“And [King Herod] vowed to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.’”  (Mark 6:23)

Half a kingdom: that’s all that Herod was willing to offer.  And even for that half-kingdom, his wife’s daughter had to please him with a dance.  Do you see how different your Lord is?

Your Lord doesn’t give you a half-kingdom but a whole kingdom, and for this great gift He doesn’t even require a song and dance.  Your Lord gives you His kingdom for His own sake.

The resurrection of the body, the hope everlasting, the daily joy, the forgiveness and mercy, the favor of the Father, the fellowship of the Church, the life to live, the death that is but a sleep, the new creation that comes with Jesus—all these things are yours, not because you pleased your king, but because your King died for you.

Now there’s a reason to dance!

LET US PRAY: Almighty Lord and King, Your gifts so far exceed all that I can imagine that I tend to forget them, or at least, to forget their magnitude.  Help me to remember the great mercy that You have shown me, and to be awed by it, that I may ever praise and delight in You; for Jesus’ sake.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’” But of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; and the Most High Himself will establish her.” (Psalm 87:4-5)

From all over, the Lord calls to those who know Him. Yes, many come from within the established fellowship, but there are those who come from the outside. The Lord knows those who are His. He has called all to come into His presence and walk in the ways He has established from the beginning. Come to the Lord and see that He is good and that His mercy endures forever.

Lord, I sometimes do not see that You are there and love all people. Though I have been amongst Your people, sometimes I do not see it. Help me I pray to move beyond what I see to grasp Your goodness and mercy and walk in the ways You have shown. Guide me, O Lord, that I may forever live in the truth of Your goodness and mercy and abide in Zion forever.

Lord Jesus, You are the Savior who has come to call all who hear Your voice. Lead me, O Lord, to walk with You as You guide me in the way You know I need to go. Help me now and always to see in You the hope for all generations and abide in the grace You give. Grant me a heart that looks upon all in hope that they too will one day know Your goodness and grace. Amen.

“His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.” (Psalm 87:1-3)

Those whom the Lord has always known are in His presence. Though we remain in the world, yet we are also in the Lord’s presence. Do not fear, but rejoice that the Lord knows you and loves you. Be guided by His word of love and know that He has plans for you, and they are to prosper you in His presence. Come then and dwell in the house of the Lord and be comforted by His grace.

The Lord knows the troubles we face. Before it happens, He knows the difficulty we will face. Do not fear, but rejoice and know that the Lord is always with You. Be guided by His presence and learn to obey all that He has commanded. Be prepared for what is to come. Trouble comes in the morning, but the end is in the Lord’s hands. Know that He loves those who are His.

Lord Jesus, in great love for all, You came that we may not perish but have everlasting life. You have come that those who are in You would rejoice in the provision of Your grace. Lead me this day, O Lord, that I would walk humbly with You knowing that in You is the hope of every generation. Guide me step by step to live according to the word You have given. Amen

HOW DO YOU HANDLE INTERRUPTIONS?
Devotional for July 22, 2018 based upon Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56

How do you handle interruptions? I would have to confess that during my early years in ministry I did not handle interruptions well. I had so many meetings that I was attending, so many Bible studies that I was leading, and so much programming that I was coordinating that I did not have time for interruptions. So when someone had a crisis, was facing surgery, or was approaching death, I did not realize that this was a unique opportunity to provide ministry and to bring Christ into their lives. Rather I wondered how I would now be able to also handle this situation, with everything else that I needed to handle.

It was only over time that I learned that I needed to build margin into my life. I needed margin in my financial life, so that I would be ready for unexpected expenses. I needed margin in my emotional life, so that I would be able to handle unexpected crisis. And I needed margin in my schedule, so that I would be able to respond well to the special opportunities for ministry that arise in the daily life of a pastor.

I have always been deeply moved by the way in which Jesus handled interruptions, such as in our Gospel lesson for this coming Sunday. Mark 6 tells us that the disciples had just returned from their first experience at being on mission. They were eager to tell Jesus about everything that they had seen, done, and taught. Jesus said, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” Jesus knew that they needed time away – time alone with Him – to process what they had just experienced. For Mark tells us that they were so busy, that they did not even have time to eat. I know that for me, if I am too busy to eat, I am too busy.

And so they went away by themselves in a boat to a deserted place. But the crowds saw where they were going and got there ahead of them. When Jesus and the disciples arrived at the location where they had hoped to be alone, they saw that the crowds were already there. The crowds were interrupting them and their plans. But rather than being annoyed, Jesus had compassion for them and began to teach them many things. This then also became the occasion for the feeding of the five thousand.

Here Jesus has given us a powerful example of how to view and respond to interruptions. Not as annoyances. Not as a foul up to our personal plans. But as a special opportunity to provide ministry.

How do you view and handle interruptions? May we all be like Jesus in every way, including in the way in which we view and handle interruptions.

Dennis D. Nelson
President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE

“Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid. Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” (Psalm 86:16-17)

When we come into the presence of the Lord, we are witnesses of His presence. Those who walk humbly with God are an accusation against those who do wickedness. The Lord is comfort itself and walks with those who are His. Be comforted by the Lord and know that His plans for you and for all who are in Him will work to good. He will teach You what is right and true.

Lord, this world is sometimes difficult and I do not know which way to turn. I meet the hatred others have for You and I am perplexed. Remind me constantly of Your Word and Your presence that I may hold fast to the truth You have given once for all. Lead me now and always, by holding fast to me, that I would walk with You in my thoughts and deeds, and with constant reminders of Your presence.

Lord Jesus, You walked this earth and You know how difficult it can be. Bring me to remember the truth of Your word that I may hold fast amidst the trials and tribulations that come my way, Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should go and help me not to veer from the path You have set before me. Lead me through the crowd of those who hate You and would lead me astray that I may be faithful to the calling You have given me. Amen.

“O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, and a band of violent men have sought my life, and they have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.” (Psalm 85:14-15)

There are the strongmen of this world who seek for the lives of the faithful. There are those who for a time prosper at the expense of the lowly. Yet You, O Lord, are above all, and in Your mercy, You watch over all and keep things moving as they need to move. Help me, O Lord, to live humbly in Your presence and see in You the hope of every generation that I may abide in Your presence.

The Lord knows every hair on our head and nothing will come our way that He is not aware of. He is not far off as some think, but always present. Come into His presence and know His comfort. Yes, some things may happen that you do not understand, but He has promised that all things work together for good for those who love Him. Come and find your rest in Him.

Lord Jesus, You met some strongmen who took Your life, yet it was for the purpose of our salvation. Guide my mind to understand that You hold all things together and know all things that will happen. Lead me to simply trust in You always knowing that in You alone is the eternal hope of salvation. Guide me this day to humbly accept what I can and trust for all else knowing that I am in Your hands. Amen.

“I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever. For Your lovingkindness toward me is great, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.” (Psalm 86:12-13)

The wages of sin is death. The Lord has come and is our Savior that we might be saved from being left in the pit. Come unto the Lord and know His goodness and mercy and walk humbly with Him in the way He would lead you. He has shown His love and mercy and gives His kindness to those who fear Him. Know the Lord and know the deliverance He promises.

Lord, I struggle in this life with those things that come along and get in the way. I see the difficulties all around me and do not understand things. You are there and I know that Your purpose and presence is over all things. Guide me to see more clearly the truth of Your love and mercy and to walk humbly in Your ways. Guide me, O Lord, according to Your purpose.

God in the flesh, You have come that all who are in You would have light and life. Guide me in the grace You have given that I may do what is pleasing to the Father. Help me, I pray, to simply do those things which are pleasing to You. Help me in every time of need that I would hold fast to the truth You have given me that I would praise You now and always for Your goodness. Amen.

Click here to access the summer 2018 version of the CORE Voice newsletter.

“For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.” (Psalm 86:10-11)

Look through Scripture and what do you see? People rebel against God and do wickedness. Amidst this, the Lord gives mercy and grace and calls to those who hear His voice that they would come and live according to His will. He unites those who turn to Him that they may abide in His goodness and mercy all the days of their lives. He unites us with Him if we turn to Him.

Lord, it is hard to walk in truth in this world filled with lies. Many will promote all kinds of things that are wicked and evil. There are many temptations all around. Unite my heart with You that I may humbly but boldly stand in a world of lies and live according to Your goodness all the days of my life. Lead me, O Lord, and I will be led. Guide me, O Lord, and I will follow.

Only in You, Jesus, am I able to fulfill my heart’s desire which is to be united with You. Guide me today, Lord Jesus, in the way You have set before me. Help me overcome the obstacles that get in the way that I would now and forever live according to the riches of Your promises. Help me through all of the obstacles that come my way to live faithfully in the love You have given me. Amen.

“There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and they shall glorify Your name.” (Psalm 86:8-9)

The world is impressed with what it invents and the things it imagines are powerful, but what are they compared to what You have created Lord? Heaven and earth are Yours, for You made them. The people wander in darkness, but You are light. You name is glorified because You are the author and finisher of life. Guide our hearts to praise You Whose work alone endures forever.

Lord God, though the world rejects You, You still give grace and mercy. You provide for the just and the unjust. Guide the hearts of those who are turned to You to live in the light of Your countenance that we may do Your works in the light of day and declare Your goodness. Let us not be forced to bow before You upon Your return, but to bow willingly now in humility and with thankfulness.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world to share Your rich goodness and mercy with all who willingly turn to You. Guide me in Your grace this day that all I do would be a praise of You who has made eternity in glory possible. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may now and always praise You for the goodness You have given amidst the evil of this world. Amen.