Inspired to Write.

When the Day Comes

2013-08-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

The Sword

Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. (Ephesians 6:13)

Clear your mind for a moment and think about three specific days. The first two are Sunday, December 7, 1941, and Tuesday, September 11, 2001. If you’re an American citizen, those first two days are so seared into your memory that their very mention triggers footage in your mind as to what took place.

Now let’s talk about the third day. The third day is still in the future. The third day is personal. The third day is coming for you. The Apostle Paul describes it as “the day of evil.” The day of evil is the next time the devil launches an attack on your Christian faith.

What will that attack look like? Well, that depends. You see, as you read or listen to this message, the devil is already at work. He’s observing you, studying you. He’s recording all your weaknesses. He notes what makes you angry. He notes how you act when you get tired, or irritated, or bored. He keeps track of what pumps up your sinful pride. He pays attention to what makes you feel discouraged. And he watches and remembers every single thing that tends to distract you from your relationship with your Savior.

Then he’ll launch his attack. Tailor made just for you. Often the attack is so subtle it may be difficult for you even to notice. At other time the attack is so sudden you may have trouble even taking in what’s just happened. One thing is for certain. The day of evil is coming...for you. And after that day, another day will come. And another one will come after that.

That’s why we need Jesus. We need him during the summer, the fall, the winter, and spring. We need him on Sunday, and Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday, and Thursday, and Friday, and Saturday. There is no vacation from Satan’s attacks and temptations...from the day of evil.

That’s why we need God’s Word to bring us to repentance. That’s why we need the power of his forgiveness. That’s why we need the clarity of his will for our lives. The day of evil is about to arrive. The time to prepare is right now. Put on the full armor of God. Take your stand in Christ and his Word so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.

Pastor Dennis Himm

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (WELS)

Grand Blanc, MI

The Apostles' Creed

2013-07-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

Taken from Luther’s Catechism

(3^rd edition 1998)

Do you know the Apostles’ Creed? I have recited it in church every Sunday all my life. It truly sums up who I am and what I believe. It tells me where I came from and where I am going.

Where I came from (Creation):

I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean?

· I believe that God created me and all that exists, and that he gave me my body and soul, eyes, ears and all my members, my mind and all my abilities. And I believe that God still preserves me by richly and daily providing clothing and shoes, food and drink. Property and home, spouse and children, land cattle, and all I own, and all I need to keep my body and life. God also preserves me by defending me against all danger, guarding and protecting me from all evil. All this God does only because he is my good and merciful Father in heaven, and not because I have earned or deserved it. For all this I ought to thank and praise, to serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.

I am a redeemed child of God (Redemption):

He lived

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean?

He died

· I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, 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.

All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally.

This is most certainly true.

I have been made holy through the blood of Jesus (Sanctification):

He rose from death

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen

What does this mean?

· I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church he daily and fully forgives all sins to me and all believers. On the Last Day he will raise me and all the dead and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

What beautiful words these are. They are filled with hope, light and life. They tell us where we came from and how we are to live. They tell us that Jesus redeemed all people from death and the power of Satan and that through faith in Him we are forgiven and made holy by His blood. They tell us that death is not forever – that the bodies of all believers will be raised on the last day and be granted eternal life with Him in heaven.

I am His child

This truly is reason for rejoicing!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, it is only by your wonderful grace that I was born into a Christian family. Words cannot express my thanks to you. Thank you also for the gift of baptism, by which you brought me to faith, forgave my sins and adopted me into your family. I believe your promise of life after this life and look forward to the day I will meet you face to face and live in your wonderful kingdom eternally. Take away my fears and help me to trust in your almighty power. Amen.

For American Christians

2013-07-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

Jesus died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)

Let’s start with this understanding—you and I live in a nation through which the Lord has given us breathtaking blessings. A simple walk through your local supermarket would make most people in this world speechless with amazement. After the election of every new president, the most powerful military in the world takes orders from its new Commander in Chief, an orderly transition of authority that many other nations find impossible to comprehend. And when you and I gather around God’s Word, we don’t worry about gangs of men rushing in with machetes to slaughter us because we’re Christians—a very real fear in other parts of the globe.

But for all these blessings in our wonderful land, there’s also a toxin that’s oozing its way throughout our society. It’s an attitude that simply says, “Life is about me.”

You are not immune to this attitude. I’m not, either. After all, like most other Americans, I’ve watched thousands of hours of television over the years. Many of those hours included commercials telling me that life is about getting something new for myself, about making my life more convenient, about using my credit card to get what I want right now, about improving the way I look, upgrading what I drive. This lifelong stream of me centered messages can easily make the case that “Life is about me.”

But life isn’t about me. And thank God that it is not.

Jesus came. He rescued us from the vacuum of a self-absorbed life. He lived a selfless life on our behalf. Then he died on the cross for every self-centered action, every self-centered thought. Through faith in Him, all is forgiven. All things are new.

Freedom from sin through Jesus

This means everything. It means you don’t have to go back to the bottomless pit of a me-centered life. You don’t have to go back to the loneliness, the fear, the quiet desperation, the shame and guilt. Now you have Jesus. Now you have the One who can truly fill the emptiness in your life. Now through the power of the Holy Spirit you can live for him who died for you and was raised again.

During this month when you pause to thank God for this great nation, may you pause to remember your Savior who has given you real freedom. On July 4^th celebrate your independence as an American citizen. But on each day celebrate your dependence on your loving Savior as an American Christian.

Pastor Dennis Himm

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

Grand Blanc, Mi.

The Fun of Life

2013-05-06T09:22:00.001-07:00

Jesus is the light of life

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, ‘surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him. Let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation’ (Isaiah 25: 6-9).

True or False? God takes all the fun out of life.

Do you believe that? Some people do. They think that God (or religion or Christianity) exists to deprive people of pleasure by restricting human behavior with “you shalls” and “you shall nots”.

God does not take the fun out of life. God puts the fun in life. Jesus said; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full (John 10:10).

Satan takes the fun out of life. Satan takes true fun from us. He tempts us with sinful pleasure instead of godly pleasure. Have you fallen for his lies? He baits the trap with tasty morsels of greed, lust, indulgence or unfaithfulness. These sins leave a bitter taste in our mouths – a taste of regret and remorse. His poisoned plate makes us sick.

God does not take the fun out of life. He makes life a celebration of his grace. He invites us to his healthy, joyful dinner. Join him on the mountain for his feast of rich food and aged wine. By this imagery the prophet Isaiah depicts a blessed meeting place for God and his people. God welcomes his people to a mountain retreat where he surrounds them with his love and provides a feast of his blessings. His people respond with trust and praise.

The host of this feast is Jesus, the risen Savior of the world. With his sacrifice for the sins of all he destroyed the shroud that enfolded all people. By rising from the dead he swallowed up death forever. Best of all, this feast never ends. It lasts through eternity.

You want to have fun? Join the LORD Almighty at his feast. He serves you richly with the gospel of salvation through Jesus. Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.

Pastor Dennis Himm

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

Grand Blanc, MI.

My Redeemer Lives!

2013-03-31T17:38:00.000-07:00

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27)

The words above spoken by the prophet Job were spoken many years before the birth of Jesus, yet they were spoken in faith and with confidence in the promises of God. Job knew that he would die someday and his body would would be placed in the ground where it would decay and turn back to dust. But he also knew that his body and soul would be reunited again in heaven on judgement day, and that he would see God face to face.

Today (March 31, 2013) all Christians celebrated Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It is a day of rejoicing because in Jesus we have hope and the promise of a new life to come. Without Jesus we have no purpose in life. Without Jesus we live only to die someday. But with Jesus, death is merely the gateway to heaven where we will live with God forever and bask in His love and light. With Jesus we live our life here on earth in joyful service to Him and our fellowman and we look forward to the life to come.

Job looked forward to the promised Messiah. We who live 2013 years after the birth of Christ can look back and speak with the same confidence knowing that Jesus lived and died for us, and rose again triumphant over death. Jesus promises that because He lives, all who have faith in Him will live also. All who believe in Jesus will someday pass from death into eternal life in heaven. And when Jesus comes again to judge the world our bodies and souls will once again be reunited. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One [Jesus] see decay Acts 2: 26, 27).

There is a hymn I have sung every Easter since I was old enough to memorize and/or read the words. The Hymn is titled; I know that my Redeemer Lives. It was sung at my grandfather's funeral at his request. It was sung at my mother's funeral at my request and it will be sung at my own funeral also at my request. It offers much comfort for the living and for the dying. I would like to print for you selected verses.

I Know that My Redeemer Lives

I know that my Redeemer lives;

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead;

He lives my ever living head!

He lives triumphant from the grave;

He lives eternally to save.

He lives all glorious in the sky;

He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to bless me with his love;

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed;

He lives to help in time of need.

He lives and grants me daily breath;

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare;

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives all glory to his name!

He lives my Jesus, still the same.

Oh the sweet joy this sentence gives;

"I know that my Redeemer Lives!"

(Christian Worship Pg. 152, Vs. 1,2,3,7,8)

Thank you Jesus for living and dying for me!

Come to Calvary

2013-03-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

The following four verses of the hymn Come to Calvary's holy Mountain were sung in our worship service today. It pretty much tells the whole story of life, death, and life after death, and the hope that we have in Jesus through His death and resurrection.

I invite you to come to the cross and drink from the water of life. You will be blessed!

A healing fountain

Come to Calvary's holy mountain,

Sinners, ruined by the fall;

Here a pure and healing fountain

flows to you, to me, to all,

In a full, perpetual tide,

Opened when our Savior died.

"You shall walk with God in light"

Come in poverty and meekness,

Come defiled, without, within;

From infection and uncleanness,

From the leprosy of sin,

Wash your robes and make them white;

You shall walk with God in light.

"Come in sorrow and contrition"

Come in sorrow and contrition,

Wounded, paralyzed and blind;

Here the guilty, free remission,

Here the troubled, peace may find.

Health this fountain will restore;

He that drinks shall thirst no more.

"He that drinks will thirst no more"

He that drinks shall live forever;

'T'is a soul-renewing flood.

God is faithful; God will never

Break his covenant of blood,

Signed when our Redeemer died,

Sealed when he was glorified.

(Christian Worship pg. 106)

"Signed when our Redeemer died"

"Sealed when he was glorified"

"Try it, You'll like it!"

2013-03-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Come and Taste the Lord's Goodness

Come to the Cross

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8)

I am a sinner. Because I am a sinner, I will die someday, but because of Jesus, I have hope.

Have you ever tried to go one day or even one hour without thinking a bad thought or feeling anger toward someone or some circumstance in your life? Have you ever had dreams you were ashamed to repeat to anyone? Have you ever made choices in life that hurt you or someone you love? Have you ever had a selfish or inconsiderate attitude toward others? Do you use God’s name on a daily basis, or any time for that matter, in ways that aren’t loving and don’t give Him honor? Have you ever disrespected your parents or mistreated your siblings and friends?

If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you are a sinner too. The truth is we are all sinners. The Bible tells us we are sinful from birth - from the moment we were conceived in our mother’s womb. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me (Psalm 51:5).

“Sin” is a disease which cannot be avoided. It is a disease which we inherit from our parents, they from their parents, and so on all the way back to Adam and Eve. It is a disease which dooms us to an eternity in hell. When we are covered in sin we are unable to stand before a holy God.

Wow, by the sounds of that we don’t have a chance. We were lost before we even got started. God tells us in His Word; the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). God is holy and He expects us to be holy also. Our sins separate us from Him. He didn’t create us sinful. He created humans perfect and holy like Him.

