Friday, December 22, 2017 Devotion

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You.  So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”  (Psalm 63:3-4)

Do you live for yourself or have you learned that your life belongs to the Lord?  Yes, you want to live, but true life is only in the Lord and His promise that you will live forever.  Though you die, yet shall you live.  To bless the Lord is to live in Him.  Otherwise, it is contention.  Bless the Lord and be blessed by living in His lovingkindness, knowing that in Him is life and liberty.

Lord, I struggle for meaning in life, but here it is right before me.  Living in You is life.  Yet I continue the struggle.  Help me I pray to overcome the obstacles in my life that get in the way of the simplicity of love and faith to which You have called me.  Guide me in Your purpose that I may abide in You now and always.  Lead me to be a blessing to others as You are to me.

Lord Jesus, You who has removed all the obstacles that get in the way of our eternal relationship, lead me ever deeper into the truth You have revealed for us all.  Guide me according to Your purpose that I may live in Your will now and forever.  Help me learn to do what is pleasing to the Father that I may truly be a blessing.  Teach me to listen, learn and do what is right always.  Amen.

“Rejoice always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

“Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!”  We sang that hymn next to a grave yesterday, a bitterly cold wind beating on our backs.  Our sister in the faith had died suddenly, grieving us all, but still we called out the truth: Jesus is on His way, and so, even in grief, we rejoice in Him.  

That’s what St. Paul intends by this command.  He’s not calling for Pollyanna thinking, a way to shield ourselves from feeling the pains of our losses.  No, but having just set forth the promise of Christ’s return, he’s telling the believers in Thessaly to confess that gospel in every situation, happy or sad.  Feel the pain, and then meet it with the promise.

So what do you face today?  What sharp winds of challenge, blessing, disappointment, or fear will pound on your heart?  Approach every situation in this conviction: you are one for whom Christ Jesus came to Bethlehem; with you He still abides; and He is on His way to give you a full share in His victory.  What happens today passes away tomorrow, but rejoice!  Emmanuel, God-with-us, God-with-you, is forever.

LET US PRAY: O Lord, as I, with Your Church, prepare to celebrate the birth of Your Son, grant me Your Holy Spirit, that I may see in His first advent the brilliance of His final appearing in glory; and by the promise of that glory, strengthen me to rest and live in hope each day; through Christ my Lord.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau  

© 2017

Saturday, December 9, 2017 Devotion

“Moab is My washbowl; over Edom I shall throw My shoe; shout loud, O Philistia, because of Me!”  Who will bring me into the besieged city?  Who will lead me to Edom?”  (Psalm 60:8-9)

Who is able to counsel the Lord?  Who can speak to Him words He does not already know?  What secrets are there that are hidden?  The Lord knows the days of us all and has planned for all that shall come about.  Do not worry about what tomorrow will bring, but come into the counsel of the Lord and walk in His ways.  Learn from the One who made all things and grow in wisdom.

Lord, Creator and Sustainer of all things, You know, yet You allow for the wicked ones to rail against You.  Help me, O Lord, to see through the darkness of this world and be as one who is Yours.  You have come to lead me through the ups and downs of this world and to walk humbly with You my Maker.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may have Your praise upon my lips all the day long.

Lord Jesus, You have called as many as believe to walk with You now and always.  Lead me, O Lord, to humbly submit and learn to listen as the Holy Spirit speaks.  Guide me in the eternal ways already established and form them in me.  Master, walk with me this day, leading me into the eternal wisdom You have brought for those who turn to You. Teach me Your ways.  Amen.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Devotion

“But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress.  O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.”  (Psalm 59:16-17)

What is the direction, the outcome of your life?  Is it to live the few years on this earth, or is there a higher calling?  Come into the Lord’s presence and sing to Him.  Let the One who created you be the center of Your being.  It was for this that you were made.  Come and rejoice, sing songs of praise and worship the Lord your God.  He is your strength and your stronghold.

Lord, I am confused by all the offerings around me, yet they really offer nothing but momentary distractions.  Guide me in the way of life as You created it to be lived that I may live according to Your purpose.  Help me see through the nonsense of this world and focus on the things that have always been true.  Lead me in the way of righteousness for Your name’s sake.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You have come to lead the way.  Help me now and always to walk in the way You have established.  Guide me according to the timeless principles You have given through Your Word.  Help me take Your hand and follow You alone through all that this world will force my way.  Help me see clearly the way I should go and then by Your Spirit guide me to walk that way.  Amen.

“But You, O Lord, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.  Because of his strength I will watch for You, for God is my stronghold.”  (Psalm 59:8-9)

Look at the pale of history and what do you see?  You see the once supposed great nations in ruin.  Those who walk in the way of the wicked come to nothing.  The nations rise and fall. In their height they think no one can crush them, but they come to ruin.  Do not look to the nations, but to the One who created all things and know that in Him alone is hope and glory.  He alone is God.

O Lord, Your ways are so far above our ways that we cannot even imagine, yet You love each one whom You have made.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way I should go that I may go that way.  Help me now and always to look to You for all things and walk in Your ways.  You are the stronghold of all who look to You.  Guide me, O Lord, now and always and keep me close to You.

Lord Jesus, the One who has come to lead the way for those who are called according to Your purpose, keep my eye upon You and the prize You offer in grace.  Let me not stray, nor wander in other places, but remain with You guiding me at all times.  Let my lips speak Your goodness.  May I now and always hold praise of You and the work You have done on my lips.  Amen.

“Arouse Yourself to help me, and see!  You, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations; do not be gracious to any who are treacherous in iniquity.  They return at evening, they howl like a dog, and go around the city.  Behold, they belch forth with their mouth; words are in their lips, for, they say, “Who hears?”  (Psalm 59:5-7)

Keep your eyes upon the Lord and His ways.  Walk in the counsel of the Lord and know that those who do wickedness will come to their own wicked end.  Do not cast your pearls before swine.  Come into the Lord’s presence and walk humbly before Your God.  Know that the Lord, who sees all, will keep you in His ways and will speak His Word to your ears.

Lord, all around are those who mock You and do not look to You for their sustenance.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way I should go that I would walk in that way.  Help me now and always to seek You alone in all things knowing that You have the words of eternal life.  Let my lips speak Your goodness and my feet walk in Your ways.  You will bring recompense in due season to all who mock You.

Lord Jesus, You took upon Yourself all of the mockery of the nations.  Guide me in Your ways, O Lord, and keep me close to Your teaching.  Let me not hear the ways of the wicked, but instead listen and heed Your eternal way of truth.  May I now and always be in keeping with what You teach me, with Your Word on my lips, meditating on the good portion You have shared by grace.  Amen.

“For behold, they have set an ambush for my life; fierce men launch an attack against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord, for no guilt of mine, they run and set themselves against me.”  (Psalm 59:3-4)

We often pay the recompense for our own sin in this world although forgiveness is granted to us by grace.  There are times though when others will attack with no real provocation and simply accuse and malign.  In a world of wickedness, these things do happen.  The Lord knows.  Look to the Lord who knows all things and be comforted by His grace to persevere in every time of trial.

Lord, as a sinner, I want revenge when it is by no fault of mine that I am being persecuted.  Grant that I would rest in Your grace and realize that You alone are able to handle every injustice, for You alone are able to discern what is right and fitting in every circumstance, Lead my heart to turn to You at all times and know that only in You can I find true peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord Jesus, You have experienced the rebellion of the wicked first hand and know the false accusations that were raised against You.  In Your compassion and by Your understanding, lead me through these times of trial that will come that I may keep my eyes upon You and trust in Your never-failing support through all the tribulations of this world.  Lead me through Your grace dear Jesus.  Amen.

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me.  Deliver me from those who do iniquity and save me from men of bloodshed.”  (Psalm 59:1-2)

Sometimes this world is troublesome.  There are difficulties each day.  But the Lord, who knows all things, has us in His hands.  He knows the plans He has for us.  Yes, we have our difficulties, but to Him we should turn in every time of trouble.  It may seem dark at times, but He is mighty to save and will watch over us all.  The Deliverer has come and in Him all who trust will be rescued.

Lord, I hear these words, but in times of trouble I am often overwhelmed in the moment.  Teach my heart to trust.  Teach me to learn from You that I may walk through every moment in trust and confidence in the faith You have given me.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may be led by Your mighty hand to become what you have in mind.  Lead me through every valley of the shadow of death.

Lord Jesus, You know adversity and the plotting of evil doers.  Guide me in the way I need to go each day.  Teach me to lean on You through Your Word and by prayer that I may forever hold fast to the truth You have revealed for the ages.  Lead me, my Savior, today that I may walk humbly with You and know the goodness You have in store for those who walk by faith.  Amen.

“The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.  And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth!”  (Psalm 58:10-11)

In a world filled with wickedness, it is hard to distinguish where justice lies.  The Lord knows, but we do not see His hand of justice at work.  The Lord is patient, but we, in our limited lifetimes want revenge now.  The Lord will judge and He will judge righteously.  Just trust in the Lord in all of His ways and know that He will lead all who turn to Him into the ways of righteousness.

Lord, I am easily led in so many directions by all of the wickedness in this world.  Guide the thoughts of my mind and the attitude of my heart that I would hold fast to the truth You have revealed.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should go and then help me walk in this way.  Grant that I would see Your hand upon this world and know that You are working all things together for good to those who love You.

Lord Jesus, in great love You have come to lead as many as would follow You in the way of truth.  The world is already judged and You have come for those who will come through You into light and life.  Guide my heart this day, O Lord, that I would look to You and Your ways and follow in them as You direct and lead.  By Your Holy Spirit, lead me this day.  Amen.

“Let them be as a snail which melts away as it goes along, like the miscarriages of a woman which never see the sun.  Before your pots can feel the fire of thorns He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike.”  (Psalm 58:8-9)

Those who are called to righteousness are perplexed at the presence of the truly wicked.  Yes, we call out for vengeance, if only on the inside.  But all things are in the Lord’s hands and we should never stop short at our inability to see why things are the way they are.  Instead, learn to simply trust the Lord in all things and for all things.  Be guided by His Spirit to learn to praise Him.

Lord I am impatient and want restitution when harmed.  Help me understand that You alone are God and my ability or inability to understand means nothing.  Guide me in Your ways that I may learn from You who knows all things how to live and how to respond to all of life’s circumstances.  Vengeance will come, but You are forever.  Lead me into forever Lord.

Lord Jesus You have come to lead the way for as many as would turn to You and follow where You lead.  Guide me in the way I need to go to learn through all circumstances to love You unconditionally.  Help me despite my feelings and desires to seek that which is beneficial now and forever, knowing that You are conforming me to Your image.  Lead me this day, my Savior.  Amen.