“Get a life!”

For to me, to live is Christ.
Philippians 1:21a

“Get a life!” is an expression that is sometimes thrown around.  We’re told to pack our lives with more excitement, to help ourselves to an extra measure of things that will make us happier, to fill ourselves with the goodness that life has to offer.  But a big void will remain in our hearts that cannot be filled with the glitter and glamor that is advertised as the fullness of life.

Jesus said, “I am…the life” (John 14:6).  He is our life’s fulfillment.  Because sin permeated us, we were dead before God.  But Jesus came to suffer the punishment we deserved as sinners; he died to give us life with God.  To live is Christ!  We have the free gift of eternal life through Jesus!

Our Savior fills our life with his love so that we never want to be without him.  God’s forgiveness won by Jesus’ death on the cross gives us such great peace that we never want to be without it.  Jesus’ victory over death by his glorious resurrection fills our hearts with such wonderful comfort that we never want to lose it.  His promises give us such firm confidence that we never want to go through a day without the assurance of his powerful presence.

Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives.  Our lives are defined by our Savior, from beginning to end.  The fullness of life that we have through him will be reflected in the way we do our jobs, the way we interact with people, the way we spend all of our time.  To live is Christ!  Our joy is dedicating our whole life to Jesus who gave his life for us.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, I thank you for giving me life with God.  Let my life be more and more defined by your love. Help me dedicate my whole life to you! Amen.

Do you have everything you need?

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Romans 3:21-22

"Do you have everything you need?" That's a pretty typical question, isn't it? A parent asks their child that question as they head off to the first day of high school, or as they get into the car to head to college. That question is directed to a co-worker as they head off for a meeting or business trip. New parents might ask each other that question as they take the new baby on some adventure.

Or our conscience might ask each of us that question as we ponder our eternal destiny.

Do we have everything we need?  Well, let's remember that God's standard to enter heaven is absolute perfection, complete righteousness.  And you and I have fallen woefully short of that standard.

But Jesus didn't come to this earth because we were good people. He came because we were sinners who needed to be saved. And Jesus did exactly what we needed him to do: he saved us.

Yes, he died for you, thereby paying for your sins, but he also lived for you. He lived the perfect, human life which you need in order to enter heaven. And in wonderful grace, God gives YOU credit for the life which JESUS led.  In other words, as God looks at you, he sees you as perfect, because that's what God has declared you to be through Jesus.

"Do you have everything you need?" When it comes to the most important question of all—whether we have all that we need to enter heaven—the answer is a resounding "Yes!" through Jesus our Savior.

Prayer: 

 

O Holy Spirit, I praise you that through the gospel you have given me Jesus' perfection. Assure me that I have all that I need to enter heaven, because of Jesus' work in my place. Amen.

The Navy Seals went in to take out the infamous murderer Osama Bin Ladin...

Daily devotion from Matthew 7:24-27.

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Matthew 7:24-27

The Navy Seals went in to take out the infamous murderer Osama Bin Ladin.  They went right into his house.  But that wasn't the first time they had done so.  We have learned that they made a house just like his and practiced the raid over and over again.  They did that so that when the time actually came to raid the real house and things got difficult, they would know what to do.

Jesus teaches that when people listen to his word and live according to it, they build a strong house.  Of course, he is not talking about a strong physical house, but a strong spiritual house.  If we hear his word but don't put it into practice, then our spiritual house has a very weak foundation.  When the storms of life come along, our house will crack and creak and crash.  If we hear his word and put it into practice, our spiritual house is built on an immovable foundation.  When the troubles of life come along, our house will stand firm.

Jesus gives us many promises in his word.  He promises to forgive us.  He promises that he will always be with us.  He promises that when we live according to his will, we will be blessed.  If we hear those promises of Jesus, but don’t take them to heart and fail to base our lives on them, then our house of faith is on shaky ground.  When the troubles of life come along, and they always do, our natural reaction will be to follow our sinful natures which are always wrong, and we will fail and fall.  But if we hear his word, believe it and regularly practice it, when life gets difficult, we will know what to do—put our full trust in the unfailing promises of our unchanging God. Now that's a house that won't fall.