Most people, Christians and non Christians alike know the story of man’s fall into sin (Genesis 2,3). Because Adam and Eve sinned against God, we live in a fallen world. All people born since the fall are sinners and doomed to die someday. Death is not a natural part of God’s creation. It is the devastating result of sin. Because of sin death will touch all beings born onto this earth.

But God loved the first people and He loves you. Because of His deep love for all people He devised a plan to rescue us from death and eternal punishment.

After Adam and Eve sinned God promised them a Savior. This Savior would crush the head of Satan so that death could not hold them (or us) prisoners (Gen. 3:15). This promised Savior was His perfect and holy Son, Jesus. He was born into the world as flesh and blood just like you and I, but unlike you and I

Jesus, the promised Savior

Jesus was holy and without sin. He lived the perfect and holy life we are unable to live due to our inherited sinful nature. He died on the cross and suffered the punishment of Hell (separation from God) in our place. His suffering and death paid the debt we owe to God for our sin and His resurrection crushed the head of Satan and defeated his power. We no longer need to fear death because Jesus gives us hope for eternity.

Jesus’ love for all people sent Him to the cross. He took the punishment that we deserve for our sin upon Himself. Without Him God’s anger rests on us. We are told in John 3:18; whoever believes in him [Jesus] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Only through faith in Jesus can we escape an eternity in Hell.

Any human who rejects Jesus is covered in God’s wrath and will go to Hell. It doesn’t matter if you are a good person who is kind to others. It doesn’t matter if you have never committed a crime. It doesn’t matter if you work hard and are honest, or if you give generously to charities. God will not see the good things

"Love" nailed Him to the Cross

you do if you don’t have faith in Jesus. He will look right past you. He will not even know you and if you die in that state of mind and heart, you will go to Hell. God expects us to be holy. He says; be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy (Leviticus 19:2).

Do you know Jesus? Have you met Him in His Word? If you do not know Him personally, be advised that he does know you. He knows each and every person on this earth (past, present and future) personally and you can rest assured that He loves you as if you were His only child. He loves each of us in that way.

I invite you to come to know Jesus. Faith in Jesus comes from the Holy Spirit through baptism, through reading and studying Scripture, and through hearing it taught. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the

Faith through the Word

message is heard through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).

Faith is a true blessing. It is life changing. It will fill the emptiness in your soul. Through faith you will become a part of God’s family. You will be free from the chains of sin which Satan uses to try to drag you down and make you feel unworthy. Through faith in Jesus the good things that you do will be the result of your love for God rather that your way to heaven.

Through faith you can live to serve God and your fellow man without the fear of eternal death hanging over you. Yes, you will die someday. We all will. But all who die in faith will pass from this life directly into the next to live eternally in heaven. We will live in the presence of God forever. We will all be members of one family – God’s family. In heaven; He [Jesus] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21: 4).

A gift from the Holy Spirit

Does it sound good to you? It may even sound too good to be true, but it’s not. Heaven is a free gift offered to all people by God’s grace through faith in His Son. You don’t have to try to be good or sinless to go to heaven. By faith, Jesus’ suffering and death covers the dirt and filth of your sin. God no longer sees it.

So then, are we still sinners? You better believe it! We need to come to Jesus everyday with a repentant heart. We need to kneel at the foot of the cross in sorrow and ask His forgiveness. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 8, 9). Yes, we are sinners, but through faith in Jesus we are also saints.

We are holy in God’s eyes because when he looks at us through the blood of His Son shed on the cross He no longer sees our sin. He sees His holy and Perfect

His blood covers our sin

Son. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool (Isaiah 1:18).

Step into the light of God’s love and taste of His goodness. Taste and see that He is good. You will be truly blessed. His love will shine through you and light up the world around you. Try it – you’ll like it!

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6: 23).

To God be all glory. Amen.

By Kristeen

Are you a Saint?

2012-12-29T17:15:00.001-08:00

Are you a Saint?

"One sacrifice for sins"

But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God...because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy (Hebrews 10:12, 14).

I am a member of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod). The last four Sundays of our church year are referred to as the End Times Sundays. The “End Times” Season begins with Reformation Sunday. The Lutheran Reformation coincides with Halloween, but actually has nothing to do with Halloween itself. Reformation (Celebrated on October 31^st each year) is the day we honor our church’s founder Martin Luther. Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk, a Roman Catholic priest and a professor of theology.

Martin Luther

On October 31, 1517 he nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Saxony, Germany. The 95 Theses were statements of his beliefs (based on Scripture) which he wished to defend in a public debate. The Catholic Church had become corrupted by centuries of ignorance during the Dark Ages of medieval Europe. Martin Luther wanted the church to realize the importance of returning to Scripture as its only source of truth. He taught, per Scripture, that we are saved by grace alone! By faith alone! and By Scripture alone! Salvation is a gift of God’s never ending grace, through faith in His one and only Son Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church had lost sight of these truths which were/are clearly taught in God’s Word.

The second Sunday of End Times is called Last Judgment which is pretty self explanatory. It is a study of the last days and most importantly the final day when the earth and this life as we know it will come to an end – the day when Christ will come again in glory to judge the world.

The third Sunday in End Times is called Saints Triumphant. It is a study and celebration of all the Saints who were/are made victorious when Christ after His suffering and death, rose victorious crushing the power of Satan.

The fourth and last Sunday in End Times is called Christ the King. This last Sunday of the church year is again, a study of the last day when Jesus will come in glory and bring His believers (those still alive and those who have died) home.

My pastor begins each service on Sunday mornings with a children’s lesson. He invites all children present to the front of the church and spends about five minutes with them. He teaches them a lesson which pertains to the Scripture on which the service for that particular Sunday is based.

The Sunday which I am referring to in this writing happened to be the third Sunday in the End Times season which is Saints Triumphant Sunday so it was fitting that the pastor’s question posed to the children that day was; what is a Saint? They answered; someone who is holy (very good!). He then asked them to name some “saints”. They thought a minute and then answered by naming people they know from Scripture i.e. Paul, Matthew, Peter, James, Mark etc. They were 100% correct, but weren’t those men from Scripture sinners just like you and me? If a saint is someone who is holy, how could those men have been considered saints?

The definition of a Saint according to my Bible Dictionary reads; that which is separated or dedicated to God...All who are in a covenant relation with him through repentance and faith in his Son are regarded as saints. Wow! Does that mean you and I are considered saints also? I am confident that I am numbered among the saints. I came to faith at my baptism many years ago and the Holy Spirit has preserved that faith in my heart throughout my lifetime. My faith is strengthened and renewed daily through prayer and repentance, and through Bible Study and participation in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

If you have faith in Jesus, if you believe and trust in His promises and have come to Him with a repentant heart which mourns your many sins, you are a Saint also. Without Jesus we are all tainted and made dirty by sin and doomed to an eternity in hell, but with Him we are covered by His holiness.

The scripture above tells us; because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Jesus, God’s perfect and holy Son sacrificed Himself in our place when He died on the cross. He suffered the punishment we deserve for our sin and gave us His holiness in return. So when God looks at His faithful believers He no longer sees our sin, but the holiness of His Son. Because of what Jesus did for us, every sincere Christian can correctly place the word “Saint” in front of his/her name. We are all Saints washed clean by the blood of Jesus.

This is Good News! This is pure Gospel – that sinners are made Saints through the blood of Jesus. This news brings peace to all who believe. This is a peace which the world we live in cannot give us. It is a peace that comes only from God. Jesus says; Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27).

Are you a saint? I hope that you can answer “yes” to that question. If your answer stems from a repentant heart filled with love for God and His Son you can be confident that you are counted among the saints.

Through faith in Jesus we have true peace - a peace which does not come from this physical world, but from knowing that our sins are forgiven and we can stand before a holy God without fear. We have a sure hope that there is a special place prepared and waiting for us in heaven. Death no longer has power over us. Whether we live or whether we die, we are winners through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

"You will not abandon me to the grave"

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; because you will not abandon me to the grave nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. (Acts 2: 26-28)

Gloria Dei! (to God be all glory)

By Kristeen

A Thanksgiving Prayer

2012-11-22T14:03:00.001-08:00

A Thanksgiving Prayer

November 22, 2012

Now thank we all our God

With heart and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things has done,

In whom his world rejoices,

Who from our mother’s arms

Have blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love

And still is ours today.

(Christian Worship pg. 610)

Who from our mother's arms...

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are a great and awesome God. All that we are and all that we have comes from you. Without your presence life on this earth would be a miserable existence.

We come to you today in thankfulness for the many gifts you give us daily. We so often take for granted our warm homes in the winter, the car we drive, the job which provides for our needs, the freedom we have to come and go as we please, grocery stores filled with food, our health, our families, the sunshine, the moon, the stars, the rain, the snow, the birds singing beautifully each morning, the mountains, lakes, streams, and oceans. We sometimes forget that all of these wonderful gifts come from you.

We will soon be celebrating the birth of your Son the best gift of all, who gave up His glory for a time and came in human form into a sinful and imperfect world. He lived the perfect and sinless life which we, because of our inherited sinful nature are unable to live. He was persecuted and suffered the punishment we deserve for sin by suffering and dying on the cross in our place - and he did it willingly! He then conquered death and Satan by rising to life three days later. I will put enmity [Jesus] between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your [Satan’s] head, and you will strike his [Jesus’]heel (Genesis 3:15).

The gift of grace...

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, all people are offered the free gift of eternal salvation by your grace and through faith in Him. We pray that you would lead those who don’t yet know you to open the gift you offer which is set before them in your holy Word and make their hearts receptive to your Holy Spirit.

Lead those of us who do know you to reflect your love and grace to each person we meet. Help us to shine your light in this dark and evil world remembering that each soul is loved by you as if he/she were your only child. Help us to respond, out of thankfulness to you, with generous and loving hearts toward others.

...offered freely in your Word

Surround us with your love and keep us always in your grace. Amen

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 17:8)

A letter to family and friends

2012-10-07T12:22:00.001-07:00

Grandparents day - Good Shepherd Lutheran School

10/7/11

Dear family members, friends and visitors to my blogs (“Soul Searching” and “Inspired to Write”):

I want to apologize for the fact that I haven’t been able to post any new blogs recently. My family is in crisis right now. My husband has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. We are dealing with this through prayer and the support of family and friends. I do plan to journal this walk of faith and will be posting my journal to my blog in some way and at some point in time. I pray that through my writings, the trials we are enduring can offer hope for others who are going through similar trials in life.

We trust in the wisdom of our almighty God that all things will work out not only for our good, but for the good of others who see our example of faith. There are two passages from Scripture which continue to flow through my mind and are very comforting to me. They are:

1. My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. (Hebrews 12: 5,6)

2. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men (1 Corinthians 15:19).

The Hebrews passage reminds me that God loves me and my husband with a perfect love. We are His children and He is our Father. As a child my own parents used to say to me when I had done something wrong or made a bad choice; If we didn’t care about you we wouldn’t punish you. We would just ignore the issue and let it go, but we want you to grow and learn from your mistakes, how to be a better person. My dad would say; this punishment hurts me more than it hurts you. Maybe many of you remember hearing similar words from your own parents or saying them yourselves to your own children.

As with our earthly parents, when we hurt God hurts too. He feels our pain. He cries with us, but will continue in the discipline because He knows it is for our good or for the good of others. But He will never desert us and leave us to bear it alone. He promises; never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

God is our loving Father and we are His children. The difference between our relationship with our heavenly Father and that of our earthly parents is that God does not punish us for the mistakes and bad choices we make. He doesn’t need to because Jesus already bore our punishment for sin when He died for us. Rather the Lord disciplines His children to help them grow and to draw them closer to Him. His discipline reassures us of His love for us. I pray that our response to His discipline will give honor and praise to Him and allow us to be an example for others. I pray that we will be a light and a beacon shining in a dark world to those who don’t know Him.

