BIG, BAD, STRONG, WISE!!

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 140 (NRSV)

Prayer for deliverance

Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from those who are violent,
who plan evil things in their minds
and stir up wars continually.
They make their tongue sharp as a snake's,
and under their lips is the venom of vipers.
Selah

Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent
who have planned my downfall.
The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net,
along the road they have set snares for me.
Selah
I say to the Lord, "You are my God;
give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications."
O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot.
Selah

Those who surround me lift up their heads;
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
Let burning coals fall on them!
Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!
Do not let the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil speedily hunt down the violent!

I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy,
and executes justice for the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall live in your presence.


DEVOTION

Have you ever been at the end of your rope and prayed a prayer like this? Have you ever been so angry at someone that you asked God to "let burning coals fall on them?" Have you ever been so scared that you asked God to scatter your enemies--in no uncertain terms?

I am human enough to admit that I have prayed these kinds of prayers in the past and will probably pray them again in the future.

This is why I am so glad that it is God, and God alone, that is able to judge the heart of a human being. If I were the one throwing the lightning bolts in judgment and condemnation, I don't know how many people I would have burned to a crisp, only to find out later that we would become fast friends!

It is awfully hard to be patient and wait on God when we are in a big mess. Often we want God to fix and/or rescue us IMMEDIATELY (on our time table), rather than waiting on the perfect timing of the Almighty God.

Today, I want to remind all of us that God loves us more than we could ever think, hope, or imagine. God is more concerned about the affairs of our lives than we are. God has a good plan for our lives, not to harm us, but to give us a future and a hope.

When God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life, God proved beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God was willing--and able--to rescue us from the most dire of circumstances!

See, SIN was our greatest adversary and Jesus triumphantly dispatched this evil by dying on the cross and rising on the third day in victory! As we put all of our hope in Jesus, we are saved.

We will never face a bigger more serious enemy than sin. No matter what we are going through today, we can be assured that God is BIG ENOUGH, BAD ENOUGH, STRONG ENOUGH, AND WISE ENOUGH to save us.

Won't you give all of your trouble to Jesus?


Let us pray:

Holy God, thank you that you love me and you are more than able to "save" me from whatever ails, ills, or threatens my joy and peace. However, please help me to remember that your salvation will come on your own terms and in your time. Please help me to trust that you love me and have only my good in mind. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Get Up Quickly!

SCRIPTURE

Peter and Paul, Apostles
Acts 12:1-11 (NRSV)

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.
The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, "Fasten your belt and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."


DEVOTION

Today's scripture reading makes me giggle because it reminds me of the importance of radical obedience to God.

I am quite sure that if an angel appeared to me in Peter's circumstances, rather than being quiet, quick and obedient, I would have been asking a million questions. Who are you? Why are you here? What took you so long? Where are we going? Why are we going this way and not that way? And so on and so on...

Sometimes we just need to learn to hear and heed the voice of God, trusting that God will not lead us astray.

Especially when we have been praying for a miracle, or a supernatural rescue, we need to be open to God's manifestation of the same to appear in ways we may not have ever imagined.

So often when we are in trouble, we try to dictate to God how it is that we should be rescued. We "write" a prescription through our prayers that we expect God to fulfill.

But, God does not work like this my friends! God is The Sovereign of the universe. God is in complete control. God sees the end, before it begins and God is well able to rescue us from anything that befalls us.

In general, I think that God welcomes our questions. God is not threatened by our curiosity. But, sometimes, we just need to learn to walk by faith and not by sight.

Peter was able to do just that and was thus, and therefore, rescued in a most unusual way. May each of us find the courage to follow God wherever we are led and to trust Almighty God's ability to save us whenever we are in trouble.


Let us pray:

God and gracious God, I am so glad that you are in total control of all things. I believe, please help Thou my unbelief. Please fill me up to overflowing with your Holy Spirit so that I can walk in radical obedience to your Word and please help me to share your love and care with others, in Jesus' Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

He Loved Her...

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 24:34-41, 50-67 (NRSV)

Rebekah follows Abraham's servant

So he said, "I am Abraham's servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father's house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.' I said to my master, 'Perhaps the woman will not follow me.' But he said to me, 'The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you and make your way successful. You shall get a wife for my son from my kindred, from my father's house. Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my kindred; even if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.' ...

Then Laban and Bethuel answered, "The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you anything bad or good. Look, Rebekah is before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has spoken."

When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the Lord. And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they rose in the morning, he said, "Send me back to my master." Her brother and her mother said, "Let the girl remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go." But he said to them, "Do not delay me, since the Lord has made my journey successful; let me go that I may go to my master." They said, "We will call the girl, and ask her." And they called Rebekah, and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will." So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham's servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,
"May you, our sister, become
thousands of myriads;
may your offspring gain possession
of the gates of their foes."

Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, "Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.


DEVOTION

I absolutely love a good love story!

