Bible Readings and Devotion for May 12, 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 8:1-12

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Psalms 26, 28, 31

Ezekiel 32

Devotion for May 12, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Many years ago I lived in a different community.  There was a restaurant, a café of sorts, in that community.  At this café the servers were pleasant enough, and they did their jobs properly.  There is one thing that most of them did that both drew me in and pushed me away.  They were all about other people, but for the wrong reason.  The thing they did was to gossip.  They would talk among themselves in full view and clearly within earshot of the customers.  Most of their talk was about the local gossip.  There were tales of rude behavior, adultery, drunkenness, and the like.  It was a struggle for me, for I was drawn in by their stories, yet I was bothered by it as well.  Who knows how true their statements were?  What were the consequences of their talk?  In the end, I was worried what they said about me or my family when I wasn’t there.

Gossip is all about other people for the wrong reason.  Gossip is our sinful words and conversations which do nothing to build up life.  Gossip is putting our attention on what wrong or messed up thing another person may or may not really be doing.  It never gets a person around to dealing with one’s own sin and broken behavior.  I think that is likely why so many of us in this world have fallen into the deadly pit of gossip.  We can talk up a storm about another person, and walk away with the illusions of feeling good about ourselves.

Our reading from John, chapter 8, is one of my most beloved passages of scripture.  It is both a comfort and a challenge for us.  The passage presents a scene in which some Pharisees bring a woman Jesus.  They say that she was caught in the very act of adultery.  Adultery, sexual relations between two people who are not married to each other and at least one of the people is married to someone else.  In both Jewish and Christian understandings this is a sinful behavior.  The Ten Commandments include a prohibition of adultery.  In Leviticus 20:10, we are told the punishment for adultery, “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.”

The Pharisees are pretty much insisting that Jesus, a respected teacher, give them the go ahead to kill the woman.  Where the sinful man is at this moment we do not know.  Maybe he is one of those demanding her death?  These Pharisees were focused on the woman’s actions.  Jesus turns this around and demands that they look squarely at themselves.  He says in verse 7, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  They were not expecting this. It was easy to tell about what wrong another person has done.  It is painfully difficult to stop and look at what oneself has done wrong, but that is what Jesus wants us to do.

If we look honestly at what has gone awry in our lives we will truly have no time to gossip or focus on all the sin of another person.  Martin Luther encourages a daily reflection on our lives and our sin.  Here is what he writes about this in the Small Catechism in the section on Baptism:

What then is the significance of such a baptism with water?

It signifies that the old person in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily sorrow for sin and through repentance, and on the other hand that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

St. Paul says in Romans 6, “We were buried with Christ through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

How people are to be taught to confess

What is confession?

Confession consists of two parts. One is that we confess our sins. The other is that we receive the absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God himself and by no means doubt but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.

Which sins is a person to confess?

Before God one is to acknowledge the guilt for all sins, even those of which we are not aware, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer. However, before the pastor we are to confess only those sins of which we are aware and which trouble us.

Which sins are these?

Here reflect on your walk of life in light of the Ten Commandments: whether you are father, mother, son, daughter, master, mistress, servant; whether you have been disobedient, unfaithful, lazy, whether you have harmed anyone by word or deed; whether you have stolen, neglected, wasted, or injured anything.

Because of the joyful and loving action of God in Jesus, we have the love and forgiveness needed to do this.  We are enlivened to reconnect with God, pray for forgiveness, and to respond to his mercy with faithfulness and obedience.  In fact, that is essentially what Jesus says in the end of our passage.  After all the accusers have dropped their rocks and are walking away, we have this conversation between the woman and Jesus:

“Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

We are forgiven, not to continue in our sinful action or attitude, but to live the new life we can have in Jesus Christ.  God has forgiven your sin.  Go and sin no more.  In this, keep your focus on the Lord and on doing his will, rather than being focused on the sin and bad behavior of others.