And we are not without hope! It seems that possibly my husband’s life here on earth will be drawing to a close soon, but His life with God will be just beginning. We have hope for eternity in Christ Jesus. It will be difficult and lonely for me when he is gone, but God will surround me with His love and bring me through it and I am confident I will see him again someday when God calls me home, along with the many other Christian family members and friends who have gone before me.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence (Acts 2: 26-28).

The following words from “The First Song of Isaiah” (derived from Isaiah chapter 12) are my motto for the coming months. Surely it is God who saves me; I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, and he will be my Savior (Christian Worship Pg. 94).

Please keep us in your prayers as we begin this journey. Pray that God will give us the strength to endure and that He would replace our feelings of uncertainty and fear with faith in His almighty wisdom and power.

To Him be all Glory! Amen.

Kristeen

Watch for updates to my journey of faith on "Soul Searching". There is a link to it on this blog.

Come to Jesus!

2012-09-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Come to Jesus!

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die

(John 11:25).

I love music. It warms the soul. I love all aspects of it. I love to sing and play the piano myself, and I also love to hear others sing with all or any kind of accompaniment. Music is a wonderful gift and blessing from our loving and merciful God. It affects the deepest corners of our being.

Music revives memories of past experiences, both good and bad. At times it makes us bubble over with happiness, joy, and laughter making us want to dance, and at other times it makes us sad, bringing tears to our eyes. There is background music to almost all of our life experiences in some way shape or form. The combination of lyrics and musical melody/accompaniment can become a prayer to God, good for the soul.

I downloaded a beautiful song from iTunes recently which really touched my heart and brought me to my knees in thanksgiving for the blessing of knowing Jesus as my brother, my best friend and my God. I had never heard it sung before. The melody was soothing and in combination with the lyrics it spoke to my soul. The name of the song is “Come to Jesus”. It was recorded by Chris Rice on his album; Run the Earth, Watch the Sky. The words of the song are as follows:

"Come to Jesus"

1. Weak and wounded sinner lost and left to die,

Raise your head for love is passing by.

Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus and live!

These words speak to the lives and souls of all people. We are all born not only spiritually “weak and wounded” as the song writer states, but we are spiritually “dead”. We are born dead in sin and can do nothing to save ourselves. Thankfully Jesus did it all for us. Through His perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross all who believe in Him are made fit to stand before a holy God. So don’t despair. Sit up and take notice! Jesus died for all people! He died for you! Raise your head and look to the cross in repentance and faith! Come to Jesus and live!

2. Now your burden’s lifted and carried far away.

His precious blood has washed away the stain.

So Sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus and live!

As a believer in Jesus you are washed in His blood. You are a forgiven child of the almighty God. The burden of sin is lifted from your shoulders and you are free to live for Him and serve Him. So raise your voice in song and rejoice that because of Jesus you have life – not only now, but for eternity! Sing to Jesus and live!

3. Like a newborn baby don’t be afraid to crawl.

Remember when you walk sometimes we fall.

So fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus and live!

Life is difficult sometimes. Just like newborn babies learning first how to crawl and then to walk, we are often fearful of the unknown. We hesitate to take that first step because we are afraid we might fall and get hurt. Don’t be afraid! You will fall and get hurt sometimes both physically and emotionally. It is unavoidable because we live in a world tainted by sin. When those times come and you feel the pain of a bad fall – when you are crushed and broken and you feel like you are going to fall on our face - fall on Jesus. He will catch you and raise you up to make you whole again. Fall on Jesus and live!

4. Sometimes the way is lonely, steep and filled with pain,

so if your sky is dark and pours the rain;

then Cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus and live!

Sometimes in life we feel alone. The burdens of life weigh us down and cause us to despair. When your life feels sad and dark and it seems that no one really understands or cares what you are going through – turn to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus. Tell Him what you are feeling. When you don’t know what to ask for just cry out His name. He wants you to come to Him. He knows what you need. He will strengthen you and lift you up again. When you are too weak and tired to put one foot in front of the other, He will lift you up in His arms and carry you. Cry to Jesus and live!

5. Oh and when the love spills over and music fills the night;

when you can’t contain your joy inside;

then dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus and live!

And when life is wonderful and you feel like singing for joy. When you are so happy the joy spills over into your life and the lives of those around you – don’t forget who gave you the gift of happiness. When you feel like dancing for joy, dance for Jesus. Dance for Jesus and live!

6. With your final heartbeat kiss the world good-bye.

Go in peace and laugh on glory’s side.

Fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus and live!

When you feel the end of your life here on earth is near and the time for God to call you home is close at hand, don’t be afraid. Just relax and know you are in good hands. When the time is right, He will call your name and you will hear the words; well done my good and faithful servant! (Matthew 20:21). You will be able to say good-bye to this life and go in peace to live with God forever in glory. Fly to Jesus and live!

So let God’s word (The Bible) be the guide for your life in good times and in bad. He has all the answers. Through faith in Jesus you belong to God. He loves you and He loves each of us as if we were His only child. He cares about every aspect of your life. When you are sad He is sad also. When you are happy He is smiling. Being a child of God doesn’t mean your life will be trouble free, but it does mean that He will give you the strength to endure the trials you face.

Our God is the great “I Am”. God said to Moses, “I AM who I AM” (Exodus 3:14) He is the God of the past, present and future. He never changes. Through faith in Jesus, whether you live or whether you die, you win.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 20:31).

Gloria Dei! (All Glory to God!)

By Kristeen

Click the link below to listen to the song "Come to Jesus" by Chris Rice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PANiveIKVX0

My Spiritual I.D.

2012-09-05T17:08:00.001-07:00

My Spiritual I D

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. (Isaiah 43: 1)

Do you have a legal document that tells others who you are? In the U.S. every child born receives a social security number and a birth certificate.

Your birth certificate and SS number are proof of who you are.

Your birth certificate lists your time and date of birth, the hospital and city where you were born, how much you weighed at birth, and the names and address/addresses of each of your parents.

Your SS number is unique to you alone. There is no other person in the U.S. or anywhere in the world for that matter, who shares that number with you. It identifies who you are. You will be asked to present it for any legal document you submit to anyone, and for all important paperwork.

The single most important I.D. people in the U.S. carry however is a driver’s License. Your driver’s license is a laminated card which contains a picture of you, shows your date of birth, weight, sex, and the address where you live. Most young people here in the U.S. obtain a driver’s license at the age of 16 after they pass their driver’s training course. It is something they will carry with them their entire life. Your driver’s license is legal proof of who you are, no matter where you go.

As a young teen getting my first driver’s license, I can still hear my mother instructing me; don’t ever go anywhere without it! It tells others who you are. If you get into and accident and aren't able to speak the police will be able to identify you and notify your family.

I took the instructions my mother gave me seriously and always obediently made sure I had my license whenever I went out, even if I wasn’t driving. But there was one time when I forgot it. I was out of state spending time with my cousin in Phoenix, AZ. I was new to the area and the evening after I arrived, she took me out and introduced me to some of the local gathering places for young people. For whatever reason (I have no idea why, but maybe I just forgot it) I didn’t take my purse.

My cousin was driving and as she pulled into one of the city parks, a police officer pulled up beside her. She had not been driving recklessly or broken any laws, but I think he just randomly pulled her over, maybe because she was young and it was a Saturday night. He was just being cautious and making us aware of his presence. Of course he asked each of us for our I.D. and I didn’t have mine. I honestly don’t think he believed me when I told him I had forgotten it at home. I’m sure he thought we were up to some kind of “no good”, but he finally let us go and told us to go straight home. I couldn’t believe it! The one time I didn’t have it with me, I get caught! Now, forty some odd years later, I don’t recall ever having repeated that mistake again (well maybe a couple of times over the years).

We should each recognize that our I.D. is a very important document because it is proof of who we are. I am not aware of what laws and regulations are in effect in other countries, but pretty much everyone in the U.S. over the age of 16 has and needs some type of picture I.D. If you don’t drive you may have what we call a State I.D. or maybe if you are a student you have your Student I.D. But do you have a Spiritual I.D.? Do you know what a Spiritual I.D. is? Do you know where/how to get one? Let’s talk about it.

I obtained my Spiritual I.D. on April 23, 1950. That is the day my parents brought me to baptism. I was one month old. We are all born into this world sinful. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me (Psalm 51:5). We inherit the virus of sin from our parents, and their parents, and so on down the line. Many people feel that babies are sweet and innocent and don’t sin, but they are wrong. They may be sweet, and they are innocent in that they aren’t aware of their sin and don’t know any better, but still they ARE sinners. As little sinners, they need God’s forgiveness in order to be fit for heaven. They need to be washed in the blood of Jesus through faith in order to be saved. I tell you the truth; no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit (John 3: 5, 6).

At one month of age, even though I was too little to understand it all, I was born again through my baptism and became alive in Christ. I now belonged to His family of believers. Through the waters of baptism connected to God’s Word, The Holy Spirit put faith in my tiny little heart and I was washed clean of my sin and reborn into a new life. There was rejoicing in heaven that day! There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). The angels rejoice jubilantly over each person on earth who is forgiven through faith. God loves all people and doesn’t wish that anyone would go to Hell. He [God] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3: 9).

Faith comes from hearing the Word. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Romans 10: 17). But it also comes to us through the Sacraments i.e. Baptism and Holy Communion. A newborn baby is too little to read the written Word and understand what it means for his/her soul. The Holy Spirit, through baptism, places faith in the hearts of babies and little children who are too young to understand. Through baptism their sins are forgiven. Through baptism God showers His never ending grace upon each little child so that when He looks at him/her He no longer sees a sinful little human, but the holiness of Jesus.

Many people have the mistaken idea that baptism is something we do for God. They feel it is something we should let our children decide upon when they become old enough to understand. Baptism is not our commitment to God. On the contrary, baptism is God’s commitment and gift to us. It is His way of saying; I love you and you are Mine! I promise I will never leave you. I will watch over you and protect you. I will bring you home to be with me forever when your life here on earth of over.

Parents, it is your God-given responsibility to bring your child to baptism. Jesus himself tells us; Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Luke 18: 16).

My baptism certificate is my Spiritual I.D. It is the I.D. which says I belong to God. It tells me I am saved through the blood of Jesus shed for me on the cross so many years ago. It is proof that I am His forgiven child. All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3: 27). I carry His name with me every day that I live. It is not a guarantee that I will never leave Him, but it IS His guarantee to me that He will never leave me. I pray that he will watch over me and keep me in my baptismal grace until the day He calls me from this earth.

Unlike my driver’s license or state I.D. I will not need to present my spiritual I.D. for legal documents here in this life. I won’t need to present it when I stand before God on the last day either because he has a record of it in His Book of Life. However do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10: 20).

Have you obtained your Spiritual I.D, yet? Have you been baptized for the forgiveness of sins? Are you an heir to His eternal kingdom? Have your children been baptized? If you and/or your children haven’t been baptized and you are interested in finding out more about it, feel free to email me at grandmapoz@yahoo.com. I will try to direct you to someone in your area who can tell you more about it and help you make it happen.

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children (Acts 2: 38, 39)

Goria Dei! (All glory to God!)

Special note to parents:

God does not tell us in His word what happens to little babies who are killed through abortion or who die before birth or before there is time for baptism. It is not my intent to put fear in the hearts of already grieving parents who have lost children to death before baptism. For your comfort, remember that our God is a just God, but He is also a merciful, fair and loving God. We can trust that in His almighty wisdom He takes special care for the souls of helpless infants. All life is precious to Him.