I am blessed in my life to be a part of a union that is so blessed that I know it could have only come from God.

I know that some people reading this blog today know exactly what I am talking about for you have a husband or a wife who loves you and brings you comfort in times of trial, tribulation, or trouble.

Others of you are reading today wishing that all was well in your marriage. Perhaps things started out well, but now you are stuck in a rut. Or maybe things started out perfectly, but now you are going downhill fast!

On this day, it is my prayer that Spirit will rise up in you and call to remembrance all of the things about your spouse that first caused you to "go with him/her." As you meditate on his/her good qualities, I pray that you will fall in love all over again, making up your mind to DO LOVE (e.g, actions) until your heart follows (e.g., feelings).

Finally, there are those reading today, who have not yet found the love of your life. Perhaps you are single and you like it that way. Perhaps you are unwed and praying for a partner. Perhaps you're just open to the move of God in your life and live with no expectations at all.

Wherever we may be in our walk with God, and in relationship with others, we can all know one thing for sure!

Even more than Isaac loved Rebekah, CHRIST LOVES US.

This is the greatest love story of all time! Our God loves us so much that Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

Isn't it amazing that the hero in our story was actually willing to DIE for his true love?

This is the stuff of fairy tales, my friends, BUT IT IS REAL...

It is a sad fact that sometimes our loved ones come through for us and sometimes they don't! But, our JESUS always comes through for us and he never leaves us, nor forsakes us. He doesn't give up on us and he doesn't cast us away. Even when we mess up big time, he gives us another chance to try again. And even when we want him to leave us alone, he will not, for there is NO-thing that we can ever do to make God stop loving us...

Today, I want you to know that you are loved. You are considered a most valuable treasure in the eyes of our God. Even if no one else says it to you today. Hear these words:

I LOVE YOU. (God)


Let us pray:

God, thank you for loving me so much. No one has ever--or will ever--love me the way that you do. Please help me to walk in love by following your example. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

The Kingdom of LOVE

SCRIPTURE

Luke 9:51-62 (NRSV)
Jesus says, Follow me

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."


SERMON (preached at Atonement Lutheran Church, MN)

I am enchanted by this portion of scripture precisely because it seems so absurd. For a long time Biblical readers and commentators have struggled with Jesus’ injunctions to “leave everything and follow him.”

Now, I’m honest enough to admit that I would have a hard time being a disciple of Jesus if he meant this totally literally. After all, I am very attached to my loving husband, beautiful children, and my orange house on 27th Avenue North. I think that if I was really expected to leave all behind in order to be a Christian, I’d be in big trouble…

So, what did Jesus mean? Well, I’m not going to pretend that I have all of the answers. But, I have been meditating on the scripture this week and have some thoughts I’d like to share with you.

First of all, I notice that Luke 9 says that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem. I imagine that being a follower of Jesus means that we too must set our faces to the New Jerusalem and toward the Kingdom of God. As children sojourning to the Kingdom of Love, we are called to love God with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. As citizens of the Kingdom of Love, we are to set our faces and our determination on love—to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

One of the reasons I feel most called to pastor here at Atonement Lutheran Church is our commitment to mission and ministry! One of my first memories of Atonement is walking through your M&M (Mission and Ministry) Fair as a visitor, long before I ever sat before your call committee. As I walked through the Fellowship Hall, I remember thinking, “These folks must really love Jesus!” Booth after booth invited little-ole-me to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, house the homeless, visit the sick, and/or care for the orphan.

I am so very impressed with our congregation’s commitment to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Watching this congregation at work reminds me of Jesus’ words, “When you’ve done it unto the least of these, you’ve done it unto me!”

I am so glad that we are offering loving and compassionate care to people in need. It is the right thing to do and I believe that God is smiling down on us!

The second thing I notice in today’s Gospel lesson is that when a village of Samaritans rejected the love and compassion of Jesus, his disciples reacted hostilely and violently. When I read the words, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" I was shocked and appalled--that is until Spirit convicted me of my own sin…

In that moment, I remembered all of the times that I have rained down judgment and condemnation on people who are different from me and who may or may not have a love relationship with Jesus. I may not have asked whether or not I should call forth fire, but I know that I have looked with scorn on people because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, class, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, and/or disability.

As human beings it is our nature to discriminate against people who are different from us—because we are fearful, ignorant, and/or hateful. It is our sinful nature that causes us to see each other as different, rather than seeing each other as the same—made in the image and likeness of God and created very good!

In Jesus’ day, the Jewish disciples hated the Samaritans because they were a multiethnic people who chose to worship differently than they did. In our day, right here in St. Cloud we know that people face discrimination because they are African-American, Somali, Iraqi, Muslim, newly immigrated to the U.S., and/or learning English as a second language.

