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WEEKLY DEVOTION JULY 7

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“Noodle Soup from Krysiak’s”

READING: Matthew 20:20-28 – Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

My dad’s days lately have been all over the place. Some days he’s been very weary and uninterested in the regular things of life like food, T.V., or phone calls. Then there are the other days, where the “Old Bob” shows himself with a definite will and an obvious thought process. For instance, I talked to him last Friday a week ago about 4:30 in the afternoon. We talked until his arm ached from holding the phone. About 6:30, I received a call from my nephew, Brad. He said, “Grandpa just called me and wanted your cell number. He says he can’t find it on his phone, and he wants to talk to you.” While I was on the phone with him, my sister called the house and told Becky that Dad had just called her and wanted to talk to me. So, I called him. He obviously didn’t remember our earlier conversation, but he definitely had a purpose for getting hold of me. He said, “I want a quart of chicken noodle soup from Krysiak’s!”

Now Krysiak’s is a Polish restaurant in Bay City, MI. Fortunately, I have several times visited that establishment with Dad, so I knew immediately what he was talking about. I laughed and said, “Pa, you know I’m a very long way away from Krysiak’s.” He said, “Yeah, I know.” Then he went on to tell me that for dinner that evening they had given him a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. The soup had disappointed him and made him think with longing for the noodle soup at Krysiak’s. I told him I was sorry I couldn’t deliver on his wants, and he was okay for the time being. The whole thing made me a little sad, but it also makes me laugh. Dad’s always been good at giving orders.

I always have to chuckle at the lesson for today. James and John bring in the heavy artillery – MOM! She kneels before Jesus and asks a special favor of him, places of honor and prestige for her boys when Jesus establishes his “kingdom”. They’re thinking an earthly, hereditary “Throne of David” that would mean they would be King Jesus’ prime and second ministers. High stuff for the sons of Zebedee! Jesus says pointedly, “You have no idea what you’re asking. There is a bitter cup that comes with your request.” They want to be important. They want to be able to give orders. They want to be right near the top of the heap. Who doesn’t? It’s always heady stuff to give orders and have them obeyed.

Just think what these two asked for and did NOT receive: According to John, Jesus was enthroned the moment he was crucified. That means that the “one of your right and the other on your left” were the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus. There places were those prepared by the Father, and they were decidedly NOT places of honor and authority.

When the other disciples heard about this conversation, they were indignant. “How dare those two make such a request!” they harrumphed. (“Why didn’t I think of that?” they probably thought.) But Jesus uses the moment as an opportunity to teach them all something most important about the Kingdom: The world seeks power and status, but the followers of Jesus walk in HIS way. Humility, service, and love are the true Way that follows in the Master’s footsteps. We are called to be servants, of God and of each other.

This past week Dad had one of those “Old Bob” days. He called my brother, Larry, and my sister and said he needed a clevis and a length of rope. “Whatever for?” they asked. He said he had the idea to affix the clevis to the end of his bed and then use the rope to pull himself up to a sitting position in his bed! Then, later that same day he called Sally to say he wanted shrimp scampi from Red Lobster for supper. He did not get the clevis and rope, but they managed to tag-team and got him the scampi! He’s Dad and he’s old; he can give orders and we try our best to fulfill them because we love him. But Jesus makes clear that in our everyday walk, humility and self-sacrifice are the mark of the disciple; servants and slaves of one another. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Saturday services and the regular Communion schedule have resumed. And, remember that both Sunday services will be live broadcast on the Internet regularly from now on.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/3hlgDMTkA3Y

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: WEEKLYJuly7.PDF

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JULY 6

Monday, July 6, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“Can’t Win Without Rules”

Consider a basketball game. I see that the NBA is coming back to finish its season this July when we would normally be paying attention to the baseball season. Why not… I guess. Most of us know the game of basketball. You have to dribble the ball to move. You can’t foul. The coach earns a technical foul if he gets on the court. If you make a basket it worth two points or if its outside the three-point line its three points and so on. In fact, today its almost annoying how meticulous calls by the referees have become especially in the world of college basketball. It seems like the game is stopped a lot more these days to watch a replay on the sideline just to see if the player’s foot touches the line; or shot the ball before the shot-clock ran out.

Imagine, not following the rules of the game. A player might think he deserves extra points for how stylish his slam dunk looked. Maybe they could tackle the opponent with the basketball. Maybe a player could have points taken away for mouthing off to the referees. The fact is without the rules no one knows where the boundaries of the court are; how much a basket counts for; what a foul is; how tall the basket should be off the floor; or anything. Without those rules no one can understand the game or win it.

