Thursday, January 4, 2018 Devotion

“You have crowned the year with Your bounty, and Your paths drip with fatness.  The pastures of the wilderness drip, and the hills gird themselves with rejoicing.  The meadows are clothed with flocks and the valleys are covered with grain; they shout for joy, yes, they sing.”  (Psalm 65:11-13)

In every season you can see the hand of the Lord.  Life is created, sustained and given bounty in spite of all human interference.  God provides and keeps the balance.  Do not be deceived, for the mocker will claim it is chance; but the hand of the Lord is clearly seen for all who will look.  Look, see and rejoice in God your Savior who provides for even the birds of the air.

Lord, I get caught up in the propaganda of this age which continuously throws things my way so that I am unable to think clearly.  Help me see that You have provided for all of our needs and have done so amply.  Guide my thinking to see each day the joy of the bounty You give that I may be one who praises You in all circumstances.  You are good and Your goodness shines through each day.

Lord, the greatest bounty of all is the grace You purchased from the cross.  You gave Yourself that all who look and see may look upon You and see the invitation to come and join with You forever.  Lead my heart to follow after You, Lord Jesus, knowing that You have come to lead the way into the greatest bounty of all.  Help me walk through, around or over every obstacle to remain with You.  Amen.

LIVING IN THE SOAK ZONE

Devotional for the Baptism of Our Lord, January 7, 2018

based upon Mark 1: 4-11

If you have ever been to Sea World then you know that there are certain sections in the seating that they always give you fair warning about.  If you sit too close – in fact, if you sit anywhere in the entire front half – at what used to be the Shamu show, you will certainly get wet.  And not only wet, you will get totally soaked.  Which is why they call that area the Soak Zone.

I remember going to the Shamu show at Sea World in San Diego.  Shamu and several of his friends lined up around the perimeter of the pool and then, with their heads down in the water, used their flukes to totally splash the people in the stands.  You just know that those whales were totally enjoying it.  But many of the people were not enjoying it.  Not only because they were now soaked to the bone and the water is very cold, salty, and smells like fish, but also because of all their non-waterproof and expensive camera and video equipment.  

But then there were the children and young people who had gathered right at the edge of the pool in the hope and expectation that they will get soaked.  They squealed with joy as the water drenched them.  Unlike the people with the expensive camera equipment, they took great delight in their cold, wet, salty, and smelly soaking by Shamu.

Through our baptisms, we have been called by God to Living in the Soak Zone.  And yet I notice that a lot of people want to avoid the Soak Zone, just like at Sea World.  What does it mean to live in the Soak Zone?  What all is involved with being baptized into Jesus Christ?  The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, “We were buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (6: 4)  What does that mean?  What is it like Living in the Soak Zone?  I can think of three things.

First, LIVING IN THE SOAK ZONE – BEING BAPTIZED – IS ABOUT BEGINNING ANEW.  It is about having a fresh start.  According to the apostle Paul, we emerge from baptism to “walk in newness of life.”  Baptism transforms us.  Having been baptized, we are to think, speak, act, and live in ways that represent Christ to the world.  Living in the Soak Zone – baptism – transforms selfishness into generosity, prejudice into love, and hesitancy into boldness.  Does all that happen the moment we are baptized?  No.  But these are the kinds of things that happen to us as we continue to live in the Soak Zone.  The Christian life is an ongoing transformation in which we continue to be shaped by the presence of Christ within us.

Second, LIVING IN THE SOAK ZONE – BEING BAPTIZED – IS ABOUT BEING INCLUDED.  Through our baptisms we are included in the body of Jesus Christ.  Through our baptisms we receive a love that draws us in and holds us together.  It is a love that enables us to disagree without being disagreeable.  The waters of baptism are not only the means for the cleansing of sin. They also have the power to break down barriers between people.  Living in the Soak Zone, we share a common relationship with our Lord Jesus, in which old divisions and old designations no longer apply.  

Third, LIVING IN THE SOAK ZONE – BEING BAPTIZED – IS ABOUT BEING CALLED TO SERVICE.  With baptism comes the Holy Spirit, and with the Holy Spirit come gifts that are to be used in the service of God.  Too many view ministry just as something that the pastor and the other paid church staff do.  But according to the Bible, ministry is the work in which all baptized believers are to become involved in response to the call of God and Christ’s claim on our lives.  Baptism marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, and baptism also marks our call into ministry.  When we enter the household of God, we do so with the belief that God has called each one of us to some particular work that will utilize our gifts for building up the body of Christ and for making a better world.

And so, like the people at the Shamu show, we get a rather thorough soaking from the Holy Spirit at our baptisms.  Some will decide that they are not particularly fond of cold, salty, smelly water.  Especially if it costs them something – like their lives.  Which is a whole lot more costly than just expensive camera and video equipment.  And so they will do their best to move as quickly as they can out of the Soak Zone.  

