“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.” (Deuteronomy 18:20)

“What?  I never told him THAT!”  Whenever we find ourselves misquoted or misrepresented we object and want to set the record straight.  “No, what I really said was . . . .”  If we care so much for our speech, how much more must God care for His!

By His words, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1, Psalm 33:6, Hebrews 11:3).  So also did Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, and preach good news by His words, and by His word believers are born anew (1 Peter 1:23).  God is jealous for His word for good reason—on it hangs life and salvation!

Here is why preachers and doctrine alike matter so much.  Both have to do with God’s word, the very word of life.  Each generation of the Church seeks to raise a new flood of preachers so that they may carry that word forward, not only to safeguard its truth—“God says THIS, not THAT”—but also to share it, that many may hear and believe.

Whom do you know who would make a good preacher?

LET US PRAY: O Lord of the harvest, raise up preachers after Your own heart who so love Your word as to study it, cherish it, and teach and proclaim it freely; through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring gifts to You. Rebuke the beasts in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, trampling under foot the pieces of silver; He has scattered the peoples who delight in war.”  (Psalm 68:29-30)

The true temple is God Himself who makes Himself  known through the Incarnation. The proper reverence and awe is for the One who was, who is and who is to come. Through Him all things have their being. What can a king give that was not first the Lord’s? The war against the Lord will one day end and all will be shown as He has intended from the beginning. Come and worship the Lord.

Lord these principles are easy to read, see and understand but hard to do. I seem to have many things that get in the way of my simply praising You as all shall do in eternity. Teach me to praise and worship, not as the world teaches, but as You teach it.  Guide my life to live in such a way that my heart is always looking to You, the temple of the city of peace, that I may be led by Your goodness.

Lord Jesus, God made flesh, the walking temple, lead me into the holiness You give by grace that I would not become what I imagine, but like You. Lead me deeper into the mysteries of faith that You have revealed and help me be guided always by the Holy Spirit to do what is right and fitting, now and forever. You have come to lead the way, so lead me this day and every day in righteousness. Amen.

WHAT ARE WE TO BE ALL ABOUT?

Devotional for February 4, 2018 based upon Mark 1: 29-39

What are we as God’s people to be all about?  What are we to be doing?  Since we as individuals, as well as our congregations, only have a certain amount of time, energy, and financial resources, what should we be putting our emphasis upon?  These are questions that our Gospel lesson for February 4 provides answers for.  We as Jesus’ people should be doing what Jesus did, and in these verses we see three things that Jesus did.

First, BRING HEALING.  After leaving the synagogue on Friday evening, where – as we learned last Sunday – Jesus had astonished the crowds with the authority of His teaching and where He had cast an unclean spirit out of a man, Jesus went to Simon Peter’s house, where Simon Peter’s mother-in-law lay sick in bed with a fever.  Mark tells us that Jesus went over to her, touched her, took her by the hand, and lifted her up.  Immediately she was healed.

Now it’s really interesting.  There is no indication in Mark that Jesus said anything to her or to anyone else.  He just touched her.  Nor are we told how long she had been sick.  All we are told is that He touched her.  He took her by the hand, lifted her up, and made her well.  Notice what happened next.  Immediately she got up and began serving them Sabbath dinner.  Friday night dinner.  The biggest dinner of the week for Jewish people.  Having been sick in bed – and we do not know for how long – she must have been very weak.  But when Jesus touched her, not only was she healed, her strength was restored.  She got out of bed and began serving them dinner.  That must have been her way of saying thanks.  Thank you for healing me.  Thank you for giving me a healing, which began with the Master’s touch.

And where can we find real, deep healing in our lives? A healing of our bodies as well as a healing of our minds.  A healing of our souls, emotions, and memories.  It will come not from self-help books, but from experiencing a touch.  The touch of our Master’s hand.  And what is our job as Christians?  To put people in touch with the healing touch of the Master’s hand.

Second, REPLY UPON THE POWER OF PRAYER.  Notice what happened next.  Mark tells us that “that evening, at sundown.”  Which I would interpret as at sundown Saturday, because good Jewish people would have observed the Sabbath from Friday at sundown until Saturday at sundown.  By Saturday at sundown word had spread throughout Capernaum that Jesus was there, and that Jesus has the power to heal.  So by Saturday at sundown the whole city was gathered outside the door to Simon Peter’s house, looking for Jesus.  They brought their sick, hoping that Jesus would be able to heal them.