The same can be said of God’s Law. If you want to win the Law is necessary. In Matthew 5:17-20 at the beginning of Jesus Sermon on the Mount Jesus say, 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Rules are not only essential for games and for a society to exist but also to win spiritually. Let’s understand what I mean. First, we Lutherans often talk about the three uses of the Law. The first is the Mirror, which shows our sins. Romans 3:20 says, “We become conscious of our sin through the Law.” We look into God’s Law and as sinners we realize that we cannot fulfill its demands for perfection. We cannot be saved by it because we can’t keep it. In and through the Law we realize our sin and therefore our need for Jesus.

Second, is the Curb or fence. Years back when Josh was just starting to walk, we lived on a busy street corner. Every time we went outside, he would run towards the road thinking it was fun to get us to chase after him. He had no idea of the dangers of the road. So, we put up a fence to keep him safe. The Law does something similar when God says for example, “You Shall not Covet Your neighbor’s house, wife, workers, or animals.” If David, whom God loved, didn’t covet Bathsheba all his other sins could have been avoided. The idea is to protect what is loved and treasured. In the case of the Law we are God’s beloved children that he wants to keep safe.

Finally, we know the Law to be a guide. It tells us what to do and what not to do. On our recent trip to Gatlinburg we did a lot of hiking on Mt. Le Conte. It was beautiful. Before hitting the trails, we made it a point to stop at the park office and consult someone who knew the trails so we knew what to expect. In the same way the Lord knows better than we do the terrain of life.

The Lord has seen it all and has given His people a guide in His Word to follow. “Your word is light unto my path and a lamp unto my feet” (Psalm 119:105). Those who follow His Word are called wise. In fact, as Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount, He is effectively teaching how to traverse this world under the Law. He also says, whoever hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice is like a man who builds his house on the rock.” In the sermon on the Mount Jesus demonstrates how to follow the Law properly and not in a way that the Pharisees had been demonstrating.

The basics of sin is to replace God’s Law for another—usually with our own set of rules. You can almost hear the words of Satan in Genesis 3 each time this happens. “Did God really say…?” Adam and Eve knew what God said, but as soon as it was decided that the fruit was desirable for gaining wisdom, they ate it. Suddenly the Law was broken. The results were banishment from the Garden and death.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were very creative in their rule breaking. They tried to do so while claiming that they were keeping the Law. In Mark 7 Jesus confronts them about the commandment to honor one’s parents. Jesus reveals that they deliberately break this law in a tradition called, “Corban”. Instead of using their money to help with the folks and care for them as was prescribed by the Law they declared their income corban or holy, something belonging to God and could not be used for personal interests. Therefore, they were off the hook to help. Except they had no problem buying themselves fine clothing and nice homes. What’s more in Matthew 22:15-22 when the Pharisees challenge Jesus with whether its is Lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not Jesus exposes their hypocrisy. The money they were carrying around not only wasn’t corban but it had Caesar’s image on it. “Give back to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God’s.” One set of rules for the people another for the Elites.

Without a willingness to keep the Law regardless of who is breaking them, no Law will ever work no matter how many are written. If a person will not humble themselves to submit to a Law because they do not believe in God, or if one hates Caesar they are a danger to everyone.

But Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law. The Law of God is not the problem, sin is. And not one least stroke of the pen will be erased from it. The Law is simply impossible for us to keep perfectly. So, Jesus comes into our world and does what Israel could not. Jesus keeps the Law perfectly. He plays by His Father’s rules and humbles Himself even to a cross. And when it is all finished Jesus is not just a keeper of the Law but the full expression of it. Jesus is the Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for our sins. 2 Cor 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus won the game dying under God’s rules that someone must pay for our sins. Those sins were laid on Jesus on the cross. The game was won and the resurrection is promised.

The Law establishes what is expected and why Jesus had to die on the cross. Without the Law we have no knowledge of sin. We also have no sense of the holiness of God. We have no sense of order and nothing works. We cannot win without the Law—that is because Jesus fulfills the Law just as He says. The Law by itself doesn’t work for us. But in Christ the Law becomes a way to identify ourselves with the image of God. All because Jesus has fulfilled the Law we are saved by faith through grace as a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). In Jesus we win.