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

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

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 11, 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 7:40-53

1 Corinthians 12:20-31

Psalms 25 and 27

Ezekiel 31

Devotion for May 11, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

In the early years of the variety and comedy show, Saturday Night Live, there was a recurring character.  Her name was Emily Litella, and she was portrayed by Gilda Radner.  Ms. Litella would often show up in the, “Weekend Update,” segment, which was a commentary on current news.  Ms. Litella was an older woman who was very hard of hearing.  The comedy was based on Ms. Litella mishearing something in the news, reacting to the wrong things, and then presenting a guest editorial on the Weekend Update.  Sometime during her presentation the news anchor would interrupt her to correct her misinformation.  Then she would end her misguided editorial and say, “Never mind.”  Here is a short sample, about 1 minute, 30 seconds, of one of these silly sketches from around 1975.

Video Link

I mention Emily Litella and her misunderstanding because of what we see in today’s reading from John chapter 7.  There is an argument going on among the people regarding Jesus.  At least some of the argument arises from a lack of correct information regarding the story of Jesus’ life.  Here is part of that discussion:  “But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? 42 Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?””

The people arguing that Jesus could not be the Messiah were basing their point on a lack of proper information.  It was half-truth of sorts.  What was true: Jesus grew up in Galilee.  This is the area in the north, near the Sea of Galilee. So, those rejecting that Jesus could be the Messiah were right, he came, in a sense, from Galilee.  Therefore, his life was not a fulfillment of the prophecy.

The information which they had wrong was about the location of his birth.  We know that he was born in Bethlehem of Judea, and this was a fulfilment of prophecy.  After his time in Egypt to avoid being murdered by Herod the Great, Jesus and his family moved back to where his mother and stepfather had lived previously.  The moved to Nazareth in Galilee. About 85-90% of Jesus’ life before his ministry years was spent in the City of Nazareth.  It was somewhat logical to say he was from there.  We have recorded in Matthew and Luke the stories of his birth in Bethlehem.  We hear about why and how that happened.  We then hear about how they fled from Bethlehem and ended up in Egypt.  Then we hear about how the family moved back and into Nazareth.  Since we have the Gospel books, we know these facts about his life.  Those arguing against Jesus’ being the Messiah were lacking what we know.

All of us have times when we base an idea, argument, or belief, etc. on a lack of information.  This can happen in any area of our lives.  It can even happen with our understanding of Jesus and our faith.  I know that I continue to gain information about God’s Word and our common faith as I moved through life.

We can have a variety of reactions to finding that we were wrong or had a partial misunderstanding.  One reaction is to deny anything has been wrong.  One is to attack the person or source which brought the misinformation to light.  One is to take an honest look at the information and, if needed, make adjustments to one’s ideas or belief. In looking back on life, I feel that the last one is the most helpful.

I can be awkward or embarrassing to have chosen a misinformed or confused belief or idea.  My hope is that one’s pride will be turned to humility.  It may take time to process new information.  It may challenge long held ideas or conclusions about some things.  In the end, I feel that my faith is deeper as I have worked through things to gain a better understanding of something in God’s Word, history, Biblical languages, etc.

In anything of this sort when I help someone know more about a situation, my goal is this:  I want to help a person grow in their faith and to know better how to love God and neighbor.  I want the person to end up with a better connection with the Lord. In any correction or broadening of ideas you encounter, my hope and prayer is the you ultimately will be drawn closer to the Lord.

Prayer

Blessed Lord God, you have caused the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people. Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, comforted by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal life, which you have given us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

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

The Nativity Set used in Pastor David Tinker’s childhood home.  Photo by D. Tinker, 2016

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 9, 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 7:10-24

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Psalms 19, 20, 21

Ezekiel 29

Devotion for May 9, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

In yesterday’s devotion we saw that Jesus’ own family did not originally accept his teachings.  Today we have a related scene in which the Jewish leaders, noted often as “the Jews,” resist accepting Jesus’ teachings.

The leaders dismiss him because he did not have the accepted education that they either had or expected of their teachers.  He counters their dismissal by stating essentially who he is and what he has come to do.  Here is a bit of their interaction in John 7:15-16:  “The Jews were astonished at it, saying, “How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?” Then Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me.””

The very essence, meaning, foundation, and fullness of Jesus Christ is that he is God with us and he is the Word of God for us.  This is taught about in the prologue to the Gospel of John, found in chapter 1, verses 1-18.  This Word of God is the creator of all.  This Word of God is what teaches and lives out God’s will for the world.  This is the “Living Word,” Jesus Christ.