In February 2011 I went to Pakistan to visit the Christians there.  Word had spread that on a certain day at a certain time a pastor from the United States would be at a medical clinic, run by the United Church of Pakistan but in a predominantly Muslim area.  So all these people had come and were lined up for me to pray for their healing.  A lot of people had come a long way even though all I could do was to pray for their healing.  Jesus could actually heal them.  The disciples possibly had never seen such a crowd.  After all, this was right of the beginning of their three years with Jesus.

By the time Jesus had helped all of these people, He must have been exhausted, for He was fully man as well as fully God.  It probably was very late on Saturday night by the time they all had left.  And yet very early in the morning – Sunday morning – Mark tells us that “while it was still very dark, (Jesus) got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed.”  Before anyone else in the house had woken up, Jesus left in search of a lonely place.  A place where the crowds would not be able to find Him, so that He would be able to pray alone.  Having given so much of Himself to others, Jesus now needed time to be alone with the Father.  He had given so much.  Now He needed to receive.

And what do we as God’s people need to do?  If Jesus needed to do it, many, many times more do we need to do it.  Spend time alone with God.  Be refreshed and renewed through our time with the Father.  Rely upon the power of prayer.  I hope you spend time every day in prayer.

And then, third, CHOOSE PRIORITIES CAREFULY.  The next morning – on Sunday morning – when Simon Peter and the other disciples woke up, they discovered that Jesus was missing.  He was nowhere to be found in and around the town of Capernaum.  Probably at first they panicked.  Then they began searching for Him.

Eventually they found Him – out in a deserted place.  They interrupted His prayer time.  “Everyone is searching for you,” Peter told Him.  In other words, Jesus, come back.  Come back to Capernaum and stay with us.  Come back and stay where it is familiar and comfortable, and where you know you are loved and will be successful.  Come back and stay where you can keep on healing our sick and astonishing us with your preaching.  Come back and stay.  Jesus, everybody here loves you and admires you.  Everybody wants it to stay just the way it is now.  So, Jesus, come back and stay.  Let your ministry end where it began.  Everyone is searching for you.  So please, come back and stay.

So here is Jesus – in His no longer lonely, deserted place – with two paths leading out.  One path leading back to Capernaum and a life of comfort, safety, and easy popularity.  The other path leading to a life of costly sacrifice and ultimately to a cross.  One path leading to where everyone will keep on shouting, “Hosanna!”  The other one leading to where everyone will cry, “Crucify him!”

In this deserted place Jesus had to decide.  Which will it be?  Which one is more important?  Which one did He come – was He sent – to do?  Will it be the Kingdom of the Comfortable or the Kingdom of God?  Facing the question head on, Jesus decided and said, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also, for that is what I came to do.”

What about you?  God has brought you this far.  What does He want you to do next?  What should be your priorities for the coming year?  What new things should you take on?  Are you going to go back to Capernaum – where it is safe and familiar and comfortable?  Or does God want you to go on to the neighboring towns also?

If we as individuals, and our congregations, are going to choose to follow Jesus, then there are going to be those lonely, deserted places for us also.  Where we are going to have to choose between what is safe, familiar, and comfortable – our own Capernaum – and maybe what is more important.  Where we are going to have to choose between continuing to do it the way we have always done it and the way we need to do it now.

What for you as an individual – what for your congregation – would be going back to Capernaum?  And what would be going on to the neighboring towns also?

And then this passage in Mark ends by telling us, “He went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.”  While Jesus made His base of operations in Capernaum, He chose to go not just back to comfortable Capernaum, but to where He had been sent – to the neighboring towns also.

And because He did, He also came to your town.  And He is there – in your lonely, deserted places and in your moments of decision.  And He will be with you throughout the coming year, giving you wisdom and courage and beckoning you to follow.

Dennis D. Nelson

President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE

“There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. Your God has commanded your strength; show Yourself strong, O God, who have acted on our behalf.” (Psalm 68:27-28)

Strong men arise and for a time it seems their strength is preeminent but they too will pass away. History is filled with those who rose and then fell. The hopes of man are for a generation.  The hope of the Lord is forever. He who has all strength, power and authority is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Come to the One who gives true strength, and trust in His leading.

Lord I see the strong men of this age and fear them, yet they are nothing to You. You who are able to destroy body and soul is above all. Let me not walk in fear but in the confidence that faith provides knowing that all things are now and always will be in Your hands. Thank You Lord for being patient and slow to anger with each generation that we may have the opportunity to learn to love and praise You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way for as many as would follow You in the upward journey of hope into eternity. Lead me this day, regardless of the world’s condition,to see in You the hope You give. Guide me to be faithful and diligent in all things that I may abide in the glory of the Father now and forever. Help me learn from You how to meet each day as it comes.  Amen.

“The singers went on, the musicians after them, in the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.  Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord, you who are of the fountain of Israel.”  (Psalm 68:25-26)

In every generation there are those who praise the Lord.  Though we may not look to see, all around the globe are those who are constantly giving thanks and praise to the One who created all things.  For the sake of the saints the Lord continues to bless all.  Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness in season and out of season knowing that He is the One who sustains all things.

Lord, I have good times and times that are adverse.  Guide me to praise You in all circumstances, knowing that in You alone is there hope and the glory of a future for all who praise You.  Lead my heart away from my own circumstances to see that You are blessing people around the world constantly as Your purposes are fulfilled.  Help me now and always to look to You for all things.

Lord Jesus, You have come not only to provide the way by which we may forever be in the Father’s presence, but also to learn how to give thanks, pray and, through You, have our being.  Lead me this day to praise and thank You in every circumstance, knowing that in You is the hope for every generation.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for what You have done for me and the grace You have given.  Amen.

‘That your foot may shatter them in blood, the tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies. “They have seen Your procession, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.” (Psalm 68:23-24)

Though in this age they do not acknowledge the Lord, His hand in history is evident. He raises up the lowly and brings down the haughty. Nations come and go, but the Lord is always present. See that the procession of the Lord is always present. You are invited to join in the way of the Lord and see that His hand is upon all things. All shall come about as He has purposed.

Lord, I do doubt and wonder with the tides of history. I forget to step back and see that it is true that once mighty nations are nothing and once nothing nations are mighty. Bring my eyes to see more clearly that You are indeed Sovereign of the ages and that all things not only are in Your hands, but will work out exactly in that way You have purposed that they should work out.

Lord Jesus, You knew every step of the way what was coming as You headed to the cross. Help me see Your intentional hand this day in my life that I would know in my spirit that it is Your purpose that shall lead my day. Guide me now and always in the grace You have abundantly provided and help me hold fast to the promises You give. May I learn from You to be faithful.  Amen.

“Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies, the hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.  The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan.  I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;” (Psalm 68:21-22)

Throughout the ages, there have been times of captivity. The Lord allows, for His purposes, things to happen that do not make sense to us. The Lord, in time, will bring back those who are His that they may know He is God. There is no place anyone can go where the Lord does not see and whose hand is not present. No matter the circumstance, know that the Lord is Sovereign.

Heavenly Father, You are there, my mind knows this, but sometimes I do not feel Your presence or remember Your promises. Guide me away from these thoughts and into reality that even if I am in a time of difficulty, I never feel abandoned by You. Though the world leave me behind, You are always there. Help me see in You alone the goodness, hope and eternity You promise.

Thank You, Jesus, for walking in the wilderness alone for forty days to break the bonds of captivity. Thank You for hanging on the cross to break the bonds of death. You know adversity and have paid the price that we might know, now and forever, that You are with us and for us. Lead me, Lord, ever deeper into the mystery of faith that I may always abide in You.  Amen.

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.”  (Psalm 68:19-20)

We think it is our work that does all that is needed.  The farmer plants the seed, but God causes it to grow.  Look beyond and see that the Lord causes all things to thrive, grow and live.  It is the Lord who daily carries the burden; and we are given the opportunity to praise Him.  God offers deliverance to all who come to Him that they may live, prosper and have their being.  Come to the Lord.

Lord, I am busy with what I do, and think that I am the one who builds, creates and does these things.  Remove far from me the thinking that depends upon myself that I would look to You who carries the burden that we all may live.  You are the God who causes all things to be and creates the possibility for life and all prosperity.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way into the true life which You have created.  Guide me in the way of life that is eternal and help me walk in Your ways.  Keep me from the arrogance of self-sufficiency that I may know that it is You who causes all things to work the way they do, knowing that all things will work together for good for those who love You.  Lead me today, O Lord.  Amen.

“The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness. You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell there.”  (Psalm 68:17-18)

The Lord God has always been about His business and the ways of the wicked one are forever thwarted. Though the battle rages, the war is over. Each generation is offered the opportunity to come into the presence of the Lord, taste His goodness and see, and even from among those who rebel, there are those to whom the Lord grants grace. The Lord gives gifts to those who come to Him.

Lord, in so many ways, life is so simple. You offer grace that we may walk in peace. You give gifts to those who love You. You provide amply for all. You desire that we would abide in You as You abide in us. Take me away from the insanity of this world and let me see clearly Your goodness that I may walk in Your ways and uphold Your statutes wherever I am at all times.