Let us not forget love is the centerpiece of God’s Law. Love is also the driving force of our salvation in Jesus—for God so loved the world that He gave. Imagine how much better things would actually be if we loved the Lord our God with all of our being and then loved our neighbor as ourselves. Just think how different our neighborhoods would look.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WeeklyDJuly6.PDF

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matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 30

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“The Windmill Farm”

READING: John 16:5-13 – Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

While I was in Michigan two weeks ago to visit my father, my daughter, Christa, and her two youngest children stayed with me at my sister, Sally’s, house. About two miles northeast of her home is the start of one of the largest windmill farms in the state. It stretches over fifteen miles along the Lake Huron shoreline. Hundreds of towers some 90 feet tall, with huge rotors that turn in the slightest breeze to turn a generator that produces electrical current at the cost of the tower and some connecting cables. The wind is free…when it blows.

That Tuesday afternoon we took Eva and Uri to Port Crescent State Park so they could experience a beautiful sandy beach and the big lake. As we headed toward Caseville, there was no wind at all. All those huge windmills sat absolutely still. Without a wind, there was no movement, and without any movement, there was no power. They just sat there in the sunlight, waiting.

In our text, Jesus tells his disciples that unless he leaves (after the Cross, the Resurrection, and the Ascension), the Counselor will not come. And, until the Counselor comes, they will just sit around, waiting for Jesus to do something, but making no movement themselves. And, without movement on their part, there will be no power to convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment. Jesus promised that when he had left them, the Holy Spirit would come to them and power them up!

I do not much believe in coincidences. That’s why I am always assured of God’s actions on our behalf. For instance, in the Old Testament the Hebrew word “ruah” can mean “wind” or “spirit” depending on the context. In the New Testament the Greek word “pneuma” can mean “wind” or “spirit” depending on the context. How marvelous that the two words that describe the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures should also describe the wind. Because when the Holy Spirit goes to work, you cannot see him, but you sure can see his works. Think about the first Pentecost Sunday! These disciples, a motley crew, prone to argue and strut and run away and hide out in fear, suddenly become effective preachers and teachers, fearless and focused and faithful. Why? Because the Holy Spirit blew in, quite literally, and sharpened their memories and organized their thoughts. He came and guided them “into all truth”, and they were never the same again. They became dynamos! They were powered up, and the Church grew in leaps and bounds because they were moved to action. And, the Spirit still does his work on and in us. Every time we are moved to some Godly work or Godly word, it is the Spirit “blowing” through us and moving us to action that the Father’s will might be done and the love of Christ might be given.

When we came home at the end of that wonderful excursion, the wind had picked up dramatically. And, every single one of those scores of windmills was cranking out the voltage and sending power through those connectors to homes and businesses far and wide. The wind blew, the rotors were moved, and power resulted. That’s how that works. And, that’s how the Holy Spirit works, too. He “blows” through us and within us, and we are moved to action, powered up by his gifts to accomplish God’s purposes in our lives. We’re moved by the “ruah”, by the “pneuma”, by the Counselor Jesus promised to send to ALL his disciples, you and me included! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Saturday services and the regular Communion schedule have resumed. And, remember that both Sunday services will be live broadcast on the Internet regularly from now on. This coming Saturday and Sunday we will give thanks for the gifts God has given to America, and through it, to its citizens and the world. Join us in church or online.

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pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: WEEKLYJune30.PDF

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 29

Monday, June 29, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“A Welcome Worthy of Our Savior”

Sometime during my first year of seminary I was driving home back to Michigan from St. Louis. The car I was driving, had been very faithful. Ultimately I drove that car from high school all the way through my first year of marriage—just about a decade. My trusty little Dodge Aries had gotten me to California and back, and taken me on numerous trips back and forth to Seminary in St. Louis but this trip something happened. Besides being what my mother-in-law called an “unfortunate color” the gold, “little car that could” also had a hard knock in it. For years that knock had gotten so noticeable that most people thought I was driving a diesel. “No, it just does that…” I would tell them.

About forty miles from Fort Wayne, the knock stopped and the car lost power then quit. I was still rolling so I threw it into neutral and tried starting it up and eventually learning to keep pushing on the gas to keep it running. By the top of the exit ramp I barely limped along turning into the only gas station at that exit at the time. I crawled into a parking spot, as if to grasp on last breath and then died. I would later find out from the guy that replaced the engine that one of the pistons broke inside.