Whilst we are willing to serve these folks at Catholic Charities, Church of the Week, or the local food shelf, we tend to hold them at a distance in our personal relationships—failing to invite them to worship in our churches, play with our children, or have coffee in our homes.

In response to the racism of Jesus’ followers, scripture says that Jesus rebuked his disciples and continued to set his face toward Jerusalem.

See, part of being a follower of Jesus, is keeping first things first. And what did Jesus say is the first and greatest commandment? Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbors as yourselves.

In Central Minnesota, our neighbors are changing. The neighborhood around Atonement Lutheran Church is changing. Our congregation, if you look with the eyes of faith, is changing…

Now, it seems to me that we have two options. We can follow Jesus with our faces set toward the New Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Love, or we can look back to the good old days when things were the way we remember and feel that they should ever be.

In response to the strong desire within humanity to look back, rather than going forward with God, Jesus says, “No who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

See, there are lots of reasons that we might look back. In Jesus’ day, someone said they needed to attend to the needs of their homes, family, and finances first! But, Jesus said, in essence, No, you must first be concerned about the proclamation of the good news! You must first be concerned with turning your face toward the Kingdom of Love…

As we love God and neighbor, we will necessarily love our homes and families and be good stewards over our finances. As we love God and neighbor we will live in ways that assure that all of God’s children have everything that they need to be healthy, happy, holy and whole. And as we love God and neighbor, we will make up our minds to boldly worship red, yellow, black, and white—rich, poor, and in between, American, African, Asian, and Other.

It is a sad fact that in America Sunday morning is the most segregated day of the week. It is a sad fact that only 2% of American churches worship across race and ethnicity. It is a sad fact that even here at Atonement Lutheran Church, the greatest, most loving and compassionate church in St. Cloud (if we do say so ourselves--smile), we are still working together to learn how to most effectively share the good news with all of our new neighbors.

But, let us not despair, my friends! We will have plenty of time to practice multiethnic worship; for as I like to remind people, “If you don’t like multiethnic worship, you’re gonna hate heaven!”

Listen to the words of Revelation 7 which states, “After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

I am so glad that scripture promises us that there won’t be a Norwegian heaven and a German heaven. There won’t be an African-American heaven and an European-American heaven. There will only be one heaven, where all of God’s children will be united in love and worship of Jesus who lived and died and lived again all in order to forgive our sin and gift us with eternal life.

When Jesus humbled himself to the cross, dying and then rising on the third day, he did all of the work necessary to ensure our salvation and eternal life. And by choosing to live, die, and live again, Jesus gave us the ultimate example of how to live in love toward one another.

May all of us make up our hearts and minds to set our faces to the New Jerusalem in Love. May all of us make up our minds to teach our children that God loves all human beings. And may all of us determine to work together to ensure that as we reach up and reach out here at Atonement Lutheran Church, we will be known as a congregation that is warm, welcoming, and safe for all of God's children.

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.


Let us pray:

God, please teach me to love all of your children. Help me to lift up Jesus in ways that draw all people to you. And please forgive me for those times I have discriminated against those whom you love. Please help me to do better by walking by your spirit and with my face toward the Kingdom of Love. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Nothin'

SCRIPTURE

Luke 9:21-27 (NRSV)
Following Jesus

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."

Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."


DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)


NOTHIN'

I'm not exactly ashamed, Lord
I just don't want anyone to know
I' mean
I've got a reputation to uphold
and I don't want folks
to think I'm soft
because I love you.
I do love you
Most of the time
that is
Except when I pray
and you don't answer
or when I call
and you don't reply
Also, I'm not too cool
with the suffering, rejection, denial, and follow stuff
After all
I'm an independent man
I make my own way
and follow no one
I'm all about saving myself
and making the biggest profit I can
after all,
it's all about the Benjamins, right?
So, lets just be friends
on the down low Lord
I won't say nothin' if you won't

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

Judgment day?

You won't say nothin'
If I don't?

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

No One Is Excluded...

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 4:8-20 (NRSV)

Paul reproves the hearers

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods. Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits? How can you want to be enslaved to them again? You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and years. I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted.

Friends, I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.


DEVOTION

It is a sad fact that since the very beginning of Christianity there has been discrimination in Christ's church.

In Paul's day Jewish Christians visited discrimination upon the Gentile Christians. Later in the history of the church Catholic and Protestant brothers and sisters couldn't agree. In present day America European-American (white) and African-American (black) Christians rarely worship in the same church.

I recently read that only about 2% of American churches are multiethnic; racism, sexism, classism, and many other --isms and --phobias are alive and well in the church!

This is a sin against God and against neighbor. Over and over in scripture we are taught to love our neighbors as ourselves, care for the least of these, and invite all people to hear the good news regarding Jesus.

It must make God weep to see God's children fighting amongst ourselves rather than loving one another well so that other people will want to be Christians.

The truth is that there is neither black nor white, rich nor poor, urban nor suburban, first world or third world, male nor female--WE ARE ALL ONE CHRIST.

No one is excluded from the Love of God which gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. All of us are sinners, saved by the Amazing Grace of God and not one of us has a right to judge or condemn the other!

Today, I want to challenge each of us to share the good news with someone outside of our spheres of influence. Be love and good news (in word and/or deed) to a brother or sister that does not share your race, ethnicity, class, national origin, or some other defining factor.

As we love, we will find that we are all made in the image and likeness of Christ! And thus, we are very good...

Thanks for reading, sharing, and BEing good news today! Peace be with you in Jesus.


Let us pray:

Holy One, thank you that you have made us all in your image and likeness and that you have declared humanity "very good." Please help me to see the goodness in ALL people--those who look and live like me, and those who do not. Please utterly destroy the sins of racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, and/or classism in me, and raise me up to a new life in Love. You gave everything on the cross to redeem us; please help me to remember that you did this for ALL PEOPLE. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Who Will Be A Witness?

SCRIPTURE

John the Baptist
Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV)

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight--indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.



DEVOTION

John the Baptist was a witness and a messenger for Jesus. He was the harbinger of things to come.

He was sent to prepare the way for Jesus, to be a voice crying in the wilderness, "Prepare The Way of the Lord!"

This side of the cross, Jesus still desires for us to be his witnesses. We are still inspired to cry, "Prepare The Way of the Lord!"

There are still many hearts where roadblocks have been erected and Jesus has yet to enter in.

As Christians we get to share the good news that "Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ shall come again!"

We get to bare witness to the good news that Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

Too often, we fail to share this good news because we are afraid. We are afraid to be witnesses, messenger, and/or evangelists for Jesus.

Today, I want to encourage us to be bold in our faith! Our family, friends, and neighbors need to know that Jesus saves to the utmost!


Let us pray:

Holy God, thank you that you have called me to make disciples of all people. Please make a bold witness to the good news. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Please Look At Me, Lord!

SCRIPTURE

Luke 9:37-43a (NRSV)

Jesus heals a boy with a demon

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.


DEVOTION

I find that in 2010 many people have a hard time with the scriptures that deal with demons. Many people feel very removed from the talk of "unclean spirits" which is very present in New Testament writings.

But, if we look around, we see many people who struggle physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually with "forces" that rob them of the love, joy, and peace which is their inheritance as children of God.

I have held many of these dear ones in my prayers--hoping, trusting, and praying that they will receive the help and healing that they need to become healthy, happy, holy, and whole.

If you know someone who is struggling under the weight of illness, disease, or dis-ease of mind/spirit, please do not lose heart. We serve a God who is well able to meet all of our needs according to God's riches in glory!

Today, I want to invite all of us to take courage, do not lose heart, and keep praying. The answers that we are seeking may be just around the corner.

I find that when I pray sometimes God changes me, sometimes God changes others, and sometimes God teaches me to trust him even if nothing changes. It is in this trust that I find peace and hope for the future.


Let us pray:

Oh God, there are so many afflictions that rob us of joy and peace. Today I pray for those who are physically, mentally, or spiritually sick. God, please send forth the necessary resources in people, places, and things to be able to meet all of their needs. God, I know that you are well able to restore love, joy, and peace to any circumstance. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

How Long?

SCRIPTURE

Job 19:1-22 (NRSV)

Job questions God's ways

Then Job answered:
"How long will you torment me,
and break me in pieces with words?
These ten times you have cast reproach upon me;
are you not ashamed to wrong me?
And even if it is true that I have erred,
my error remains with me.
If indeed you magnify yourselves against me,
and make my humiliation an argument against me,
know then that God has put me in the wrong,
and closed his net around me.
Even when I cry out, 'Violence!' I am not answered;
I call aloud, but there is no justice.
He has walled up my way so that I cannot pass,
and he has set darkness upon my paths.
He has stripped my glory from me,
and taken the crown from my head.
He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone,
he has uprooted my hope like a tree.
He has kindled his wrath against me,
and counts me as his adversary.
His troops come on together;
they have thrown up siegeworks against me,
and encamp around my tent.

"He has put my family far from me,
and my acquaintances are wholly estranged from me.
My relatives and my close friends have failed me;
the guests in my house have forgotten me;
my serving girls count me as a stranger;
I have become an alien in their eyes.
I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer;
I must myself plead with him.
My breath is repulsive to my wife;
I am loathsome to my own family.
Even young children despise me;
when I rise, they talk against me.
All my intimate friends abhor me,
and those whom I loved have turned against me.
My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh,
and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends,
for the hand of God has touched me!
Why do you, like God, pursue me,
never satisfied with my flesh?


DEVOTION

Ah! Who hasn't prayed a prayer like this when bad things happen?

I think if we are honest, we would admit that we have blamed God (in anger), more than once when the going got really tough.

I am so glad that God is big and bad enough to handle our rage. I am glad that God does not cast us aside when we say mean and hurtful things to God, instead, God draws us nearer and loves us just as much.

God proved that there is nothing we can do to make God stop loving us when Jesus went to the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

Although our SIN is abhorrent to God, WE ARE NOT.

God loves all of us no matter what and there is nothing that we can do to out sin, outfox, or out run the love of God revealed to us in Christ Jesus.

I'm mighty glad about that.


Let us pray:

Dear God, thanks for loving me so much and for forgiving me of all my sin. Please do forgive me and fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live into your will for my life as I share the good news about Jesus. In His Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Step Out of the Darkness

SCRIPTURE

Job 18:1-21 (NRSV)

God will destroy the wicked

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
"How long will you hunt for words?
Consider, and then we shall speak.
Why are we counted as cattle?
Why are we stupid in your sight?
You who tear yourself in your anger -
shall the earth be forsaken because of you,
or the rock be removed out of its place?

"Surely the light of the wicked is put out,
and the flame of their fire does not shine.
The light is dark in their tent,
and the lamp above them is put out.
Their strong steps are shortened,
and their own schemes throw them down.
For they are thrust into a net by their own feet,
and they walk into a pitfall.
A trap seizes them by the heel;
a snare lays hold of them.
A rope is hid for them in the ground,
a trap for them in the path.
Terrors frighten them on every side,
and chase them at their heels.
Their strength is consumed by hunger,
and calamity is ready for their stumbling.
By disease their skin is consumed,
the firstborn of Death consumes their limbs.
They are torn from the tent in which they trusted,
and are brought to the king of terrors.
In their tents nothing remains;
sulfur is scattered upon their habitations.
Their roots dry up beneath,
and their branches wither above.
Their memory perishes from the earth,
and they have no name in the street.
They are thrust from light into darkness,
and driven out of the world.
They have no offspring or descendant among their people,
and no survivor where they used to live.
They of the west are appalled at their fate,
and horror seizes those of the east.
Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly,
such is the place of those who do not know God."


DEVOTION

Great God Almighty!

Today's Bible reading reminds us of exactly why we love and need Jesus so!

In the absence of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, judgment and condemnation would be our lot.

Can you imagine if we had to PAY for all of our sins? The Bible does say that the wages of sin are death and today's psalm graphically describes the many ways that "death" befalls the wicked.

But, today, on this side of the cross, we ought to be singing, "I'm So Glad, Jesus Lifted Me!" Jesus lifted us out of the death, destruction, and mayhem that we deserved when he allowed Love to send him to the cross to make atonement for our sin and gift us with eternal life.

Oh how I love Jesus, because He first loved me!

If you don't have a love relationship with Jesus and have never put all of your faith in Him, I invite you to do so today. You do not need to live in the shadow and darkness of guilt and shame any longer. Instead, God invites you to step into the Light of God's love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy.


Let us pray:

Oh God! For too long I have lived in the darkness of sin, guilt, and shame. Today, I put all of my hope in Jesus, believing that he lived, died, and rose again to forgive my sin and gift me with eternal life. Today, I fall into the net of your grace...I love you and I will share our love with others. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today you are a Christian! I would be so honored if you would take a moment to let me know that you put all of your hope in Jesus today by clicking YES in the upper right hand corner of this blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

I also pray that you will tell a Christian friend about your decision, so that s/he can help you find a good Bible believing church to attend where you can be baptized and grow in your faith.

Congratulations! Your salvation is our good news. Please share the good news with someone today!

DECLARE HOW MUCH GOD HAS DONE!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL OF THE DADDIES READING GOOD NEWS TODAY! I AM HOLDING EACH OF YOU IN MY SPECIAL PRAYERS...

SCRIPTURE

Time after Pentecost - Lectionary 12
Luke 8:26-39 (NRSV)

Jesus casts out demons

Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me" - for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.


DEVOTION

On this Father's Day, I am struck by the words, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you."

On this day many father's are taking stock of their life's journey. Many are thinking about what they have done right and what they have done wrong. Many are wondering what more they can do to love their children well.

Today we find the answer to all of these ruminations, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you."

When we share our good news testimonies, it enriches the lives of our children. When we are honest with our loved ones about the things God has delivered us from, we allow those whom we love to grow in their own faith. When we share with others what we learned whilst "sitting at the feet" of Jesus, we bless and encourage their lives.

The man delivered from the legion of demons, wanted to spend his whole life following Jesus around. Instead, Jesus sent him back home with his testimony, where he could do the most good!

I love Luke's words, "So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him."

Today I wonder if there are any men willing to be "city-takers" for God? I wonder if there are any fathers who are willing to share the good news with their children? I wonder if there are any grandfathers, uncles, brothers, or friends who are willing to reach out to another brother in need and declare what God has done for you?

