengthen others in their lives. Amen.
How to live in all circumstances has been clearly displayed for all people in the life of one man!
Thursday, December 9th
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” Romans 1:18-23
Dear Heavenly Father, You want to be known and understood by the wonders of creation we behold every day. In every sunset and sunrise we see your artistic prowess. In the intricacies of a flower we see your creative wisdom. In the symbiotic relationships between all living things we see your designer’s strength. We see your love, your justice and your mercy in the animal kingdom. We also see the chaos and death caused by sin. Help us to worship you for who you are when we experience the wonders of creation. Even though your nature teaches us volumes about you, it cannot tell us about your Son. Your word has to do that. When we are paging through your word, help us to marvel at the love that you show us through the cross of your Son. With these two: nature and the cross, lead our hearts to worship and commune with you in ways that satisfy both you and us. I want to be your revelation in nature and the word to become like Abraham, the friend of God! Amen.
If staring down the throat of a hibiscus does not lead you to praise the Lord of heaven, then get on your knees and stare at the cross of Christ.
Wednesday, December 8th
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:1-2
Dear Heavenly Father, Who does that? Who gives double blessing to people who have hurt, forgotten and disdained them? No one human naturally does it. We all spend so much time that we misrepresent your incomprehensible love to one another. Instead we teach everyone all about law, retribution and justice. Grace is foreign, mysterious and seemingly beyond our grasp. I’m thankful you have given and have taught your grace to all of us. We can receive it and share it. Help me to do both today. Amen.
The height of godliness is to truly forgive and hang in there with people.
ADVENT, What Does This Mean? (week 2)
There are a million things to do before Christmas, sometimes we even start in September preparing. There are gifts to buy, travel plans to make, meals to plan and let’s not forget worship services to attend. Yet what so easily gets lost is that we need to take time to PREPARE ourselves too. With everything going on we don’t always take the time to make sure we are preparing our hearts to meet Jesus. The primary way we prepare to meet Jesus is through repentance. Repentance is more than just feeling bad about the things we do wrong. Repentance is turning away from our sin. Yes, that means we feel bad about the things that we do wrong, but it also means resolving to not repeat our mistakes. The other part of repentance is turning to God for forgiveness. Our hearts are prepared to meet Jesus when we recognize our sins, all the foolish things we have done, and trust in Jesus to forgive us. The hymn writer said it so beautifully, “Then cleansed be ev’ry life from sin and furnished for a guest within, and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there.” (CW93#16)
ADVENT, What Does This Mean?
Advent is really a Latin word, advenio, which means to approach or draw near. During this season we reflect upon the coming of Jesus. We see him come to us first at Christmas, but we also know that he is coming again on the last day. Advent then looks at Jesus coming from those two perspectives reminding us to prepare our hearts for his coming to our world at Christmas and for his coming on Judgement Day.
One of the ways we prepare our hearts is through the decorations that we put up. They are more than just beautiful to look at, they also carry a message. For example, the banner that now hangs on the (from your perspective) left side of the chancel (the front part of the church) has four candles on it, representing the four candles of the Advent wreath and therefore the four weeks of the Advent season. Each candle has a different word printed on it. The first word is WATCH. During the season of Advent we watch for the coming of Jesus. We know when we are going to celebrate Jesus coming, December 25th of course! It is on our calendar, but it wasn’t on the shepherd’s calendar. They were out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night. They were surprised to hear from the angels that the savior had been born to them, but because they were keeping watch they got to hear that beautiful news. We don’t know when Jesus is going to come again and this world is going to end. That isn’t on any of our calendars. So we have to keep watch for his coming. We keep watch for Jesus glorious return not by staying awake forever or going up some mountain and staring at the sky. We keep watch for Jesus by listening to his word and using the sacraments. Through word and sacrament the Holy Spirit keeps our faith strong, faith that is constantly watching for Jesus return.