 

Prayer: 

Help me, Lord, to hear your word and put it into practice.  In all circumstances, teach me to put my full trust in your unfailing promises.  Amen.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

In the Chicago Art Institute hangs a painting by Georges Seurat named “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte”.  This famous park scene is 6 ft high by 10 ft wide and in it Seurat uses pointillism, the use of many small dots, to create his masterpiece.  It is estimated that he used between 3.4 and 3.5 million dots in the painting.  It makes me wonder how he knew when he was done.  How did he know when he needed one more dot?  What made him realize one more dot would have been too many?
 
In the whole first chapter of the book of Genesis (Genesis 1:1-31), God shares how he created his work of art, the world and universe in which we live.  God started with nothing.  He used the power of his mighty Word to bring everything into existence.  And God had a plan.  On each of the six, 24 hour days he added to his creation.  He started with light and moved in an orderly progression from sky to land and vegetation to the sun, moon and stars.  He then created living creatures in the water and sky and on dry land.  After each of the first five days, God recognized his creation was good, but not complete.  He still had more to add.

The crowning piece of God’s creation was mankind.  He created mankind in his image, holy and perfect, just like he is.  He created human beings to be with him and love him as their Father.  After mankind was created, God called his creation “very good”.  At that point he knew there was nothing more to add.  Everything was complete.  For that reason, God rested (Genesis 2:2) — he stopped his creating activity.  What a wonderful masterpiece!

Unfortunately, God’s great work of art was soon defaced and marred by sin.  Mankind stopped loving him and turned their backs on him and each other.  God’s masterpiece was perfect no longer.  In response God started a restoration project.  He promised he would send a Savior to restore the perfection and holiness that mankind had lost.  Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise.  In Jesus all people can enjoy the relationship with God that he wanted from the beginning.

The first chapter of Genesis reminds us that God had a plan in making the world in which we live.  That plan includes you in a very real and personal way.  Know that God desperately wants a restored relationship with you.  Turn to God in his Word and find out how you can enjoy a relationship with him through Jesus.

 

Prayer: 

Lord God, open my eyes to the beauty of your created world.  You made all things to nourish my life and to fill me with wonder and joy.  Open my mouth to praise and thank you for your gifts, especially Jesus my Savior. Amen.

Philippians 1:12-18a - June 23, 2011

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Philippians 1:12-18a

The devil tries with all his might to squelch the spread of the gospel.  When the apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians, the influence of godless powers rallied by the devil resulted in Paul’s arrest and imprisonment.  Those enemies of Christ must have rejoiced that the zealous Christian missionary and powerful preacher of Jesus Christ was detained and quieted.   But in truth, it was the apostle Paul who rejoiced.

He was filled with joy because, though he was imprisoned, he could still talk about Jesus. And he did. Every six to eight hours another guard would come to relieve the one to whom Paul was chained.  Imagine the number of guards Paul told about the Savior during his two years in custody at Rome and then how many people those soldiers told! Satan thought chaining Paul up would curtail his preaching of Christ. Instead, God used the circumstances to advance the cause of the gospel!

Additionally, detaining Paul resulted in other Christians stepping up to proclaim the gospel.  Some of them were inspired by Paul’s example and boldly spoke of Christ out of genuine hearts for serving the Lord.  There were other preachers, Paul admits, who were not so properly motivated.  They were jealous of Paul’s popularity and tried to take advantage of his situation in prison to turn people away from the apostle and draw some attention to themselves.   Yet they spoke the gospel through which the Holy Spirit still did his saving work.  And for that reason, Paul rejoiced because Christ was preached.

Satan stirs up all kinds of opposition to frustrate the advance of the gospel.  He even tempts us to wallow in the sins of jealousy and envy in order to discredit our proclamation of Jesus and distract people from listening.  But the authority of the gospel is not limited by forces of evil; God’s truth is not rendered powerless by sinful hearts and insincere voices.  God will always accomplish what he desires—to bring people to faith through the good news of Jesus Christ.  Because of this we rejoice!
 