I believe--by faith--that since you are reading this blog, you are prepared to read, share, and BE good news!

Go in faith and tell your story! Declare to anyone who will listen that "Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ shall come again!"

Happy Father's Day! Thanks for sharing the good news with others today...


Let us pray: Dear God, thank you for loving us so much and for being such a wonderful parent. Thank you that you are willing to teach all fathers to be like Jesus day by day. Please help us to put all of our faith in you trusting that you died on the cross and rose on the third day to make atonement for sin and gift us with eternal life. Please help us to share the good news with others. We pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

SPECIAL NOTE: Happy Father's Day to my daddy Howard Denson and my husband Christopher Lehman. I love you both so very much! :-)

THAT AIN'T COOL...

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 9:27-34 (NRSV)

Healing the blind, casting out a demon

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you." And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, "See that no one knows of this." But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, "Never has anything like this been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons."



DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)


THAT AIN'T COOL...

Why ya gotta lie on me
sayin' I serve the demon king
When I'm takin' down his kingdom
brick by brick
Why you cain't see
what the blind can see
Why you cain't hear
what the deaf can hear
Why you hatin' on a brother
just doin' the right thing
followin' Daddy's orders...
You're hatin' because you're jealous
The folks are talkin'
and it ain't about you
In three days
you'll learn I am
King of Kings
Lord of Lord
Messiah
Savior
and Friend
But today
You called me out of my name
And that ain't cool...

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

My Mirror

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 3:15-22 (NRSV)

The purpose of the law

Brothers and sisters, I give an example from daily life: once a person's will has been ratified, no one adds to it or annuls it. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say, "And to offsprings," as of many; but it says, "And to your offspring," that is, to one person, who is Christ. My point is this: the law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring would come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained through angels by a mediator. Now a mediator involves more than one party; but God is one.

Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would indeed come through the law. But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.


DEVOTION

You know, I've often thought of the Law as a mirror. Perhaps God gave us the Law so that we can see ourselves as we really are. The Law helps me to notice the many flaws in my mind and spirit that are in need of the healing touch of Love.

The Law reminds me that I am prone to allowing people and things to usurp God's proper place in my life. It calls to mind the many ways in which I take God's name in vain by failing to give it proper reverence in my speech. It points out the fact that on Sunday after church I don't always continue to restfully and quietly enjoy the Lord. It warns me that there have been days when I have disrespected my parents in word, thought, or deed. It causes me to recall that there are days that I desire that which my neighbor has, forgetting to be grateful; or that I lie to avoid having to tell the truth and get embroiled in a conflict.

LORD, HAVE MERCY UPON ME!!

I'm sure you could make your own list regarding the things that the Law brings to your mind about your own behavior. That is exactly why the Law is helpful.

But, just seeing ourselves in the "mirror" does not fix our appearance. The only thing that fixes our appearance is a love relationship with Jesus Christ.

As we put all of our hope in Jesus, the Law is fulfilled, and we are set free from the bondage of sin.

It is JESUS--and Him alone--who is able to redeem my transgressions and change the appearance of my mind and spirit in the eyes of God.

When Jesus came, he did not come to remove the mirror--he came to change what it is that we see in it. When I look in the "mirror" of the Law, I see myself AND I see Jesus. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He has done all that is required by the Law to attain the forgiveness of my sin and my eternal life!

HALLELUJAH!


Let us pray: God, thank you for your Law and thank you for your LOVE. Thank you for the good news that Jesus saves us from our in and gifts us with eternal life. Thank you that He did indeed live, die, and live again on the third day out of love for me. Please help me to share that Love with others, in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Hypocrites?

SCRIPTURE

Romans 2:17-29 (NRSV)

Real circumcision is a matter of the heart

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart - it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.


DEVOTION

We've all heard non-Christians comment, "Why should I follow Jesus, you people are no different than me."

These kinds of comments break my heart because it proves that, as Christians, we are often perceived as hypocrites because we say one thing and do another.

It is so important that we are honest with our non-Christian brothers and sisters. The Truth is that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; there is none righteous, no not one!

We are only made righteous by the blood of the Lamb. It is nothing that we do. It is nothing that we say. It is not about how good or bad we are; it is ONLY about our faith in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection from the dead.

We are saved not because of who we are, but because of who JESUS is!

As Christians, we do our very best to love God and neighbor as ourselves. But when we mess up, we are invited by our loving GOD to RE-TURN to God with all of our hearts, confessing our sin, and receiving God's forgiveness.

As we put all of our hope in Jesus to make atonement for our sin and gift us with eternal life we are saved! And this free gift of salvation puts a smile on our face and a testimony in our heart that causes us to tell our non-Christian friends that it is JESUS who saves and changes hearts for the better!


Let us pray:

Holy God, please help me to be a faithful witness. Please make me bold in my declaration that I am a sinner, saved by God's love, grace, and Son, Jesus, who is the Christ! Please help me not to be a hypocrite, pretending to be perfect and failing every time. Instead, help me to point people to Jesus, who is the sinless and perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! I pray this in His Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

I Cry to You, O Lord!

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 130 (NRSV)

Prayer for mercy

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.


DEVOTION

Today's scripture is a prayer from the psalmist's heart. It is a call to God to help and to rescue in a time of trouble.

I doubt that there is anyone reading today who is leading a "trouble-free" existence for all of us have experienced circumstances that seem too grave for us to handle.

It is at times like these that if we are wise, we will call out to God, knowing that God is strong and mighty and able to save us from any evil that may befall us.

My friends, please do not be too proud to ask God for help! God loves you and wants to help you. I believe that you will feel so much better if you will just open up your mouth and heart and DIAL 9-1-1.

God is on call, all the time, to take our calls and respond to our emergencies.

Won't you cry out to God today?


Let's pray:

Holy God, HELP! Come quickly to my aid! I am in deep trouble and I cannot save myself! I'm counting on you! I know that you will save me because you already did it more than once! Thanks for Jesus who saves me from my sin and gifts me with eternal life. I place all of my hope in Him today, knowing that you have never let me down. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

RE-TURN TO THE LORD

SCRIPTURE

2 Chronicles 30:1-12 (NRSV)

The people return to the Lord

Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover to the Lord the God of Israel. For the king and his officials and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the passover in the second month (for they could not keep it at its proper time because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem). The plan seemed right to the king and all the assembly. So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the passover to the Lord the God of Israel, at Jerusalem; for they had not kept it in great numbers as prescribed. So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his officials, as the king had commanded, saying, "O people of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your ancestors and your kindred, who were faithless to the Lord God of their ancestors, so that he made them a desolation, as you see. Do not now be stiff-necked as your ancestors were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has sanctified forever, and serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger may turn away from you. For as you return to the Lord, your kindred and your children will find compassion with their captors, and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him."

So the couriers went from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun; but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Only a few from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the officials commanded by the word of the Lord.


DEVOTION

When I was a little girl in Sunday School, I was taught that the word "repent" means "to turn around."

That definition has stuck with me all of my life; whenever I sin and fall short of God's glory, I remind myself that I can always re-turn (or turn again) to God and God will forgive me.

In today's scripture King Hezekiah reminds the people of Israel and Judah that "God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him."

It is my prayer that all of us will believe--and receive--this profound truth today!

I fear that some of us may truly believe that we have messed up too big, and too bad, for God to forgive us. This is not true my friends! No matter who you are, what you've done, or whom you've hurt, if you are truly sorry with all your heart and turn-again to God, GOD WILL FORGIVE YOU!!

A prison chaplain once told me that during testimony service a woman stood up and declared, "I thank God that I only broke the commandment to "Thou Shalt Not Kill, ONE TIME!" (gasp!)

My Lord! If this woman could return to God and receive God's forgiveness, so can we!

Although we sometimes continue to reap the earthly consequences of our poor choices (e.g., this woman stayed in prison even after her repentance)--we are still eternally forgiven by the God who made us, loves us, and gave Jesus to die on the cross to atone for our sin and gift us with eternal life.

Scripture teaches us that when we put all of our hope in Jesus, confessing our sin and receiving God's forgiveness, we are gifted with eternal life!

Today, won't you please return to our God?


Let us pray: Oh God! I have strayed so far away from you. I don't know what I was thinking. Today I return to you, asking you to forgive my sin, cleanse me of unrighteousness, and make me like Jesus. I put all of my hope in Jesus to secure my forgiveness and eternal life. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for sinners, so that means he died on the cross for me! Please help me to start all over again with your Holy Spirit as my guide and Teacher. I need you and I love you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today you are a Christian! I would be so honored if you would take a moment to let me know that you put all of your hope in Jesus today by clicking YES in the upper right hand corner of this blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

I also pray that you will tell a Christian friend about your decision, so that s/he can help you find a good Bible believing church to attend where you can be baptized and grow in your faith.

Congratulations! Your salvation is our good news. Please share the good news with someone today!

Shake Off the Lies!

SCRIPTURE

2 Chronicles 29:1-19 (NRSV)

Hezekiah renews worship of God

Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, just as his ancestor David had done.

In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. He brought in the priests and the Levites and assembled them in the square on the east. He said to them, "Listen to me, Levites! Sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and carry out the filth from the holy place. For our ancestors have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God; they have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the dwelling of the Lord, and turned their backs. They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put out the lamps, and have not offered incense or made burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. Therefore the wrath of the Lord came upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes. Our fathers have fallen by the sword and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger may turn away from us. My sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence to minister to him, and to be his ministers and make offerings to him."

