Romans 3:24-28

“For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.” vs. 28

Paul believed that all people had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But he also held that they had all been justified by God’s grace as a gift, through the redemption that had occurred in Christ Jesus. He further adds that the benefits of this great gift are made effective in faith. Paul’s add-on has frequently been misunderstood through the years. Some now insist that folks cannot be saved unless they believe, and preachers make great efforts to persuade people to make that step of faith. That kind of thinking is very close to being true, but it can give people the impression that the act of receiving Jesus as a personal savior is what gives them salvation. And that most certainly is not true. Salvation is a given. It has happened through Jesus a long time ago, and it is ours as a gift by the grace of God. How much better it is when people simply receive the gift with thanksgiving, and make no effort to claim any credit for themselves. While faith is important, and even crucial, for experiencing joy in daily living, we who call Jesus “Lord” are children of grace, and all the glory should go to God, the great architect of grace and mercy from eternity! 

Thought for the Day: What is grace centered living?

Romans 3:19-23

“Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.” vs. 19

At one time humans put a lot of trust in the law. They really believed that the brokenness of this good world could be resolved if people would be obedient to the extensive set of ordinances and commandments found in their sacred writings. But it didn’t work! All that the law could do was reveal sin–it did nothing to provide healing and reconciliation. After centuries of trying to obey the law, and then attempting to fix it by adding more laws, the conclusion of leaders like Paul was that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But there was a solution! Paul said that we were going to have to rely on the sacrificial love of God and faithfully respond to what God has done in Christ Jesus. So the big question remains, does it really work? Does forgiveness really bring healing and restoration? And the answer is, “Of course!” There is no more powerful and restorative power in the universe than forgiveness that comes from the heart of God. It’s a force that actually changes broken humans from guilt-ridden captives of sin into righteous and holy saints of God. No matter what we have done, no matter how great our trespasses, God’s mercy sets us free to be the beautiful creatures we’ve been created to be.

Thought for the Day: What do I need to do to receive forgiveness?

Psalm 46:6-10

“Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” vs. 10

More than once in this election season many have felt like echoing this psalm and wishing that the politicians would just be still. If only we could have even a moment’s relief from the ongoing diatribes and accusations it would be wonderful. But even when we turn off our social media, the loud voices interrupt our weekend football watching. Our one consolation in all of this is that, despite the turmoil and noise, God continues to be our ever present help in times of trouble. And people all around the world know this! In every land there are millions of people who know and exalt the living God, and they know that when the current crop of politicians has faded away, God will still be in charge. Rulers and governments come and go, some of them better than others, but God is the one constant in the universe. God was present in the beginning and God will be there at the end. And most important of all, God is with us now! And even though we humans have pretty much made a mess of everything that we’ve touched, our hope is built on nothing less than our Lord God’s steadfast love and righteousness. And  even when elections don’t go the way we want, God will continue to be our strength and consolation.  

Thought for the Day: Why is it hard for us to be still about political matters?

Psalm 46:1-7

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;” vss. 1-2

The psalmist knew about the ravages wrought by earthquakes and rapidly changing environments. Wars and invasions were an ever-present threat, and the unthinkable often became a reality. In other words, he knew all about our times, and composed for us a word of hope, and admonished us not to be afraid. His psalm has been read with thanksgiving in every time of tribulation and uncertainty, and even inspired Luther’s great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” And certainly its timeless truths are most welcome in our own times of divisiveness and distress. We need to hear, more than ever, that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. God is not somewhere far away and we have not been abandoned. Indeed, God is as close as our heartbeat, an intimate presence that brings a spirit of peace and serenity that soothes our anxious souls. And it’s not just our wishful thinking or vivid imaginations that brings God close. The God of the psalmist and Luther. and every one of us, is as real as real can be. That’s such good news when we’re at the ends of our ropes with nowhere else to turn. And this is the best news: even if we don’t believe it, it’s still true! And always will be!

Thought for the Day: How can God be real if I don’t believe?

Jeremiah 31:31-34

“No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” vs. 34

Whatever we might say about the bible, no matter how confused we get about its writings, even skeptics will have to admit that it is an enormously hopeful book. No matter what calamities and disasters had come close to the people, the writers were able to look into the future and see an ending to the brokenness that had afflicted the nations from the beginning. Jeremiah provides a perfect example. Writing at a time when the future of Israel hung in the balance, and total collapse was at hand, he dared to paint a picture of a future in which there would be unity with the Divine Presence. It’s a vision that many still hold close to their hearts even as current events and collisions of culture seem to be bringing greater enmity among nations. For some the brokenness seems overwhelming. But people of faith keep on hoping, and insist that with forgiveness unity may be restored. We even say that there is a blueprint for the road to peace if we can move from a mindset of hate and retribution to an embrace of love and restoration. And for followers of Jesus, this isn’t just something we hope for. No, we are bold to actually say that this is what will happen!

Thought for the Day: How is hope possible in these times?

Mark 10:41-45

“…but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” vss. 43b-45

When the disciples caught wind of what James and John were up to, they erupted in anger, and Jesus had to step in to settle things down. Their behavior was contrary to everything that he stood for, and he did not mince words in setting them straight. While it is true that leaders in this world lord it over those they perceive to be their followers, his disciples had been called to be servants. Certainly that was how he perceived his own mission–he had come to serve and not to be served! And that’s why every faith community worth its salt will be dedicated to service in all that they do. Not only will their leaders lead through sacrificial service, but every member will live out their call in the same way. There is just no room in the church for outsized egos and for leaders who love the limelight. Not that this doesn’t happen. We’re well acquainted with celebrity preachers who relish lavish living and the attention received from adoring followers. But these few bad apples can’t begin to outweigh the thousands of genuine leaders on every level who live according to the principles of Jesus. Love and service are a combination that can’t be matched and in their presence humans flourish!

Thought for the Day: What makes celebrity preachers so appealing?

Mark 10:35-40

“And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’” vss. 36-37

James and John presumably assumed that, since they had been among the first to follow Jesus, they should get the seats of power in the coming messianic kingdom. So, while on the way to Jerusalem they make their bold and unseemly request. They obviously didn’t have a clue about Jesus’ aims or priorities. They didn’t know that in a few weeks their lives would be turned upside down in ways that they couldn’t even imagine, and it wasn’t going to be a pleasant journey. Actually that’s the way it is for most of us as we follow Jesus. Most of us assume things are going to go pretty much as they have been going, and we’d love to soak up as many blessings as possible–maybe a promotion or a pay hike, or a new job more in line with what we deserve. But we really don’t know what lies ahead! And with nations seriously preparing for wars the likes of which we’ve never seen, there could be explosive changes for every one of us. And at the same time we face uncertainties as individuals. We all know people whose lives have been irrevocably changed through accidents or illnesses–and many never ever saw it coming. Our only hope is that, no matter what happens, Jesus will never desert us.

Thought for the Day: How am I preparing for the future?

Hebrews 5:1-10

“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” vs. 7

The writer of Hebrews used the sacrificial system of Judaism as a template for helping Jewish Christians understand why it was necessary for Jesus to undergo sufferings and death at the hands of the religious leaders. Just as the appointed high priests of Israel had offered up gifts and sacrifices for the sins of the people, so Jesus, having been appointed High Priest by God, offered himself as a sacrifice for the restoration of our broken world. While the language used in this passage may seem strange to us, especially in the references to Melchizadek, the writer is right on in his understanding the link between unconditional love and sacrifice. There remains no better way to express steadfast love than in sacrificing one’s life for the sake of others. We regularly celebrate this connection as we honor those who serve in the armed forces, but it’s even better when we recognize the amazing sacrificial service being done out of love for Jesus in congregations and ministries all around the world. We don’t always see the better side of humanity, but when we do, it almost always involves the conjunction of love and sacrifice. And it happens more often than we think!

Thought for the Day: Where have I seen love and service combined for great good?

Psalm 91:13-16

“When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.” 15-16

While we do know that believers are not guaranteed long life, and that our endings can catch us by surprise, long life is one of the most appreciated blessings we can receive. It feels good to be able to live through milestone birthdays and enjoy this beautiful world just a little bit longer, particularly if we can enjoy good health along the way. But God doesn’t just show up in the latter days with an old age extension for some, our God is with all people, particularly when trouble comes near, as a companion through good times and bad. Of course it hurts when death comes too soon, and people are robbed of special time with family and friends, but even then we are promised that death is no match for God’s love, and new life awaits. The psalmist is right. God’s blessings never come to an end, and if long life does happen to be a part of our game plan, there’s nothing better than to offer thanks and praise to God for one more day of grace and joy. We certainly don’t deserve more time in this world than other folks, but when those decades keep extending, there’s nothing better than to say, “Thank you, God, for yet another day.”

Thought for the Day: What are the blessings and curses of long life?

Psalm 91:9-13

“Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.” vss. 9-10

Scholars believe that this was a kind of benediction that was pronounced by the priest as the people left a celebratory worship service. The worshipers had come to offer sacrifices, prayers, and thanksgiving as a demonstration of their trust in the Lord. And as they departed from the sanctuary they heard words of reassurance as they headed home. No evil would befall them, no scourge would come near their tents, and they felt peace in their hearts. It’s nice to be able to leave worship with words like that echoing in our ears. Of course, even as we hear them, we know that some disaster could strike. Our faith does not make us immune to the bad things that are a part of life, nor does God throw up a protective shield around us. But still it’s a blessing to know that God will bless us and keep us, and make his face shine upon us. Those are the words of continuing peace and security that we long to hear every day. Even if our weeks don’t turn out as well as we hope they will, it’s good to know that the Lord walks with us through every day, no matter what dangers we might encounter. That’s just who God is, an ever-present help in times of trouble. 

Thought for the Day: What’s my favorite benediction?