Prayer: 

 

Lord, bless the proclamation of your gospel in every place.  Limit the work of evil forces that seek to restrict the spread of the gospel.  Move the hearts of all Christians to boldly confess the name of Jesus. Amen.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14

These special words written by the apostle Paul aren’t just a pious wish that God would be with his people and bless them.  Instead, he's reminding us as Christians that God IS with us.  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—the one true God is ALWAYS with us to give us his great gifts.
 
In one way, though, it is terrifying to know that God is always present.  He knows the greedy or doubtful or vengeful thoughts we have.  He hears the angry or bitter or immoral words we speak.  He witnesses the loveless and selfish and hurtful ways we treat others.  The almighty, perfect God knows our sin, hears it, sees it ... and hates it.

Yet that almighty, perfect God doesn’t forsake us. Rather, he stays with us and blesses us with his grace.  Through the sacrifice of Jesus he takes away our guilt for every sinful thought, word and deed.  In love God our Father sent his Son to be our Savior.  He forgives our sin and gives us the gift of eternal life.  And every day he provides for all our needs and protects us from all harm and danger.  He also blesses us through the Holy Spirit.  Through the power of the gospel the Holy Spirit brought us to faith in Jesus. He continues to work through God’s Word to keep us connected to Jesus and joins us together with other Christians in the bond of faith.  

Blessed with the grace, love, and fellowship of God, we are glad to live each day with the confidence that God is always with us.

Prayer: 

 

Be and abide with me always, O God, with your power and with your love. Amen.

Can you separate what is of eternal significance and what is merely temporal?

"It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God".

Philippians 1:7-11

Treasuring the partnership he had with the Christians at Philippi through faith in Jesus, Paul prayed that their “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.”   Paul had experienced many evidences of their Christian love.  They kept praying for him during the time he was under arrest for preaching the gospel.  They demonstrated their love by sending a gift to support Paul, and a member of their congregation, Epaphroditus, came to him in Rome to give him company and encourage him.  

Paul’s prayer expressed the importance of continuing to grow in the knowledge of God’s word.  The more we learn about God’s will for us in Christ, the greater our appreciation becomes for his love.  And the more we are moved to praise him for his wonderful grace and demonstrate our sincere thanks in acts of Christian love.

As Christian love grows stronger in the knowledge of God's loving purposes, we are better able “to discern what is best.”  Through his word God helps us grow in the ability to see what is lasting and what is not, what is genuine and what is false, what is spiritually rewarding and what is detrimental to our faith, what is of eternal significance and what is merely temporal.

“Pure and blameless” is what we need to be when the Savior comes on the Last Day.  But pure and blameless is not what we can make ourselves.  Our pardon comes through Christ.  On the day of our Savior's coming, we will stand before God clothed in the perfection of Jesus, credited to us by faith.  Now we live for that day of Jesus with confidence that the good work of faith which God began will be brought to completion.  We live for the day of Jesus with prayers on our lips for fellow believers thanking God for the joy we have in being partners in the gospel with them.  We live for the day of Jesus guided by the word so that our love will increase and our lives will be directed in ways that are pleasing to him.  With confidence, with prayer, and with love we live for the day of Jesus Christ—“to the glory and praise of God!”

 

Prayer: 

 

Lord God, give me a greater understanding of your word.  Help me to grow deeper in my knowledge of your saving love in Jesus. Amen.

The Great Commission

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:16-20

"I'll never finish the job."  You’ve probably said something like that when the "To Do" list got really long, or the task before you seemed bigger than you felt you could handle.  The disciples of Jesus might have felt that way too.

