“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Imagine, the next time someone criticizes you, listening very calmly to the criticism and then saying: “You know, you just made me sound much better than I really am.”

Yes, it might be a rather cheeky thing to say—it could be used as just another form of self-defense—but that isn’t my point.  My point is really the opposite: the grace of Christ not only allows us to see the truth about our weaknesses, but it even allows us boast in them—and when we do so, it’s good for everyone.

Boasting in a weakness is different from accepting it.  Boasting in a weakness, for Christian believers, is abandoning the self to rejoice all the more in Jesus Christ.  It’s confessing honestly who we are, warts and all, in the confidence that such weaknesses are not the final or most important word.  A greater, kinder, and more forgiving word has been spoken for each one of us in the life of Jesus Christ.

So we can be honest about how weak we all are, even how bad we are.  Speaking with such honesty blesses our neighbors and allows them to be honest, too.  It “levels the field” and sets us all before the kindness of our Christ.

LET US PRAY: Lord, you know my weaknesses.  You know my sins.  I’m sorry you had to see and know all that.  Thank you for not forcing me to look at it every day.  Thank you for your beauty, your mercy, and your strength.  Thank you for being the better person who I cannot be, and thank you for being that person for me.  Give that consolation to all who struggle with weakness and sin.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications! In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, for You will answer me.” (Psalm 86:5-8)

The Lord is gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He has sustained all throughout the ages, both the just and the unjust. See that the Lord provides for all of creation. Come to the Lord and know His goodness. See that He has provided all the grace needed that we may know He hears and answers. Come and know that Your God walks with you always.

Lord, in troubled times, when things are not going the way I desire or think they ought to go, You are there. Open my eyes to see that You are always present in every time of need; for You are present always. Lead me into a deeper relationship with You that I may abide in You as You abide in me knowing that in You is goodness and mercy. Lead me, O Lord, in righteousness.

Lord Jesus, You are God in the flesh who has fulfilled the prophecies and are the Savior. Come and lead those who hear Your voice in the ways of righteousness. Guide me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You now and always that I would know that in every time of trouble, You are there. Lift my eyes up to see You always and know that no matter the circumstance, You will lead me. Amen.

“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You I cry all day long. Make glad the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 86:3-4)

In the midst of turmoil, when this life seems overwhelming, we often cry out to the Lord. Know that He is always present and not just in times of adversity. Make the Lord glad, for he longs for You as He wants You to live for Him. Come to the Lord in season as well as out of season and know the graciousness of the Lord. The Lord will make glad the hearts of those who turn to Him.

Lord, You are there and there are times in my life when I go blithely along my way without a thought of You. Guide my heart, O Lord, to include You in the whole of my life, for You are always there. Lead me in the goodness of Your grace that I would rejoice that You are my eternal companion. You are Lord and God and You have included me in Your family. How blessed a thought!

Lord Jesus, it for grace and mercy that You have come. You have come that all those who hear Your voice would come to You and rejoice in Your provision and presence. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may walk in the grace You have made possible and live according to the will of the Father. In all things and at all times, lead me to look to You. Amen.

“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; for I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.” (Psalm 86:1-2)

Those who look to the Lord and seek to do what is pleasing in the Lord’s sight are the ones who have an ear and hear. Listen, for the Lord speaks and He has given You His word. Listen and you will know His counsel. Be guided by the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever. He will save those who hear His voice and seek to walk in His ways. Come, listen and learn.

Lord, incline my ear to Your voice that I may hear when You speak. Guide me now and always in what You have already said. Keep me from the empty arguments and hollow words of this world. Lift me up into Your presence that I may joyfully abide with You knowing that You are abiding with me. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go and point my footsteps in the direction You are sending me.

Christ my Savior, You have said that Your sheep know Your voice. Speak to me today that I may hear. Remind me of the goodness of Your leading that I may follow. Shut out the conflicting noise of this world that I may understand the way of righteousness. Lead me on the narrow path that You have established by grace that I may walk humbly with You. Amen.

GO AND TELL JESUS
Devotional for July 15, 2018 based upon Mark 6: 14-29

The Gospel writer Matthew, in his account of the death of John the Baptist, adds an interesting detail that the Gospel writer Mark does not include in his account. Mark 6: 29 merely says that “when his (John the Baptist’s) disciples heard about it (John’s death), they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.” Matthew 14: 12 adds, “Then they went and told Jesus.”

There are times in our lives – when great sorrow comes or great tragedy strikes – when more than anything else we need to tell someone, and the one we most need to tell is Jesus.

One of my mother’s favorite songs asks,
“Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye to the dearest on earth to me.
When my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks
Is it anything to Him, does He see?”

And then comes the glad response,
“Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares.
His heart is touched by my grief.
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.”

There are times in our lives when more than anything else that is what we need to know – that our Savior cares. Whatever grief I am feeling, whatever sorrow I am experiencing, whatever tragedy I am going through, I can know for sure that my Savior cares.

That was one of my mother’s favorite songs. A good friend of my parents sang it at the memorial service for each of them.

And that is what we all need to know – that our Savior cares. Like the disciples of John went and told Jesus about the death of His dear cousin and their dear leader and friend, so we all have things that we need to tell Jesus.

What is it that you need to tell Jesus today? Whatever it is, know for sure that He cares, He will listen, and He can help. He can give you the love and comfort that you need and the strength to see it through.

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

“Truth springs from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. Indeed, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its produce. Righteousness will go before Him and will make His footsteps into a way.” (Psalm 85:11-13)

The Lord is near and His handiwork is a witness. The world clamors for evidence and wants a show, but the Lord has given His law, written in our hearts and written in creation. Yet the world goes on as it always has. You, however, have been called by the Holy Spirit to look up and then look in and see the Lord is near and present. Come to the Lord that You may abide in righteousness.

Lord, this world is so mixed up that every day I hear the calling of those who want me to go this way and that. Help me see through the noise of this world in order that I may abide in the truth. Guide my footsteps to walk the humble path of grace and repentance. Lead my mind to see through the noise of this world knowing that You are always with me. Lead me to You, O Lord.

Lord Jesus, Savior of the world. The more I look around, the more I see that this world is steeped in insanity. Your handiwork is evident, yet it is denied. You have spoken, yet it is as if few hear. Lead me through all of the nonsense by Your grace that I would simply follow You all the days of my life. Guide me, Jesus, in the way You have established for me and I will follow. Amen.

“Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” (Psalm 85:9-10)

The Lord is near and not far off. Those who do not know the Lord are unaware of how close He is. He does not meddle as the wicked do, but grants love and mercy to those who open their eyes and come to Him.  Come then to the Lord and see that He is just, good and merciful. Know the Lord and know His presence that You may walk with Your God all the days of Your life.

Lord, all around me are those who hate You and ask, “Where is your God?” You are near even when I feel You are far off. Be my comfort and my rock that I may stand firm in a world of shifting sand. Hold me fast to the truth of Your presence that I may now and always live in the truth that You are with those who love You always and that You will never leave us.

Lord Jesus, You know the way of this world and its thin loyalty. Guide me ever deeper into the mystery of the faith You have given those who believe that I may now and always walk with You. Guide me, O Lord, in Your grace that I would forever hold fast to the truth You have revealed in Your salvation. You are always near. Guide me in life to live in this saving knowledge. Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

10^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12, Cycle B (July 29, 2018)

Let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Most holy God, you have rooted and grounded the Church in the life-giving body of your dear Son. Use it to feed, heal, teach, and draw many people to the foot of Jesus’ Cross.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Shelter and bless all who suffer greatly on account of naming Jesus as Lord, especially our sisters and brothers in Syria, Pakistan, North Korea, and Iraq. By their faithful endurance and charity, soften the hearts of their enemies and bring many to repentance and salvation. Use your missionaries to feed many hearts with the Word of life and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Nourish the people of this congregation with the living Bread of heaven. Heal us with your compassion and forgiveness. Give us boldness to proclaim your saving love to those around us who need to hear it most.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Bless our young adults with lively faith and the strength of character to resist the fads and follies of the culture. Channel their energy and idealism to accomplish deeds of mercy and words of wisdom. Use them to introduce skeptical friends and cynical co-workers to you, the source of all goodness, truth, and beauty.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give to those entrusted with leadership – in government, justice, education, industry, or the arts – upright and honest hearts. Teach them to love wisdom, justice, and mercy. Grant that, through their proper use of authority, all people may receive the blessings of food, health, safety, opportunity, and peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for police, firefighters, our military, and all the unsung heroes who risk their lives on behalf of liberty, justice, and safety. Give them the wisdom, courage, and integrity they need to do their jobs faithfully and well. Help us to honor their service and sacrifice, and give them new opportunities to benefit their communities when their present duties are completed

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bestow your Holy Spirit upon all who cry out to you for help, especially those we name before you now: {List}. Graciously help, heal, restore, and strengthen them. Bless everyone who assists them in their time of need; and increase their faith and trust in you, their Strength and their Redeemer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Keep in your tender care, dear Father, all who have died trusting in your promises – especially those whose loss we feel most deeply. Heal our grief, strengthen our faith, and forgive our sins of doubt, despair, or bitterness. Nourish us with the Bread of Life and refresh us with your Holy Spirit. And lead us into your heavenly Kingdom, where with all the redeemed, we shall rejoice in your goodness forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 Hear and graciously answer our prayers, dear Lord, as it is best for us and most glorifies your holy name. Amen.

“Show us Your lovingkindness, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them not turn back to folly.” (Psalm 85:7-8)

There have always been those who hear the voice of the Lord and listen to the goodness of His counsel. There are, from among them, those who turn away from the Lord and go back to the ways of the wicked. The path is before you and there are two choices. Come into the way of the Lord, for He alone shall grant to His children that which is good, right and fitting.

Lord, daily, there are the temptations of this world to go into the way of the wicked. I watch those to my left and right fall into the snares of wickedness. Preserve me, O Lord, that I would humbly walk in Your ways no matter the circumstances. Keep me close to You that I would walk in Your ways all the days of my life and keep far away from the path of wickedness.

Lord Jesus, without You my desire to remain among the godly would be impossible. I need to be rescued by You. Lead me, O Lord, to see in You the hope of glory and to walk in Your ways. Guide me according to Your grace to lean upon You in all things and for all things. You alone are able to lead me in the way I should go and keep me from the clutches of wickedness that are all around me. Amen.

“Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not Yourself revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:5-6)

When the world goes through one of its convulsions and wickedness seems to prevail, it seems as though the Lord has given up on us. He has told us that He is with us always and will never leave, nor forsake us. Come into the presence of the Lord, taste and see that He is good. He will revive those who turn to Him that they may rejoice and have praise on their lips.

Lord, I cannot see through the haze of this age. There is so much death and destruction. Yet, Your promise has prevailed over the ages and with all people. Let me see that Your hand has been there through all the wickedness that is upon the earth. You are good and Your goodness is evident to any who will look. Lead me, O Lord, that I would now and always walk in Your presence.

Lord Jesus, You have come that all who turn to You would no longer walk in the way of wickedness, but walk humbly in Your grace and mercy. Lead me now and always in the path of rejoicing knowing that in You I have life and liberty. Guide me this day to do those things which are pleasing to the Father. Guide me to do those things You give me to do now and always. Amen.