Lord Jesus, humbly You have come bearing the gift of salvation for all who believe. Lead me, O Lord, into the way of goodness that has forever been established. Guide me ever closer to Your ways that I would walk in them. Help me now and always to simply abide in You as You abide in me that I would live in the eternal freedom which is mine by Your grace, purchased by You on the cross. Amen.

WE ARE LIVING IN A WAR ZONE

Devotional for January 28, 2018 based upon Mark 1: 21-28

A question I have been asked several times is, Why is there so much demonization in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels, when we do not hear much about it in the Old Testament, in Church history, and in the world today?  I respond by saying two things.  First, there are many accounts of demonization and spiritual deliverance in Church history and in the Church today.  For example, the Lutheran church in Madagascar even has a recognized office of exorcist.  And I remember talking with a former missionary, who later was on national ELCA church staff, who said, “Nothing in my seminary training prepared me for the spiritual reality that I ran into once I arrived on the mission field.”

Second, to me it only makes sense that Calvary – and the ministry of Jesus leading up to Calvary – would be the most demonized place and time in all of human history.  For Satan knew that this was going to be the great do or die battle.  If I lose here, I lose everywhere.  I make it here, or I will not make it anywhere.  The eternal destiny of millions hangs in the balance.  Satan has one chance to prevent his own destruction.  So he gathers and uses all the forces he can muster to try and stop Jesus here.  Because he knows that if he cannot stop Jesus here, he will not be able to stop Jesus anywhere.

I think of the opening to the movie, “Saving Private Ryan.”  The depiction of D-Day near the beginning is one of the most powerful portrayals of war that I have ever seen.  For a full twenty-four minutes the film graphically portrays thousands of soldiers storming Normandy Beach.  This was the great do or die battle, upon which hung the future of Europe if not the whole world.  If the Allies are not able to stop the Nazis here, they might not be able to stop the Nazis anywhere.

On D-Day – June 6, 1944 – the Allied powers risk it all, not knowing whether they would win.  Today we know the Allies won.  And today we also know that Jesus won.  Through His death and resurrection Jesus has already won the victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil.

But, in the meantime, we are living in a war zone.  We have an enemy whose henchman said to Jesus, in our Gospel lesson for January 28, “What have You to do with us?  Have You come to destroy us?  I know who You are, the Holy One of God.” (Mark 1: 24)  We have an enemy who hates us.  Who knows he has nothing more to lose because he has already lost it all.  Who would like nothing better than to get back at God by getting at us.  Who knows he is going down and who would like to take as many of us with him as he can as he is going down.

But we should not be so focused on Satan and what he can do to us that we allow ourselves to become intimidated.  Instead, we need to focus on the victory of Jesus and on the spiritual resources we have in Jesus so that we can meet the attacks of the enemy.

The great spiritual D-Day landing has already occurred.  The powers of God have already obtained a foothold on the beaches of the enemy.  The great turning point spiritual battle has already been fought and won by Jesus through the cross and empty tomb.  So the apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, portrays Jesus as like a returning, conquering Roman general.  “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, having triumphed over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2: 15)  Victory comes through Jesus and relationship with Jesus.

The Gospel writer Luke gives us a very interesting glimpse into the process that many go through as they learn about their spiritual authority over Satan.  In Luke 10 Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples to practice what they had been learning.  When they return, they express their great amazement. “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your Name!” (verse 17)  “Jesus, we never expected that what You said would happen would actually happen!”  Jesus replies, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.” (verse 18)  “Your ministry has behind it all the authority of the Kingdom of God.”  And then, to make it even more explicit, He said to them – and He says to us – “See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (verses 19-20)  What you have experienced has not made you into some sort of special group of super-privileged, super-gifted disciples.  Rather it is your being a child of God – and it is only your being a child of God – that gives you this spiritual authority.

It is not our giftedness, holiness, amount of training, or level of understanding, but being a child of God that gives us spiritual authority.

Whether we like it or not, we are living in a war zone between D-Day, the decisive turning point battle, and the end of the war.  We are living in territory still occupied by the enemy, who knows that he has been defeated and who hates the one who defeated him.

Whether we like it or not, we are at war.  The question is whether at the end of our lives we will be able to say with the apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight.” (2 Timothy 4: 7)  I have been strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  I put on the whole armor of God.  I took my stand against the schemes of the devil.

Dennis D. Nelson

President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE