JESUS MADE HIMSELF NOTHING, TAKING THE FORM OF A SERVANT, BEING BORN IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN.  Philippians 2:7

We just celebrated another Christmas. And it seemed like everybody has been trying to outdo themselves.  The world thinks that bigger is better.

Faster is better.  More is better.  Winning is better.  Everyone except God!

Our Lord Jesus emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant.  He could have come with great force.  He could have come in all His majesty.

He could have come with all His angels.  But He chose to come as a tiny baby, helpless, and dependent upon Mary and Joseph to care for Him.

Jesus came to be one of us.  He came to show us the Father. He came to be our Savior.  He did not demand that you and I do great things to earn our way into His favor.  No, He came to us.  He came to do everything for us so that we had His favor.  He came in weakness to make us great. And it’s all because of His grace.

Blessings on your day, 

IN YOUR PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY; AT YOUR RIGHT HAND ARE PLEASURES FOREVERMORE.   Psalm 16:11

The focus of Advent is usually “God’s presence is more important than presents.”  When we say that and encourage that it is the truth. But if you look at the amount of time spent on shopping for gifts it reveals something else.

In some countries people give gifts on December 6th.  Isn’t that a great idea?  We could get it out of the road early so that we could spend the rest of December focusing upon the real reason we celebrate Christmas, God’s perfect Gift to us.

But often we want other gifts from God, things like health, wealth, knowledge, a better job, a job itself, or a better place to live.  And sometimes we want them more than we want God Himself.

Presents may make us happy for a time, but God’s presence is what gives lasting joy and peace.  I pray that God’s presence would fill you with joy this Christmas season and that the other presents are simply add-ons to your celebrations.

Blessings on your day, 

THE GODLY WALK WITH INTEGRITY   Proverbs 20:7

This is the time of year when everyone is shopping, when many are attending parties, and when there are lots of events going on with lots of people.  And as a result people share germs.  Cold germs.  Flu germs. All kinds of germs.

This year perhaps more than ever we are being made aware of how we need to be careful.  Wash your hands.  Don’t touch your face with your hands.

Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.

Sickness and illness can throw a wrench into our holiday celebrations and gatherings.  But sickness and illness is as a result of sin and it’s because of sin that we have a holiday celebration. It’s because of Sin that our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world to do something about.  He came to overcome sin and death by going to a cross to suffer, die and rise again for us.

We’re still going to get sick. We’re still going to share germs. And it’s still going to cause a bump in our holidays.  But Jesus has set us free.

We are forgiven and we can rejoice in His grace.

Blessings on your day, 

THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE. Mark 10:45

Every Thanksgiving and Christmas we hear how the Mayor or the Governor even the President of the United States goes somewhere to serve – maybe a meal at a food kitchen or to hand out groceries at a pantry, or something.

I have always wondered why is this such a news item?

The people in public offices are public servants.  They are serving all the time.  That’s the way it should be with each and every one of us.  We are called to be followers of Jesus Christ.  He was always serving.  He came to serve.  He came to do for us what we could never do for ourselves.

He came to give His life as a ransom for all. He came to go to a cross to suffer, die and rise again for us.

So He is our model and example. We are to follow in His footsteps.  We are to be servants just like He was.  He made it rather clear to us what He expects from us.  “Whoever of you desires to be first shall be the slave of all.”  Service.  We appreciate good service when we receive it. So we should give good service to others.

Blessings on your day, 

HE GAVE UP HIS PLACE WITH GOD AND MADE HIMSELF NOTHING Philippians 2:7

I trust you had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving.  The news always tells us that SO MANY people travel during these days.  Why?  Why do we do it?

Why do we pack up and get into the car? Why do we go to the airport?  Why do we fight the crowds and all those cars on the busy highway?

I’ll tell you why. It’s because of family.  It’s because we want to be with them. It’s because we want to be with those people we love.  And it all came together as we were gathered around the table holding hands and giving thanks for family, for blessings and for food.

Let me tell you that’s exactly the way it is with God also.  He wants to be with those He loves.  He wants us to be with Him.  Why else do you explain what He did?  Sin had built this wall between us.  And He couldn’t stand it.  So, He sent Jesus to do everything about it.  Jesus gave up His place so that He could remove it for us and bring us back to God.

Blessings on your day, 

NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, ALWAYS BE THANKFUL, FOR THIS IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

 This is Thanksgiving week and I have to remind you that you can’t always control the kind of service you receive, but you can control the kind of gratitude you deliver.

 Service is big these days. Everyone proclaims it.  But what if the package doesn’t arrive the next day? What if your server at the restaurant messes up your order?  What if the clerk behind the counter is on the phone instead of helping you?  What do you do?  How do you respond?

 Sometimes it is necessary to say something to correct a wrong, but for the most part a little poor service is just an inconvenience.  You can deal with it.  You’ll be okay.  How we respond says a great deal about who we are.  Paul encourages us to ALWAYS be thankful.

 We can certainly be thankful for the service we receive from God and our goal is to pass along that service to others.  No matter what happens – always be thankful.

Blessings on your day, 

EVERYONE WHO ASKS WILL RECEIVE. EVERYONE WHO SEARCHES WILL FIND.   Matthew 7:8

I don’t usually do this but I read this devotion that I thought was very good.  I have to share it with you:  “Once there was a man who dared God to speak:  Burn the bush like you did for Moses, and I will follow you.

Collapse the walls like you did for Joshua and I will fight. Still the waves like you did on Galilee, and I will listen.

And so the man sat by a bush, near a wall, close to the sea and waited for God to speak.