There are four major expressions of the Word of God.  This summary was taught to me by Dr. Harry Wendt, the founder of the Crossways International Bible Study program.  I have combined some of my own notes with his presentation.

The Living Word – Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Message of God, the Will of God, who has taken on human flesh and lived among us.  The ultimate expression of this Word is that he has suffered and died on the cross for us, and has been raised up to life forever more.

The Written Word – The Bible read, copied, taught, discussed, shared, heard, preached, etc.

The Adopting Word – The Sacrament of Holy Baptism.  The Word of God announces that we are children of God.  It announces that we are loved and forgiven of our sin by God himself.  The water and the Word together bring the message of life, hope, love and forgiveness for us.

The Edible Word – the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  We are united to God and one another by the bread and the wine, the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  The Word tells us again and again that we are forgiven of our sin.  The elements of bread and wine, together with the Word, remind us of what Jesus has done.  In receiving the Adopting Word we are announcing that we believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, and that the risen Savior will come again as he has promised.

From what we can tell, Jesus did not have an advanced, formal education among his people, the Jewish community.  He was literate, for we have scenes of him reading in public.  Even more important, he is the Word of God, the Message of God, the Presence of God, all personified and in human flesh among us.  As creator and the fullness of God among us, he is and was the founder and expression of what God wants us to know.  Thankfully we have the Written Word of God, and these other expressions, which help us to know Jesus, the Living Word.

Prayer

Blessed Lord God, you have caused the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people. Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, comforted by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal life, which you have given us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

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

Mosiac of Jesus in the great Christian Church of Istanbul, Turkey, Hagia Sophia.

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 8, 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 7:1-9

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Psalm 18

Ezekiel 28

Devotion for May 8, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Today we see mention of the brothers of Jesus.  At this point in the account of the life and ministry of Jesus these siblings do not believe that Jesus is who he shows himself to be.  This is due, at least in part, to what Jesus teaches in other places.

A certain place where he notes this is in Mark 6:2-6, “On the sabbath he (Jesus) began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.”

In essence, his own family did not believe in Jesus, at first, because of their extreme familiarity with him. They grew up with him.  They worked alongside him.  He was just one of the guys to them.  It took the intensely dramatic power of the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, and his subsequent resurrection, for these brothers to finally get who their sibling truly was.

Here are some things about the siblings of Jesus.  We don’t hear anything about his sisters, except that they exist.  This was common in Mediterranean culture not to note much about women.  We do hear the names of his brothers – James, Joses, Judas, and Simon.  This is a little about what we know of these brothers.

James – first Bishop of Jerusalem, author of book of James, also a martyr. He is the prominent leader in drawing together the Church as we see recorded in Acts 15.

Judas – known as Jude, the author of the New Testament book, also a martyr

Little to nothing about Joses and Simon.  Some note of them being married.  Likely leaders of early church, for Mary and his four brothers were in the core group of 120 believers after Jesus’ Ascension.  In Acts 1 we read: “All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.”

A question many will ask:  What sort of siblings? There are three, and somewhat, four views:

1 – Half siblings, born of Mary and Joseph after Jesus was born.  Jesus was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit.

2 – Step siblings, born of Joseph and a previous wife.

3 – a combination of step and half siblings – A mix of views #1 & #2

4 – Cousins, born of a sibling of either Mary or Joseph – the word used in Greek can mean sibling or cousin

What happens in the end is that these family members of Jesus are grafted into the family of God through the same means we do.  People are grafted into the Body of Christ, the family of God, by the gift of faith in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.  We are grafted into the family of God by the forgiveness of our sin brought about by the loving and willing sacrifice of Jesus for us. In the end, our connection with Jesus and the connection of the brothers of Jesus, is all about Jesus.  It is all about Jesus and the cross.

Prayer

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and, through our struggle and confusion, work to accomplish your purposes on earth; so that, in your good time, every people and nation may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; 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 May 7, 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 6:60-71

1 Corinthians 10:23 – 11:1

Psalms 12, 13, 14, and 17

Ezekiel 27

Devotion for May 7, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

In 1978 a collection of Lutheran Church denominations published a new worship book.  It was entitled, “Lutheran Book of Worship.”  It is often noted as LBW.  This book introduced some reforms to the Communion Service, and worked to unify worship among Lutheran traditions in English speaking North America.  It continues to be used by many congregations, including Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church, where I serve as pastor.  A new worship book, “Evangelical Lutheran Worship,” was introduced in 2006, and this is used at the other church where I serve as pastor, Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, Texas.

