Bible Readings and Devotion for May 5, 2020

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

John 6:41-51

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Psalms 9, 10

Ezekiel 25

Devotion for May 5, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

There is a period of the history of the people of Israel which is less often mentioned.  It is the time when the people returned from Exile in Babylon.  This is the time from about 538 BC forward.  We read about this primarily in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, as well as some prophetic writings.

The remaining Israelites of this time were from the former Southern Kingdom of Judah.  They were the Judahites, or as they were eventually called, the Jews.  What led to their exile in Babylon was their persistent sin and disregard of the Covenant made at Mount Sinai.  This was the covenant which included the Ten Commandments.  Around 586 BC they were taken into exile.  The Babylonians took the healthy and powerful over to what is now Iraq.  Jerusalem was destroyed.  A few weak and poor people were left, but the nation was otherwise in exile and slavery. Eventually the Persian (modern day Iran) Empire defeated the Babylonians.  They allowed the Jews to go home.

In reflection on this horrible episode in their nation’s history the Jews determined to make major changes.  They worked hard to do the right thing in all their actions.  This was to honor the Lord and to avoid having a repeat of the disaster of the exile.

Some even went so far as to usher in the Messiah’s Reign.  They thought that if they could be good enough it would cause God to send the Messiah.  This theological problem comes up in the ministry of Jesus.  It had to do with perfect Sabbath keeping by all Jewish men.  When Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, it was ruining their efforts to get all Jewish men to keep the Sabbath perfectly.  It was then ruining their plans to convince the Lord to send the Messiah.  Sadly, they were missing that the Messiah was already in their midst, not because they had manipulated the Lord into sending him, but because the Lord loved them and all the world despite their sin.

In our reading today from 1 Corinthians 10 we see reference to the example of the past sins of the Israelites.  One example was the gross sexual immorality of thousands.  Some were involved in worship of idols.  Others were resenting God’s salvation and provision and were complaining unjustly.  What St. Paul wants us to learn from this is to avoid sinful actions.  He wants us to work toward avoiding sinful actions, while striving to doing things God’s way.

One thing he notes is, “So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.”  This is a reminder to do two things related to sin.  One is to trust in God and his guidance and strength as you go through life.  The Lord is the one who provides true righteousness.  The Lord is the one whose Holy Spirit grants us faith and strength to live God’s way.   The other aspect of this is to strive to live according to God’s ways.  We have so much information about what God’s will is for our lives.  It is not really a mystery at all.  We are called upon to do our best to honor the Lord.  When we do wrong, it does cause harm, and Paul is guiding us away from harming ourselves, others, and our relationship with the Lord.  Therefore, with God’s help, strive toward holiness expressed in love for God, neighbor, and one another.

Both St. Paul and Martin Luther recognized the truth that we daily struggle between doing the right thing and falling into the sinful way.  Luther notes this as being, “at the same time saint and sinner,” or “at the same time justified by God’s grace and struggling with sin.”  Chapter 7 of Romans tells us this struggle, and that it is God alone who can save us in the end.

As we move through this life, we do have difficult days.  We do know the right yet stumble into doing the wrong.   In Jude, verse 24-25 we read, “Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”  This passage reminds us to strive forward to do the right thing, while always knowing that it is by God’s help, grace, and mercy that we can continue forward in life.  In the end of life and into eternity, we are presented before the Lord.  By God’s abundant forgiveness we are shown to “stand without blemish in the presence of his glory.”  God’s judgement is that we are forgiven and saved by the work of Jesus Christ.

Because of this, as we move through this life, we are called upon to these things:

1) Strive to do the right thing

Love God, neighbor, and one another

Share the Good News of Jesus

Live honorably for the glory of God.

2) Learn from the struggles of our own lives and the lives of others

3) Receive God’s help to live according to his will

4) Trust in God’s mercy and forgiveness for our present and future with the Lord.  This ability to trust is a gift from God himself.

Prayer

Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 4, 2020

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

John 6:28-40  

1 Corinthians 11:27-34

Psalms 5, 6, 7

Ezekiel 24

Devotion for May 4, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

There is a joke, a story of sorts, which has gone around for decades.  I don’t know who first told it to me. Here is a form of it which I found by searching the internet:

“God was sitting in heaven one day when a scientist said to Him, “God, we don’t need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing – in other words, we can now do what you did in the beginning.”

“Oh, is that so? Explain…” replies God.  “Well,” says the scientist, “we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of you and breathe life into it, thus creating man.”

“Well, that’s very interesting… show Me.”