God heard the man and answered. He sent fire, not for a bush, but for a church. He brought down a wall, not of brick, but of sin. He stilled a storm, not of the sea, but of a soul.  And God waited for the man to respond. And He waited…and waited.

But because the man was looking at bushes, not hearts; bricks and not lives, seas and not souls, he decided that God had done nothing. Finally he looked to God and asked, Have you lost your power?

And God looked at him and said, "Have you lost your hearing?”

Blessings on your day, 

LET US RUN THE RACE THAT IS BEFORE US AND NEVER GIVE UP. Hebrews 12:1

 I am attempting to set up a 5K race for July here in Omaha.  And as I have made several phone calls I have been met with several hurdles.  But I remember that the Greek word for race is AGON.  It’s the word from which we get agony.

 I could say it is getting to be a bit of agony to set this up or at least to attempt to.  I keep thinking: It will be worth it.

 But as a runner I also know that races can literally be agony.  Having run several 10K races I know what that last stretch of pavement is like.

 The Christian life is like that as the writer describes.  It’s not a jog but a demanding and sometimes difficult race.  It’s easy to give up, but the race, any race, takes persistence and effort to hang in there.  So let me encourage you today to never give up.

 Let me point you to Jesus.  His best work was his final work.  He endured through a difficult and agonizing time.  And He did it for you.

Blessings on your day, 

YOUR FAITH SHOULD NOT BE IN THE WISDOM OF MEN BUT IN THE POWER OF GOD.  1 Corinthians 2:5

 I was reminded of the problem that mapmakers have when they try to put our round world on a flat map. The Arctic and Antarctic Regions are out of proportions on a flat map. 

 I feel the same way about some books that I read.  I am reading one right now that suggests the author to be a person out of the book of Revelation in the Scriptures.  I think his claim is out of proportion with what the Bible says.  I think he is not seeing things clearly when he says that Jesus will return soon to take over as the world's Ruler. I think he is way off claiming that he knows when the end of the world will happen.  

 I think we all need to be careful that we are following the teachings of God that He reveals in the Holy Scriptures.  Thus we need to get to know them by spending some time with Him in devotion and prayer.  He loves us and He has our best interests at heart. He desires for us to spend eternity with Him in heaven.  THAT is for certain.  You can trust Him for that.

Blessings on your day, 

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH.  Psalm 46:10

My wife is going to the dentist this week to get a tooth crowned.  I have had three so I know what is ahead for her.  I remember the second time I had it done the dentist kept saying to me "It's okay. Try to relax." 

But think about those two words for a moment.  They don't seem to go together, do they?  Try - that takes effort and work. Relax - that is an absence of effort and work, isn't it?

TRY TO RELAX.

Yes, that's what the Psalmist is encouraging us, isn't he?  Try to relax.  Relax and let God be God.  "Be still."  Be still and know that HE IS GOD! Let Him be God so we can be His creatures, the ones He cares about and cares for.  Let Him be God which means that our task is simply to trust Him and rely upon Him.  Let Him be God and relax.  Give Him your stresses and anxieties today. It will be okay. 

Blessings on your day, 

CAST ALL YOUR CARES UPON HIM BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU. 

1 Peter 5:7

Today I still hear some young people respond to adults with one word.  "Whatever", You've heard it. It gives you the feeling that it means "who cares",

Well, it's obvious that the adult giving some direction and help or guidelines cares.  They are taking the time to help this young person.  They are going out of their way to give some advice.  But the youth does not want to hear it. 

It needs to be obvious to us as well that our God cares.  He cares very much.  He cares about us. He cares what we do. He cares what happens to us.  He cares about what we say.  He cares about what our thoughts.  HE CARES! 

And because He does care and because we know He does, we can come to Him with our burdens, our struggles, our problems and ask His wisdom, help and direction.  The fact that He sent Jesus demonstrates the depth of His caring for us.  Remember that, please.

Blessings on your day, 

YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE. SO GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY. 

1 Corinthians 6:20

I like to read the Garage Sales section in the newspaper.  I have found some very good bargains there.  I have purchased several coffee pots for church at $2 or $3. I bought a lawnmower for $4. And I was even able to find a snow blower at a great price.

Our God has purchased us with a price, He says.  It wasn't a bargain for it cost Him plenty. In fact it cost Him the life of His own Son.  But God wasn't looking for a sale. He was looking at how He could make it possible for us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. 

But sending His Son to the cross to suffer and die for us demonstrates to you and me how much He cares about it and for us.  He wants us to be with Him.  He wanted that so much that no price was too high to pay.  He was willing to do that for us. 

Now knowing how much He paid for us, means that we are worth a great deal.  And if we are worth a great deal that means that we need to live our lives in a very special way. So as Paul says, let's glorify Him in our bodies.  Let's honor Him in all that we say and do and think.

Blessings on your day, 

NOW I KNOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, EVEN AS I HAVE BEEN FULLY KNOWN.   I Corinthians 13:12

Every once in a while as I get into Nursing homes or Assisted Living homes I notice tables with puzzles on them.  I imagine that some of the residents like to put puzzles together.  Sometimes I stop and look. Sometimes I even put a piece or two into the puzzle.  There are times when I can tell what the picture is and sometimes not. 

You can't always tell what the puzzle looks like from one piece.  But as many pieces get put together it begins to show what the picture is. 

I think the same thing is true with life.  You can't what it looks like from one day or from one experience.  You need to have lots of pieces put together.  We need to see life from a broader perspective to see what it means.  It's like when we look back at events and situations in our lives we may begin to see a reason or two or we may come to know that what seemed like a tragedy was really a blessing.

It's hard for us to see the big picture, because now I know only a few details.  But one day, one day we get to see it all.
 

Blessings on your day, 

BE ON YOUR GUARD AGAINST EVERY FORM OF GREED.  Luke 12;15

In 1900 the average person living in the United States wanted seventy-two different things and considered 18 of them essential.  Today the average person wants five hundred things and considers one hundred of them essential.

One of the things that this recession has demonstrated is that we wanted stuff and lots of it. And we did everything we could to get it.  Which means that we have a lot of stuff.  But as a result 82% of us battle the pressure of overdue bills.  We spend 110% of our disposable income trying to manage debt.  And all of that puts a lot of pressure on us.

Our Lord Jesus warns us rather boldly about greed.  Where does this desire to have all this stuff come from?  Do we need all the things we have?  Does it make us feel better to have our garages stuffed full?  We do need to be on our guard.

When I was in Germany I noticed that people don't have a lot of stuff.  Many of them do not have a car. They have a bicycle.  They don't own a house, but they live in a flat. They live day by day going to the store to purchase the necessary food items.  How different is their life style from ours.  Be on your guard!

Blessings on your day, 

GOD IS NOT A MAN, THAT HE SHOULD LIE, HE IS NOT A HUMAN, THAT HE SHOULD CHANGE HIS MIND.  HAS HE EVER SPOKEN AND FAILED TO ACT? HAS HE EVER PROMISED AND NOT CARRIED IT THROUGH?  Numbers 23:19

The Bible tells us that God made man in His image.  But as I look at the world I see that we have turned that around.  A lot of people have created God in man's image or at least that's the way they think of Him.  We think or we want Him just like us.

But I, for one, do not want God to be like us.  I don't want Him acting like we do.  I don't want Him doing the things we do.  I want Him to be God.

As Moses states that means that He does not lie.  He does not change His mind.  He does not fail to keep His word and promise.  He doesn't judge unfairly. And He doesn't love conditionally. 

I rejoice that He is God and that He loves me.  And in that Love for me and you He has sent His only begotten Son.  His love will not grow less or grow more for us.  He loves us.  Rejoice in that today.

Blessings on your day, 

DO NOT BE GRIEVED, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.  Nehemiah 8:10

Recently in my reading through the Old Testament I was reading in the book of Nehemiah and once again I was reminded that in the revitalization process of the people in Jerusalem after the Exile, Ezra, the Scribe, read to the people for six hours, teaching them what the Word said.

Six Hours!  And it says that the people listened attentively.  Some times you and I have a difficult time listening attentively to the Word read in worship for 6 minutes.  So, I can't imagine listening to someone read from the Bible for six hours. 

But these people had experience a drought of God's Word.  They hadn't heard it for a long time. And they were eager to listen and to learn.  They had been without.  And so they listened attentively.

If only you and I could acquire a desire for the Word like that.  If only you and I could have a hunger like that.  If only you and I would commit to a daily time to feed our hunger and to enable us to learn more carefully about our God's love for us. It would be of great benefit to us.  You don't have to work at it for 6 hours, just a few minutes.

Blessings on your day, 

IF ANYONE SERVES ME, LET HIM FOLLOW ME; AND WHERE I AM, THERE MY SERVANT WILL BE ALSO.    John 12:26

Don't you just love those people who ask you, you know, those questions, the questions that make you think?  I remember reading about this college student who worked with a man who was like that. 

This student announced to this man that he was transferring to another school.  The man asked "Why?"  The student said "Because all my friends are transferring."  The man thought for a moment and responded "I guess that's one way to pick a school."

That caused the student to think if that were a good reason to choose a school, to follow his friends.  And would he always follow his friends?

Jesus stated 25 times in the New Testament "Follow Me". Of all the friends that we have He's the best Friend to follow.  He knows the way.  In fact He is the Way.  If we want to find our way through life, then we need to follow Him.  I encourage you today, to heed His invitation to FOLLOW HIM.

Blessings on your day, 

THE HEARTS OF THIS PEOPLE HAVE GROWN DULL. THEIR EARS ARE HARD OF HEARING AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED.   Matthew 13:15

A couple of weeks ago our Gospel Lesson talked about the people who had heart trouble.  Jesus said that these people honored Him with their lips but that their hearts were far from Him.

I am wondering about your heart today.  Sometimes we tend to focus on believing with our minds and working with our hands but our hearts are pushed to the side.  But if you notice the first thing that a doctor does is listen to your heart.  The first thing that you and I need to do is ask ourselves "How's our heart?" For faith and serving are probably more a matter of our heart than anything else. 

So, HOW is your heart?  It's easy to neglect them.  Just like it might be easy to keep them in good shape with exercise, so it might be easy also to gloss over the minor pain of a heart attack, in the same way it might be very easy to let our heart relationship with Jesus slide.  It's dangerous to do both. 

Work on your heart today.  Keep them in tune with Jesus by staying in His Word and let Him keep your heart healthy.

Blessings on your day, 

AND HE WHO WAS SEATED ON THE THRONE SAID, "BEHOLD, I AM MAKING ALL THINGS NEW."  Revelation 21:5

Summer is over!  I think that means that vacations, at least for students and teachers, are over!  As many of you know the word "vacation" comes from the Latin for "freedom".

And that's what they are supposed to be.  Freedom.  Freedom from schedules.  Freedom from routines.  Freedom from phones.  Freedom from computers.  Freedom from stress. Freedom from a lot of things.

But I don't think that really applies today to vacations.  We take our work with us. We do that by taking our phone.  Our phone can do everything. We can check our email. We can check in at the office. We can do a lot of things without being there. We can.

But the words from Revelation remind us that our God still sits on the throne and wants us to take time for Him.  He has made us new creations in Jesus Christ and in fact every day He re-news us in His grace.  Please stay in contact with Him.  You can't use your phone for that but you can use His Word.  Take time today.