Saturday December 4th
“Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20
Dear Jesus, Having met you in my soul I am a changed person. I used to think I was “hot stuff” by myself. Sometimes I also used to think I was a loser. I was always bouncing between the two. Now, I know I’m a“ special edition,” creation of your father, a child of God who has the “Supreme Being” watching his every move and has a destiny that is out of this world. I am settled, purposed and fulfilled. Therefore, I live in a constant state of thankfulness all because of you. You rescued me from the land of the lost and helped me immigrate to the land of peace, faith, love and hope. Help me to live in this gratitude mindset always. I want to live out the joy of salvation even in the most challenging moments. I cannot do it without you. Amen.
When you know who you are and where you are going in Christ, your life has an undercurrent of thankfulness
Friday December 3rd
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light as dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Dear Heavenly Father, You give incredible joy to our lives when we have babies you created for us. We can’t even begin to describe it. I’ve always marveled at how it brightens the lives of parents and grand-parents. But I have to confess, I have never felt exactly that way about the birth of your Son until now. But there it is in your word, “Unto us a child is born!” Your Son was born to me! He’s the child given to my family to make everything better. He gives me hope and rescue. He changes my identity, my destiny, my daily peace. I can do all things through this Son you gave me, who gives me strength. That’s why Christmas means so much tome, it’s the boy born to my family for all eternity. Amen. Jesus changes our whole family dynamic!
Tuesday November 30th
“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Dear Jesus, Criticism is ubiquitous. We all receive it. No one escapes. When I was younger you watched as I let criticism drive me crazy. I wanted to please everyone. I tried desperately to manage my own reputation. I watched my peers get into fights and arguments as they tried to manage theirs. It is futile. No one is spoken well of by everyone all the time. I love how Paul says, “I care very little if I am judged by you.” I have clung to that verse since the day I first read it. It’s my goal to care very little what people think, not because I don’t care about them but because I don’t care so much about me. Since you have justified me through your cross, I can endure criticism, admit my faults and mistakes, apologize to those I hurt and move on knowing that with you it’s settled. With them, well, that’s up to them. I cannot control their thoughts, their tongue or their actions. What freedom the gospel brings to my everyday life. I look forward to judgment day, not because I have been so good but because your grace has been so powerful. It is the spiritual wonder cleanser. My motives have been changed by the adoption and cleansing you have given me. May my life be a thank offering, a tribute to your grace and mercy today. Amen.
When God arrests you and brings you to his court for justification, you care less about what people outside are thinking and saying
Monday November 29th
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ “’My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:28-32
Dear Lord Jesus, Help me to forget everything I have ever done for you or anyone else. Instead, give me the eyes to stare at all the blessings you give me out of sheer mercy and grace. Free me up from myself so I join you at the party for sinners you have forgiven of grievous errors. I want to welcome home your children with you. If you have someone you want me to go find for you, give me the motivation and the wisdom to go get them for you. In days when I’m weary and selfish and unconcerned for the lost, please come out of the party and call me back in the way you had the father come out to plead with the older brother in your parable. I love being in your family and I pray more people will come to understand that I want them there too. Amen.
There’s room in God’s family for people not like you
Saturday November 27th
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13
Dear Jesus, Thank you for working in me both the right desire and the ability to live a godly life for your glory and the benefit of others. As I am challenged today by everything from health problems to uncooperative people, give me the consistent desire and ability to bring goodness to the situation, so that I shine like your star and people are encouraged to seek you because they see your supernatural work of grace in me. When my life feels so much more mundane than this, keep me in the right attitude so I shine for you even if it’s for no other person at all. Amen.
If you live for God and God alone, you’ll be the greatest blessing for yourself and others
Friday November 26th
“But the LORD said, ‘You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left-and also many animals?” Jonah 4:10-11
Dear Heavenly Father, Your concern and compassion for all people and even for all the animals is the foundation of our entire existence. It’s your love that made us and it’s your love that forgives us when we fall. Not one of us lives outside your mercy and yet we so often want justice more than mercy. Give me your heart, which loves all people, even all creation with compassion and grace. Make me long for the restoration of all people more than I do for the satisfaction of justice. Help me find in your cross the payment for sins so I am free to love people as much as you are. Amen.
We live inside of God’s love. In here there is no room for suffocating anger and criticism