“One of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection.” (Acts 1:22)

Must!  The apostles used their words carefully.  When Judas Iscariot proved unfaithful, the remaining 11 apostles knew that they must replace him, not for the sake of numerical consistency or the beauty of balance, but for the central task of their calling: witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus.

That witness is why God had called the apostles: He wanted the 12 men to go forth and testify (first to Israel, then to the world) that Jesus is not dead, but alive.  It is also why we call the Church “apostolic”: the Church’s faith hangs on their witness, and the Church exists to preach and teach that witness still today.

This week concludes the Church’s annual celebration of Easter, but the witness to Jesus’ resurrection continues.  The Church must (must!) bear that witness to be the Church.  Without it, there is no reason to be the Church, but with it, there is reason for everything good, and for hope in the midst of the bad.

LET US PRAY: O God, thank you for the holy apostles.  Grant that their witness to Your Son’s resurrection would still convert hearts today.  Let Your Word spread and spread, and Your Church grow and grow; in Jesus’ name.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“But they deceived Him with their mouth and lied to Him with their tongue. For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant.” (Psalm 78:36-37)

It may seem for a time that those who say one thing and do another get away with what they are doing, but the Lord who knows the heart will hold all accountable. Do not seek to deceive, nor be deceived; as a man sows, so shall he reap. The Lord cannot be mocked. Learn faithfulness, come to the Lord and know the goodness He grants to those who fear Him.

Lord, take my words and make them true to You.  Guide me through the pitfalls of this world and help me to become the person You have created me to be. Lead me away from those who with smooth lips destroy and maim that I may forever be in Your presence and walk upright before You. Guide my lips to speak what is true and lead me to do that which is good in Your sight.

Lord Jesus, You willingly took the derision of those who, with smooth tongues, spoke all kinds of evil against You. Lead me by Your example to move through the nonsense espoused by those who hate You that I may live in Your example humbly as a willing servant. Guide my lips and thoughts that I may be truthful before You My Savior and do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Amen.

THE CHURCH ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST
Devotional for Day of Pentecost 2018

There was a news item sometime back about a man from Mankato, Minnesota, who was fined $100 for trying to set fire to an evangelist while he was preaching. My guess is that there are a lot of Christians today who need to be set on fire in a figurative and positive way. The church on the Day of Pentecost was a church that was set on fire. It was ablaze with enthusiasm, excitement, and power. What was there about this particular church that made these people so responsive to this kind of outbreak of Christian fervor?

First, the church on the Day of Pentecost was A CHURCH OF INTENSE FELLOWSHIP. They really loved each other. They had strong bonds of care and concern for each other.

There is a church in Chicago that officially is named St. Stephen’s. But it is also known as “The Church at the End of the Road.” And don’t you think that “at the end of the road” is a fitting location for a church? For there are many people who are at the end of their ropes and at the end of life’s road. Their hope and strength are gone. “At the end of the road” is also where the church needs to be.

The church at its best is a caring church. A church where love is experienced. And that certainly was true of the church on the day of Pentecost. They ate together, sang together, worshipped together, and even had their possessions together. They gained strength from their intense fellowship.

Second, the church on the Day of Pentecost was A CHURCH OF STRONG UNITY. People of different backgrounds, social classes, languages, skin colors, and national origins all heard the same Gospel in their own native tongue. But rather than fragmenting into tiny, self-serving interest groups, the church on the Day of Pentecost was drawn into a cohesive whole.

When Billy Graham held his historic crusade in Montgomery, Alabama in the 1960’s, he insisted on an integrated choir. A local newspaper wrote in an editorial that Billy Graham’s coming to Alabama had set the church there back a hundred years. Billy Graham’s answer was classic. “If that is the case,” he said, “then I have failed in my ministry. For I had intended to set the church back two thousand years – back to the Day of Pentecost.”

When the waters of God rise, the dividers disappear. People are not separated by race, color, or language. Rather we are all precious souls for whom Jesus died. Where the Spirit of God is, there is unity.

And then third, the church on the Day of Pentecost was A CHURCH THAT REACHED OUT TO OTHERS. Where the Spirit of God is, people are concerned about sharing the Good News of Jesus with their family, friends, and neighbors. The church on the Day of Pentecost was a rapidly growing church because they were reaching out.

