And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.   So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:28)

People often think that Christian morality rests on blind commitment to a list of rules.  They think so because Christians will sometimes make moral arguments by quoting one or two commands from the Bible.  In this passage, our Lord Jesus Christ shows us a better way.

Someone throws a law at Him—“You can’t work on the Sabbath!”—and He responds by going back to creation: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”  The Redeemer of creation, Jesus unpacks the divine will at work in time and nature alike.  God’s purpose in hallowing the Sabbath was for people to rest in His good work, not to live in the fear of doing work.

So it always goes for Christians.  Morality is not about checking off rules to keep ourselves pure; it’s about living as God has given us to live in His Son, who leads us faithfully into creation as God intends it: pure gift, pure rest, and pure joy.  Forgiven in the blood of Christ, we are free to take up the work He gives us without fear.

LET US PRAY:  O Lord of the Sabbath, You are the rest of the weary and the crown of creation.  Fill the earth with the joy of Your salvation, and write Your law upon our hearts; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever.  Amen

Pr. Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“The stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself. It’s burned with fire. It’s cut down. They perish at your rebuke.” (Psalm 80:15-16)

The great nations fall and their power is forever gone. The wicked who maim and destroy are themselves destroyed. It does come to pass as You have said. There is nothing secret that will not be revealed. Lead me, O Lord, to see in You the hope of glory and the truth that all things are always in Your hands. You are bringing all things together for good for those who love You.

Lord, I am often impatient and I want to see it come to pass before my eyes. You have given Your Word that all of us may see the truth that the nations rise and fall before You. Help me see things through Your word and simply trust, no matter the circumstance, in Your good provision. Guide me away from thinking of things from my own viewpoint to thinking on these things through the worldview of Your Word.

Lord Jesus, all things have always been in Your hands. You who have come to lead those who know You into eternal life, guide me now and always in the way that has been established from the beginning. Lift me up to see things as You would have me see them. Give me a heart that looks with love on all and desires the peace You have granted me to be given to others for the Father’s glory. Amen.

“The boar out of the wood ravages it. The wild animals of the field feed on it. Turn again, we beg you, God of Armies. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine,” (Psalm 80:13-14)

There are those who ravage the lands and feed off others, wrapped in legitimate garb or the outright thief, who come and take what they did not work for. Yet the Lord does amply supply. The Lord provides in spite of the wicked who devour. Yet even if it is devoured by the wicked, still lift your eyes up to the Lord that You may know His goodness and mercy.

Lord, I want revenge against those who have harmed me. Yet it is not what I desire, but the truth that vengeance is Yours and that all things are judged in their time. Lead me to simply look to You, O Lord, and know that You are the One who freely gives that we all may have what is needed. Do hold the wicked at bay if it be Thy will and remind the faithful of Your perfect justice.

Lord Jesus, while yet we were all sinners, You came that we might have liberty from sin by Your grace. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You have established, knowing that You Who will judge all things, hold all things in Your hands. Help me today and every day to simply trust in Your provision of grace and walk by faith in the goodness I have already received from You. Amen.

SATAN’S FAVORITE LIES
Devotional for June 10, 2018 based upon Mark 3: 20-35

Jesus said, “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.”

I believe that the strong man Jesus was referring to is Satan, and the strong man’s property are people. People whom God loves and for whom Jesus died, but people who are under the influence and control of Satan. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead in order to defeat the power of Satan. But until Jesus returns, Satan will work to hold and keep people in bondage. One of the ways in which he will do that is through his lies. And so one of the ways in which people can be delivered from the power of Satan – one of the ways in which the strong man can be tied up so that his property can be plundered – is as people hear and believe God’s truth rather than listen to and fall for Satan’s lies.

Satan’s first lie is this: GOD IS HOLDING OUT ON YOU. Eve fell for this lie. Eve gave into Satan’s temptation and ate the forbidden fruit. “You will not die,” Satan had lied. “Rather God knows that if you were to eat of this fruit, your eyes would be opened and you would be His equal. And God does not want you to be His equal.” The lie Satan was telling Eve was, “God is holding out on you. There is something good that God is trying to keep from you.” Unfortunately Adam and Eve fell for Satan’s first lie.

Is there any way in which you are falling for Satan’s first lie? Is there something happening or not happening in your life that makes you wonder if God is holding out on you? Or do you truly believe that God really means it when He said in Jeremiah 29: 11, “I know the plans I have for you – plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”? If Satan is trying to get you to believe that if God truly were good, then He would gratify some desire of yours and do so immediately, then you need to intentionally recall that God’s plans for you will always be only for your good.

Satan’s second lie is this: YOU DO NOT NEED ANYONE BEYOND YOURSELF. Even King David, the man after God’s own heart, fell victim to this second lie. First Chronicles 21 tells us that Satan incited David to take a census of Israel. David responded by commanding General Joab to count all of the fighting men. David had begun to believe that his security lay in the size of his army rather than in his Lord. Because of David’s act of self-reliance, the whole nation suffered a terrible plague. In the same way, if I rely solely or mainly upon myself – upon my own human resources, insight, wisdom, and strength – it will damage my relationship with God and, as in the case of David, it could also really hurt others.

There is a lot to learn from the Twelve-Step Program from a Christian perspective:
1. I admit that I am powerless over whatever it is that is holding me in bondage. My life has become unmanageable.
2. I need a power outside of myself and greater than myself to restore my life to sanity.
3. I will turn my life over to the power of God as the Bible tells me about Him.

Is there any way in which you need to stop believing Satan’s second lie of total self-reliance and instead start depending upon God?

Satan’s third lie is this: YOU WILL NEVER SUFFER AS A CHRISTIAN. And if you are, something is wrong. In Mark 8 Jesus told His disciples that He was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die. When Peter heard that, he emphatically rebuked Him. “Never, Lord. This shall never happen to You!” Jesus replied, “Get behind Me, Satan!”

Jesus recognized Satan’s clever seduction in Peter’s well-meaning words. Jesus knew that God’s plan for His life included suffering and pain. And God’s plan for your life will include some suffering and pain. Are you falling for Satan’s third lie, or are you able to trust God’s promise in Romans 8: 28? “Not just in some things but in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Even in difficult circumstances, do you trust God to accomplish His good in your life? Do you trust God to use the trials that will come into your life to help shape your character to become more like His?

Satan’s fourth lie is this: MONEY IS THE KEY TO HAPPINESS. Satan knows the powerful lure of money. Satan is well aware of how greed can take over our lives. So the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” The reef of earthly riches is not worth shipwrecking your life on.

Satan’s fifth lie is this: YOU CAN NEVER FORGIVE THEM. You cannot possibly forgive someone who has wounded you so severely.

Where in your life do you need to stop believing Satan’s fifth lie? Whom are you having the greatest difficulty forgiving? The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Forgive each other, just as God in Christ forgave you.” Do you need to meditate more on just how much God has forgiven you, so that you can let go of your own bitterness and forgive someone else? Oh, the healing process may take years. But wouldn’t you rather be free? Wouldn’t you rather be able to think of that person with peace – if not also genuine desire for their welfare? The first step on the road to forgiveness is remembering just how much God has forgiven us. The second step is to let the sweet, healing love of God flow from us and through us to that other person.
Someone once said, “Forgiveness is the oil that keeps our souls from burning up in the friction of human relationships.”

Satan would be more than happy to use His lies in order to keep you in bondage. In Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead God has already won the decisive victory over Satan and all of his demons. Until God wraps up the campaign at the end of the world, may each one of us be able to resist Satan’s lies by holding onto the truths and standing on the promises in God’s Word.

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

“It sent out its branches to the sea, its shoots to the River. Why have you broken down its walls, so that all those who pass by the way pluck it?” (Psalm 80:11-12)

Why does the Lord allow things we consider adverse to happen? Why doesn’t the Lord just make everything perfect? He did in the beginning, but our first parents chose the way of sin and death and it has reigned in this age ever since. It is no use arguing over what is. It is of use to hear the Word of the Lord and of the salvation He grants to all who come to Him.

Lord, move me beyond what I think is a need to figure all things out. Life is filled with mystery because life itself is a mystery. Guide me, O Lord, to come humbly into Your presence and simply trust that You are God. Guide me in Your ways, knowing that only in You is there hope and a future. Lead me away from my own thinking to see things as You have revealed them to be.

Lord Jesus, You taught publically and everyone who listened could hear what You said. Your words have rung true over the ages and You have given the words of eternal life. Lead me through all the difficulties of this age to see simply that You call us all to simply follow where You lead; for You Who are the author and finisher of our faith will bring all things into submission and lay them before the Father’s feet. Amen.

“You cleared the ground for it. It took deep root, and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shadow. Its boughs were like God’s cedars.” (Psalm 80:9- 10)

The Lord prepares the way for all people. There are those who question, “Why did God allow this?” But that does not mean that all things are not in His hands. His ways are not our ways and He has given the promise that all things work together for good for those who love Him. Come under the covering of the Lord and be in His presence and know that He watches over you.

Lord, I see the times and seasons and when things are good, I am pleased. When they are not, I become upset. Help me move to the place where in season and out of season I see Your hand of mercy upon all things. Guide my eyes to see and my ears to hear the truth of Your Word and to know that I have always been in Your hands. Lead me into faith where I trust You above all things.

Lord Jesus, Your very life demonstrated twists and turns not unlike the lives we all live on this earth. At the end You were crucified and that was Your plan all along. In the great mystery of this unfolding age, guide me away from wanting all the answers to trust in the answers You have given. Lead me to see more clearly the truth that You are there and will always be there for those who come to You. Amen.

“Turn us again, God of Armies. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved. You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations, and planted it.” (Psalm 80:7-8)

The Lord is Lord of all. Those who turn away from Him do not see His might nor power. It is there; they just do not see it. He will rescue all who turn to Him from sin, death and the devil. In whom then will you believe? Will it be the nations, or the One who is over all the nations? He who created the universe knows all things and knows His by name. Come to Him and live.

Lord God, I do become distracted in life and live it the way I want rather than living it with You. I need rescuing and You have come to rescue. Guide me, Lord, away from faulty thinking and into the light of Your countenance. Help me to see that in You alone is hope, for You are the One who is above all. Cause Your face to shine upon me now and always in the grace You give.

Lord Jesus, You are the grace, for in You alone and by Your work alone can we hope. You have come into the world to shatter the power of the nations and uplift as many as would receive You into the eternal presence of the Father. Guide me now and always in the way I should go. Lift me up when I see darkness that I may once again stand in the light of Your presence. Amen.

“You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in large measure. You make us a source of contention to our neighbors. Our enemies laugh among themselves.” (Psalm 80:5-6)

The world laughs at those who listen to the Word of the Lord, thinking those who follow Him are following after wives’ tales. Not subject to debate, for such things feed into the derision, but believers simply say that the ways of the Lord are evident to those to whom He has given faith. Let them laugh and weep, for their foolishness is evident just as the truth of the Lord is evident. God is good and looks after us all.

Lord, help me see through the foolishness of every generation which denies you. Guide me in the way of truth that You have revealed for all people. Lead me in Your ways that I may forever hold fast to Your goodness and mercy. You alone are the One who holds all things together and in You alone is life. Lift me up from amidst the contentious ones that I may remain faithful.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being an example. You also met the derision of those who hated You. You went to the cross on behalf of us all in the midst of our unbelief that we might have the opportunity to live in the truth of Your eternal love. Lead me this day to hold fast and stand true in the goodness You have given that I may now and always simply stand fast and hold true. Amen.

“Turn us again, God. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved. Yahweh God of Armies, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?” (Psalm 80:3-4)

The Lord is merciful. Has He not said over and over again to turn to Him? Come to the Lord and live in His blessing and know His goodness. He who created all things, created us to be in union with Him. When we wander it is not He who is far off, but we who are wandering. His anger is against those who will not come to the One who created them and knows them better than they know themselves.

Lord, turn my heart to see humbly and truly that I was created to be in relationship with You. Guide me according to Your goodness to know that only in You will I find peace and rest. Lead me always through this simple way of understanding that I am Yours, for You created me. Guide me into the purpose for which You created me that I may rest always in You in peace and harmony with Your ways.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way for all who come by Your grace in forgiveness into the peace that surpasses all understanding. Now and always, may I rest in You as You abide in me knowing that You alone are able to lead me where I need to go. Guide me this day in the way of truth that I would be one who does what is pleasing to the Father and fulfills His will in my life. Amen.

“Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might! Come to save us!” (Psalm 80:1-2)

It is said there are no atheists in the fox hole. When things are beyond our ability to control, out of hand and we fear, then we finally begin to comprehend that we are in another’s hands. See through this and at all times, turn to the One in whose hands you are. Know that only the One who created you is able to save not only you but all people from the adversity of death.

Lord, You know the times when I have gone on in life as if I were in control. I have learned and know that all things are not in my control. Let Your might be ever before me that I would trust You above all things knowing that in You is hope and an eternal future. Lead me away from the ways of doing as I please into the way of everlasting life that You have put before me.

Lord Jesus, You have all authority and power and You came to us humbly with the purpose of joining us with You to prepare us for being with You in Trinity forever. Guide me, O Lord, to walk in the way You have established knowing that no matter what comes I am always in Your hands. Guide me in the way of truth knowing that nothing will come my way that does not serve the Father’s purpose. Amen.