He does command baptism however, and entrusts these little lives to us as parents, to be cared for and nurtured. It is our responsibility to make sure they have all that they need, not only for their bodies (their physical good), but especially for their souls (their eternal good). Eternity is forever. Therefore why would we not, when it is within our power to do so, want to afford ourselves the comfort of knowing for sure that their souls are safe in His loving arms?

Life after Life!

2012-08-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

I Will Rise!

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first (1 Thessalonians 4: 16)

There is a song I love by Chris Tomlin called; I Will Rise. It is a very moving song and each time I hear it and sing it, it not only brings tears to my eyes, but it makes me want to stand up and shout to the world; This life is not the end! There is hope for the hopeless! There is life after life! Listen to God and live!

The day is coming when this life as we know it will be gone. Every single person born into this world will die someday. Not only will we die, but the day is coming when this earth as it stands will no longer exist. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare (2 Peter 3: 10). God has promised it and it WILL happen.

No person on this earth knows when it will happen, No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father [Matthew 24: 36] but we do know it will happen because God has promised it and His promises never fail. Many times people have predicted the date/time of the end of the world. They have always been wrong and they always will be wrong. They aren’t wrong about the world ending – only about claiming to know WHEN it will end.

People who try to predict when the world will end are mocking God. This is His answer to them; why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain...against the Lord and against his Anointed One...The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them (Psalm 2: 1,2). Yes, God laughs at men with proud hearts who claim to know more than He. If they don’t fall to their knees in repentance and humble themselves before God, they will experience the full force of His wrath either at the time of their death or when this world comes to an end – whichever comes first.

God did not create humans to die. He created them to live forever in His beautiful world. Everything He created in this world we live in was at one time beautiful. He created humans in His own image. The first man and the first woman were perfect. There were no flaws on their bodies and their hearts and minds were perfectly in tune with God. They were beautiful inside and out – until they sinned.

After man’s fall into sin, God’s world began to deteriorate. He told Eve - with pain you will give birth to children (Genesis 3: 16) and to Adam – Cursed is the ground because of you...by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food, until you return to the ground...for dust you are and to dust you will return (Genesis 3:17-19). Sin brought death, but it did not destroy God’s love for us.

Because of His deep love for His people, God devised a plan for us. He would send His Son Jesus, who was holy and sinless to suffer the punishment we deserve for our sin. Jesus came into the world to live among us. He was born of a virgin mother (Luke 1: 26-38).

We are told first of His birth, and then eight days later how his parents brought Him to the temple for circumcision. We know nothing of his childhood between the time He was circumcised and age 12, when His parents took Him again to the temple in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. After the Passover feast He accidently got left behind. When His parents realized He was missing, they returned to Jerusalem and searched for Him. After 3 days of searching, they found Him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions (Luke 2:46). We are told he then went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them (Luke 2: 51).

Jesus began His three year ministry at age 30(Luke 3: 23). The details of His ministry, and His suffering, death and resurrection are recorded in each of the gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. He was approximately 33 years old when He suffered and died on the cross. Three days after His death He rose from the dead, proclaiming victory over sin, death and Satan. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:56).

We have His own promise; I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (John 11:25). Those of us who believe this promise and have faith in Jesus are covered with His holiness and made fit for heaven. We can now stand before a holy God.

From the day of our birth, the shadow of death looms over us. As we live our lives here on earth we watch others die and know that our day will come also. None of us knows what it is like to die because no one has ever come back to tell us about the experience, but we have the promises of Jesus that for those who believe in Him, death is only a sleep. Our body and soul will separate for a time, but on the last day they will be reunited and we will live with God forever.

Our human mind cannot comprehend the joy and beauty of heaven. It is beyond our understanding, but when we step over the threshold of death into life it will be clearly understood. We will each wonder to ourselves; why was I so worried and fearful about this?

Yes, my heart and flesh will fail someday. None of us lives forever here on earth, but because of Jesus I can say to myself just like the song writer; all is well. Jesus is the anchor for my soul. He has overcome the grave for me. When He calls my name I will rise as on the wings of an eagle. I will fall to my knees before Him in worship and thanksgiving. There will be no more sorrow or pain. I will hear the voices of the angels and join with them to sing; worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! (Revelation 5: 12)

Right now it is difficult for me to understand. I believe and trust and hope, but the apprehension is still there. When the day comes – when He calls my name – I will see it all clearly. The darkness and shadows of apprehension will be gone. My faith will be my eyes! I will see Him face to face.

I will Rise!

By Chris Tomlin

There’s a peace I’ve come to know,

though my heart and flesh may fail.

There’s an anchor for my soul.

I can say; it is well.

Refrain:

Jesus has overcome

and the grave is overwhelmed.

The victory is won!

He is risen from the dead,

And I will rise when He calls my name, No more sorrow, no more pain.

I will rise on eagles wings;

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise – I will rise!

There’s a day that’s drawing near,

when this darkness breaks to light.

and the shadows disappear,

and my faith will be my eyes.

Refrain:

Jesus has overcome,

And the grave is overwhelmed.

The victory is won!

He is risen from the dead,

And I will rise when He calls my name;

No more sorrow, no more pain;

I will rise on eagles wings;

Before my God fall on my knees,

And rise – I will rise!

Click the link below to access the video for this song...

http://www.vevo.com/watch/chris-tomlin/i-will-rise-live/US82Y0900003

Gloria Dei! (All glory to God)

By Kristeen

Where is the Hope?

2012-07-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Please Don’t be Angry at God!

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion. So great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. (Lamentations 3:31-33)

Zacchaeus Tree - Jerusalem

There is a young mother I know, a dear friend, who grew up in Bethlehem, Israel. Her family still lives there. It sounds so exciting to have grown up in the place where Jesus was born. It would be awesome to see and walk the same streets He walked while on earth and during His ministry.

I would love to visit Jerusalem – a city rich in religious history and see the hill (Calvary) where Jesus suffered and died on the cross. Remembering the sorrow and pain He endured for me and all people makes me sad, but at the same time I rejoice in the gift of life and grace which is available to all because of His suffering and death. The sight of Mount Calvary should bring me to my knees in humility, thanksgiving and praise.

About a year ago my friend went back to Bethlehem to visit her mother and father, sisters and brother. As she related to me the details of her visit, it occurred to me that not much has changed there since the time of Jesus ministry and the years following His death and resurrection. The Jews still reject Jesus as the promised Messiah and Christians are still persecuted for their beliefs. As if that weren’t enough they now also have to fear the Muslims who are trying to take over. Their lives are in danger each time they leave the relative safety of their homes.

In the “Christian” section of town there is no clean water to drink or to bathe in and clean with. There are no flushing toilets or running water to wash dishes. There isn’t enough food for everyone and no money to buy it. Christians live in fear of death if/when they take a stand for the truth.

Although my friend and her little son are all alone here in the states, she was very happy and relieved to return. She now truly appreciates the fact that she can turn on her kitchen faucet to get a drink or wash dishes. She realizes what a privilege and gift it is to be able to take a shower everyday and have a toilet that flushes, or to flip a switch and have the lights come on. It is a welcome relief to be able to hop in her car and safely go to the store to buy groceries and household needs.

It was heartbreaking for her to say good-bye to her family. She hated to leave them, knowing they were living in such horrible conditions. She came home feeling helpless and distraught for their sake. Their situation seemed hopeless. She asked me; where is God? Why does He let His people suffer this way when He has the power to stop it? She informed me that she no longer prays and is feeling very angry with God.

Has God really deserted the people who love Him in the Middle East? When people fall on hard times or lose loved ones to death, has God deserted them also? Does He close His eyes and turn His head away from people who suffer from disabilities or debilitating diseases? Is He punishing them for wrong doing or for a specific sin they committed?

We can confidently answer those questions with an adamant “NO”. God is our loving Father. A father who truly loves his children would never deliberately harm them, but he would at times, discipline them. Undisciplined children grow into selfish and uncaring, irresponsible and foolish adults.

He knew suffering and persecution

This life is a constant struggle. Every day we face heartache and pain. Many times we are persecuted for doing what is right and for loving God. Jesus struggled also when He was here on earth. He knew what it was like to lose loved ones to death. He cried at the tomb of his friend Lazarus (John 11:35). The fact that as He hung on the cross, He asked His most loved disciple John to care His mother, seems to indicate also that Joseph, His step-father was not longer alive(John 19:26,27). He felt a deep compassion for all who were sick and suffering. He Himself suffered persecution during His ministry and in the end gave His life as the ultimate sacrifice for all people.

Jesus reminds His followers to be prepared to suffer persecution because of Him, but at the same time He reminds and reassures us that in the end we will be rewarded. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven...(Matthew 5: 11, 12)

Just as earthly fathers discipline their children because they love them and want what is best for them – God our heavenly Father disciplines us, His children also. He tells us in Hebrews 12: 5,6; My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.

Spend time in worship and prayer

Although God does not cause heartache and pain to come into our lives, He does sometimes allow it. If we never had trials or hardships, why would we need Him? Have you ever noticed that when your life is running smoothly and things are going well you don’t seem to find time to spend in prayer and worship? Do you skip going to church on Sundays with the excuse that you are so busy during the week and need Sunday to stay home and rest?

We easily forget that time spent in worship and prayer offers us the rest we truly need – rest for our souls. When we begin to lose our connection with God we tend to make light of sin and disregard the sacrifice Jesus made for us. We become focused on our own needs and the here and now, and put God on the back burner.

The apostle Paul once asked God in prayer to remove a physical burden from him. He doesn’t tell us exactly what that burden was. He refers to it only as a thorn in my flesh, but he does tell us God’s answer to his prayer - my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Physical weakness and pain, and emotional suffering drive us to our knees in humility and prayer to God. They make us realize that we need Him. When we come to Him with all of our needs, we are made strong by His almighty power.

Pain and suffering remind us that there are certain things in life which we have no control over. When we lean on our ever present and all powerful God He will give us the strength to bear up under our burdens and they will in the end become blessings. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12: 10).

My husband and I once had a friend who suffered a debilitating stroke which took him from being a strong young man, completely capable of providing for his wife, and made him a man completely dependent on his wife for all his physical needs. His recovery process seemed to be going very slowly and what made it even more difficult was the fact that they lived on the second floor and each time he came in or went out he had a mountain of stairs to climb.

One day as I was leaving for work I came upon him standing on the walkway leaning on his walker while waiting for his wife to bring the car closer. I cheerfully said hello to him and didn’t realize until I looked into his face that he was crying. It was a heartbreaking scene that brought tears to my own eyes. I wished so badly that I could do something for him to ease his pain and relieve the agony he was experiencing, not only physically, but emotionally. I reflected to myself that possibly God was using his suffering to lead an unbelieving friend or relative to Christ. I encouraged him by reminding him that God has a purpose behind everything which happens to us in life.

He sometimes uses suffering, pain or sadness to make us spiritually stronger or to lead others to Him. The apostle Paul reminds us; Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer...Bless those who persecute you (Romans 12:12,14) and also; And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).


"Here today - gone tomorrow"

The harsh realities of life are a reminder to us that we need God. We need Him in good times and in bad. Regardless, we have His assurance that He will never leave us. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). The apostle Paul reminds us to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4: 18) Our time spent here on earth is short, but eternity is forever. Life is very fragile. We can be here today with everything seemingly going well and be gone tomorrow. Death is no respecter of persons. It comes to all of us. Know where you will spend eternity!

Sin is at the root of all the problems we face. It is an inherited virus/disease which affects every person born. There is no miracle cure for it, but God rescued us from sin through the sacrifice of His holy and perfect Son. Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life in our place. He suffered the punishment we deserve for our sin by being brutally beaten and forsaken by His Father. He died a horrible death nailed to a cross at Calvary, but He conquered death for us when He rose three days later.

It is because of Jesus that we are no longer prisoners to sin, and death has no hold on us. Because of Jesus our chains are gone and we’ve been set free. We have been redeemed. We are His. We belong to Him through His never ending gift of grace, and those who love Him are attached to Him by faith. Through His Son, he no longer sees our sin, but the perfection and holiness of Jesus – The perfection and holiness required for entry into heaven.

No, God is not the cause of our problems, but He does discipline us at times by allowing sickness and pain, sorrow and suffering to come into our lives. He loves us with a never ending love. Just as parents discipline their children because they love them and want what is best for them, so also, God disciplines us, His children, because of His deep love for us. Through difficulty and suffering we are driven to His open arms. He wraps them around us and promises to never leave us. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

Because God loves us, He hurts when we hurt. When we are suffering and in pain He suffers also, but He allows it because He wants what is best for us. He gives us the strength to work our way through the pain of what is seen and what is temporary (this life) so that through faith in Him we can attain what is unseen (eternity in heaven) where all believers will receive their reward. This life is fleeting. We are here today and gone tomorrow. The life to come is eternal. It will last forever and God wants the people whom He created and loves to spend it with Him.

He has not forgotten those who love Him and are suffering in the Middle East. He is the God who sees. He is the great “I AM” - the God of past present and future. He never sleeps. He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep... the Lord is your shade at your right hand. Just as the shade of a big tree is a welcome relief from the hot sun, so also, God is our relief from the painful burdens of life. (Psalm 121:3-5)He will deliver all who love Him, if not during this present life, then in the life to come.

I remind my friend and all who doubt God’s love - Don’t be angry with Him. Don’t turn away from the only true source of love in this life and the strength He offers. He loves you. He cries when you cry and laughs when you laugh. He is the source of all that is good. He wants you to come to Him with all your troubles. When you are afraid – pray; when you are lonely – pray; when the world hates you – pray; when the trials of life overwhelm you – pray. He will hear and answer.

Remember these words of Jesus; If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first...you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world... (John 15:18,19) There is hope!

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

Pray

I dare to make no other claim

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid rock I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

When he shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh may I then in him be found,

Clothed in his righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before his throne.

On Christ, the solid rock I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

(Christian Worship Pg. 382)

Gloria Dei! (All Glory to God!)

By Kristeen

The Rainbow Promise (Genesis 6-9)

2011-08-28T17:29:00.000-07:00

(God’s words to Noah and his sons)- I now establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature... I have set my rainbow in the clouds...Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds... I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. Genesis 9: 9-16 (selected verses)

Do you know the significance of the rainbow? The rainbow is one of the many beauties of creation, but you may not be aware that it is connected to an important promise of God.

Most people, even those who aren’t Christians and have never studied the Bible know the story of Noah and the ark. The story of Noah is not merely a “story”. Rather it is a part of history or “HI-S-TORY”. It is an important part of God’s story of the history of the world which He recorded in Holy Scripture.

One Saturday several summers ago my husband and I had three of our grandchildren with us for the day and the plan was for them to spend the night. It had been a busy but fun day. We had gone to the pool to swim and we had been to the pond to feed the geese, ducks and swans. We had just finished eating dinner and the plan was for us to go to McDonalds for ice cream.

There had been storm warnings off and on during the day, but between storms the sun would come out and all would be well for awhile. As we pulled into McDonalds, another storm was brewing. It was beginning to thunder and we saw lightning flash across the sky. The storm blew through while we ate our ice cream and by the time we were ready to leave the sun was coming out again for one last time before it set for the night.

To the west the sky became a beautiful shade of pink. To the east it was still very dark, almost black with the storm clouds which had just passed over. It was raining from those dark clouds and as we looked heavenward we saw a beautiful rainbow. It was a huge arc all the way across the sky. Each color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) was vividly present against the back drop of the black clouds behind it.

The children, being aware of the significance of the rainbow, were quick to tell us the story of Noah and the flood. Although my husband and I already knew the story, we were happy to listen as they told us about the promise of God connected to the rainbow.

The book of Genesis tells us how God created a perfect world and how that perfection was destroyed after man’s fall into sin. In chapter 6 God tells us that man had become wicked. The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that He had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. (Gen. 6:5,6)

God was very angry and fed up with the wickedness of the people He had created. He could no longer tolerate their evil ways and He planned to destroy them. So the Lord said, ‘I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth’. Not only would he destroy humans, but also the animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and the birds of the air (vs.7).

But there was still one man who remained faithful to God. His name was Noah. God says about Noah; Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God (vs.9). Noah also had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. God came to Noah and warned him; I am going to put an end to all people...I am surely going to destroy them (vs.13). He commanded Noah to build an ark. He specified the exact measurements and materials, and how it was to be built. Then He told Noah; I am going to bring flood waters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens...Everything on the earth will perish (vs.17). But He promised that Noah and his wife, his sons and their wives would be safe in the ark. He also advised Noah that He would send to him, two of each kind of animal (male and female) and each kind of bird of the earth to be brought into the ark and kept alive. He instructed Noah to store enough food for the animals and the people (vs. 19,20). We are told in verse 22; Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Scripture states that Noah was 600 years old when God sent the flood to destroy the earth. All the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. (Genesis 7:11,12) Not only did water fall from the sky, but it came up also from springs beneath the earth. The water remained on the earth for 150 days (vs. 24). Even after the water had gone down it took many months for the land to become dry enough to be habitable again.

During this time Noah and his family and all the animals stayed in the ark. The Bible tells us that; By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. (Genesis 8: 13) According to God’s word, Noah and his family and the animals remained in the ark for 13 months. When they came out of the ark, Noah sacrificed burnt offerings of thanks to God. God then established a covenant between himself and all living creatures (man and animals) that He would never again send a flood which would destroy the whole earth and He set the rainbow in the sky as a reminder of that covenant. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures... (Genesis 9:14)

God is God. He is all-knowing, present everywhere and all-powerful. He doesn’t need reminders. But we do. The rainbow reminds us that God is close by even though we cannot see Him. It reminds us that His promises never fail. It is a picture of just how big God is compared to us and this little planet we live on. It also reminds us that the life of every creature is in His hands and it tells us that the true God is a God of beauty and love.

Hearing our grandchildren reflect on God’s rainbow promise reassured me that they, having been taught God’s word, have grown in faith and truly believe His promises. It is a picture of the child like faith which Jesus talks about in Matthew 19:14 when he says; Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Children have a trusting spirit. They don’t question God’s word. They are eager to learn, and they believe with trusting hearts.

Do your children know the story and the meaning behind the rainbow? If not it’s time to tell them about it. There is no better time to teach them about God and His promises than during childhood. They deserve the chance to learn and know that God loves them. They will soak up the knowledge like a sponge. They will be able to take comfort from it in times of trouble and sadness. They will be little missionaries eagerly telling others about God and the wonderful things He has done for all people. When they see the rainbow in the sky they will know and be reassured that God is close by watching over them, that He will never forget them, and that He always keeps His promises.

In His holy name – To God be all Glory! Amen.

By Kristeen

The Holy Trinity

2011-06-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

One God - Three Persons

Today in the Lutheran Church (WELS) we celebrated “Trinity Sunday”. It is the Sunday we honor the Triune God as the only true God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The concept of the Trinity is something our human minds cannot conceive, but we believe by faith. We believe it because God tells us about it in His word.

Today, in honor of the Holy Trinity, we read the Athanasian Creed. The Athanasian Creed states the sum and total of true Christian Doctrine and it reflects the faith of true Believers. It is not the most familiar creed. The creeds most of us are familiar with are the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed.

I would like to honor the Holy Trinity today by printing the Athanasian Creed for all who are interested, to read. It sums up who God is and what His purpose is for us as told in His Word, beginning in the Book of Genesis and ending in the book of Revelation.

Before I begin the creed, I would like to print a little history about the man who wrote the creed, St Athanasius as printed in my Hymnal – Christian Worship, a Lutheran Hymnal. It reads as follows:

This creed is named after St. Athanasius, a staunch defender of the Christian faith in the fourth century. It was prepared to assist the Church in combating two errors that undermined Bible teaching. One error denied that God’s Son and the Holy Spirit are of one being or Godhead with the Father. The other error denied that Jesus Christ is true God and true man in one person. The Athanasian Creed continues to serve the Christian Church as a standard of the truth. It declares that whoever rejects the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of Christ is without the saving faith. (Christian Worship, pg. 132)

The Athanasian Creed

Whoever wishes to be saved must, above all else, hold to the true Christian faith.

Whoever does not keep this faith pure in all points will certainly perish forever.

Now this is the true Christian faith:

We worship one God in three persons and three persons in one God, without mixing the persons or dividing the divine being.

For each person-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit-is distinct,

but the deity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, equal in glory and coeternal in majesty.

What the Father is, so is the Son, and so is the Holy Spirit.

The Father is uncreated, the Son uncreated, the Holy Spirit uncreated;

The Father is infinite the Son infinite, the Holy Spirit infinite;

The Father is eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal;

Yet they are not three who are eternal, but there is one who is eternal,

Just as they are not three who are uncreated, nor three who are infinite, but there is one who is uncreated and one who is infinite.

In the same way the Father is almighty, the Son is almighty, and the Holy Spirit is almighty;

yet they are not three who are almighty, but there is one who is almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God;

Yet they are not three Gods, but on God.

So the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord;

Yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord.

For just as Christian truth compels us to confess each person individually to be God and Lord,

So the true Christian faith forbids us to speak of three Gods or three Lords.

The Father is neither made nor created nor begotten of anyone.

The Son is neither made nor created, but is begotten of the Father alone.

The Holy Spirit is neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeds from the Father and the Son.

So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.

And within this Trinity none comes before or after; none is greater or inferior,

but all three persons are coequal and coeternal,

so that in every way, as stated before, all three persons are to be worshiped as one God and one God worshiped as three persons.

Whoever wishes to be saved must have this conviction of the Trinity.

It is furthermore necessary for eternal salvation truly to believe that our Lord Jesus Christ also took on human flesh.

Now this is the true Christian faith:

We believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is both God and man.

He is God, eternally begotten from the nature of the Father, and he is man, born in time from the nature of his mother, fully God, fully man, with rational soul and human flesh,

Equal to the Father as to his deity, less than the Father as to his humanity;

And though he is both God and man, Christ is not two persons but one,

One, not by changing the deity into flesh, but by taking the humanity into God;

One, indeed, not by mixture of the natures, but by unity in one person;

For just as the rational soul and flesh are one human being, so God and man are one Christ.

He suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose the third day from the dead.

He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty, and from there will come to judge the living and the dead.

At His coming all people will rise with their own bodies to answer for their personal deeds.

Those who have done good will enter eternal life,

But those who have done evil will go into eternal fire.

This is the true Christian faith.

Whoever does not faithfully and firmly believe this cannot be saved.

(Christian Worship, pg. 132)

Keep in mind that the phrase, those who have done good, refers to those who have done good in the Lord, or those who have faith in Him. We are not saved by our own means or how good we are, but by faith.

Those who have done evil refers to those who have not lived in the faith and who have rejected God.

There are some big words in this creed which may make it hard for some to understand, especially those who have not been brought up in the church. If, after reading this you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. I will gladly do my best to help you understand.

To God be the Glory!

The Truth From Scripture

2011-05-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD SAY?

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31,32)

The Truth from Scripture is the first in an 8-part series stemming from the previously written article Welcome Home. In Welcome Home we discussed the importance of finding a good church home and what makes up a good church home. In this article we will discuss the most important ingredient in a church home – that being the truth of what God teaches us in His Word.

How do we know that what is being taught in the church we are visiting is the truth? For someone who has no religious upbringing and no background or foundation from God’s Word to build on, it can be difficult to find a Church Home where you know the truth from Scripture is being taught.

Of course the best source for the truth is God’s Word itself. Open up your Bible and read it. As you read Scripture, there may be some things you don’t understand, but what you need to know for your eternal salvation, God makes very clear. You will be blessed as you read because it is through the Word that the Holy Spirit ignites faith in our hearts.

The one basic and most important truth we need to know for our eternal salvation is that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone.

Salvation is a free gift offered to us by God’s never ending grace (undeserved love) and faith in His one and only Son Jesus Christ. The gospel of John tells us in chapter 3:16; For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life, and The Apostle Paul tells us also in Ephesians 2:8; For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. If the church you are visiting teaches that you have to do something for God in order to be saved, it is not teaching the truth.

Some religions believe and teach that Jesus is not God, but that he was just a prophet and a great teacher. Jesus tells us in John 12:44,45; When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. Always remember that the true God, the Creator of our universe is the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is one God in three separate persons. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. This truth we know from scripture and although our human reason cannot fathom how God can be one, but also three, we believe it by faith because God reveals it to us in His Word. He refers to Himself (The Trinity) with the plural “Us” and “Our” many times in Scripture.

God tells us in His word also that there will be false teachers among us. The Apostle Paul warns in 2Corinthians 11:14; Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light and in verse 15; his (Satan’s) servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. As an angel Satan has a certain amount of power. He is sly and sneaky and knows how to mislead people by making himself look good and inviting. It is difficult sometimes to recognize false teachers, but Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 7:16; By their fruit you will recognize them. The thing to ask yourself regarding those who teach the word is this - Is what they are teaching in line with Scripture and do their lives and speech glorify God? If a person truly loves God it will show in his life and actions.

So the basic things to remember are:

Be careful not to follow false teachers. Read and study your Bible so that you know what God says.
Remember that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone and not by anything we can do on our own.
The Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the only true God.
Ask yourself whether or not the teachings of the church you are attending glorify God, and do the lives of the Pastor and church members honor God and reflect His love.

It is my hope that through prayer and study of God’s Word, He will lead you to a church home where His truth is taught, and where you will be able to praise Him and worship Him with no reservations, and in a setting where He is honored above all things.

By Kristeen

To God be the Glory!

Just by Chance?

2011-05-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

Does Life Just "Happen"?

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

(Proverbs 16:9)

Do the situations we face in life happen just by chance or coincidence?

How many times in your life have you made plans for a busy or fun day that never materialized? You may have carefully planned the events of the day to fit perfectly together only to look back in the end and ask yourself; what happened?

Maybe you just assumed it would be your normal routine. You get up at 6, leave for work at 7:30, plan to arrive by 7:50, clock in at 8, take lunch from noon until 1, leave work to come home at five, cook dinner, clean up, relax for a couple of hours, and then go to bed at 10 in order to rest and prepare for another day.

Or maybe you had a fun day planned – a shopping trip, a trip to the Zoo on a summer day, a football or soccer game, a family picnic or a movie or maybe just a hike in the nature preserve.

Possibly your plans were more for the long term. Maybe you had planned to attend a certain college to prepare for a career of your choosing, intending to be a Doctor, an Engineer, or a Business Manager. Maybe you had planned to marry the man or woman of your dreams and spend your life with that person, thinking that you would have a family together. Did your plans materialize or did they seem to fall by the wayside?

We all make plans. It is an important part of who we are and what we become. Good planning and the setting of goals for our future give us focus and direction, something to work and strive for. What we need to remember though when making plans is that they can always be subject to change. Our plans are not always God’s plans. We may set a course for our lives, knowing or thinking we know what we want, but God knows what we need.

Michigan Stadium

My own family had a day recently that didn’t end as we had planned, but God used our plans for the benefit of our 16 year old grandson.

My husband and I live near Flint, Mi which is only an hour or so from Ann Arbor, MI where the University of Michigan is located. Needless to say we are all die hard U of M fans.

On this particular day in early spring the plan was for my husband and me along with our two daughters and their families, to drive down to Ann Arbor and attend the U of M football spring practice games. It would be a great chance for the children to see the stadium and the college campus, and experience the atmosphere and excitement of college football.

A Family Affair

After the games our plan was to shop at several of the stores near campus and then go out for pizza at the Cottage Inn. We attended the games and did the shopping, but the pizza – well that never happened.

We had shopped for an hour so and were just finishing up and planning to go eat. The kids, especially the younger ones were getting tired and hungry. While waiting for the rest of the family to finish up I suddenly heard my youngest daughter cry out “Zack!” and I heard a noise like the sound of something falling and hitting hard. As I came around the corner of the clothes rack where I was standing I could see that Zack was on the floor in the midst of a full blown seizure.

Now I have seen people have seizures before and it is a little frightening, but when it is someone you are close to and whom you love dearly, it takes on a whole new meaning. It was a first for him. He had no previous history of seizures. All sorts of questions and fears ran through my mind and I felt complete helplessness and panic.

Zack

It seemed like forever but in reality his seizure lasted only about 3 minutes. When it was over he sneezed 3 times. Those sneezes were music to our ears. After the sneezing he went into a deep sleep. We were fortunate in that there just happened to be a Doctor in the store and that my daughter’s friend who was also with us is a paramedic. He knew to turn him on his side and keep him in that position until an ambulance arrived. When he woke up after the seizure he couldn’t speak and only smiled with one side of his face. He tried to use his phone to text what he wanted to say, but his fingers didn’t work right either. Thankfully by noon the next day his speech had recovered and the paralysis was gone.

The miracle of this story is that my daughter and her boys live up in the north woods, at least a 20-30 minute drive from everywhere. If he had been at home, it would have taken at least a half hour for help to arrive and then it would have been another half hour to the nearest hospital. From there he more than likely would have been transferred to a bigger and better equipped hospital for testing. The worst case scenario would have been for him to have been home alone. He is certainly old enough to be left at home by himself and he is at times. Thankfully that was not the case on this particular day.

As it turned out, he was right where he needed to be in order to receive the help he needed. We had no intention of ending up at U of M hospital when we left home that morning. We had our own plans, but God’s plans were different from ours. God used our plans for a fun day to put Zack in the place where he needed to be - a place where the help he needed was not far away.

The Doctors don’t know for sure what caused the seizure, but they suspect it was a virus which had attached itself to his spinal cord and traveled to his brain. He seems to have completely recovered but is still being treated with an antiviral medication IV.

As I tell the story it all seems so complicated, but it wasn’t difficult for our Almighty God who knows all things and controls our lives - the God who turns fear, sadness and pain into good for those who trust in Him. We take so much for granted in life, but God has it all planned out for us – every intricate little detail. What seems difficult and complicated to us is carried out by God with ease. His plans are perfect and never fail.

Nothing in life happens by chance or coincidence. The lives of every person on earth even those who reject God, are directed and carried out according to His plan.

Each time you make plans for a fun day or just assume your day will be the normal routine, say a prayer to the God of the Universe. Ask Him to go with you. Ask Him to help you be aware of His presence in all situations and to keep in mind that He is in control of your life. He gives good gifts. He will never leave you. He loves each of us as if we were His only child.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Thank you God, for putting Zack right where he needed to be when he got sick. You are a great and awesome God. Your love for us is beyond our imagination and Your mercies never fail.

By Kristeen – To God be the Glory!

Just Another Birthday

2011-04-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.

(Proverbs 16:31)

The Glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

(Proverbs 20:29)

I just recently celebrated my 61^st birthday. An hour or so before I sat down to begin writing this article; I colored my hair to cover up the gray.

Have you heard people speak of growing old gracefully? I certainly have. The words growing old gracefully can have a couple of different meanings. They can refer to the physical appearance of a person as they become older as well as that person’s emotional state of mind.

Physically some people are more blessed than others as the aging process occurs. In this respect, I have to admit that I have been blessed. At age 61 I have a few wrinkles appearing, but not as many as some. Emotionally I have to say that I am not aging gracefully at all.

I find myself in a continuous state of worry concerning my weight, my gray hair, my health (which is comparatively very good), my self-worth and how others see me. I constantly beat myself up over the fact that I don’t take the time to exercise every day, or that I eat food that is unhealthy for me.

I would here like to quote selected verses from Psalm 33 to you and for my own benefit also, as a reminder of how big and awesome our God is and how much He cares for us. The Psalmist writes:

⁴For the word of the Lord is

Right and true;

He is faithful in all he does.

⁶By the word of the Lord were

the heavens made,

their starry host by the

breath of his mouth.

⁷He gathers the waters of the

Sea into jars;^{(as in a heap)}

He puts the deep into

Storehouses.

⁹For he spoke, and it came to be

He commanded, and it stood firm.

¹²Blessed is the nation whose

God is the Lord,

the people he chose for his inheritance.

¹³From heaven above the Lord looks

down and sees all mankind;

¹⁴from his dwelling place he watches

all who live on earth.

¹⁵he who forms the hearts of all,

who considers everything

they do.

As I read the verses of this Psalm I ask myself; where is my faith? Our God is an awesome God. He knows each person on earth by name and He loves each of us as if we were His only child. He formed the sun, the moon and the stars by the breath of His mouth. He breathed and they came into being. He has promised that I and all believers are to be recipients of His inheritance. He watches over us from heaven. He forms our hearts and minds.

I watched a video at my church recently which is entitled; How Great is our God. I would highly recommend that all see it. It was done by Louie Giglio. He is a great speaker and Pastor of the Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia. You may check out the churches’ website at www.passioncitychurch.com to find out what kind of teachings they adhere to.

In the video He talked about how great and awesome our God is and how intricate, and at the same time huge and vast His universe is. He also talked about the miracle of life and how precious it is – not just the life of the unborn child in the womb, but the life of every human being on this earth. He discussed the miracle of our bodies and how they work – how our hearts beat every second, minute, day and hour that we live and how our cells are in a constant state of reproduction.

The thing that awed me the most was his discussion about a molecule found in the human body called “Laminin”. If you have had medical training or are into Science or Physics you already know what Laminin is and what it does for the human body. For those of you who, like me, have never heard of it, I will explain it to you. In order to help you remember the word, think of the word “Laminate”. The meaning of the word Laminate as described at Wilepedia.com is as follows:

A Laminate is a material that can be constructed by uniting two or more materials together. The process of creating a laminate is called lamination which refers to the placing of something between layers of plastic and gluing them with heat and/or pressure...

“Laminin” is a cell adhesion molecule. It is what holds the cells of our human body together. It is found in all living organisms or in anything containing protein. Well, that sounds fine, and is fairly easy to understand, but wait, there is more... What does the Laminin Molecule look like?

The Laminin molecule is shaped like the cross of Christ. The bottom two pictures above show how the molecule looks naturally as it is found in the cells of our body.

In regards to our relationship to God and our human body this fits perfectly into God’s Word. Listen to what the Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians; He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God. The firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

(Colossians 1:15-17)

The next most awesome thing I learned from Pastor Giglio is that the galaxy of the universe in which earth is placed contains a black hole. Now I have heard about a Black Hole in space on the news and not paid much attention to it. Above is a picture of the Black Hole taken in recent years by the Hubel Telescope. What do you think?

