“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)

Have you ever seen one of those lists, “Ten Reasons to Go to Church?”  They can sometimes be helpful, reminding us of the benefits and obligations of a believer.  Yet they often miss the mark, too.  Focusing on the social or personal benefits of worship, they can neglect what St. Paul calls the matter of “first importance”: Christ died; Christ rose; and Christ appeared to the disciples.

Whatever else we do in the Church, that proclamation stands at the front and center.  For by undoing death (the “wages of sin”), God has canceled the power of sin, putting forgiveness to work in the flesh of Christ.  By appearing to His disciples, Christ put this same forgiveness to work in His followers, sending them to preach it in His name.

What Christ preaches, He gives, and what He gives keeps giving.  To preach the resurrection and rejoice in its benefits, and thus to ready the world for Him who will appear again—here is why we “go to Church,” or even better, why we are the Church.

LET US PRAY: Almighty Savior, triumphant over death: You live and rule above every authority in heaven and earth, and yet You are pleased to dwell among those who trust in You.  How tender Your mercy, how comforting Your power!  May Your Name be praised into eternity, even by my own lips; for You are the beloved Son of the Father, in the glory of the Holy Spirit, one God forever.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. You broke open springs and torrents; You dried up ever-flowing streams.” (Psalm 74:14-15)

The Lord God created all things and all things are in His control and under His power. Who can come against the Lord? Many try, but they will not prevail. Trust in the Lord of all creation and know that, now and always, all things are in His hands. He who holds the universe together and knows when a bird falls from the sky knows your needs and answers every prayer.

Lord, I sometimes feel lost amidst all the things of this world. All around me everyday things are happening that I do not understand. Guide me, O Lord, to see in You the hope for all and the truth of Your sovereignty. Guide me away from living in confusion and fear into wisdom by Your grace to know that You alone are God and there is none other who is able to hold all things together.

Lord Jesus, You are the answer for all who wonder,  for all who are afraid,  for all who look for meaning. You have come to show us the love of the Father that all may turn to You and be reconciled. Guide me this day to walk humbly with You, the One through all things have their being. Lead me now and always in the way of salvation which You have shown for all who believe.  Amen.

“Yet God is my king from of old, who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth. You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.” (Psalm 74:12-13)

Everything that exists has come from the hand of God. Apart from Him is nothing and all that is, is in His hands. Guide me, O Lord, that I may know Your goodness always and live in Your grace. You are the One through whom all things have their being. Lead me, Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may walk in Your light during this life You gave.

Adversity comes, but it too passes. One day will be the final day of adversity and the Lord will bring upon the earth its judgement. Between now and then, You who created all things unfold Your purpose for the sake of those who love You. You are the King and those who know Your voice understand that You are the King of kings. It is You who purposes all things for Your glory.

Lord Christ, You have revealed the glory of salvation that we may see that all works to the glory of the Father. Guide me, Lord Jesus, to walk humbly in the way You have instructed that I may forever hold fast to the goodness You give by grace. Help me now and always to look to You, knowing that all things are in the Father’s hand and that it will work together for good because of the love You have poured upon us. Amen.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR DOUBTS
Devotional for April 8, 2018 based upon John 20: 19-31

Recently I came across a list of ten top reasons that people give for going to church. Number one on the list was – You just might miss out on something really important if you do not go. Thomas was not there on Easter Sunday evening when the disciples were gathered together, so he missed out on something really important. Jesus showed up. And the news that Jesus was alive and that Jesus had shown up – that news to Thomas was just too good to be true. He could not believe it.

Now I think that Thomas’ not being with the disciples on that first Easter Sunday evening shows the depth of his sorrow and the intensity of his disappointment. But Thomas was making a serious mistake in withdrawing from Christian fellowship. For there is strength in numbers. There is power in staying together. But Thomas was staying away. And because he stayed away, he missed out on the appearance of Jesus. We also miss out on so much if we stay away – if we separate ourselves from Christian fellowship.

It’s really too bad how some people, when facing grief and sorrow, stay away. They shut themselves off. They become like Thomas. But that is the time when they need God’s people the most. Just like that was the time when Thomas needed the other disciples the most.

You know, if Jesus had died on the cross and then had stayed dead, there would be absolutely no reason for us to gather together and to work together. If Jesus had stayed dead, then it would make more sense for us just to remember him with flowers on the altar once a week and then let it go at that. But since Jesus came out of the tomb, then any trivial issues that could sidetrack us become even more trivial compared with, How can we love Him?, How can we make Him known, and How can we be His people in our world today?