Then the Levites arose, Mahath son of Amasai, and Joel son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish son of Abdi, and Azariah son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah son of Zimmah, and Eden son of Joah; and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; and of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. They gathered their brothers, sanctified themselves, and went in as the king had commanded, by the words of the Lord, to cleanse the house of the Lord. The priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and they brought out all the unclean things that they found in the temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the Lord; and the Levites took them and carried them out to the Wadi Kidron. They began to sanctify on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the vestibule of the Lord; then for eight days they sanctified the house of the Lord, and on the sixteenth day of the first month they finished. Then they went inside to King Hezekiah and said, "We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the table for the rows of bread and all its utensils. All the utensils that King Ahaz repudiated during his reign when he was faithless, we have made ready and sanctified; see, they are in front of the altar of the Lord."


DEVOTION

Ah! I truly admire King Hezekiah's desire to return his people to the true worship of God and to restore the temple.

His example is a good one for all of us who know and love the Lord because it is a reminder that we are able to positively influence those around us by our example and witness.

Sometimes as Christians I fear that we keep our mouths shut because we don't believe that sharing Christ will matter. We're afraid that nothing will change. We're afraid that people will make fun of us.

But, Hezekiah is a reminder that when we share our love of God it can be contagious. When we strive to be good leaders, people will follow. When we ourselves are true worshipers, it inspires others to worship as well.

Hezekiah called the people to "sanctify themselves." But, on this side of the cross we know that we are only sanctified by the Blood of the Lamb.

I don't know about you, but I've tried to sanctify myself. I try to be good, but I fail time and again. I have a sin-sickness called sin and without the love and grace of God it would be eternally terminal.

But, Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. Now, we know that Jesus' blood is the antidote for our sin-sickness.

As we put all of our hope in Him, we learn that we are loved and forgiven by God. We can't out sin, out fox, or out run the love of God that has been revealed to us in Christ Jesus!

Today, I want to invite all of us to turn into the open arms of God. No matter what you may think, you CAN come to God. You've not messed up so bad that God won't forgive you. You've not hurt others so bad, that God doesn't want you. You're not such a "bad person" that you can't be a Christian.

These are lies that the world tells us, but they are not true. The Truth is that God loves you. Jesus died for you. And the Holy Spirit wishes to fill up your heart with love, joy, and peace. The Truth is that as soon as you ask God to forgive you, YOU ARE FORGIVEN, and because you are forgiven you will inherit eternal life.

Shake off the lies my friend. GRACE IS WAITING FOR YOU.


Let us pray:

Good and gracious God, I come to you admitting that I have messed up. I have sinned. I have done wrong. I have hurt people and hurt myself. I'm not proud and I need you help. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Please help me to start all over again. I believe that Jesus did die on the cross to forgive my sin and grant me eternal life. Thanks for doing that for me. I know that you can make things right. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today you are a Christian! I would be so honored if you would take a moment to let me know that you put all of your hope in Jesus today by clicking YES in the upper right hand corner of this blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

I also pray that you will tell a Christian friend about your decision, so that s/he can help you find a good Bible believing church to attend where you can be baptized and grow in your faith.

Congratulations! Your salvation is our good news. Please share the good news with someone today!

Forgiven Much...

SCRIPTURE

Luke 7:36-8:3

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.’ Jesus spoke up and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning towards the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.


DEVOTION

Today I am struck by how many women heard and heeded the good news! In a time period when women were not regarded highly, Jesus surrounded himself with women--healing them, making them his followers, and allowing them to participate in his earthly ministry in the ways in which they were called to do so.

It is very affirming to know that our Lord was no respecter of persons! Instead, Jesus practiced a "whosoever will" mentality that caused him to love, heal, and forgive anyone who came to him with an open heart.

This is still true today, for we know that ultimately God gave Jesus to die on the cross to make atonement for our sin and gift us with eternal life.

It continually amazes me that God allowed Jesus to die for all people. Whether we are black or white, rich or poor, male or female, or defined by any other category, Jesus died for us!

In today's reading Jesus points out that the one who is forgiven much, loves much!

Since we have all been forgiven more than we could ever imagine, we should love God that much too!

Jesus invites all of us to go in peace, for our faith has saved us! And we are also invited to follow Jesus--loving, serving, and providing for Kingdom Work out of our resources, until Jesus comes again.

Go in peace, my friends and serve the Lord! (Thanks be to God.)

Let us pray:

Holy God, thank you for Jesus. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. Please help me to know--and believe--that Jesus bids me to be at peace. Please help me to love you with all that I am and to share our love with everyone that I meet, until you come again! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today you are a Christian! I would be so honored if you would take a moment to let me know that you put all of your hope in Jesus today by clicking YES in the upper right hand corner of this blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

I also pray that you will tell a Christian friend about your decision, so that s/he can help you find a good Bible believing church to attend where you can be baptized and grow in your faith.

Congratulations! Your salvation is our good news. Please share the good news with someone today!^{424445464748495023}