This is very humbling to me. Our universe is so vast. Our God is so huge. He is beyond anything the human imagination can fathom. Why should I ever worry about anything? He created me in His image. He has promised to take care of me. He tells me many times in His word that he loves me. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

(1 John 3:1)

I see the love God has for me in the gift of His Son who lived a perfect life for me and for all people. Jesus suffered and died as payment for the debt we all owe to God for our sin. If He is willing to do all that for me, why should I worry about getting older and about what the future holds for me? I should be rejoicing that each birthday I celebrate brings me closer to the day He will call me to my eternal home. I should rejoice that I am able to work in service to Him to tell all whom I meet about His wonderful love for all people. I need to thank Him each morning for the gift of a new day and happily look forward to whatever task He sets before me. I need to remember that my body belongs to Him and that it is His temple. I will never again have the youthful body I had at age 25, but I am blessed to be healthy and strong. I need to worry less about what others think of me and about how I look physically, and focus on God’s love for me and remember that I am here to serve Him and my fellowman out of love for Christ.

As far as taking the time to exercise and to eat healthy, I need to pray about that. My prayer is that God will help me to use the time He is giving me to his glory. I pray also that He will help me take better care of His temple (my body) in order to keep it healthy and strong so that I can better serve Him. I pray that he will grant me a healthy attitude, and instead of my constant worrying, that he will help me to let go and let God. I will endeavor to enjoy my time of Grace and use it wisely to tell all whom I meet of His wonderful love, and of the forgiveness which is found when we bring a repentant heart to the foot of the cross of Christ. Jesus commands in John 9:4; As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. When our Time of Grace is ended, our work will be done. We will live with God in glory and worship Him around His glorious throne.

Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for not appreciating my gray hair – my crown of splendor. Help me to appreciate each birthday that comes as a gift from your hand, and to use your gift of time in service to you, to further your kingdom.

WELCOME HOME

2011-03-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Come to the WELS for new life in the living word.

(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)

What do you think of when you hear the words “Welcome home”? For me home is a reminder of a place where I can relax and be myself - a place where I feel comfortable and loved. It is a place of security, warmth and safety.

I grew up in a loving, Christian family. My family was never rich so to speak, but I never went without the basic comforts of life. I always had a warm bed to sleep in and clean clothes to wear. I never went without a coat, hat, mittens or boots in the winter. There was always good and nourishing food on the table at mealtime. I never had to come home to a lonely and empty house where I was expected to take care of myself.

Rather, I was fortunate enough to be able to come home from school each day and know that I was coming to a place where I could relax and be myself. I knew that I was loved in spite of the fact that I may have been unlovable at times, and in spite of my many faults. At home I didn’t have to be pretty or smart or popular in order to be loved or even liked.

When I married, my husband and I established a warm and loving home for ourselves and our children also. The Lord has blessed us with more than we need to live. We were always able to provide the basic necessities and more for our children. They always had clothing, shoes, hats, mittens and coats. They always had a warm house to come home to in the winter. They never went without a meal. They each had their own comfy bed to sleep in at the end of the day and they never had to be afraid of what tomorrow would bring.

I now realize that many children as well as adults are not as blessed as I have been over the years. Are you one of the people to whom the word “home” means something totally different than what I just described? Maybe your home was the complete opposite. Did you fail to feel the security and love of a good home? Maybe you didn’t always have peaceful sleep, nourishing food and clean clothes to wear. Did you ever have to fear coming home after school because the adults in your life were angry and uncaring? Did you ever have to fear being left alone? Did you come home from school hungry, knowing there would be no dinner prepared for you that day?

If you are one of the unfortunate people who do not have good memories of home, it is more important than ever for you to find a good “Church Home”. You need to know that there is a place where you belong and where people love you. Most importantly you need to know that God loves you as if you were his only child. You are important to him! Your life does matter! He has work for you to do!

A church home is not just a place where you go to meet people or a place where your physical comforts are met. It is not just a place you identify with because it is the church in your neighborhood. It is not just a place which offers that neighborhood breakfast each Sunday morning and/or helps the homeless with food and clothing. All of these things may be a part of a good church home, but first and foremost, what is really important in a church home is that the word of God is taught in its truth and purity. What is really important in a church home is that your spiritual needs are met in a way that is pleasing to God and according to His word.

Your church home is as important, if not more important than your personal home. Your church home needs to be a place where you can feel at one with God and His word and know that what is being taught is the truth from Scriptures. It should represent the warmth of God’s love and comfort from His word, and it should be a place where you can praise God through fellowship with others who believe the same as you do. If the church you attend leaves doubts in your mind, or poses issues that tell you something is not quite right, then it is not a good church home for you.

So if you were not raised in a church setting and you are looking for a church home, how do you know that the teachings of the church you are visiting are in line with the teachings of Scripture? The first step of course is to read God’s word (The Bible) for yourself, but if you have never been taught in a Biblical or church setting, there may be things in God’s word that are difficult for you to understand or comprehend. Through the written word, the Holy Spirit will help you to understand all that you need to know for your salvation, but studying the word with fellow Christians is uplifting and supportive and God encourages it. He tells us in Hebrews 10: 24,25; And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another...

I have listed below a few very important things you should be aware of as you search for the right church home:

The first place to begin is with Scripture itself. You need to read and study God’s word. Through the written word the Holy Spirit will plant the seed faith in your heart and keep it deeply rooted so that the devil does not get a foothold on your soul.

In your search for a church home you will more than likely visit several different churches. If any church you visit does not profess belief in the Trinity, that being the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as the one and only God and the Creator of our universe, you do not want to be connected to it. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness... (Genesis1:1, 26) God here tells us that He created our universe and He includes all three persons of the trinity by using the plural “us” and “our”.

If the church you are visiting does not believe that Jesus is God, but only a great teacher or a prophet, do not be in fellowship with it. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1,2) The Word the apostle John is referring to here is Jesus, the second person of the Trinity. This verse tells us that He (Jesus) was present at the Creation of the world and that He is part of the Godhead.

If the church you are visiting does not teach that the Bible in its entirety is the true and inspired word of God, you do not want to be in fellowship with it. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21) The Holy Spirit put into the hearts and minds of the writers of the Old and New Testament what He wanted all people to know and what we need to know for our salvation. We cannot pick and choose what we want to believe from God’s word. We either believe it all as it is written, or none of it. This is difficult for people at times. They want to say they love God, but they don’t want to change their lifestyle to conform to His word.

If you are visiting a church which professes that any lifestyle is okay even when it goes against what God teaches us in His word, you do not want to be a part of it. God does love all people. Jesus died for all people. Forgiveness is a free gift offered to all people, but when we willfully keep on sinning with disregard for God’s word and for the sacrifice Jesus gave for our sins, His sacrifice is useless to us. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrews 10:26) Through faith God will give us the strength to resist temptation and lead a life that is pleasing to Him. When we trust in Him and do His will, He will bless us beyond measure. Only then will we be able to be truly happy. What we lose here on earth for Jesus sake we will gain for eternity. He tells us; And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:29,30)

Any church which teaches that you must do something for God in order to gain heaven, you do not want to be in fellowship with. The only way to heaven is by Grace alone through Faith alone. For it is by grace you have been save through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. God teaches us law and gospel in His word. The law is a guide for our lives. It is like a mirror that shows us our sin. It tells us how to live and what God expects of us. The Gospel is the good news of how Jesus lived a perfect life for us and paid the debt we owe to God for our sin by suffering and dying on the cross. Eternal Death is punishment for sin. Jesus took the punishment we deserve our sins upon Himself and gave us His holiness. Through faith in Jesus God no longer holds us accountable. We are washed clean in His blood and are holy in God’s eyes. He conquered death and the devil by rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. Because of God’s Grace (His undeserved love) and through faith in His one and only Son Jesus we now have the promise of eternity in heaven. Jesus tells us in John 14:6; I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Among the many church denominations in existence today, there seems to be much controversy regarding Baptism – what it means and what it does for us, and who should be baptized.

What is Baptism? Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used by God’s command and connected with God’s Word...For without God’s Word the water is just plain water and not Baptism. But with this Word it is Baptism that is a gracious water of life and a washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit (Luther’s Catechism pg. 9)

What does Baptism do for us? - It offers for us forgiveness of sins – And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4), makes us members of God’s family – having been buried with him in Baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12), and offers salvation – Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)

Who should be baptized? Therefore go and make disciples of

all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...(Matthew 28:19) Many denominations believe and teach that babies and little children should not be baptized until they are old enough to understand what it means. The thing to remember about baptism is that it is a gift from God to us, and not something we do for God. The benefits we receive from baptism do not depend on our understanding of it. Therefore infants and small children also receive forgiveness of sins, faith from the Holy Spirit, and salvation through Baptism. In Baptism they are connected to Christ and become a part of God’s family of believers. Baptism is the only way tiny infants are able to come to faith. They are too little to understand any other way. Baptism is a huge comfort to parents who have lost infants in death.

My prayer for all of you who are searching for a church to call home is that God will lead your heart and guide your mind to find Him – first in His Holy Word, and to then find fellowship in a church which believes and teaches that word in truth and purity. You will be truly blessed for time here on earth and eternally in heaven.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

By Kristeen – To God be the Glory!

If you are interested in finding out more about the WELS as your church home please visit our website at www.wels.net

The Spirit of God

2011-03-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

(1 Corinthians 2:9)

What does it mean to have the Spirit of God?

I have responded to many people in the last year who do not have the Spirit of God. I would just like to list some of the comments these people have made in response to a couple of my writings or essays if you will, about heaven and hell, about life and death, about sin and forgiveness and about the Almighty God. These comments are a mockery to the Creator of our universe.

They are as follows:

· Amen! For a God who would torture his own creations in hell simply because they made the wrong choice. Amen! For free will, the most damnable gift of all time...I await the day when all you hellers learn and repent your wickedness.

· I have trouble reconciling a God of love with the God that condoned violence and murders in the O.T. The fear of hell is what makes Christians believe...

· God tells us to love our enemies and then He makes His enemies suffer forever and ever.

· So, exactly when was hell created? It wasn’t on the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth days. So he must have created it on his day off.

· All humans are a product of nature like all forms of life on this planet...Since all religions are manmade myths, which old book was inspired by what gods when all gods are fabrications of human myths?

· I suggest you actually use your reasoning capacity instead of blindly following an ancient book of myths.

· If God truly wants us to serve him out of love, then why does he threaten us with eternal torture, or bribe us to love him with eternal bliss when we die?

· You ask about Kristeen’s comment: Eternity is forever. I can tell you from my experience that is it a veiled threat of hellfire, the passive aggressive method that is so favored by Christians to make their points.

It is easy to see that these people have no love or respect for God and therefore we know His Spirit does not dwell in their hearts.

Thankfully along with the comments from those who don’t love God, my writings have also prompted many positive comments from people who do love God, and it is obvious His Spirit resides in their hearts. I would also like to list some of the positive comments I have received.

They are as follows:

· We need to show the love of God for all mankind. We need to pray that their eyes be opened. We need to help them in all possible ways so that they can see the love of God and be transformed.

· AMEN sister! All glory to God! I love how you speak the truth without twisting scripture or wavering. Rock on sister! We have much work to do for HIM who loved us first.

· You hang in there sister! People that hate the message of hell will no doubt hate the messenger, and the Bible says we will be hated on account of His name.(Matt. 10:22) God has no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord. REPENT AND LIVE! (Ezekiel 18:32). Blow the trumpet sister!

· This is a great reminder to pray for others. So many people plan their vacations, but don’t even think about eternity.

· So keep the faith and let’s win souls into the kingdom of God. PRAISE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOREVER!

· Sister Kristeen, beautiful hub. You truly love the word of God as I do. The world will always find fault with Christians, because we shine the light of the Gospel on their way of life and expose it for what it is – evil. You keep proclaiming the word of God.