Blessings on your day, 

". . .MAKING THE BEST USE OF THE TIME. . ."    Ephesians 5:16

That was part of yesterday's New Testament Lesson.  I think Judy and I tried to do that while we were in Germany. We walked between 3 and 5 miles every day seeing as much as we could. 

From one end of the community of historic Wittenberg to the other was close to a mile.  Along the way was the Luther House where Martin Luther actually lived. It was the former Augustinian Monastery.  Then there was the Melanchthon House where Philipp Melanchthon actually lived. 

But there were other places. We walked the 15 or so blocks to the Hunterwasser School, the 20 blocks to the cookie factory, and the 20 blocks to the Elbe River. 

In the evening we either spent time talking or reading because all the shops close at 6 pm.

Being in Wittenberg was a time to reflect and consider just how we do use our time.  We are busy, too busy.  And certainly we need to spend more time with our families but especially with the Lord.  My encouragement to you today is to think about how you might make better use of the time that our God gives to you.

Blessings on your day, 

GRACE ALONE, FAITH ALONE, SCRIPTURE ALONE

Greetings from Wittenberg, Germany, the home of the Reformation.  These past two weeks have been an incredible time of learning not only the history of the Reformation but also some of the history of Europe.  I am amazed at how our God used not only Martin Luther but so many people including Frederick the Wise to accomplish His will in this matter.

And I praise Him that He continues to give us men and women who desire to share His message of Grace alone, Faith alone, and Scripture alone with our world.  It truly is by Grace that we are His children, and that we are able to believe in Him and trust Him for forgiveness and salvation. 

It has been good to see buildings and places that are so important to our history as Christians.  And what a joy to have been able to stand in the two churches, especially the Town Church of St Mary (the Stadtkirche) where Martin Luther actually preached.  The first part of this building was built around 1280.  How many people have been touched by God's Word proclaimed from its pulpit?

But it especially was a blessing to me to receive an actual picture of the home that my Great Grandfather lived in from a man in his hometown!  And it truly was by the grace of God that I was able to meet this man and visit with him!! 

How He loves us and cares for us!

Blessings on your day, 

August 3

Pastor Holling is in Germany

Pastor Holling is in Germany

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.   1 Thessalonians 5:7

Have you notice something about people these days?  The cell phone has almost become obsolete for talking. It has become the number one instrument for texting.  Texting, email, Facebook, Twitter, these are all ways to communicate without doing so face to face or voice to voice. Why is it that they have become so popular as the way to talk?

Sometimes when you think about it, it would be so much easier just to dial the number and talk. We could decide right then and there what we want to do or about a decision that has to be made.  Instead we email a choice or an option. Then they get back with what works for them.  And we have to respond with an appropriate reply. 

Yes, it is convenient to do that on our time because many times we do play phone tag, but calling would be quicker sometimes.  

We don't need to text, or email, or play phone tag with God. He does'™t have an answering machine.  He doesn't have a fax.  When we call, He answers. When we pray, He listens.  And He invites us to do that without ceasing, continuously.  Are you?

Blessings on your day!

I AM THE LORD; I HAVE CALLED YOU IN RIGHTEOUSNESS; I WILL TAKE YOU BY THE HAND AND KEEP YOU. Isaiah 42:6

I don't know if you saw on the news that a baseball bat broke as the batter attempted to hit the ball and the barrel end flew into the crowd behind the dugout. But it didn't hurt anyone because a man talking on a cell phone caught it with his other hand. 

It made me stop and think about all the things we hold in our hands these days. Cell phones. Blackberries or the new Smart Phones.  Ipods. Water bottles. DVD players.  MP3 players. Even GPS units.   

But of all the things that God could hold in His hands, He has chosen to take us by the hand and keep us.  He holds us in His hands to protect us.  He uses His hand to guide us. He leads us with His hand.     

It's not that we are holding His hand but He is holding ours. There is a difference. Picture a father and son walking together. If the little boy holds his father's finger there is a little help and security.  But if the father takes the boy's hand, Dad keeps the boy from falling and getting hurt. So it is with God. He holds us with His hand.

Blessings on your day!

GOD HAS HIGHLY EXALTED HIM TO HIS OWN RIGHT HAND AS PRINCE AND SAVIOR THAT HE MIGHT GIVE REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS . . .

Acts 5:31

The other day I was reminded of a bad decision I had made years ago.  And I thought to myself about the grace of God. And that grace I thought that He never thinks about what we have done or what we have been in the past.  He has forgiven us and it always starts from that.  He is always thinking about what we are going to be.

The woman at the well is a great example.  I have often wondered why it was that Jesus chose to reveal so much of who He was to this woman and not to His disciples.  It is to her that He reveals that He is the Messiah.

He has revealed that same thing to you and me.  He is our Savior.  He is the One full of grace. He came to call us to be His own.  And we can rejoice that He continues to receive sinners.

Blessings on your day!

FOR I DELIVERED TO YOU AS OF FIRST IMPORTANCE WHAT I ALSO RECEIVED: THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES.  1 Corinthians 15:3

One day as I was watching the commercial showing the people from the Publisher's Clearing House standing at someone's door, I thought about how many difference ways we have of delivering things.  UPS, FEDEX, Priority Mail, First Class, Next Day Air, on and on it goes.

But interestingly all of those are for the delivery of things - sandals, shoes, clothing, books, lawnmower parts, etc.

Paul is talking about another kind of delivery.  He is talking about delivering the greatest news there is.  It should be more than Priority Mail or First Class. It needs to be telling others, verbally, of the love of Jesus Christ.  But at the same time it needs to be delivered also in our actions so that people can see the importance that it has in our lives so that they can catch how important it really is and can be in theirs.  

Be the FEDEX guy or the UPS girl and deliver the greatest news there is!

Blessings on your day!

THE LORD GOD SAID "IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE MAN TO BE ALONE. I WILL MAKE A HELPER SUITABLE FOR HIM."  Genesis 2:18

Yesterday we celebrated Father's Day.  About a month ago in the newspaper a columnist wrote that the best thing a father could do for his children was to love their mother.  I believe there is a great deal of truth in that statement because it demonstrates how men are to treat women and how women are to be treated. Plus it gives the children stability and confidence.

The word "helper" can be translated "helper according to his opposite," in other words she is meant to complement this man, to have what he is missing, to supply what he needs. And he her, to have what she is missing and to supply what she needs.  Perhaps like a right and left hand. They work together.  They help each other.

It's important to see what a gift of God each is to the other and to appreciate them. Blessings on your marriage and your day!

"ANYONE WHO IS THIRSTY MAY COME TO ME AND DRINK. FOR THE SCRIPTURES DECLARE, RIVERS OF LIVING WATER WILL FLOW FROM HIS HEART."  John 7:37-38

It seems like everyone has a water bottle with them these days. You don't see too many people without one.  As I attend the College World Series games there is someone handing out free water before every game.  And yet nutritionist keep pushing the need to drink MORE water. Still I am amazed at the amount of water people do drink today.

Our Lord Jesus does too.  But He encourages us to drink of the Water of Life.  His "water" is for every circumstance.  His "water" gives life and nourishes our relationship that we have with Him.   No matter what is going on in our life He has those resources that never run out. 

At any moment, in the midst of our busyness, stress, and the stuff of life, we can come and drink deeply and experience His presence and His peace as well as His power for us.  Are you thirsty?  You know where to go.

Blessings on your day,

FROM YOU THE WORD OF THE LORD HAS SOUNDED FORTH, NOT ONLY IN MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA, BUT ALSO IN EVERY PLACE.  1 Thessalonians 1:8

I think most people in marketing know that the best advertisement is a satisfied costumer.  His or her recommendation is the most effective means of advertising. That's why many companies recruit consumers who receive free samples of their products along with the encouragement to recommend them to family and friends. In fact one major corporation regularly sends coupons and products to 725,000 selected people called "connectors" who spread the word to others.

I trust that you can think of yourself as a satisfied customer of the grace and mercy of God, and of His church.  That's how it works. One person tells another. And that person wants to try it.  After becoming a satisfied customer that person tells another and another.  And pretty soon the kingdom and the church are growing. 

Are you the connector?  Are you the one telling the story?  I hope so.

Blessings on your day,

LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR; THEY DO NOT SOW OR REAP OR STORE AWAY IN BARNS, AND YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM.  ARE YOU NOT OF MUCH MORE VALUE THAN THEY?   Matthew 6:26

Usually every day as I am out walking or running I notice the geese and the ducks on the pond by our house.  I love to watch them circle around and come in for a landing. There is nothing like watching them glide in feet outstretched and wings either are on hold or flapping to slow themselves down.  To me, it is one of those wonders of creation.

And I can't help but marvel how our God provides for them.  I am also able to watch them feed as they duck their heads under the water and come up with their food.

God continues to provide for us as well.  I have been enjoying radishes from my  garden for the last couple of weeks.  Aren't you amazed at how little seeds can become things for us to eat?  God's creation truly is a marvel! 

Blessings on your day,

JESUS SAID TO THEM ‘FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN. Matthew 4:19

This is the season of Graduation.  Every year about this time seniors all over the country graduate, whether it be from high school or college.  High school seniors then apply to colleges and wait to hear if they are accepted.  College seniors apply for jobs and then wait to hear if they were accepted.

In the New Testament times boys would attend school until they were 13.  Then only the best would be chosen to "follow" a local rabbi. 

Peter, Andrew, James and John obviously were the best and thus weren't chosen to follow a local rabbi.  But these were the men that Jesus chose for His disciples. 

Jesus does the same with us. He has chosen us because He needs us to follow Him and to live our lives demonstrating what a Christian and a Disciple are like.  He needs to us share the love of Jesus with us just like those first disciples.  So, let me encourage you to follow Him and let Him make something of your life.

Blessings on your day,

WHEN WE WERE UNABLE TO HELP OURSELVES, AT THE MOMENT OF OUR NEED, CHRIST DIED FOR US.  Romans 5:6

Have you ever been in one of those stores where there are little glass objects or expensive crystal?  You as an adult have to be very careful because there is this sign all over the place: "You break it, you buy it."

I was in one once and I watched as this dad had his ten year old daughter with him.  They were looking but not touching when in spite of the sign "DO NOT TOUCH" she touched.  It must have been so tempting that she ignored the sign for just a moment.  And it fell. 

When the dad looked he saw three pieces on the floor.  AND then came this unhappy store manager. 

The daughter had no money.  I could see that the store manager had no mercy. There was this awkward silence until the dad spoke "How much do we owe you?"  But I wondered why did he owe anything?  And then it hit me but she was his daughter and she could not pay. So he did.

How like that little girl we all are!  We could not pay, but Jesus did.  We had broken more than little glass objects. We had broken our God's heart. But Jesus stepped in and paid.  What a gift!

Blessings on your day,

I WILL FORGIVE THEIR INIQUITY, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SIN NO MORE.  Jeremiah 31:34

You may recognize that as part of the New Covenant that God promised to Israel.  It's the New Testament in both senses of those words.  It's the NEW promise that was sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ.  And it's what the New Testament is all about.

Both are all about FORGIVENESS. But then the Bible is really about forgiveness.  It began recording for us how sin entered the world and the introduction of the promise.  Then it tells the story leading up to the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus Christ coming into this world to earn and gain our forgiveness.    

The Bible then announces those beautiful words to us that we can have forgiveness by grace through faith.  It's a gift of God. We do NOTHING to earn it or gain it.  God simply gives it to us. 

So, rejoice in those words today.  God has forgiven everything and no longer remembers it.  Rejoice in His goodness, grace and mercy.

Blessings on your day,

AND THEY DID NOT DO AS WE EXPECTED, BUT THEY GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD..  2 Corinthians 8:5

I am finding more and more what someone called Mediocre Christianity, even in my own life.  By that I mean that we settle for less that what the Lord desires and deserves. 

He wants us in His Word reading and studying so that He can nurture and grow our faith.  But we make excuses that we don't have time.

He wants us to be perfect for He is perfect.  But we think that 79 % or 89% isn't bad. 

He wants us to commit our heart and soul and mind and strength to serving Him.  But many times we are too tired, worn out from all the other things that we do. 

Oh, that we would give ourselves totally and completely as He did for us on the cross.  Yet we settle for less and we think we are doing Him a great service.  Pray that God's Holy Spirit would light the fire and renew that fire in our lives daily of giving ourselves FIRST to the Lord and doing more than others expect.

Blessings on your day,

WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP.  Ephesians 2:10

From Grace for the Moment, "Over a hundred years ago, a group of fishermen were relaxing in a Scottish seaside inn.  One of the men gestured widely and his arm struck the serving maid's tea tray, sending the teapot flying into the whitewashed wall.  The innkeeper surveyed the damage and sighed, 'The whole wall will have to be repainted.' 'Perhaps not,' offered a stranger. 'Let me work with it.'

Having nothing to lose, the proprietor consented. The man pulled pencils, brushes and pigment out of an art box.  In time, an image began to emerge: a stag with a great rack of antlers.  The man inscribed his signature at the bottom, paid for his meal, and left. His name: Sir Edwin Landseer, famous painter of wildlife."

We marvel at how some can take a seeming disaster and turn it into a masterpiece. Isn't that exactly what our God has done with each and every one of us.  He has taken us and lives and "paints" us into amazing masterpieces who believe in Him, love Him, and seek to serve Him.  You are indeed: GOD'S MASTERPIECE.

Blessings on your day,

HE HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD...COME, SEE WHERE HIS BODY WAS LYING.   Matthew 28:6

Yesterday we heard about Thomas and his not believing the resurrection.  I am convinced he believed in Jesus just not the resurrection.  That leads me to say that not only does following Jesus take faith, it also takes faith to believe the resurrection.  And it's not just blind faith.  The angel wanted the women to see for themselves.  "Come and See"

Through their eyes we get to see also.  Jesus was not there.  He was alive.  He had risen from the dead.  His body was not where they laid Him. 

I find it interesting that the leaders and the elders did not produce a body.  If they really wanted to discredit this story about the resurrection all they had to do was to bring out the body.  BUT THEY DIDN'T.  And they didn't because they couldn't. 

That alone is enough proof to show us that Jesus is alive and risen from the dead.  But as believers we really don't need proof.  We have our faith. Like Thomas we have come to believe and in that faith we know that Jesus rose from the dead.  So Continue your Easter Celebration.

Blessings on your day,

THE LORD IS SLOW IN KEEPING HIS PROMISE...HE IS PATIENT WITH YOU, NOT WANTING ANYONE TO PERISH...  2 Peter 3:9

A month or so ago I have my annual physical and then a week later I had surgery on my nose.  Both my doctor and dermatologist keep to a schedule which means that I don't have to wait very long in the waiting room to see them.  I like that about both.

But I know there are times when people have to wait a long time. And they get impatient. I think there are people who also get impatient with God.  But from His perspective He is waiting as long as possible, giving people He is working on a chance to put their faith in Him. 

He is very patient with us as He nurtures us and desires for us to grow in our walk with Him as well. 

Let me encourage you today to put your trust in Him and His schedule.  He knows what is best.  And He will do that at just the right time.

Blessings on your day,

WHATEVER YOU DO IN WORD OR DEED, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS.  Colossians 3:17

I enjoy watching the television program "Dirty Jobs."  Mike Rowe is the man who takes on these dirty jobs.  He has tried just about everything that you can think of.  Many of them are jobs that very few people would like to do but they are necessary.  For example: cleaning and greasing the machines atop of the wind turbines, greasing cables and tower pulleys for a ski lift, painting and replacing bulbs on bridges.

But as I watch this program I think the kind of service that the people who perform them do for others. And most of the time we don't think about those people and those jobs.  The motors keep running and the wheels keep turning.  And we keep depending upon these people.

You do things that no one notices also.  You do them to serve others and as you do you serve our God. You do it in the Name of Jesus.  Thank you for all you do.  I want to encourage you in your job to do all to the glory of God.

Blessings on your day,

YOU SHALL NOT COVET ANYTHING THAT IS YOUR NEIGHBOR'S.  Exodus 20:17.

A couple of weeks ago I read this in "Daily Bread".  "The bird feeder was just beyond the reach of the squirrels. But there was one persistent squirrel who made it his mission to get the seeds. He tried it from every direction. He crawled up the wooden window casing only to slide down the slippery glass.  He climbed the thin branches of the forsythia bush, only to fall to the ground."

I couldn't help but think how like that squirrel so many people are these days.  We want. We want and we want and we want.  In fact isn't that part of our problem in America today. We wanted too much.  And so we put in on plastic and now we are in real trouble.  And it was all because of our wants.

The same thing is true when it comes to our relationship with God.  We wanted all the other things instead of spending time with Him. We wanted to sleep in instead of using our time wisely in devotions. We wanted to do our thing instead of His.  We wanted. And we fall.  But God continues to forgive and help.  He continues to seek and invite. Can you hear Him calling today?

Blessings on your day,

LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?  Acts 9:6

The other day I learned that there are certain words and phrases not to say when seeking to get ahead in the job market.  For example "That's not my job" isn't a good phrase.  Or when someone asks you to do a project to say "Sure, no problem," when you have no intentions of completing it. 

Perhaps there are things that we should not say to our God when He is talking about what we should or should not be doing.  Like I would imagine that He doesn't want to hear one of our favorite phrases "It's not my fault."  "It's the way I was raised."  "It's my parents' fault because they didn't give me the love I needed."  "It's every body else's fault, not mine."

I think probably one of the better phrases that He listens for is: "I accept responsibility.  I confess I am guilty.  I have sinned against you.  It is all my fault."  Because following those phrases our God will lavish upon us His forgiveness and His love.  Let's always be ready to confess our faults, failures and sins to our God.

Blessings on your day,

THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE.
2 Timothy 4:3

You probably read in the paper this past week about the falling numbers of Christians in this country and the growing number of those who had no religion at all.  It stated that 50% of the respondents had no religion.  I think I have heard that in Nebraska that's true.  And in addition I think I have heard that only 23% worship. 

It seems that many people have either decided to have no religion whatsoever or as one person I heard say "We just do Christianity L-I-T-E."  But L-I-T-E Christianity is like LITE anything. There isn't much substance to it.  There isn't much taste.  There isn't much worth.

Well, today I want to encourage you to do Christianity not L-I-T-E but LIGHT.  Let our Lord Jesus be the Light of your life.  Let Him be the Light of your faith.  Let Him be the Light that reveals to you the love of the Father. 

Blessings on your day,

IF I GO UP TO THE HEAVENS, YOU ARE THERE; IF I MAKE MY BED IN THE DEPTHS, YOU ARE THERE.  Psalm 139:8

Have you ever wondered how in the world or the universe can people claim that there is no god?  Don't they ever look up at a star-filled sky and wonder how did this come into being by an explosion?  Don't they ever look at their own hand and wonder how could such a complex member of our body simply develop?  And don't they ever look at the ordinary events of every day and wonder how they keep going with such rhythm and grace? 

I don't want that kind of uncertainty and insecurity in my life.  I know that my God is with me at all times.  As the Psalmist says no matter where I go or where I am GOD IS THERE with me.  He is the One protecting me.  He is the One directing me.  He is the One providing for me. 

Our universe did not happen by chance.  It did not come into existence with a bang. And it does not continue without the providence of our God.  Our God loves us and watches over us.  He has our best interests at heart.  Man! THAT is great news.

Blessings on your day,

WE MUST GIVE THE MORE EARNEST HEED TO THE THINGS WE HAVE HEARD, LEST WE DRIFT AWAY.  Hebrews 2:1

Yesterday we heard about Jesus' temptations. Those temptations are common to us also. Daily Bread states "In  the 1923 silent movie 'Our Hospitality' comedian and acrobat Buster Keaton performed a daring stunt near a waterfall.  A retaining line hidden in the water was attached to him to keep him from going over the fall.  But during the filming the cable actually broke and his grabbing onto a branch kept him from going over. The dramatic scene appears in the finished film

Drifting into unintended hazards can make for exciting film footage. In real life, however, dangers of this kind are usually marked with warning signs to prevent people from venturing into harm's way." 

The devil works on us in subtle ways. Sometimes one little step, one thought about it being okay just once is all that he needs, AND HE HAS US! He may have us that once, but we continue to enjoy the forgiveness of our God and He restores us as His children and enables us to begin again.  We still need to heed and be awake to what Satan is trying to do to us. 

Blessings on your day,

ONE THING HAVE I ASKED OF THE LORD, THAT WILL I SEEK AFTER; THAT I MAY DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, TO GAZE UPON THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD AND TO INQUIRE IN HIS TEMPLE.  Psalm 27:4 

Do you notice the beauty of God's work around you?  Do you take the time to notice what God is doing daily to bring joy to your life?

A week or so ago we had 6 inches of snow. Yes, it caused some travel difficulties but did you notice how it covered the trees and made them a thing of beauty? Did you notice the feeling of warmth that the sun created on your face the very next day? And do you notice the little things God does every day for our benefit?

Max Lucado states "We live in an art gallery of divine creativity and yet are content to gaze only at the carpet."

Pretty soon our God is going to bring our world back to life with all kinds of colors, greens and yellows, red and purples, whites and oranges. Please let me encourage you to take the time to 'gaze upon the beauty' that the Lord provides.

Blessings on your day,

"WHEN YOU GO TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, TELL THEM,  'I AM' SENT ME TO YOU."   Exodus 3:14

The other day as I was reading this passage I came to the realization that God is the ONLY ONE who simply says "I AM."  That's it - nothing more need be said.

But you and I have to add other words to that statement.  "I am fine."  "I am doing well."  "I am sad."  "I am Ron." 

God, on the other hand, doesn't have to.  He simply says "I am."  And that says a lot!  He is.  That's what He is.  That's what He has always been. He exists.  He is God, the only God.  We could use all those adjectives that the Catechism uses to describe Him. He is unchanging.  He is eternal. He is kind and good. He is loving and forgiving. That's who He is.  And that's what He does - all because He is God.  He is the great "I AM" of the Old Testament.  