So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil into the shape of a man.  “No, no, no…” interrupts God, “Get your own dirt.””

This was found at this link:  click link.

This joke reminds me of a truth which is presented in Holy Scripture regarding creation and our response to this creation.  In Romans 1:25 we read the following, “…they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”  The message of this passage is that:  people have given credit and worship to the creation rather than the one who created all.  This has resulted in people doing all variety of sinful things.  Any and all sin stems from this.  When we put our ultimate trust in something other than the one true God, then we will be guided by something which is not seeking the best for us.  We are trusting in something which can’t, by its very nature, fulfill the role of the Lord in our lives.  Whatever it is that is not the Lord is a false god, a false idol, a creation rather than the creator.

The context of today’s reading from John 6 is just after Jesus has performed his most famous ministry miracle, the Feeding of the 5000.  Some of those who enjoyed the multiplication of the bread and fish seek out Jesus and talk with him about this food.  They seek an additional sign of God’s power.  In asking for this, they make a connection with the provision of Manna from God.  We read in John 6:30-32, “So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.”

Jesus points them to the ultimate and eternal creator, the Lord himself.  The people had given Moses the credit for the Manna.  They didn’t get that truth from the past, and they were misunderstanding God’s provision in the Feeding of the 5000.

By God’s grace, we are invited to look beyond what is in our hands in this life, and to look to the creator of all.  We are encouraged to see that God’s provision comes in many and various ways.  We are invited to simply say, “Thank You,” to God.

There are two, simple ways which can be starting points for your thanksgiving to God.   One is to give thanks at mealtimes.  If you do not yet have a prayer plan at mealtimes I suggest using the Lord’s Prayer.  It includes a specific recognition of God’s provision of food, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Another starting point for giving thanks is to use Martin Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers.  We will close with his Evening Prayer.  Here is his Morning Prayer: I give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me through the night from all harm and danger. I ask that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you. Into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”

A thought for today is to remember who made all that is, who created this wonderful world, and who made you and me.  Remember our loving God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who is our beloved creator.

Prayer

“I give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today. I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. Into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

The star cluster Westerlund 2 as photographed from the Hubble Space Telescope. Photo Credit: ESA/Hubble

Bible Readings and Devotion for April 30, 2020

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

John 5:36-47

1 Corinthians 15:29-34

Psalm 144, 145

Ezekiel 20

Devotion for April 30, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

One of the benefits of living in a mostly rural area of Texas is being able to see the stars at night.  There is even a song about that.  “The stars at night – are big and bright, Deep in the heart of Texas.”  I can tell, this is true.  It reminds me of what we read in Psalm 8:1-4:

“O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.  Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?”

As we look at the glorious heavens, the vast expanses of space and creation, we can be overwhelmed at times. The point of Psalm 8 is to remind us that the Lord, who made the vast universe, actually cares about us.  This eventually points us to the work of Jesus Christ.  The Lord cares so much about us that he entered human life and reality.  That is part the message of Philippians 2:5-8, which read:

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.”

The amazing, powerful and glorious creator of all that exists has humbled himself to join life with us.  The fullness of God and his Word are brought to a tiny, intense focus in the person of Jesus Christ.  Jesus, God the Son, brought all of God’s power together for the sake of the human race.  All of God’s goodness, mercy, and self-giving love have been focused through Jesus for you, for me.  In relation to the world, the solar system, the universe, that is very small indeed.

That small speck of creation, either just the world, or just one person, is infinitely important to God.  The tight focus on the life and eternity of us points to a dramatic truth.  That is where today’s reading from Psalm 145 helps us ponder the things of God.  Here is verse 3:

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.”

Look at that last phrase, “his greatness is unsearchable.”  It is a poetic way of presenting a truth about the Lord.  He is more amazing than we can ever truly understand.  It is quite a bit like looking at the stars at night in Texas.  They are big and bright.  If you were to try to count these stars and objects you would run out of time in this earthly life.

Thirty years ago, our nation launched a special satellite, the Hubble Space Telescope.  This helped us see the vast universe without obstruction from our atmosphere.  The photos show us the beauty of what is out in space.  We can now see things beyond our imagination.  See this photo of stars. Photo credit:  ESA/Hubble

There is curious thing about our observation of things beyond earth.  The further we look the more we discover, and this leads to more discovery.

The Lord is like that in sense.  The Lord is knowable through the means he has provided:  Jesus, Holy Scripture, Sacraments, observing creation, etc. As we dig deeper into knowing and understanding the Lord, the more we find that there is more to him than we can fully comprehend.  As we ask questions, and find answers to many things about the Lord, it leads us to more questions.  New questions do not mean we stop seeking greater understanding of the Lord.  If we stopped seeking to know God it would be as though we launched the Hubble Space Telescope, took a few photos, and then shut the thing down because it showed us that there is more to seek to see.

“His greatness is unsearchable,” tells us that the Lord is abundantly amazing.  We could spend a lifetime looking into the Lord’s work and Word, and we can still learn more.  Even after numerous readings of the Holy Scriptures I continue to find more things I didn’t notice earlier.  I continue to get to know the Lord in many and various ways.  Yes, I do find challenging things, but that doesn’t need to stop me.  With God’s help I can, we all can, seek to search the greatness of our Lord.

Prayer

Gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Bible Readings and Devotion for April 29, 2020

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

John 5:24-35

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Psalms 140, 143      

Ezekiel 19

Devotion for April 29, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

There was an annoying “game” among boys in my school and peer group in elementary school.  They called it, “Mercy.”  They would harass, tackle, poke, tickle, slap, and pin down another boy.  The attackers would say to the hurting youth, “Say ‘mercy.’”  They would continue the unpleasantness until the boy begged for mercy.  Then, because he said, “mercy,” they would make fun of the boy for having to beg for mercy.  That was a miserable, sinful action by the youth.

In scripture there is a teaching approach which can be summed up as, “From the lesser to the greater.”  This means that the teacher notes a lesser thing, and then shows how God does a much greater thing for our benefit.  The bullying behavior of seven-year-olds is about mercy of sorts.  God’s mercy is so much better.  It is something which brings life and hope and relief to a suffering humanity.

Before getting into our reading today about mercy, let’s look at an example of, “from the lesser to the greater,” in the New Testament.

When teaching about prayer in Luke chapter 11, our Lord Jesus notes, “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

In this, the sinful parent does a decent job of making sure one’s child gets a safe and appropriate meal when asked for by the child. How much more will God give us what we need for faith and life when we ask for it.  This points to the greatest gift of God being the Holy Spirit.

So, when teaching about mercy, we can use the “lesser to the greater” principle.  The harassing boys showed a mercy of sorts to the peer they were pushing around.  This is where we see something which points to mercy in our reading from Psalm 143.  Here is what is noted in Psalm 143:2: “Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.”  The psalm writer is praying for God’s continued mercy.  The powerful thing here is that people who are alive are recipients of God’s abundant mercy already.   They are receiving it even without begging for it.  God is not pushing and slapping us into begging for mercy.  Rather, he is offering it to us right now.

In the Old Testament we have this strong statement of the Lord in Hosea 6:6, which reads, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”  Other translations note it as, “For I desire mercy…” What the Lord wants for us in mercy.  This is show in various ways in the New Testament. One is in Peter’s writings.

The Apostle Peter notes, “8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”  God’s mercy is shown over and over again for humanity as he shows patience for us.  The patience is offered to help us get back on track with the Lord.

The mercy of God is already present for us.  In this psalm, we are reminded to be aware of this steadfast mercy and love for us.  The faithful response is filled with repentance, thanksgiving, and service to God and others.

Prayer

Direct us, O Lord God, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and extend to us your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Bible Readings and Devotion for April 28, 2020

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

John 5:16-23

1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Psalms 139, 141, 142 

Ezekiel 18

Devotion for April 28, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Playing board games with others was a regular activity of my younger years.  I didn’t care so much about winning, for it was just a joy to spend time with others.  Some of those with whom I played these games had a different attitude.  They were happy when everything was going their way.  They were melancholy when things were about even.  They were angry, sad, upset, etc. when they were losing.  Sometimes they would just up and quit.  I recall that some of these fellow players over the years would accuse other of cheating, or that the game was unfair.  A few would event upend the game board and run off angry or crying.  It wasn’t right or good, but it is what I experienced at times.

Today in Ezekiel’s book we read a prophetic word about how the people claim God is unfair.  It seems that those who are wicked are complaining that God desires that people turn from their sins and live according to God’s way.  Maybe they want to keep doing wrong, but want to have God’s favor?  They want to have all the benefits of God, but none of the responsibility and new way of living.

Ezekiel shared God’s response to this contradictory idea.  “Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?” In other words, “This is nonsense.  You complain that you can’t have it both ways.  Your expectations of God are unworkable.”

In the end, what the Lord is calling the people to is repentance.  This is when we stop doing the wrong, respond to the connection with the Lord, and, with his help, we strive to live according to his ways.  The unfair response of sinful humanity is to grumble that God wants a better and more holy life for each of us.

We talk a great deal about repentance during the season of Lent.  For 2020, Lent is over, but the Lord’s will for us continues all year, every year.  That he calls on us to turn from our sin to live for God alone has nothing to do with being unfair. Repentance is the core response to the grace of God.  In Mark 1:14-15, we have the first sermon of Jesus.  Mark writes, “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.””  In this, God’s goodness, mercy, and grace, enter our lives, and the logical and God willed response is that we repent.

John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry, spoke of this repentance as well.  He said in his sermon recorded in Matthew 3:8, “Bear fruit worthy of repentance.”  What does this look like? It looks like a life led by God the Holy Spirit.  Martin Luther wrote the following in his Small Catechism.  This is from the second about the Holy Spirit:

The Apostles Creed – The Third Article: On Being Made Holy

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

What is this?

I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith. Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins—mine and those of all believers. On the last day the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and will give to me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.

Since the Holy Spirit is who makes it possible for us to believe, to return to God, to be connected with God, then the fruit of repentance is the Fruit of the Spirit.  We read about these in Galatians 5:22-23, “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”

Sometimes we may be brought kicking and screaming into God’s will.  Sometimes we may not like the call to repentance.  Sometimes we may resist the urging of the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes we may accuse God of being unfair for calling us to a new way of life.  In the end, we rest in God’s grace, and, by the Spirit, respond to God’s call to repentance.  God’s fairness is that he offers his abundant mercy to the whole world, and that includes you and me.

Prayer

Almighty God, by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, you turn us from the old life of sin. Grant that we who are reborn to new life in him may live in righteousness and holiness all our days, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Icon of Jesus Healing on the Sabbath.

Bible Readings and Devotion for April 27, 2020

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

John 5:1-15

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Psalms 136, 137, 138

Ezekiel 17

Devotion for April 27, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

One of the great idols of humanity is the desire to control others.  It is not an idol such as the false gods of the nations around the Israelites.  Rather, this idol is simply a situation which one looks to for a sense of power and control.  There is a sense of satisfaction for some when they make others do things their way.

This comes up in all sorts of contexts.  In politics and in revolutions the desire to control others is quite common. The people or a subgroup will rise up against the oppressive government.  They will promise freedom for the nation.  Then, when the revolutionaries have taken control of the government, they begin their program of rules for controlling the people.

It comes up in organizations, communities, groups, among friends, and even families.  Someone will try to set the rules for others.  Another will like it when they can make another person do their will.

The idol of control is also a way avoiding dealing with one’s own sinfulness.  In today’s reading from John 5 we have most of an account of Jesus healing on the Sabbath.  There is a negative reaction to his life-giving work.  The Jewish leaders condemn his actions, the actions of the man who was healed.  He had picked up the mat on which he formerly sat or rested due to his ailment.

It often feels as though these leaders who enforced the liked to control others.  Their insistence on the rules seems to be, at least in part, a way for them to control others.  People were being made to observe the Sabbath for Sabbath’s sake.  Jesus turned this around and taught us to observe the Sabbath, to have a day for rest, learning and worship, for our benefit.  It is possible that the control of others regarding the Sabbath was, at least in part, a means for the people enforcing the rules to keep from dealing with their own sin.

The gift of Sabbath time for us today is for our benefit. We get to use sabbath time for rest and worship.  It is not about telling others what they should do.  It is not our job to force the world to do things our way.  Rather, we must first look at what we are doing as compared against God’s most excellent way.  Then we get to confess our sin to God.  Following this, we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, as St. Paul teaches us in Philippians 2:12-13.  That means, we work with God to correct what is off or wrong in each of our lives with the Lord.

There are at least three reasons that we don’t need push on others about their Sabbath keeping.

1) We are not called upon to control others.  The Sabbath was mean for bringing life and freedom to people, not so that others can tell them what to do.

2) We need to spend time working on how God is guiding us and saving us from the power of sin and death.  We need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  If you struggle with our own issues related to Sabbath, rest, and worship, then you have your work cut out for you.

3) We need to address our own sinfulness.  Jesus teacher about this in Matthew 7:1-5 as well as in Luke 13:1-5.

If we strive to address these three things in our life with God, then we will lack for leisure time to lay into others about their sin and lack of Sabbath keeping.

Prayer

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work or watch or weep, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, comfort the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.