Strange thing was I don’t remember feeling anxious about being stranded but perfectly at peace. I called home—on a pay phone—didn’t have cell phones back then. Before I knew it my former youth director back home called her best friend who happened to live on the south side of Fort Wayne. Within hours she and her brother showed up with a trailer and we were on the road again to their place in Fort Wayne. They were wonderful—perfect strangers to me but any friend of my youth director was a friend of theirs. They drove me and my car to their home, gave me a place to sleep for the night, place to clean up in the morning, and when I offered them some money, they refused it. Their hospitality made the whole event into a blessing. By the next morning my cousin showed up with her truck, my mom in the passenger seat—a four-hour drive down and then back with a car dolly—me and my unfortunate gold car made it home. It was trip filled with grace—and it’s the grace of many and their hospitality that makes me remember it so fondly.

Jesus says in Matthew 10: 40 “He who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

In the context of battle and division between father and sons, mothers and daughters comes this discussion of hospitality. You remember back a few years when young Rifqa Bary, Muslim teenage girl from Pakistan, living in Ohio came to faith in Jesus her father and family rejected her, even threatened her life. She became famous for going to court to escape her parents. The sword, that is the Gospel will have this effect. And yet Rifqa found welcome among other Christians who in their welcome fostered a greater faith in Jesus and the courage to choose Jesus over her family. Here in this context of division Jesus talks of welcome in verses 40-42.

But this welcome is to share more than food or water. Perhaps a welcome in Christ is to share in faith’s rewards…and even its consequences. Those who receive a Muslim girl who converts to Christianity may also share and receive the same threats and burdens—a prophets reward. If one was to harbor a prophet in the time of Jezebel, who sought to end all prophets, especially Elijah, you as one who welcomed Elijah to your home back then could have suffered her wrath for doing so. The same can be said of a righteous man’s reward. But Jesus says, he receives you will receive Jesus. And whoever receives Jesus receives the One who sent Him, namely the Heavenly Father.

If I was the parent of a child who was stranded, but helped by a stranger, that stranger also gives help to me as a grateful parent. By welcoming my child you have welcomed me. To give a child of Jesus a cup of cool water is to receive Jesus in the same way because you shared in their circumstances and assumed a role in their life.

Scripture says a lot about hospitality. 1 Peter 4:9 says, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Leviticus 19:34 even goes so far as to say to love a stranger is to love yourself—interesting because we hear the same language in the context of Marriage in Ephesians 5 when it says for the husband to love his wife as if he takes care of himself. But probably the most interesting verse is in Hebrews 13:2 which says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so some have unknowingly entertained angels.”

Hospitality is fundamentally an act of kindness; Offering a cup of coffee with a friend; A place to stay when someone gets stranded or lending your skills and talents to help; a ride to work when their car is busted; or just some time getting to know them.
When my car finally got home it was hauled over to a friend and member of our church back home—to his house where he had a garage out back. He was a car guy and worked at the factory where my car was made. Seeing an opportunity to help he voluntarily found a slightly used engine for a very low cost and helped replace my old one. My only price for his labor was a piece of advice—“Matt, you let me work on your car and I’ll promise not to get into the pulpit.” He used his skills and connections to help a young seminary student get back on the road—gave my car several more years. I am still grateful to him for that.

With the fourth of July coming up this week consider the story of a very young 17 year old Lucy Floocker who left her family to marry Major Henry Knox. She left behind her family who remained faithful to the British during the revolutionary war—more like they disowned her. Lucy married young Henry, a soldier in the continental army. When the British surrounded Boston she and her husband escaped the city. It is said that Lucy concealed Henry’s sword that he wore through the war, by having it quilted within the lining of her coat. If caught they would never have suspected her of having it.

Lucy loved Henry Knox and stayed as close to Henry as possible when he was camped but often during the war they were separated for many months at a time. Henry Knox eventually became a General and close friend of General George Washington who recognized his skills as a tactition. After the war Henry Knox became the first secretary of war for the United States. Lucy in that time became a leader within social circles and a friend of Mrs. Washington—the first lady at the time. Knox would also go one to found the first veterans association.

Eventually the Knox’s retired to the estate once owned by her family and build mansion called the Montpellier in Maine at the head of the St. George River. They had ten children and enjoyed retirement. It was here that Henry’s hospitality became legendary to his friends and even to squatters. Some of the letters of the time speak of the hospitality of Knox at his superb mansion. It was not unusual for him in summer, when visited by great numbers of his friends, to kill an ox and twenty sheep every Monday morning, and to have a hundred beds made up daily in the house. He kept for his own use and that of his friends, twenty saddle horses and several pairs of carriage horses in his stables. This expensive style of living encroached greatly on his means. But Madam Knox, as she was called, held it all together with her usual powers of conversation, a great memory of people and details, and an instinct for society. She was described as a woman with much tact, quick and ready for sympathy, and good judgment, combined with great good-nature and a love for fun.” After her husband died, she remained charitable and continued her hospitality in spite of debt and the disrepair of the house in her 18 years of widowhood until she died in 1824.

What we learn from Lucy is her ability to meet and relate to people and make them feel welcome. In so doing people were naturally encouraged to return frequently. Yes, the generosity did help, but long after the noble days of war, long after the splender faded, she kept up a spirit of welcome and remained consistent and is well-remembered because of her nature in this regard. The ones that make us feel most welcome are those who stand out most. By God’s grace may we be good hosts, make people feel welcome, and by our time together encourage a stranger to know Jesus in the way we love them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WeeklyJune29.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/PokLKtb1n3E

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 23

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“The Ditches of Quanicassee”

READING: Isaiah 35: 1-2, 8-10 – The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God…And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it. They will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

I went home to Michigan early last week to visit with my father who had been hospitalized for the second time in two weeks. My daughter, Christa, and her two youngest children accompanied me. He was doing better when I left him on Wednesday. The frustrating thing was that the hospital was maintaining a policy of one visitor per patient PER DAY. That meant only one of us could see him on any given day. Not adequate, but the fear of COVID continues to show itself in many ways.

Since we could spend only small periods of time with Dad, we decided to take the kids to the beaches around Caseville, on the shores of Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. On the way there we drove through the little village of Quanicassee. It’s there that several very large drainage ditches empty into the Bay. See, all the farmland for hundreds of square miles in that part of Michigan is flat as a pancake. My Dad’s farm is like that. At one point, way back it was all under the lake, and when it receded, it became swamp and wetland. To farm its rich soil, the farmers had to drain the land with underground drainage tiles that empty into ditches that empty into deeper ditches that empty into really huge drainage ditches that wind up emptying into the Bay at Quanicassee.

There is one road in particular that runs through that countryside and is bordered on BOTH sides by some of the deepest, widest drainage ditches you’ll ever see. They are 12-15 feet deep and 10-12 feet across. They’re big enough that every so often someone will accidentally drive off that road and the car will be swallowed up by that huge ditch. It’s happened several times that a car has gone undiscovered for two or three days before someone notices the tire marks going into the ditch and finds a car at the end of those tracks. When driving on that road it is imperative that the driver keep his car going straight down that road. To veer to the left leads to destruction. To veer to the right invites the same. There is no room for foolishness or a lack of focus. Going off the road means death.

In our reading today Isaiah describes such a road: it is called the “Way of Holiness”. Note that No unclean people, no wicked fools, no lions or ferocious beasts can go up on it. Only the Redeemed may walk its path. Only the Ransomed of the LORD may follow its path to joy. When Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus replied, “I am The Way…” Jesus was making a direct reference to this passage in Isaiah. How can any of us be redeemed? How can any of us be ransomed? Only by faith in Christ Jesus. Only by trusting in his righteousness, his redemption, and his promises. There is only one Way, and it is a straight and narrow path that leads to salvation.

There are people who doubt the truth of the whole of Scripture. They want to pick and choose which passages have meaning and which ones can be ignored. There are others who try to gain their salvation by earning it through works righteousness and a strict adherence to all the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament. Both of those paths veer dangerously, one to the left, the other to the right. Neither stays the course with eyes and faith fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Want to avoid those huge ditches in Quanicassee? You have to aim right down the middle. Want to avoid errors that lead us away from salvation and to a reliance on ourselves? Fix your eyes on Jesus and run straight to him you whole life long. He will lead you safely home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us on Saturday for the Weekly Review. Saturday services and the regular Communion schedule have resumed. And, remember that both Sunday services will be live broadcast on the Internet regularly from now on.

MORE NEWS!! We have decided to celebrate EASTER on this weekend in all the services including Communion. We missed out in April. We held off in May. We’ll wait until this weekend, and then we’ll sing his praises together in his house. Join us. We’ve also started up “Thursday’s Saints” Bible Class on Thursdays at 10:30. We’re meeting in the Fireside Room. Come join us there, too!

P.S. On a personal note, Becky and I have a master bath in need of a remodel. If you have had a contractor you felt did a fair and competent job of such a project for you, I’d appreciate your sharing the name with me. Thanks!

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/2Hwf9Ocj0t0

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: WEEKLYJune23.PDF

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 22

Monday, June 22, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“A Lot is Happening Behind the Scenes”

Ever watch Survivor? Even if you don’t, I think you will appreciate the reality behind the show. I caught an article recently from Living Magazine that talked about all the behind the curtain stuff for making Survivor. It was really quite interesting. For example. If you want to do an Internship for Survivor, part of the “dream team”–well talk about a dream job.
‘The Dream Team’ is a group of young college students who score an internship by spending the summer testing out upcoming Survivor challenges. The purpose is to perfect the challenges and tweak any problems that may come up when the actual contestants perform them. There are multiple stages of filming a challenge. First, the interns do dry runs of the challenges to block out the action for the cameras. Then they run a dress rehearsal, and producers run through the footage afterward to make decisions. Lastly, the interns run the challenge themselves. The internships take place on site such as on the islands like Fiji, to give you an idea. The interns also help out around the set with prop making and production preparation.

Fun right. There’s more. Every contestant gets paid–$2500 if a contestant is voted off first, five figures for making it to the jury and ten thousand for showing up to the live reunion episode. Of course, one million dollars for winning.
Even though you never see them there are tons of film crews all over with the goal of filming in a way that it appears that the contestants are alone on the island. Every contestant has a camera person on them 24/7, during monsoons and whatever mother nature throws at them. A medical crew is also always on hand. The crew is huge and has their own accommodations, along with those who construct the sets, produce music, sound, lighting, catering, and all the stuff that goes along with filming. In season 16 some of the contestants found the place and broke in and stole some Gatorades and peanut butter. Since then all contestants are closely watched and limited to certain places.

Contestants are blindfolded when they travel to other parts of the island so they do not see challenges or other camps or any other place. Meanwhile the contestants are truly limited to rice and whatever they can catch so the hunger at least is real. And if you make it to the jury you spend your time at the Ponderosa, where they eat and drink as much as they want and get pampered the rest of the time. Wardrobes are preapproved before the show begins and contestants are given “certain essentials” like birth control, feminine hygiene products, vital medication, sunscreen, and insect repellent but no hair brush, tooth brush, or deodorant. Although, a couple times some have managed to smuggle stuff in to the game.

Finally, the tribal council is a lot longer than ten minutes. Its been said to last up to three hours. Afterward producers sift through the footage to get rid of all the boring parts and keep the best “quote-worthy” lines. In the end what goes on behind the scenes is all very deliberate and controlled so that what we see is a polished, entertaining result.

Consider all that goes on behind the scenes in our game of life as Christians. Ephesians 6:10-12 tells us, 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Behind the scenes is a spiritual battle and every day we must arm ourselves with the Spiritual gifts.

No where is this more revealing then on Good Friday. Outwardly Jesus was being crucified, mocked, and brutalized. Behind the scenes we see a spiritual battle. On the one hand, just listen to the way in which Jesus is mocked. Matthew 27:40; “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” This is the devil speaking through those jeers. We remember Matthew 4. “If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread.” Be lest we forget God was also at work. Jesus died on the cross but in His death our sin was forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Darkness covered the land but sin was destroyed along with death itself. The cross was the culmination of the Lord working out a plan that started all the way back in Genesis 3. The Spiritual battles continue to rage around us. Keep in mind however, that the outcome is settled. Satan is destroyed and heaven reigns. In the end Philippians 2 promises every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Let us also keep in mind other important elements at work behind the scenes because of the cross, faith and hope. Romans 8:18-19, 23-25 Paul talks about life in the spirit. “18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. …23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Hope is a behind the scenes element that dwells in our faith in Jesus. By faith we hope in much more than our physical world. We wait for a new creation knowing that its not just a wish but something that is coming and just as real. 2 Corinthians 4 says the cross and resurrection of Jesus are a treasure in jars of clay. And at the end of the chapter Paul says, “So we 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.” Behind the scenes God is working for the good of those who love Him. In so many places we see God is with His people but also our faith and hope at work too clinging to the Lord.

Behind the scenes we also see within ourselves in a spiritual battle. I know Christian parents who put on a good face, a strong face, but inside they are tortured with guilt about working too much rather than being with their kids more. They wonder if they are doing a good job raising their kids. I know Christian teens who don’t know who they are supposed to be, don’t feel worthy of love, don’t know what their purpose is; are they pretty enough, good enough, athletic enough, just hoping they won’t screw up and make life worse somehow.

I know Christians who struggle with addiction wondering how they might fit into a sober world and use their defensiveness to protect themselves. I know Lutheran pastors that are insecure about themselves and wonder if they are doing enough, creative enough, good enough. Christians struggle with all the same things non-Christians do. Likewise, Christians are good at producing a happy smile; and edited version of themselves for others to see on most days. But inside a whole different battle is too often raging in Christian hearts. And it is often a very guarded thing. It’s our own personal reality show; edited and produced.

But the Lord already knows the real you (Psalm 139). He knows the hidden things about us. He knows our hearts. And still He wants to know you and love you. His desire is for you to know Him and gladly calls us friends (John 15:15). His love for you is an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). And He wants you to live with Him in the Father’s House forever (John 14). The Lord is not producing a reality show but a new reality just for you and me. He is creating a new heaven and new earth and a new you. The old order of things will pass away. And He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. We won’t have to compete for it. Jesus will not vote out any believer.

Actually, since Jesus is for us nothing can stand against us. We will never go hungry or thirsty again—not in heaven. We can’t see heaven yet but it is already a certain fact, a reality that is being built as we speak. It will premier on the day that we leave this world. And death will be swallowed up in victory. And we will receive the grand prize of eternal life.

A lot is happening behind the scenes. Such things shape what is going on for others to see. The fruits of the Spirit on display in our life demonstrate God is at work in us. Some see life as a game of Survivor, survival of the fittest, etc. Not Jesus. His is the way of Savior. He knows the truth of our sin and our secrets; He forgives and loves us. And faith in Jesus is our immunity necklace that promises we will get to the winner’s circle in the realm of eternal life.

And now, May the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with his favor and give you His peace. Amen.

https://www.livingmgz.com/glamour/if-youre-a-fan-of-survivor-youll-wanna-know-this/?utm_source=ya&utm_campaign=390731480-dtm-us-hd-ya&utm_medium=c&utm_sid=390731480&utm_term=&utm_content=1&utm_siteID=&utm_referrer=HOMEPAGE_US_yahoo.com&utm_eid=HOMEPAGE_US&utm_ad_id=35489686215&fps=ya&campaign_name=Survivor05_CRS_GeCPA10cents_DESK_accliv16_06-09&cust_1=liv16

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WeeklyJune22.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/7FABvlIaCbM

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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Live Video Broadcast Sunday Morning
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Click on the Links Provided Below:
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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/J8VVD9jbypg

 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 16

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“ROOTED IN LOVE”

READING: Ephesians 3:14-21 – For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Forty-six years ago today a petite seventeen-year-old bride walked down the aisle at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville, Michigan. Waiting for her at the end of that aisle was a sweating, nervous nineteen-year-old groom. They had only the vaguest idea of what they were getting into. They had no real idea how they were going to support themselves AND go to college. They could not see into the future very far at all. What they did know was that they loved each other and could not countenance another year of being separated by 600 miles of Michigan highway and the Mackinac Bridge.

As those two stood before Pastor Victor Spiekerman and their assembled families, he led them through their vows. They promised to “…love, comfort, honor, and keep…” one another “…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…until death part(ed) them.” It was fairly easy to speak those words at an age where high blood pressure, gout, deafness, diabetes, etc. were way off in the future. They were young and strong and bullet-proof, like most young couples before and after them. “Yes! Yes, we will!”

That young couple back in 1973 was, of course, Becky and me. Today is our 47th Anniversary! We are still loving, comforting, honoring, and keeping one another after all these years, not perfectly, but constantly. Looking back, we could not have guessed the directions our lives would take or the places we would live or the people we would come to know and love. There was only a distant hope of children, and at that age, no thought at all of grandchildren! We worked our way through four years of college. Then it was off to St. Louis, then Detroit, then Evansville, then Fort Wayne, and then to a place called New Albany. We had a child in Chicago, another in St. Louis, and a third in Detroit. Back in those days money was always tight, unexpected expenses were scary, and we made do whether it was old cars, old shoes, or old carpets. And, all along the way, God blessed us and cared for us and saw to our needs.

In the text for today, St. Paul speaks a “heart prayer” for the people at Ephesus. He asks that God would give to them all the spiritual blessings they could ever need. He doesn’t really ask for material blessings. He knew these were important, but St. Paul also knew that if they were at peace with God and supplied with the power and love of God, they would be patient, thankful, and content with their daily circumstances in ways that the world was not.