Others will be like the children and young people, who gather at the edge of the pool and take great delight in being thoroughly soaked.  Even though the water is cold and salty and smells like fish, they will take great delight in following Jesus – even when following Him will take them out of their comfort zone into the Soak Zone of the Holy Spirit.

So how about you?  How do you feel about having been placed in the Soak Zone through your baptism?  Do you want to get out of it – and as quickly as possible?  Or do you take great delight in knowing that God is your Father, who gives you new beginnings, who has included you in His family, and who has called you into His service?

Dennis D. Nelson

President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE

“ . . . so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known.” (Ephesians 3:10)

Christ Jesus, the wisdom of God: how manifold, indeed!  In Him, the creation itself shines in a new light: first, the light of God’s profound generosity (that He who lacks nothing should create anything at all!), and second, the light of our own purpose, that we (with all creation!) were created through Him and for Him.   Yet there is still more.

Faith in this wisdom, such faith as cherishes and adores Him, renews our minds.  Do you want to be broad-minded without being thick-headed?  Follow the Lord who so loved the world that He gave His life for it, even bore its sin.  Such wisdom teaches us to love in kind, with consideration for sin and its consequences, yet with the hope of forgiveness and a new life—and there is still more!

For if God created this manifold creation in its wonder, and then more wonderfully redeemed it, what shall the new creation be, the home of righteousness?  What wisdom have we not yet known—or as Jonathon Edwards put it, what colors have we not yet seen, and what sounds have we not yet heard?  Winter may be a time for dreaming, but Christmas and Epiphany—they are a time for wonder, and for praising God in His manifold wisdom.

LET US PRAY: Your wisdom transcends all things, O Lord, and yet marvelously upholds them, even as Your Son graciously dwells among His Church and nourishes it with His own body and blood.  Accept my praise and thanksgiving, O God, and renew me in Your light; through the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

Wednesday, January 3, 2018 Devotion

“You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; the stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.  You water its furrows abundantly, You settle its ridges, You soften it with showers, You bless its growth.”  (Psalm 65:9-10)

All things move and have their being in the Lord.  Apart from Him is nothing, and in and with Him is everything.  Come then into the presence of the Lord and see life, its meaning and understand the One who causes all things to be.  It is the One and only LORD who blesses all things and brings about the times and the seasons.  Know the Lord and know life.  He will water you and flow both into and out of you.

Lord, Your presence is all around and often I go about my day as if it were nothing.  Guide me in the truth of reality which is You.  Lead me to see from my depths that You alone give meaning, purpose and being.  In You is everything and apart from You is nothing.  Guide me, O Lord, according to Your purposes now and always that I would see and know that You alone are God.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You have come that all who come by Your grace and the Father’s mercy would know life abundantly.  Guide me through the Holy Spirit to see in You the hope and glory that You have come to share through what You have accomplished on the cross that I may live wholly in the truth You have revealed.  Lead me now and always, my Savior, into the salvation You have prepared for those who come to You.  Amen.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018 Devotion

“Who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples. They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.”  (Psalm 65:7-8)

“Who is this that even the seas obey Him,” the disciples asked?  Who indeed? The One through whom all things have their being was standing in the boat. How Can God do this? With God all things are possible. He who knows all things intimately knows each one of us and calls for us to come to Him and know Him. Come then into the Lord’s presence, and be still and know your Creator.

Lord, can it be that simple? Yes, it is. Guide me into the simplicity of life knowing that the complexities all around me are still there. Help keep my focus upon You that I may abide in Your presence now and forever. Lead me, O Lord, that I may walk humbly with You always and learn from You how to live and have my true being. Guide me by Your Spirit, O Lord, that I may abide in You and You in me.

Like You, Lord Jesus, is what Your Word says I shall be. Journey with me all the days of my life and teach me as I take Your yoke upon myself and willingly learn from You. Help me step over every obstacle and walk always with You, learning along the way what You will teach me. Grant me a heart that is willing and able to go where You would have me go knowing that in You I will find life. Amen.

Monday, January 1, 2018 Devotion

“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts.  We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple. By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea; Who establishes the mountains by His strength, being girded with might;” (Psalm 65:3-6)

The Lord brings whom He brings and they are blessed.  In our world of ‘it’s not fair’, who are we to argue with the One who created all things; yet many do.  Come into the presence of the One who calls to all, but selects those who hear and follow.  Be blessed and know that only in the Lord of all creation is there hope and an eternal future.  Be guided by His grace and mercy all the day long.

Lord You have called and I have heard, but often I am perplexed and fall into the sinful snare of my own thinking.  It is You who IS the salvation and in You alone is hope to be found.  Guide me in Your grace to follow You all the day long and throughout this life.  Lead me according to Your goodness that I may walk humbly with You my God and Savior and do what is pleasing to You.

Lord Jesus, You stand at the door and knock, and any who will come into Your presence can know the inexpressible joy of mercy and grace.  Lead me, O Lord, to walk with You now and always in order to know the blessing You give by the grace You purchased from the cross.  May I be found in You at all times, walking in the way You have established and humbly learning from You.  Amen.