On the day of his ascension into heaven, Jesus gave his disciples a big task to do.  It’s often called "The Great Commission."  He described the work he wanted his disciples to do until he returned.  His words are the "great" commission because they define the important work Jesus assigned to his believers:  “Make disciples…by teaching and baptizing.”  It is also "great" because of its scope:  "Make disciples of all nations."  Jesus commanded his disciples to take the gospel to people of every nation on earth.  A huge task!  And there were only eleven of them.  Talk about being understaffed!  They could have resigned themselves to think, "We'll never get this job done."  But Jesus assures them, "Surely I will be with you always."  Eleven disciples alone to the whole world, no way!  Eleven disciples and Jesus who has all authority in heaven and on earth, no problem!

Jesus fulfilled his promise.  Though he ascended to heaven, he continued to be with his disciples, protecting them with his almighty power and blessing the work of his church.  On Pentecost he sent the Holy Spirit and the number of believers swelled to thousands through the power of the gospel.  Guided by Jesus, God's people spread the good news of salvation to every nation, to us.

Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations is also his great commission for us.  When the task is challenging and the work is difficult for his church, we need not fear or despair.  Remember Jesus’ promise.  He is with us and blesses us as we strive to do his will.  He kept his promise for those first eleven disciples, and he keeps it for us too—always!

 

Prayer:

 

Lord Jesus, bless your church with your presence so that our work of spreading the gospel may progress.  Help us overcome the challenges. Send your Holy Spirit to work faith in the hearts of people through your Word. Amen.

The Holy Spirit works through God’s people every time they share the hope they have in Jesus.

Daily devotion from Joel 2:28-29.

And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

Joel 2:28-29

I used to be the only person in my family who mowed the lawn.  As a result, my lawn was not always the best looking in the neighborhood.  There were times in the summer I had to be away for work.  Whenever I returned home after one of those trips, the grass would be out of control.  But now I have five children who are of “lawn mowing age.”  Now that they are old enough and ready, I let them share in the yard work.  With all of this help, the lawn usually looks pretty good, even when I have to be out of town.

In the times before Christ, God chose specific people do his work of sharing his Word.  These people were called prophets.  God gave his Word directly to them and they proclaimed the messages from God to his people.  But this method of communication had its drawbacks.  There weren’t very many true prophets of God and sometimes there were long periods of time when God did not send a prophet.  Also, it was a challenge for the prophets to reach all of God’s people.

After Jesus came into the world to give his life as payment for sin and to rise from the dead, God worked to communicate the good news of his love in a far-reaching way.  He poured out his Holy Spirit on people.  The Holy Spirit worked through God’s message of salvation to bring many people to know God’s love and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins.

Today God continues to pour out his Spirit.  Every time a person believes in Jesus as his Savior, the Holy Spirit is at work.  Every time a child hears a Sunday School lesson, the Holy Spirit is at work.  As you read these words from the prophet Joel, the Holy Spirit is at work.  The Holy Spirit works through God’s people every time they share the hope they have in Jesus.

After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, God poured out the Holy Spirit on all people so that they might come to know Jesus.  He gives all believers the opportunity to share in this work by telling the message of God’s salvation to people everywhere.  Give thanks to God for the many faithful people he uses to communicate his Word.  Praise the Holy Spirit who works through that message of God to bring you and many others to faith in Jesus and keeps you close to him.

 

Prayer: 

 

O Holy Spirit, come to me with your powerful Word.  Fill my heart with the message of God’s love.  Direct me to my Savior Jesus that I may trust in him for the forgiveness of my sins and have the gift of eternal life. Amen.

Being confident of this...

Devotion - Philippians 1:6 - June 16, 2011

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Paul prayed that the Christians in Philippi would remain firm in the faith and thus attain eternal glory.  He was confident of this grand result because it rested on God's gracious purposes.  Paul’s confidence for the preservation of their faith was based on the power and promises of the One who "had begun a good work" in them.

God graciously brings people to faith and assures them that, as they continue to use his Word and Sacraments, he will preserve them in faith so that they will assuredly receive the goal of heaven.  Our spiritual security, therefore, does not depend on our sin-tainted efforts.  It rests on the sure promises and sustaining grace of God.  From eternity he chose us to be his own.  In time he came to save us by the cross and the open tomb.  In our lifetime he began a good work in us—he called us to faith by the gospel.  In the future he will complete his work by bringing us home to himself on "the day of Christ Jesus."  Therefore, all the glory for becoming a Christian and remaining a Christian belongs to God who will carry out his plan of salvation to completion for all of his faithful people.

Through the Bible’s good news of a Savior who was born, lived, died and rose again for you, God began in your heart the good work of saving faith in Jesus Christ.  Live confidently for the day of the Lord’s second coming because God works through his Word to keep you connected to Jesus your Savior.  Hold fast to the Word and rejoice in the promise of your heavenly Father to preserve you in the true faith until you make it safely home to heaven.

 

Prayer: 

Lord, work through the gospel to preserve me in saving faith.  Give me the confidence that by your power and according to your promise, you will bring me to live in heaven because Jesus lived and died for me.  In his name I pray. Amen.

If you had been there, you would have had a flame, too!

Devotion - Acts 2:1-3 - June 15, 2011

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

Acts 2:1-3

"They were all together..."  Who are the "they"? It's probably best understood to be the 120 believers who are described in Acts 1:15. Yes, the apostles of Jesus are there, but there are many other believers there, too. People like Matthias, the person chosen to take Judas' place as one of the apostles.

And did you notice?  "Tongues of fire ... came to rest on each of them!"  Yes, there was a tongue of fire on Peter's head, but there was also one on the head of all those un-named believers in Jesus, like believer #57.  James and John, Andrew, Thomas, Matthias - each of them had a flame; so did believer #120.

If you had been there, you would have had a flame, too.  Why? Because the Holy Spirit works on the hearts of each of us individually. Through your baptism, for example, YOU received the gift of the Holy Spirit. God brought YOU to believe that Jesus was your Savior. God convinced YOU that Jesus had paid for your sins. God assured YOU that there is a home in heaven awaiting. God the Holy Spirit works in YOUR heart, individually, personally, even as he placed a flame on the heads of each individual on that day of Pentecost.

It must have been an amazing event to experience!  I can hardly imagine what it would have been like to be there! It must have been awesome!

The reality is that the Holy Spirit has worked an awesome miracle in you.  He brought you to faith!  He brought you from spiritual death to spiritual life!  That’s a miracle!  And he did that for YOU! And every time you hear the Word, the Holy Spirit continues to pour himself out upon you.

 

Prayer: 

O Holy Spirit, continue to bring your life-giving Word to my heart, that I might remain a child of God all my life, until that wonderful day when you take me to life eternal. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

We share in the reward of heaven through our Savior’s work

Devotion - Philippians 1:4-5 - June 14, 2011

 

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Philippians 1:4-5

Paul prayed regularly for Christians. They were partners in faith with him.  They shared the conviction that Jesus Christ is Lord.  They shared the joy of knowing Jesus as their Savior, and together they savored the hope of heaven.  Therefore, Paul's heart was glad when he prayed for fellow believers.

This is an encouragement for us to pray for other Christians.  It makes us glad to know that we walk together in the way of salvation by faith in Jesus.  We share in the reward of heaven through our Savior’s work of redemption.  The partnership that we have in the gospel is a source of strength in times of testing and encouragement during days of difficulty.  The measure of love and helpfulness that Christians show one another is a valuable blessing.

God brings us together to share our Christian joy and encourage each other in the Christian faith. The partnership we have through faith in Jesus is maintained and strengthened by the power of God’s Word.   We express our fellowship by gathering to hear and learn the truths that God wants us to know and believe.  In worship we come together to confess our unity in the faith and join our voices to praise God for all of his great goodness.

The partnership we have in the gospel is reason for joy and motivation for us to pray for one another.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Christian partnership that I have with other believers through faith in Jesus.  Lead me to appreciate the blessing of walking together with fellow Christians.  Open my mouth to pray for their spiritual welfare. Amen.

Cross-examination

Cross-Examination - June 13, 2011

Devotion - Cross-examination - June 13, 2011

Daily devotion from John 16:8.

When he [the Counselor] comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.

John 16:8

It is never easy to serve as a witness in a court room. The challenge starts when the oath is taken to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” After the testimony is given, an even greater challenge follows. It is the cross-examination. Here attorneys from either the defense or the prosecution will try to find flaws in the testimony. Certainty of facts will be questioned, as will eye-witness accounts. Even the reliability of the witness will be scrutinized. It is a stressful process, but it becomes necessary to either refute or convince.

It is interesting that Jesus chooses this concept to explain the work of the Holy Spirit, who is the Counselor. When he comes, he will cross-examine the world and its testimony about sin, righteousness and judgment. It is a cross-examination to which I need to pay careful attention.

It is easy for me to adopt the world’s wisdom and ways. I downplay the severity of my disobedience. I lower God’s standard for my life. I maintain false notions about Judgment Day. However, will my adherence to these ways pass the Counselor’s cross-examination?

Worldly ways and wisdom will be refuted when compared to the wisdom that comes from God’s Word. The truth will always stand. It will clearly define God’s position on sin, righteousness and judgment. God’s truth is that I deserve his sentence of eternal punishment for my sin. My righteous works will never measure up to God’s perfect standard. It is impossible for me to stand on my own accomplishments on the Day of Judgment.

With worldly ways and wisdom refuted, I cling to the truth God provides. That truth directly leads me to Jesus. Through his work as my Savior, I am forgiven. Through his sinless life of obedience, I am clothed with his righteousness. Through his humiliation and exaltation, I am declared not guilty and ready for Judgment Day. What Jesus has done will always stand as true, and will always stand up under cross-examination.

That is why I put my confidence in Jesus alone. He is my Savior from sin. He is my righteousness. He is my Rock and my Hope. He also assures me, when I put my confidence in him, I will never be put to shame.

Prayer: 

O blessed Savior, you have promised to send me your Holy Spirit. Fill me with his power. Lead me through his counsel. Strengthen me with his presence, so that I never fail or fall. Amen.

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The Ascension Effect

The Ascension Effect - June 10, 2011

Daily devotion from Acts 1:8-11.

Jesus said to his disciples: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Acts 1:8-11

Their mouths were open as they stood there, watching Jesus ascend heavenward, perhaps with the same awe as when we watch a space shuttle launch.  Their next question had to be, “Now what?”  The angels said, in effect, “Guys, he’s coming back, so it’s time to get to work!”

Forty-three days earlier, they had watched and listened as their Teacher had gone through horrible suffering and offered up his life, dying on the cross for the entire world’s sins.  Three days later, he walked out of the grave alive, proving that his sacrifice was complete and accepted by the Father.  They thought they had him back!  But on the day of his ascension, he left them to return to heaven.  But before leaving, he charged his followers, “You will be my witnesses…”  Not, “You might be, unless it’s too much trouble.” Every believer knows how much Jesus loves us and what he has done for us.  Every believer is a witness.

The disciples of Jesus began to understand why he had spent so much time training them for those 3 years.  They went to work just as Jesus had worked with them, training deacons and others, equipping many believers to take their faith with them as they fled the persecutions that began in Jerusalem after Stephen’s death.  History tells us that eventually all the disciples went out, with John the only one who wasn’t executed for his witnessing. All over the world, thousands came to faith!

But how in the world could eleven guys do such a thing?  Jesus gave them amazing, explosive power, the power of the Holy Spirit himself, power to get up and go, no matter what the danger or cost…power that actually changes people into believers—3,000 at one time on Pentecost—simply through the message of  the gospel! 

The torch has now been handed over to our generation of believers. Same gospel.  Same Holy Spirit. Estimates are that he is converting about 10,000 people each day around the world right now.  He’s working alongside you, as you share what you know about Jesus. You’re doing that, right?

Prayer: 

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me saving faith through your Holy Spirit’s power working through the gospel.  Because I know you and all you’ve done for me, I desire to share you with someone else.  Increase my faith and love for you.  I ask you to help me be your faithful witness. Amen.

I thank my God every time I remember you.

Devotion - Philippians 1:3 - June 9, 2011

Daily devotion from Philippians 1:3.

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I thank my God every time I remember you.

Philippians 1:3

With your mind’s eye picture this: a man restlessly pacing inside a house. He stands at one window and then crosses to another window. He sighs and crosses the floor again.  The man is the apostle Paul. He’s in Rome and living in a rented house. But the problem is that he can’t leave. A Roman guard is in the room with him. Paul is under house arrest, awaiting trial to face accusations from people who do not like what he’s preaching. And he’s confined in that house for a long time.

In that frustrating and depressing circumstance, the Lord continues to sustain him. And one of the ways the Lord sustains him is through the happy memories Paul has of his fellow believers who love him and aid him. Paul cherishes these memories so much that he even tells the Christian congregation in Philippi, “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

On the basis of what Jesus Christ has done on your behalf at the cross, God has purged from his mind every memory of your sin. Through Jesus he looks on you with favor and loves you as his very own.  He is happy with your fruits of faith; fruits of faith that are big or small, carefully planned or impulsive, long or short, complex or simple.

One of those fruits of faith can be making a good memory for someone else.  Maybe you can call or send a message to thank someone for a kindness that really made an impression on you. Maybe you can tell a fellow Christian with chronic pain how their patient example inspires you. Or perhaps you’re just the person to give someone a hearty, much-needed laugh. Don’t underestimate the impact of good memories you give them.  God can use them as he helps and sustains people, just as he did for Paul.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, help me to touch others with good memories of Christian love. Amen.

Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

INSULT

Daily devotion from 1 Peter 4:14.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

1 Peter 4:14

It hurts to be insulted. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the collective teasing and ribbing that take place among people who generally get along with each other. I’m talking about that moment when someone crosses the line, takes part of what you are and holds it up for contempt. That hurts.

For many of you who use these daily devotions, those who insult your Christian faith are a fact of life. Perhaps it’s the co-worker who dismisses you for being so stupid and naïve. Perhaps it’s the schoolmate who goes out of her way to flaunt something sinful in front of you. Perhaps it’s the guy down at the gym who picks religious fights for fun. Perhaps it’s the family member who rolls her eyes at you and your “narrow” view of the world. Sure, usually you can ride the waves and take the cutting remarks in stride. But there are times when it gets to be too much. There are times when the insults just hurt.

When that happens, your Lord wants you to remember that such insults mark you as someone he has blessed. Oh, sure, it doesn’t feel like a blessing. But that’s okay, because the truth remains that those insults identify you as someone the Holy Spirit has brought into God’s family, someone surrounded by God’s promises, someone embraced by full forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

So let the insults come. Let the eyes roll. Let the snickers and the sneers do their worst. Jesus says they only remind you that you belong to him. When we keep that in mind, then such insults are not so bad after all.

 

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, when the insults come to attack my faith, empower me by your Spirit to remember that such insults mark me as someone blessed by you. In difficult moments give me peace of mind and heart. Amen.

Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

Christians are to be like radiators

Daily devotion from Philippians 1:1-2.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:1-2

An elderly man was elected "moderator," a high position in the Church of Scotland.  Proud of his election, his family hosted a celebration that included numerous grandchildren.  Weeks later one little grandson, still impressed by his grandfather's success, was overheard telling his friends, "My grandfather was made a radiator of our church."

There are two kinds of radiators.  There is the one in our cars which is the main component of the car's cooling system.  The radiator's job is to cool the engine.  Another kind of radiator is the kind we may have in our homes which radiates heat produced by the furnace.  Christians are to be like radiators, but not the kind that cools things down.  As we live in this world we are to heat up others with the warmth and vitality of the gospel.  We are to let the joy of believing in Jesus radiate from us.

The apostle Paul was that kind of radiator.  Particularly in this letter to the Christians at Philippi, he radiates the joy that comes from the grace of God and peace of Christ.  The word “joy” or a form of it occurs 16 times in this short letter.  That is remarkable since Paul wrote this letter while under arrest in Rome because some powerful people didn’t like what he was preaching.  Paul was waiting for the emperor to decide his fate.

Today we start a series of devotions based on Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  (You can learn about the founding of this Christian congregation by reading Acts 16:6-40.)  As we proceed with the study of this inspired letter, God’ word will encourage us in all circumstances to radiate the joy of trusting in our Savior Jesus.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, fill me with the joy of salvation and encourage me to share my faith even in difficult circumstances.  Amen

Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

This is Living!

This is Living

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17:3

When Bob retired, he thought he had everything in order.  His finances were secure.  He felt great.  He even made plans to pursue hobbies, enjoy travel, and do volunteer work.  After the first few weeks of his new life, he regularly commented to his wife, “Now this is living!”

Suddenly everything changed.  First there were unexpected emergencies which caused him to dip deeply into his savings.  Soon after that Bob’s health began to deteriorate.  Bob’s life changed dramatically.  Because of the steady stream of challenges he soon started to say, “Is this living?”

Bob offers a valuable insight on life.  Too often I measure my life by the standards of this world.  I have to be financially secure.  I have to have good health.  I have to have my life in perfect order.  What if I don’t have many or any of these?  Would life cease to be enjoyable?  Would despair lead me to the same question it led Bob?  Is this living?

Jesus provides me with a better standard for life.  His words are simple and demonstrative.  He says, “Now this is eternal life…”  Before I possibly dismiss what Jesus says as unimportant for this life, I need to understand what Jesus means by eternal life.

Eternal life is centered on the knowledge of God and his Son, Jesus.  That knowledge assures me I will live with him forever.  Just as important, it assures me of a life now blessed by God.

I was dead because of my sins.  I was also separated from God because of my disobedience.  I should have been abandoned forever.  God chose neither to abandon me, nor to give me what I deserved, because of his Son.  Not only do I have life through Jesus, I also have the assurance I am forgiven and reconciled to God.

This is really living.  It is living because I am free from the devil’s deceptive control.  It is living because I am free from the burden of guilt and fear.  It is living because I am free from the punishment of eternal death and hell.

Knowing what God has done and declared through Jesus changes me.  It also changes my life.  Not only can I depend on God’s blessing here and now, I can also look forward to his blessing forever.  This is the life to which Jesus calls me and for which he prepares me.  Knowing what Jesus has done for me and the life he offers, I can declare with complete confidence – this is living!

Prayer: 

O precious Savior, because of your love and your work I can be certain of eternal life.  Lead me to recognize it is the life I can enjoy now through faith, and will enjoy forever in heaven.  Amen.

Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life

Devotion - Psalm 23:6 - June 2, 2011

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:6

Jesus is our Good Shepherd.  Through him we experience the goodness and love of God.  Our Good Shepherd laid down his life for us.  The precious blood of Jesus has washed us clean of sin’s dreadful guilt.  We are free from the condemnation we deserved.  Through Jesus our Savior, God looks on us with his favor and kindness.  He gives us all manner of blessings and gifts flowing out of his heart of love for us. 

When life gets difficult—even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death—our Good Shepherd is always with us.  His unfailing love is our confidence every day and our hope for the future.  For our Good Shepherd is leading us through this life and finally will take us to his heavenly home.  Nothing will harm us there.  God’s goodness and love will be unending.  And the best part is that we will dwell with our Good Shepherd forever.

May this psalm serve as a reminder to faithfully follow your Savior.  May it be a comfort to you throughout your life.  May it still your soul in times of trouble, and give you confidence that through Jesus who is with you wherever you go, goodness and love with follow you all the days of your life.  Lastly, may it fill your heart with the sure hope and future joy of living with the Lord forever.

Prayer: 

Guide me, my Good Shepherd, to acknowledge and appreciate all your goodness and love.  Lead me homeward through the darkness of this world to the everlasting day of heaven.  Amen.

Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com