Thomas did get sidetracked for a while. He did leave the other believers just when he needed them the most. And so he found himself alone. Mourning over a dead Jesus, instead of being with the living Lord. And so I am so glad to see how the other disciples became concerned over Thomas’ absence. They sought him out. And when they found him, they told him, “We have seen the Lord.” They pleaded for his return. And we today need to be concerned for those who – for one reason or another – have separated themselves from Christian fellowship – just when they need it the most.

There are two things I really like about Thomas. For one thing, Thomas would not say he believed when he did not believe. I really like the uncompromising honesty of Thomas. Thomas would never just rattle off a creed without first understanding what it meant. Thomas wanted to be sure. I think there is more faith in the person who wants to be sure, than in the person who just glibly and casually repeats things, which he or she has never thought through, and which he or she does not really believe. What the church needs today is more people like Thomas, who honestly admit and work through their doubts.

And then the second thing I like about Thomas is that when he was sure, he went all the way. Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.”

It is really interesting that of all the disciples, Thomas was the first one to call Jesus “God.” Others had already called Jesus Rabbi, Messiah, and even Son of God. But it was Thomas – so-called Doubting Thomas – who was the first one to call Jesus “God.”

There was nothing half-way about Thomas. One person said, “If we, like Thomas, fight our way through our doubts to the conviction that Jesus is God and Lord, then we will attain to a certainty that those who unthinkingly accept things will never be able to reach.” I would rather have a congregation full of Thomases, who refuse to unthinkingly sing the liturgies and recite the creeds and then live lives according to the world’s standards and priorities. I would rather have people who honestly face their questions and then work through those questions.

For Thomas at first the good news was too good to be true. But the fact that he believed with such difficulty in the end made him believe with such a fierce intensity once he was convinced. And in the end, it was not any argument that solved Thomas’ faith problems, but the presence of the Living Lord.

And so we can learn three things from Thomas –
1. Do not stay away from the company of other believers
2. Honestly admit and work through your doubts
3. Once you have worked through your doubts, give yourself completely to the Lord.

We do not know for sure what happened to Thomas. Early Christian tradition says that after the ascension of Jesus, the disciples divided up and went in different directions to preach the Gospel, so that every area could be covered. Thomas went to India. The Christians today in India and Pakistan trace their faith heritage back to Thomas.

Faith did not come easy for Thomas. He had to be sure. But once he was sure, he went all the way in terms of faith, commitment, and obedience. So did Thomas. And so should we.

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

“How long, O God, will the adversary revile, and the enemy spurn Your name forever? Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? From within Your bosom, destroy them!” (Psalm 74:10-11)

Each generation has those moments in which they cry out, “How long O Lord?” There are wicked in the world, but there are those yet unborn whom the Lord desires to be in His kingdom and so for a short time, the Lord allows the wheat and chaff to be mixed together. The Lord is fulfilling His purpose and it will come to pass according to His will. Look to the Lord, for He is good.

Lord, I encounter injustice and I want retribution to be meted out. Guide me, O Lord, to know that in You is hope and a future; for You alone know all things and all are in Your sight. Those who reject You have their moment in this world and then what? You offer to those who love You life and life everlasting. Guide me, O Lord, in Your ways that I may abide in You now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead all who come to You through the storms of this life. Lead me, Lord, that I may walk in Your ways and learn from You gentleness, humility and faithfulness, abounding in the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Justice belongs to the Father, so guide me by Your Spirit away from my selfish actions to be one who does as You have instructed and allows the light in me to shine that others may know that You are the LORD. Amen.

“They said in their heart, “Let us completely subdue them.” They have burned all the meeting places of God in the land. We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, nor is there any among us who knows how long.” (Psalm 74:8-9)

The world has tried over and over again to be rid of those who walk humbly in the way of the Lord. They rid themselves of the prophets and then the things that have been lifted up to remind the people of the Lord. Yet, through it all, here you are, reading of the Lord and His goodness. God is forever and no one and nothing can overcome the truth, for He is truth and He is forever.

Lord, let me see the cycle that I may step out of it and realize that there truly is nothing new under the sun. Those who hate You toil in vain. They think they are doing something new. Lead me to see that You are the hope of every generation and that in You is life and liberty amidst the struggles that sin causes in this world.

Lord Jesus, apart from You there is no hope, but in You is the hope of the ages. You have come to lift as many as believe out of the pit of despair and onto the path of eternal life. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me walk this day and keep me on the narrow way of Your salvation. Lift my spirit and let my voice speak of You and the truth You have delivered once for all. Amen.

‘It seems as if one had lifted up His axe in a forest of trees. And now all its carved work they smash with hatchet and hammers. They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name.” (Psalm 74:5-7)

The way of the world sadly repeats itself. Build up, create beautiful things, carve up what God created and then destroy everything. And the people go along. Come into the Lord’s courts and see both the madness of the world and the calm and unchanging beauty of what the Lord has made. Contrast them for yourself and then wonder at the insanity of sin and the destruction it brings.

Lord, free me from the insane cycle of this world to be free to be in You now and always. Help me by lifting me out of the pit to first see truth and then to walk in Your ways. Change my heart and place in it respect for all that You have made and a willingness to hold fast to that which never changes. Guide me, Lord, in Your ways to see things through Your eyes and to love what You have made.

Lord Jesus, You know the crazy ways in which people respond to things. You have seen it over and over again throughout the ages. You saw it amongst those whom You served while in Your earthly ministry. Guide me, O Lord, to hold fast to what You teach, to walk humbly with You amidst all the turmoil of this world and to know that Your ways are everlasting and true. Amen.

“Turn Your footsteps toward the perpetual ruins; the enemy has damaged everything within the sanctuary. Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; they have set up their own standards for signs.” (Psalm 74:3-4)

The world hates God and the battle is constant. The wicked one wants God’s people scattered and the things of the Lord forever banished. It has been this way since the Fall. The wicked set up competing and mocking signs in contradiction to the ways of the Lord, which lead people away from Him and the truth. Do not be deceived; the Lord is not mocked. He is God.

Lord, I think the times I experience are unique, but they are not. This has been going on from the beginning. Clear my eyes to see the simple truth of Your promises and the hope that You give that I may walk in Your ways. Lead me, O Lord, to become faithful to the call of grace You have given me. Grant boldness that I may stand firm in opposition to the lies, instead living in the truth You have proclaimed from the beginning.

Lord Jesus, You came and fulfilled the law and the word of the prophets. You teach us to walk humbly with You in every time and in all places. Guide me O Lord in the way You would have me go and grant me the encouragement to hold fast amidst the turmoil of this world. Help me now and always to be one of Your lights shining in the darkness of this world for all to see that I may reflect Your glory to them . Amen.

“O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?  Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, which You have redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance; and this Mount Zion, where You have dwelt.” (Psalm 74:1-2)

It seems to us at times that God is far off when things go bad in the world. Is it God who is afar or us in the midst of a flare up of rebellion against His ways? Everything is sustained by the Lord and He is not far off; but we feel what we feel and we distance ourselves when our lives are oppressed and in difficulty. Walk with the Lord and know that He is always present and His promises are sure.

Lord, the world sometime seems crazier than it normally is. Sometimes my life goes through deep valleys and I feel abandoned. Guide my heart to know that You are always present and that You are there to lead Your people into Zion. Lift up my heart and guide me to live in the hope You give.

Lord Jesus, You came in the midst of turmoil to share the truth of life and liberty granted through grace. It is not an immediate lifting up from the troubles of this world, but Your promise of redemption and the truth of the Holy Spirit that You are there to guide and lead all who trust in You. Lead me, Lord Jesus, in the way You have established that I may learn to walk faithfully with You.  Amen.

How shall you meditate on the sufferings of Christ so that they have their way with you?

This Wednesday we stand on the cusp of the “Triduum,” or “Three Days,” in which we celebrate the sufferings that our Lord undertook for the redemption of the world.  To guide you in that celebration, I offer you three questions: who, what, and why?

Who suffered?  The Supper tells the story: “given and shed for you.”  The One who suffers is the One who is for you in all that He does and all that He is.

What did He suffer?  Sit with this word: betrayal.  Unwanted at His conception, contradicted in His teachings, blasphemed for His miracles, and abandoned by disciples and nation alike, Jesus suffered great betrayal.  He was truly “given up.”

Why did He do it?  Given and shed for you, He must have done it for you.  His universal betrayal leaves Him standing as the only Trustworthy One.  He breaks us from trusting in ourselves to trust in Him alone.

For these next three days, then, see nothing of your own faithfulness.  See, instead, this Jesus being faithful for you.

LET US PRAY: You, Jesus, are the faithful one; You are the worthy one; You are the Faith of the church and the Grace of God.  Let all creatures in heaven and on earth adore You, even in Your miserable sufferings, for so You have redeemed the universe.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau