Last Friday night our school hosted a “Fall Festival” complete with inflatable bouncing houses and carnival type games. As I walked through the hallway during set up, I couldn’t help but notice the big booth where the kids could turn in their winning game tickets for prizes. It was, of course, full of things to light up every child’s eyes and to make every parent groan—“Please, don’t bring that huge ball home!” It’s a little harder to make large items mysteriously disappear! What really caught my attention as I walked past this booth was the large sign at the top of the backboard—“Redemption Center.” I had to do a double-take to realize what this was all about. Oh, yeah. This is where you redeem all the tickets that you have collected for a prize. Now, of course, when I saw the words “Redemption Center”, I was thinking church! I was looking for a cross. I was looking for a baptismal font.
Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price for all my sins. At the baptismal font, I received that gift of faith through the power of the Holy Spirit which covers all my sins with the robe of His righteousness.
We just started “The Apostles’ Creed” this morning in 7th grade Catechism class. I can’t think of redemption without hear the explanation of The Second Article in my head:
“I believe that Jesus Christ....has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death….”
And now we are adopted into the kingdom—we have a share of the inheritance!
Colossians 1:11-14 (English Standard Version)
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
And now I’ll continue my day humming the song “I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Filled with the Holy Ghost, I am. All my sins were washed away. I’ve been redeemed.”
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your Son’s journey to the cross which redeemed me from the kingdom of darkness. Please strengthen all Your saints with Your Spirit to continue walking in the light of Your redeeming grace.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Integrity of Mind
Our Bible study for Wednesday Woman this week is entitled, “The Mind: A Terrible Thing to Waste.” It is based on several passages from Romans.
Romans 1:21 (English Standard Version)
21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
All of creation told them that God existed, but they refused to recognize Him. Once they failed in acknowledging that reality, other thoughts became misguided as well. And as they failed in their minds to recognize God, they also failed in their hearts. And the result is not a pretty picture. Sin never is.
King David, in an effort to be a man of integrity, made a vow before his people. When our boys were young, my husband would have this verse taped to the television as a gentle reminder. He used the New King James Version at that time.
Psalm 101:3 (New King James Version)
3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I also like the English Standard Version where it exchanges wicked for worthless.
Psalm 101:3 (English Standard Version)
3I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I like thinking about avoiding things that have no value. But we know that even King David failed in this promise. He did not avoid looking at the beautiful Bathsheba and succumbing to the other sins that followed.
Although, like King David, we, too, may fail miserably, we, too, like King David, can hold to the promise of the one who did live a life of perfect integrity—David’s descendant, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:10-11 (English Standard Version)
10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Dear Father in Heaven,
We acknowledge you as the creator of all good gifts. We ask that you forgive us for the many times that we fail in our efforts to do Your will. Thank you for the reconciliation we receive by faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please bless our efforts to serve You with integrity.
In Jesus Name we pray.
Amen
Romans 1:21 (English Standard Version)
21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
All of creation told them that God existed, but they refused to recognize Him. Once they failed in acknowledging that reality, other thoughts became misguided as well. And as they failed in their minds to recognize God, they also failed in their hearts. And the result is not a pretty picture. Sin never is.
King David, in an effort to be a man of integrity, made a vow before his people. When our boys were young, my husband would have this verse taped to the television as a gentle reminder. He used the New King James Version at that time.
Psalm 101:3 (New King James Version)
3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I also like the English Standard Version where it exchanges wicked for worthless.
Psalm 101:3 (English Standard Version)
3I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I like thinking about avoiding things that have no value. But we know that even King David failed in this promise. He did not avoid looking at the beautiful Bathsheba and succumbing to the other sins that followed.
Although, like King David, we, too, may fail miserably, we, too, like King David, can hold to the promise of the one who did live a life of perfect integrity—David’s descendant, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:10-11 (English Standard Version)
10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Dear Father in Heaven,
We acknowledge you as the creator of all good gifts. We ask that you forgive us for the many times that we fail in our efforts to do Your will. Thank you for the reconciliation we receive by faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please bless our efforts to serve You with integrity.
In Jesus Name we pray.
Amen
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wisdom
It’s a normal back to the office kind of day. Tuesdays are my LONG day. My daughter usually has piano lessons before school and choir after school. I teach a 7th grade Catechism class first thing in the morning and a religion class for public school students in the evening. I am usually in the building from until except for about an hour or two that we scrounge something for dinner!
One of the prep things on my Tuesday agenda is our Wednesday morning women’s Bible study. Our topic this week is on “Wisdom” and many of the Bible references come from Proverbs. When we think of wisdom and advice many of us immediately remember some of the advice that our parents gave us or a familiar saying of a grandparent. We couldn't leave my grandmother's house without her saying, "Buckle up and push the button." That meant, "Fasten your seat belt and lock your doors." That was back before electric locks and you locked your car doors by pushing down the little button on the door near the window! That was her way of saying, "I love you!"
One of the prep things on my Tuesday agenda is our Wednesday morning women’s Bible study. Our topic this week is on “Wisdom” and many of the Bible references come from Proverbs. When we think of wisdom and advice many of us immediately remember some of the advice that our parents gave us or a familiar saying of a grandparent. We couldn't leave my grandmother's house without her saying, "Buckle up and push the button." That meant, "Fasten your seat belt and lock your doors." That was back before electric locks and you locked your car doors by pushing down the little button on the door near the window! That was her way of saying, "I love you!"
Proverbs 4.1 states:
1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
King Solomon gives good advice to listen to your elders and to learn from their experience. We especially want to learn from those faithful followers of Christ.
Proverbs 1.7 tells us:
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Those who fear the Lord, who put him first above all things, are the ones with true wisdom. True wisdom is not the wisdom of the world. The world sees the wisdom of the cross and Christ crucified as foolishness but to the ones being saved it gives strength and power and life everlasting.
These words also serve as a reminder to parents who want their children to listen to them. Trust me, I am feeling very convicted! Are you grounded in the Word? Are you reflecting the “fear of the Lord” in your life and in your home?
I would like to close with the very simple prayer from the Lutheran Study Bible.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Book review: "Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids"
“Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids” by Sarah Young
“Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids” offers a short devotional for children to read on their own each day. Each page contains a Bible verse, a devotional written as if God is speaking to the child, and suggested additional Bible reading.
While it has some good thoughts in it I am uncomfortable with it being written as if Jesus is speaking. I would prefer to hear “God” and “Jesus” emphasized more. I am afraid a child might lose that focus. I also am disappointed that there are no prayers or suggestions to pray included in the devotional.
“BookSneeze” provided me with a copy of this book to review.
“Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids” offers a short devotional for children to read on their own each day. Each page contains a Bible verse, a devotional written as if God is speaking to the child, and suggested additional Bible reading.
While it has some good thoughts in it I am uncomfortable with it being written as if Jesus is speaking. I would prefer to hear “God” and “Jesus” emphasized more. I am afraid a child might lose that focus. I also am disappointed that there are no prayers or suggestions to pray included in the devotional.
“BookSneeze” provided me with a copy of this book to review.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Refreshment
The Southern Illinois District of the LCMS is holding their fall pastor’s conference at Pere Marquette Lodge in Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, IL. Besides having wonderful speakers, we have had beautiful fall weather—Crisp mornings with warm sunny days. My husband and I got up early this morning and went up a short hike to a look out point where the IL and MISS rivers meet to see the glow of the sunrise before heading back down for a different kind of mountain-top experience in divine worship. It is so refreshing to see and ponder God’s wonderful creation but it is also refreshing to worship and commune together with other Christians—and especially a room full of professional church workers and spouses. These are the times that we want to say like Peter said at Jesus’ transfiguration in Matt 17, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” And like Peter, the desire is strong to pitch our tents and stay! But like Peter and James and John, God calls us back down from the mountain to continue His work. The work is never done! There is always someone who still needs to hear about Jesus and His death and resurrection. For Christians, the work is never done!
For the pastors, much of their work involves ways to enable all Christians to experience this time of refreshment. Christians receive that refreshment and encouragement each week when we attend church and Bible Study. We receive the encouragement to return to our daily tasks—wherever and whatever they may be—and to see those tasks as a way to serve our neighbor and to give God glory.
Dear God,
Thanks you for the many opportunities that you provide to refresh and strengthen us in our faith. Give us the desire to always seek those opportunities to commune with you and to worship with fellow believers. Let Your Holy Spirit guide and encourage us as we return to our daily tasks.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
For the pastors, much of their work involves ways to enable all Christians to experience this time of refreshment. Christians receive that refreshment and encouragement each week when we attend church and Bible Study. We receive the encouragement to return to our daily tasks—wherever and whatever they may be—and to see those tasks as a way to serve our neighbor and to give God glory.
Dear God,
Thanks you for the many opportunities that you provide to refresh and strengthen us in our faith. Give us the desire to always seek those opportunities to commune with you and to worship with fellow believers. Let Your Holy Spirit guide and encourage us as we return to our daily tasks.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)