One of the new items used in LBW was at the reading of the Gospel.  The “Alleluia” was expanded to include a Bible verse to be sung by the congregation.  The full text reads, “Alleluia.  Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  Alleluia.  Alleluia.”

This is a quote from today’s reading from John 6:68-69, which reads more fully as, “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.””  This is from a different translation, but the sense is the same.  In this scene, Peter asks a question, and then answers it.  It was truly inspired, for it tells the truth about who Jesus is.

We understand Jesus to be the Word of God which has taken on human flesh.  This is taught about in John, chapter 1, verse 14, where we read, “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”  This eternal Word of God enters our human existence and shows us how to live.  This Word of God, God the Son, Jesus Christ, both lived out God’s Word/Will and taught God’s Word to the world.   His teachings and his actions bring life, abundant life and eternal life, to those who will come to believe in him.

We will continue to sing these words at the time of the Gospel at both Waldeck and Carmine, and at thousands of other churches across North America.  We will celebrate that Jesus Christ, God the Son, is the one who brings us the words of eternal life.

Prayer

By your Word, eternal God, your creation sprang forth, and we were given the breath of life. By your word, eternal God, death is overcome, Christ is raised from the tomb, and we are given new life in the power of your Spirit. May we boldly proclaim this good news in our words and our deeds, rejoicing always in your powerful presence; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen

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

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 6, 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 6:52-59

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Psalms 8, 11, 15, 16   

Ezekiel 26

Devotion for May 6, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Over the years news reports have told of people robbing the victims of vehicle accidents.  One report I saw was of a wrecker driver who worked for the police department in a state.  He was called upon to take a damaged car from the highway. The woman who owned the car was sent to the hospital, and then died several days later.  Her personal items were still in the car when he arrived.  At some point he went through the items and stole her credit card.  He used this to pay for various items including his car insurance and the delivery of a pizza.  The pizza purchase is how the police found him.

In our reading from Ezekiel 26 today there is a proclamation of condemnation against the city of Tyre.  This is a coastal city on the edges of the Holy Land.  Here is part of that condemnation: “Mortal, because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem, “Aha, broken is the gateway of the peoples; it has swung open to me; I shall be replenished, now that it is wasted,””

The people of the city are condemned by the Lord because they took advantage of the distress of the people of Jerusalem.  When the gates of the city were destroyed by the Babylonians, the people of Tyre took the opportunity to plunder the possessions of the remaining residents of Jerusalem.  In a sense, they stole from a weak and injured person.

This sort of behavior is condemned by the Lord in our reading.  It is contrary to God’s will and way of love to take advantage of the distress of others.  It is never right to steal from another person.  It is doubly wrong to take advantage of a weakened person in their distress.

Taking advantage of the distress of others is a problem in this time of the COVID19 pandemic.  People have hoarded supplies, and then attempted to sell them to desperate people for 2X, 3X or even much higher prices.

We may not be in a situation of stealing from an injured motorist or even price gouging during a crisis.  No matter what, we have the calling to do at least two things.  One, is to avoid taking advantage of the distress of our neighbor. The other is to help our neighbor keep one’s things. Here is more about that second calling in Luther’s Small Catechism.

The Seventh Commandment:  You shall not steal.

What is this?

We are to fear and love God, so that we neither take our neighbors’ money or property nor acquire them by using shoddy merchandise or crooked deals, but instead help them to improve and protect their property and income.

In all this talk about right and wrong, remember to return to the loving work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Jesus Christ came into this world to forgive us and to save us from the eternal destruction which we have wrought upon ourselves and this world.  By God’s grace and the Holy Spirit, may we be drawn away from taking advantage of the distress of others, and be drawn to a closer relationship with our loving God.

Prayer

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and, through our struggle and confusion, work to accomplish your purposes on earth; so that, in your good time, every people and nation may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; 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 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.