At the end of World War II, Robert Woodruff, president of Coca Cola, declared, “In my generation it is my desire that everyone in the world will have a taste of Coca Cola.” Today Coca Cola is sold throughout the world, because one man by the name of Robert Woodruff motivated his colleagues to reach their generation all around the world for Coca Cola.

Is it our desire in our generation, that everyone around the world would know Jesus Christ?

Richard Lederer, author and speaker, has become nationally known for collecting what he calls examples of “Anguished English.” He gathers such things as unintentionally funny headlines and signs.

People Magazine once did a story on Lederer. Their photographer asked him to think about setting up a humorous, posed picture that would summarize his work and would lead into his article. He did not have to fabricate anything.

On the outskirts of his town stood a telephone pole with a street sign that read, “ELECTRIC AVENUE.” Right below that street sign was a yellow diamond traffic sign that announced, “NO OUTLET.”

And that is the greatest danger for the church. That we will have God’s electricity, but no outlet. That we will experience God’s power, but then refuse to share that power with others. We will not let that power empower us to do something. That we will experience God’s love and unity among ourselves, but then shut others out. That we will experience the joy of the Holy Spirit, but then not want to and not try to share that joy with others.

The answer is really quite simple. The source of power is the Holy Spirit. Where the Spirit is, there is intense fellowship and a strong unity. And where the Spirit is, there is a great concern for reaching out to others.

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

“When He killed them, then they sought Him, and returned and searched diligently for God; and they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer.” (Psalm 78:34-35)

Like a child that wanders off in their own way only to discover that they had it much better when they were at home, children of the Heavenly Father wander off into sinfulness and meet death. When they discover that God is truly good and holy all the time, they return to live in His presence and purpose. Some will do this and others will blame God for withholding the blessing He gives to those who look to Him.

Lord, Help me see the reality that if I ask you to leave my life, You do. Only under Your protection do I receive the blessing that comes to those who look to You. Guide me, O Lord, to walk in all of Your ways knowing that You have given the words of eternal life and only in You is there hope and a future. Lead me into Your arms of mercy.

Lord Jesus, You know us better than we know our selves. While we were yet sinners, You died for all of us. In thankfulness, bring me under Your wings of grace that I may rest in Your presence in the hope that only You can give. Guide me in the way I should live life and keep me from ever rejecting the truth You have already shown in Your gift of love to us. Amen.

“In spite of all this they still sinned and did not believe in His wonderful works. So He brought their days to an end in futility and their years in sudden terror.” (Psalm 78:32-33)

No matter the amount of blessings the Lord provides, many still go through their lives as though it was just their efforts that avail and with no thanks to the One who provides. It is not that the Lord “needs” praise, but everyone understands dealing with selfish, unthankful people. If the Lord withdraws, so do His blessings. He is under no obligation to bless those who curse Him. In futility do our days end when we live only for ourselves.

Lord, there is so much more that You have given of which I am unaware. Help me, I pray, to see more clearly all the goodness You have showered upon me that I may live a life that is thankful for all Your goodness and mercy. Teach me how to be thankful to all people for the goodness I receive and to appreciate the ways in which You have blessed me that I may have praise upon my lips.

Lord Jesus, You have given Your earthly life that I may join with You forever. Let me learn to respond with a heart that is thankful for all of Your provisions. Guide me now and always in the way I should walk that I may forever live in the goodness You have provided. May others see that I am thankful by what I do, how I do it and know that I look to You for all things. Amen.

“So they ate and were well filled, and their desire He gave to them. Before they had satisfied their desire, while their food was in their mouths, the anger of God rose against them and killed some of their stoutest ones, and subdued the choice men of Israel.” (Psalm 78:29-31)

What is in the heart of a man? Only the Lord knows. He who knows the hearts of men judges them according to where their heart is leading them. We see the outside, but the Lord sees through us all and judges according to what He knows. Live in the truth that the Lord sees into Your heart and knows the direction it will head. Come into the presence of the Lord and live there.

Lord, You know my heart and You know the way it will go. Help me now and always to see clearly what comes out of my heart, for I know that apart from You and the Holy Spirit working on my heart, there is nothing good. Only in You can goodness and mercy come. Fill my heart with You that I would abide in You and Your presence always and live according to Your Word.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming to fill my heart with Your grace and mercy. Lead me, knowing that I am always in Your presence. Guide the thoughts of my mind and the attitude of my heart that I may be one who is thankful in and through all things. May my daily life be a thank-offering of praise for all the goodness You have done that we may abide with You now and forever. Amen.

“When He rained meat upon them like the dust, even winged fowl like the sand of the seas, then He let them fall in the midst of their camp, round about their dwellings.” (Psalm 78:27-28)

We may not understand the ways of the Lord, but this does not mean that we should not see the ways in which He provides for us. Look, and not even that carefully, and you will see how the Lord is kind and good to all His creatures. The grace of God abounds. We may focus on the harshness of evil that has been unleashed, but there is more grace to overcome the evil.

Lord, this world focuses upon what it sees as bad and does not look at all of the good which reflects You in the world. Help me, I pray, to see more clearly Your hand in all things knowing that You have provided for all things that live. Lead me to have a heart that rejoices in Your goodness and mercy and shares the truth of how You provide. Lead me into a renewed view of things.

Lord Jesus, You are not what we would have expected. You have come humble and lowly, living as a most ordinary man. You have set the example by simply pointing to the Father. Help me, O Lord, to live into the example You have given that I may abide in You and You in me all the days You give me on this planet. Lift up my heart to be thankful and sing Your praises. Amen.

“Man did eat the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance. He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens and by His power He directed the south wind.” (Psalm 78:25-26)

The Lord is always before us, leading and directing. He will bring you to the place He promises. Why do you doubt when all around you are given provision after provision. He who grants life, gives the food of heaven to those who turn to Him. He who knows grief carries all your grief upon Himself. Come then to the Lord, see His goodness and walk with Him always.

Lord, I see the paradox all around me. There are people who go about their business and do as they should and then there are those who abound in wickedness. It is the reality of this age. Help me now and always to simply look to You who provides for all for what I need. Help me to walk humbly with You in all things knowing that You who made all things knows what needs to happen.

Lord Jesus, You are familiar with pain and death, for You suffered for us all. You know the anguish that comes in this world, but You have prepared a path for us all to follow. Lift me up with You to partake of the heavenly food which You abundantly provide that I would feed on heavenly food and not the garbage of this world. Guide me in all of the ways You have established now and forever. Amen.

“Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of heaven; He rained down manna upon them to eat and gave them food from heaven.”  (Psalm 78:23-24)

The Lord provides in season and out of season for all.  He causes the rain to come down upon the just and the unjust.  He who is faithful provides for all that He has created.  See and believe.  Know that the Lord who provides in every circumstance provides what is needed.  Come then to the Lord and know His goodness and mercy.  Eat from the bounty that the Lord provides.

Lord, I know these things are true, but I hesitate because of the bad things that happen in this world.  You who knows when a bird falls from the sky, why do you allow some things to happen?  Yet, there is so much evil that I let these things I do not understand outweigh the goodness I see.  But then, it is not You, but we who have caused these things to come to pass in this way.

Lord Jesus, You have come that all who turn to You would be given the bread of heaven and live forever.  You who have brought all things into being have given us the greater portion by uniting us with You.  Lead me away from wavering over things that happen which I do not understand to those things which I still do not understand for they are too great for me.  Lead me into You by faith.  Amen.

“You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14)

Have you ever met someone who makes it easy to be his or her friend?  Someone, you might imagine, who not only seeks your friendship, but then, in a sort of wonderful, strange way, keeps working to make you a good friend?

It’s the friend who takes you out for her birthday as well as yours; the friend who, when you’re sure you’ve said something wrong, calls you and chit-chats in a way that lets you know all is well; the friend who asks for what he needs, and doesn’t wait for you to offer; the friend who’s ready with a relieving joke when you feel stupid or ashamed—in short, the friend who makes you a friend by being your friend.

That friend is your Lord.  He came to earth to gain friends, lovers of the kingdom, and yet He did not play the hard-to-get, fickle friend.  What He demanded He also provided: His words, His commands, His gifts—these things blaze the path of friendship with Jesus, making you His friend by being your friend.

LET US PRAY: Thank You, good Friend, for being the Lover of my soul, the good friend who I cannot be.  By Your friendly Spirit, teach me to love as You have first loved me, and thus keep Your commandments to the end.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau