Lately, I have been reading a daily devotion from Martin Luther - Here is the one from Dec 24th, enjoy. It is amazing that a man that lived hundreds of years ago, can write about issues that we are still dealing with today!
"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Luke 2:15
If these shepherds hadn't believed the angels, they wouldn't have gone to Bethlehem. Neither would they have done any of what is recorded in Luke. But when unbelievers say, "Yes, I would have certainly believe the message if an angel from heaven announced it to me," they don't know what they are saying. For whoever doesn't receive the Word on its account will never receive it no matter who preaches it - even if all the angels come and preach it to them. Moreover, those who believe the message on account of the one preaching it aren't believing the Word. Neither do they believe in God through the Word. Instead, they believe in the preacher. As a result, their faith doesn't endure.
But those who believe in Word overlook the one who is preaching it. They don't honor the Word because of the person. On the contrary, they honor the person because of the Word. They never place the person higher than the Word. If the preacher is ruined, falls from faith, or begins preaching a different message, the believers would rather let go of the preacher than give up the Word. They would stick with the Word regardless of the person involved or the situation.
This is the true difference between genuine and human faith. Human faith is always attached to the person. It believes, trusts, and honors the Word because of the one who speaks it. On the other hand, genuine faith clings to the Word, which is God himself. Genuine faith believes, trusts, and honors the Word because of what it is, not who said it. Faith so strongly senses that the Word is true that no one can tear it away - not even the same preacher who first brought it.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas?
Well it appears that Christmas plans for many are being changed with the weather. I hope all are safe and enjoy the holiday. As you get ready to celebrate this wonderful time of our Savior's birth, I hope that the extra time that has been given to you that you spend in meditation and reflection of His birth. God has a way of slowing all of us down to listen to him.
I am including a few pics of the last snow storm for DSM, hope that this one is much less.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Time?
Another year and you wonder where did it all go? You watch your babies having babies and wonder where did it all go? As you get older, it seems like time moves so quickly. I know that one day my time will run out, and I hope that others will remember me? Isn't that a fundamental human need, to be remembered?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Letting Evil Flow Past
This is a great devotion from my recent readings from Martin Luther
And I saw that all labor and all achievement sping from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4
In this passage, the writer of Ecclesiastes is saying, "I saw people who were extremely capable at their jobs, but they didn't accomplish anything the way they wanted to, because it was not within their power. Their hostile neighbors hindered their efforts."
It's biblical and comforting to know that we shouldn't worry about all the problems in the world. Human concerns and trouble are everywhere. When I was a new preacher, I tried to solve everyone's problems. But people rightfully told me, "You're too inexperienced to reform rascals." The same advice could be given in any job situation. Every occupation has its own problems. Therefore, you should live in the present, enjoy what you have, and just let all the evil flow past you. This is how to defy the world.
In short, if you want to live peacefully. remember that much of what happens in this world will seem meaningless. Don't be sad when something bad happens in your life. Instead, enjoy the blessings you still have. If you have been officially given the responsibility for making something better, then do what you can and leave the rest up to God. But if you want to voluntarily take on more responsibility, trying to straighten out everything that is crooked, cure every evil, and throw the devil out of this world, then you'll only cause yourself a lot of pain and sorrow. It's like trying to stop the flow of a swift river. You can't control what people do in this world. Rather, the one who created all things is the one who controls them.
This is a great devotion for all of us, and it really hits me hard. Too often I think and dewell on the negative of the work that I am doing and the things in my life. I need to believe that God is in control and I need to enjoy the ride that God puts me on and enjoy. That is truly the meaning of true happiness! These devotions from Martin Luther are what 500 hundred years old but they still are so real.
And I saw that all labor and all achievement sping from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4
In this passage, the writer of Ecclesiastes is saying, "I saw people who were extremely capable at their jobs, but they didn't accomplish anything the way they wanted to, because it was not within their power. Their hostile neighbors hindered their efforts."
It's biblical and comforting to know that we shouldn't worry about all the problems in the world. Human concerns and trouble are everywhere. When I was a new preacher, I tried to solve everyone's problems. But people rightfully told me, "You're too inexperienced to reform rascals." The same advice could be given in any job situation. Every occupation has its own problems. Therefore, you should live in the present, enjoy what you have, and just let all the evil flow past you. This is how to defy the world.
In short, if you want to live peacefully. remember that much of what happens in this world will seem meaningless. Don't be sad when something bad happens in your life. Instead, enjoy the blessings you still have. If you have been officially given the responsibility for making something better, then do what you can and leave the rest up to God. But if you want to voluntarily take on more responsibility, trying to straighten out everything that is crooked, cure every evil, and throw the devil out of this world, then you'll only cause yourself a lot of pain and sorrow. It's like trying to stop the flow of a swift river. You can't control what people do in this world. Rather, the one who created all things is the one who controls them.
This is a great devotion for all of us, and it really hits me hard. Too often I think and dewell on the negative of the work that I am doing and the things in my life. I need to believe that God is in control and I need to enjoy the ride that God puts me on and enjoy. That is truly the meaning of true happiness! These devotions from Martin Luther are what 500 hundred years old but they still are so real.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Impossible Debt
And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. - Matthew 18:25
We can't begin to appreciate the good news of the gospel until we see our deep need. Most people, even believers, have never given much thought to how desperate our condition is outside of Christ. Few ever think about the dreadful implications of being under the wrath of God. And none of us even begins to realize how truly sinful we are.
Jesus once told a story (Matthew 18:21-35) about a king's servant who owed his master ten thousand talents. (By the way just one talent was equal to about 20 years' wages for a working man - you do the math that means a lot). Why would Jesus use such an unrealistically large amount when He knew that in real life it would have been impossible for any servant to accumulate such a debt?
Jesus was fond of using an over the top example to make His point. The immense sum represents a spiritual debt everyone of us owes to God. It's a debt of our sins. For each of us, it's a staggering amount.
That is what the gospel is all about. Jesus paid our debt to the full. And He did far more. He also purchased for us a eternal inheritance of infinite worth. That's why Paul wrote of the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). And God wants us to enjoy those unsearchable riches in the here and now, even in the midst of difficult and discouraging circumstances.
Without heartfelt conviction of our sin, we can have no serious feeling of personal interest in the gospel. What's more this conviction should and needs to actually grow throughout our Christian lives. In fact, one sign of spiritual growth is an increased awareness of our sinfulness. Are you aware of what Christ has really done for you? Think about it this week and thank and love Him for what he has done for YOU!
We can't begin to appreciate the good news of the gospel until we see our deep need. Most people, even believers, have never given much thought to how desperate our condition is outside of Christ. Few ever think about the dreadful implications of being under the wrath of God. And none of us even begins to realize how truly sinful we are.
Jesus once told a story (Matthew 18:21-35) about a king's servant who owed his master ten thousand talents. (By the way just one talent was equal to about 20 years' wages for a working man - you do the math that means a lot). Why would Jesus use such an unrealistically large amount when He knew that in real life it would have been impossible for any servant to accumulate such a debt?
Jesus was fond of using an over the top example to make His point. The immense sum represents a spiritual debt everyone of us owes to God. It's a debt of our sins. For each of us, it's a staggering amount.
That is what the gospel is all about. Jesus paid our debt to the full. And He did far more. He also purchased for us a eternal inheritance of infinite worth. That's why Paul wrote of the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). And God wants us to enjoy those unsearchable riches in the here and now, even in the midst of difficult and discouraging circumstances.
Without heartfelt conviction of our sin, we can have no serious feeling of personal interest in the gospel. What's more this conviction should and needs to actually grow throughout our Christian lives. In fact, one sign of spiritual growth is an increased awareness of our sinfulness. Are you aware of what Christ has really done for you? Think about it this week and thank and love Him for what he has done for YOU!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Just back to life
Well it is that time of the year when we all get back to the "normal" routine of life. Summer is over and the Fall is upon us. Well something has changed in my life this Fall. For the first time in 20 years, I have no child in the public school system. Yes, Tyler and Jamie are still in school but I am considering them in private school so that doesn't count.
So how is it different you ask? Well when the school bulletin appears on the door step, I am not going into a panic as to what things I need to get to and what meetings has been scheduled. That is over. So as I approach a different time in my life, I welcome your thoughts. If others have gone down this path before what is your advice?
Let me know. I start another chapter in my life and I look forward to it and am scared to death of it all at the same time!
So how is it different you ask? Well when the school bulletin appears on the door step, I am not going into a panic as to what things I need to get to and what meetings has been scheduled. That is over. So as I approach a different time in my life, I welcome your thoughts. If others have gone down this path before what is your advice?
Let me know. I start another chapter in my life and I look forward to it and am scared to death of it all at the same time!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Weekend at the Farm
Well it has been far too long sense my last post and I am sorry about that.
This past weekend, I had the great opportunity to interact with some great new Christian friends on a farm in Harlan, Iowa.
The annual weekend at the farm was hosted by Arlin Sorensen and it was just as good as expected. It offered, spritual guidance, great music, awesome testimonials and of course great iowa cooking.
The event is scheduled for june of next year and I highly recommend that if you have a day or two to be part of this, Arlin has a unique way of mixing business and God like no one else that I have ever met.
o one more thing, if you get time to read the book that we discussed over the weekend, I think it is a must read "Lead Like Jesus" by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges.
This past weekend, I had the great opportunity to interact with some great new Christian friends on a farm in Harlan, Iowa.
The annual weekend at the farm was hosted by Arlin Sorensen and it was just as good as expected. It offered, spritual guidance, great music, awesome testimonials and of course great iowa cooking.
The event is scheduled for june of next year and I highly recommend that if you have a day or two to be part of this, Arlin has a unique way of mixing business and God like no one else that I have ever met.
o one more thing, if you get time to read the book that we discussed over the weekend, I think it is a must read "Lead Like Jesus" by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges.
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