And best of all, He is OUR God.  He is the God who sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior.  He is the God who loves us with an incredible love.  Let me encourage you today to rejoice in that love and live in that love.

Blessings on your day,

THEN JESUS SAID "AND YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH WILL MAKE YOU FREE."   John 8:31-32

I think we all know that we have been living at a time when many profess that there is no such thing as absolute truth.  They are convinced that truth is relative, therefore what you think is truth is truth and also what I think is truth is truth. 

I don't know if you have thought about that or not.  But that truly is unsettling, at least for me.  Because what it means is that there is nothing solid and secure upon which I can depend.  Nothing is true unless I think it is. But then if you don't think it is true, is it?  And all that kind of thinking gets me into philosophy and I never was very good at that in school.

But I have come to the conclusion that truth really is not a thing, but a person.  Jesus has said "I am the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life."  He is not Someone to search out, but rather He is Someone that we are called upon to follow and serve, because in the Gospels it is not that men seek the Truth but rather it is the Truth seeking men. 

Truth is not hard to find.  Open your Bibles today and let the Truth come to you.  It's that Truth that truly will make you free.

Blessings on your day,

LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD.   Psalm 150:6

The other day someone said to me "Wait just a minute. Let me catch my breath."  And my thought immediately went to a picture of a baseball player catching a ball, then to person trying to take this big inflow of air.  But when you think about it, that's a rather unusual idiom.  "Catching your breath." How do you "catch" your breath?  What do you use to catch it?

But so is "Save your breath." We cannot "save our breath" to use for a later time.  We need to use what we have now.

And the Psalmist has a unique way of saying how we are to USE our breath - TO PRAISE OUR GOD.  Does that mean that we waste our breath if we use it for something that doesn't honor the Lord? 

So let me encourage you today to use your breath to speak words of comfort and encouragement, to sing songs of praise, to lift up the sick and oppressed, and to tell  the love of Jesus to someone.  Use your breath wisely today.

Blessings on your day,

January 26

DO NOT FEAR THEREFORE; YOU ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS.  Matthew 10:34

With birds being in the news recently causing the Airbus to have to land in the Hudson River, my thoughts are about the birds and how our Lord used them in illustrations.

It has always amazed me that most birds know instinctively when to fly south and when to fly north.  And I think we all know how we have tried to help certain kinds of birds that are getting less and less in numbers.  We are helping the herons, owls, hawks, vultures and many others. 

In Omaha many are concerned about the falcons that roost and nest on some of the buildings downtown. 

Jesus points out that birds are just birds, but God provides for them.  And in comparison God provides for us BECAUSE we are of more value to Him that the birds.  He didn't send His Son for the birds.  He sent Him for us.  Jesus didn't suffer and die and rise again for the birds.  He did that for us. 

We ARE OF MORE VALUE.  Please remember that today. You are a valued person to God.

Blessings on your day,

January 19

THE WOMAN SAID TO HIM, "I KNOW THAT MESSIAH IS COMING (HE WHO IS CALLED THE CHRIST). WHEN HE COMES, HE WILL TELL US ALL THINGS. " John 4:25

This is it. This is the week that many people have been waiting for.  A new president begins his term of office tomorrow.  And he has talked about change and change and change.  Many people are wondering what this will mean for our country and our personal lives.  We do know that there are all kinds of unexpected challenges and uncontrollable forces that will come and change his best laid plans.  But how will he get his agenda accomplished?

I guess that means that you and I will need to wait and see.  That was sort of what the woman at the well said to Jesus.  "He will tell us all things."

But He has already told us everything. We don't need to wait and see. We know that He is the Savior and that He desires for us to put our trust in Him.  Nothing will change that. Nothing will alter His plans.  He wants us to spend eternity with Him.  And He is working hard with His Holy Spirit to get that accomplished.  He's working on you.

Blessings on your day,

January 12

HE FIRST FOUND HIS OWN BROTHER SIMON AND SAID TO HIM "WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAH, WHICH MEANS CHRIST."  John 1:41

I read this little story "The mother was tired. She had taken four of her six kids to the mall to do some shopping. Enough said, right?  Standing in line with charge card in hand, she hears the raspy voice of her eight-year-old son singing at the top of his lungs. She looks over and sees him leading his three sisters in and out of the clothing racks.  Leaving the line, she bolts over to scold her children for their inappropriate behavior and suddenly she realizes the song they are singing is 'Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so.'  The mother stops to watch her children finish the song before calling them to her side."

This mother was a wise woman.  She was concerned about their inappropriate behavior but not about their witness to Jesus and His tremendous love for us.  She let them finish the song.

Andrew in the verse above was excited about the Master. He had to tell someone. Are we like that?  Are we ready to tell everyone and anyone about Jesus?  Pray that God would give all of us that children enthusiasm.

Blessings on your day,

January 5

ASK AND YOU WILL RECEIVE, SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND, KNOCK AND THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED TO YOU.  Matthew 7:7

"While driving across the Midwest Millionaire Paul J Meyer was stopped by highway construction and was intrigued with a young lady dressed in blue jeans, holding a stop sign. He leaned out of the window and asked 'Why are you working in construction?' Her reply was 'I am working my way through college.'

'Can't your parents help you?'  'No, they're not in a position right now to help.'  'What do you want to be?' 'My dream is to become a nurse.'

Meyer handed her his card and said 'Call me. I'm in the business of making dreams come true.'

The next week she did, and she received money for college." (Men of Integrity)

I use this to encourage you to take the word of our God seriously. He promises. He says. He states.  He invites.  But do we ever take Him up on it?  This first week of the new year, let's give it a try.  Make the call. 

Blessings on your day,