· Kristeen, I have just had a chance to read your excellent hub. I love this paragraph: ‘Stay in the word. Read it and study it daily. Love God and put Him first in your life. You will be truly blessed and you will have nothing to fear from the devil and his wicked schemes. You are protected by Jesus.’

· Kristeen: Thank you! You did a good service to God in fielding difficult questions. God has all the answers to every question.

The verse from 1 Corinthians 2:9 above is an often misunderstood piece of scripture. I misunderstood it myself for many years. My pastor clarified it for me recently in his sermon one Sunday.

In and of itself this scripture; No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, seems to be talking to us about what God has prepared for all believers in heaven. This is not necessarily a bad interpretation. It is not misleading people in any way, but in reality this verse carries with it a whole different meaning – a meaning that is important for us to see and understand. The apostle Paul is not focusing on our future life in heaven, but on our present existence here on earth during our time of grace.

He is referring to our having a knowledge of God which is only attainable to those whose hearts and minds are filled with the Spirit of God and who believe and have faith in His Son. Through the gift of His Spirit, we are able to see, hear, and comprehend the words of Scripture. We are given a peek at the heart and mind of God.

In verse 11 of the same chapter the apostle Paul states; For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? As individuals we know what is in our own heart, but we are not able to know what is in the hearts of others. We cannot see into their souls and know exactly what they are thinking or feeling. We can only judge by their actions, which may or may not be in line with what they are thinking.

In the same way, without the Spirit of God, which is revealed to us through His word, we are unable to see the heart and mind of God. It will seem to be foolishness to us, like the people I quoted above who consider God a myth. They don’t see God as a God of love. They don’t believe in hell. They feel that God bribes us with heaven and threatens us with hell to get us to believe in Him. They advise believers to use their human reasoning rather than blindly following an ancient book of myths.

Paul explains further in verse 14; The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The ways of God are revealed to us only through spiritual discernment. In other words it all seems like nonsense to those who don’t have faith.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 51: 5; Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Ephesians 2:1 tells us also; As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins... We are born into this world spiritually blind and dead in sin. Just as a dead person is physically unable to do anything for himself, so also a spiritually dead person is unable to help himself believe and come to faith. We are born with a natural knowledge of God, but without the Spirit of God. We can say we believe there is a God, but that does not mean we believe IN God. That does not mean we have the life giving faith which leads us to an eternity in heaven with Him.

So, how do we receive that faith? How do we get the Spirit of God? Where does it come from? Paul answers this question in Romans 10:17 when He says; consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Therefore faith comes from listening to, reading and studying God’s word.

Although you are not able to come to faith on your own, you can take the first step by picking up your Bible and beginning to read. If you have never read scripture, the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are a great place to start. The Holy Spirit will open your heart and begin to live within you.

Faith also comes to us with Baptism. Through Baptism the Holy Spirit puts faith in our hearts, forgives our sins and makes us members of God’s family. And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins...After me will come one more powerful than I...I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:4,7,8)

Jesus Himself was baptized as an example for us (Mark 1:9-12) and He commands baptism in Matthew 28:18,19 as He speaks His parting words to His disciples. He says; All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

In Titus 3:4,5 Paul also tells us; But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit... and in Romans 6:4 He tells us; We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Do you have the Spirit of God? If not would you like to? It isn’t difficult to attain. In Deuteronomy 30:11,12 God assures His people; Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach...No the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart. It is a gift from God freely offered to all people through the sacrifice of His one and only Son.

Take that first step and reach out for His word. You will have no regrets. He offers full and free forgiveness for all sins no matter how unforgiveable they may seem to us. Remember Jesus words to the thief hanging on the cross beside Him; I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)

Be Thankful

2010-11-26T17:47:00.000-08:00

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

The inspiration to write this devotional article came to me November 25, 2010. It was Thanksgiving Day. Although Thanksgiving is a special day set aside each year in the U.S. to give thanks to God for our blessings, what really made me stop and reflect on my many blessings was the fact that I was taking a few minutes between dinner preparations to pay our bills.

I realize that paying bills is not something most people would choose to do on Thanksgiving Day. The thing is, my husband had just gotten paid the day before and there were a few bills that needed our immediate attention.

Payday always seems to give me a false sense of security. I look at our checking account and think to myself; Wow, we have money now! The truth is that the money doesn’t seem to go very far these days.

The following is my itemized list of bills in order of importance.

· I begin by first paying our rent. That always seems to be at the top of the list in importance. We need a place to live.
· Second on the list by importance is Consumers Energy. It is no fun to be without heat and lights in Michigan in the winter time.
· Third in importance is to set aside money for our car payment. My husband is retired, but without a car I would be unable to go to work and earn money. Of course there are many other benefits to owning a car also.
· Fourth on the list by importance would have to be our medical insurance. We have two separate policies. My husband is retired and receives Medicare, however in order to cover the many medical expenses he has, namely, his prescriptions, he needs to pay for a backup insurance. I am relatively healthy; however, one stay in the hospital, whether due to accident/injury or a sudden illness, could wipe us out for a lifetime.
· We have one credit card which never quite seems to get paid off, so that would be fifth on my list.
· We have the triple play plan for phone, internet and TV from Comcast. That is sixth in importance.
· Our cell phones would have to be next on my list. The cost of our cell phones is outrageous and we do not use them enough to make them cost effective. They will be eliminated when our contract is up.

That pretty much covers our list of bills. Now that I have them all paid, I look at my balance and think to myself; there is barely enough left for groceries, let alone, gas for our car, and spending money. I realize also that what should be number one of our list, and which I completely forgot about, is the gift we set aside to give to God each week.

But wait a minute – I forgot. What about the one hundred and some dollars we owe our Doctor? We also owe the hospital money and – Oh yes, I owe my dentist for the crown I will be getting in a couple of weeks. Hopefully that cracked tooth will not split down the middle before my appointment. My husband then reminds me that we owe almost $300 for the new tires we purchased for our car… and the list goes on.

At this point each month I begin to feel very discouraged and this month was no different. It was Thanksgiving Day and it was a time to reflect on the many blessings we receive each year from the Lord and I was becoming depressed rather than being thankful. Where would the money come from to pay all these expenses?

At this point I stopped and reminded myself that I have much more to be thankful for than I realize. I receive many blessings every day of my life which I take for granted, and forget to thank God for. Let me see if I can think of just a few…

I live in a free country where I can worship the Lord when and where I please without fear. I think we often forget, or don’t realize what a wonderful blessing this is. Thank you God for freedom to worship you!
I was born into a Christian home, brought to baptism and taught the word of God from little on. Thank you God for my Christian parents!
I received a Christian education from first grade through my first and only year of college. I have been taught the scriptures - I have known from infancy the Holy Scriptures which are able to make [me] wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.( 2 Timothy 3:15) Thank you God for my Christian Education!
I have a husband who loves me and has provided for my needs for 39 years. He has always put the needs of myself and our children before his own. He is a very special man. Thank you God for my husband!
I have a wonderful family whom I love and who loves me. God has blessed my husband and me with 4 awesome children who are now adults. We also now have 15 grandchildren. Thank you God for my family!
When our children were small, my prayer to God each day was that He would give me wisdom to lead them by word and example to grow into young adults who would love and honor Him. He answered “Yes” to my prayer. Thank you God for wisdom!
I have a comfortable home to come to at the end of each day. I have never been homeless. I have no idea how it would feel to be exhausted, cold and hungry and have nowhere to go – no safe haven where there would be a warm meal, people who love me, and a comfortable bed to crawl into for peaceful rest. God has put me in a place where I meet people almost every day who have been, or are currently in that position. Many are single mothers who have young children they are responsible for. I can’t even imagine how desperate they must feel. Thank you God for shelter from the elements and for safety!
At the age of 60, I am healthy and strong. I am physically able to work and I still lead an active and productive life. Thank you God for my health!
I am blessed to have not only one, but two part-time jobs which I enjoy and which help support us. Thank you God for my work!
Although I complain about money spent on car repairs, how would I be able to work without my car? I guess I could call Your Ride although I have seen and heard how undependable they are from the people I meet in my workplace. Without a car I would definitely have to move closer to the bus line and I would have to stand out in the cold and rain to wait for it. Thank you God for my car!
Each time I open my refrigerator I see food available to me in some form. Although I should be thankful to just have clean cold water to drink, when I look in my refrigerator I see a choice of several different kinds of pop, Kool-Aid, milk, juice and even some wine to drink. Thank you God for an abundance of food and drink!
As I look around my house I see a couch, a love seat, a recliner, 3 end tables, a 42 inch TV, a DVD player and sound system, a king size bed, 3 dressers, a dinette set, an abundance of clothing for summer and winter, coats and jackets and more pairs of shoes than I have room to store. There are also 2 computers, 2 desks, 2 printers, and an electronic piano. Thank you God for the material possessions that make my life more enjoyable!

I could list more, but I think I have made my point. I am blessed! Although God blesses each of us in different ways and with different gifts and blessings, we are all very blessed!!! We all have exactly what we need according to His plan for us and much more besides. The blessings God has showered on us far outweigh the negative issues we face each day and each month.

I have come to realize as the saying goes that the best things in life truly are free. This life on earth is only a little blip in time. I rejoice in the fact that because of Jesus I don’t have to fear death and I can look forward to eternity in the mansions of heaven.

I live in a country where I am free to worship God who gives me all things. He gives me material blessings in abundance, but the best gift He has given me and all people is the gift of His Son, our Savior. Jesus lived a perfect life for us. He died a horrible death in our place to pay off our debt to God. Through Jesus we are free from the chains of sin that drag us down and make us think we have nothing to live for.

Thank you God for the uncountable blessings you give us day after day. Help us like the apostle Paul, to learn the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. And to remember; I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4: 12, 13)

Happy Thanksgiving Day 2010 to all!

By Kristeen – To God be the Glory! Amen.

"Inspired to Write."

2010-08-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. (1Corinthians 7:7)

There are many different life situations which inspire me to write. I always keep my Bible and concordance handy, and as I search the scriptures for answers and guidance from God’s word, my faith is strengthened. I feel closely connected to God as I write.

I was brought to baptism by my parents on April 24, 1950. I was one month old. My baptism day is very special to me. It is the day I became a member of God’s family. Through Baptism the Holy Spirit puts faith in the hearts of babies who are too little to understand, but who are still little sinners and need forgiveness.

Many people feel that baptism is something we do for God. They opt to let their children choose to be baptized when they are old enough to understand and make their own choice. On the contrary – Baptism is a gift from God to us. Through baptism, (the water connected to the Word) our sins are forgiven, we become members of God’s family, and the Holy Spirit ignites faith in our hearts. Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used by God’s command and connected with God’s Word… For without God’s Word the water is just plain water and not Baptism. But with this Word it is Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit. (Luther’s Catechism pg.9)

My Baptism was just the beginning of my relationship with God. My religious knowledge comes from a lifetime of attending Lutheran schools – from the first grade through my first and only year of college. Beginning in the first grade, I was taught to memorize scriptures. I learned the books of the Bible and can still recite them. I memorized the Ten Commandments from Luther’s Small Catechism (now simply Luther’s Catechism). I also memorized the creeds and I learned to praise God in song.

Each school day began with devotion and a Bible History Lesson. The Holy Spirit gives us faith not only through Baptism, but through the word. All those childhood and teen years while I thought I was simply learning memory work and doing my Bible History Lessons, the Holy Spirit was growing my faith through the word.

The WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) does not deviate from scriptures in any way. That wonderful background of scriptures has led me to where I am today. I am using that Christian education in my writings to tell others the wonderful things God has done for all people.