St. Paul prays that the Christians in Ephesus would be “rooted and established in love”. To be rooted and established is to delve deeply in the things of God: to celebrate the mighty works of God through the ages; to remember the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus and all that these have won for us; and to make full and diligent use of his gifts in Baptism, Communion, and the hearing and study of his Word. It is Paul’s prayer that Christians would love the way God has already and continues to love us: with an agape love, that is, a love that comes as much from the head and as from the heart. It’s a love that is fully focused on the good of the one being loved without counting the cost for the one who is doing the loving. It is a determined and sacrificial love. It’s really the only kind of love that comforts, honors, and keeps the loved one whatever the circumstances of life may bring.

Becky and I have been richly blessed in so many ways. It hasn’t always been easy, and there are still days when one or the other of us doesn’t deserve to be loved. We’re sinners, after all. But it is especially in those moments when we fall back on God’s agape love, knowing he continues to love us even on our worst days. Knowing that is how he loves us, we can and continue to love each other in that way to the best of our ability. Rooted in HIS love, we have the resources and power to love each other day by day.

So, my bride of 47 years: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I LOVE YOU!

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us on Saturday for the Weekly Review. Saturday services and the regular Communion schedule have resumed. A HAPPY FATHERS DAY in advance to all the dads and granddads out there. And, remember that both Sunday services will be live broadcast on the Internet regularly from now on.

MORE NEWS!! We have decided to celebrate EASTER on the last weekend of this month in all the services including Communion. We missed out in April. We held off in May. We’ll wait until the last weekend, and then we’ll sing his praises together in his house. Join us.

P.S. On a personal note, Becky and I have a master bath in need of a remodel. If you have had a contractor you felt did a fair and competent job of such a project for you, I’d appreciate your sharing the name with me. Thanks!

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/kt_-EXI7WLA

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: WEEKLYJune16.PDF

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 15

Monday, June 15, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

Valuing human beings

Hello again. Today I want to talk about valuing human beings. I touched on this point yesterday in the message. Yesterday I mentioned a video by Penn Jillette made back in 2009 or 10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=6md638smQd8&feature=emb_logo He is an avid atheist and firm unbeliever. He makes that clear. I still find what he said something to be respected and noted by all Christians. He talked about a fan who after the show met Penn looked Penn in the eye with a sincere love and took the time to give him a Gideon’s Bible. He respected the gesture enough to take a minute to make a video about the moment. It makes enough of an impact that he believed the man to be a “good man.” But he also says that if you believe in something you should be proselytizing it—sharing it. If you believe in something and believe that something has good in it, social awkwardness is no excuse to avoid sharing it.

He said in his video response, “If you believe that there is a heaven and hell and people may not get eternal life and it’s not worth telling him this because you feel socially awkward or something, how much do you have to hate someone not to tell them about the Gospel. How much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them?”
Effectively, if I’ve got a cure for cancer and choose not to share it for any reason then what kind of Christian am I? And eternal life is much more important.

The point is valid and important. This is why I am emphasizing it today. The mere discussion of certain lives mattering while others do not is not the message of the Gospel and assumes that some are not as valuable as others. Valuing all human beings (for God so loved the world) is what Jesus does in His cross. He doesn’t distinguish who He dies for. Jesus died for all people, including Penn Jillette even though not all people believe in Him.

But notice Matthew 27:54—”When the centurion and those with him guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Roman soldiers who had seen too many crucifixions saw something different in the way Jesus died. Lord willing people will see all kinds of people but they will detect something different about us in God’s grace. At the very least Jesus’ crucifixion left an impact on them. They saw the depth of Jesus’ suffering, as well as his concern for others, and the grace that filled that terrible day. It left an impact on hardened soldiers who had no love for Jews, made it their business to crucify Jesus efficiently, making sure he died there. Jesus succeeded in dying for our sins even if everyone didn’t receive what He was offering. And here’s a noted result of the cross. Hardened soldiers at least respected Jesus’ passion even if they didn’t believe in Him as Savior of the world or understand Him. He gained respect by the way He died on the cross. Lord willing the same can be said of us; perhaps we may gain respect by how we live in Christ.

In the early days of Christianity plagues in Rome swept through and the church went to work. Christians did things that gained so much respect from the community that non-Christians started asking about Jesus and many came to believe. Christians loved Christians and non-Christians who had plague and gave freely what they had been given. They took their que from Jesus who hung out with people labeled as one thing or another but was never embarrassed by anyone nor wrote them off because of the broken nature of their lives. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 makes it a point to encourage Christians to love each other in Christ “11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders…”

Consider also Matthew 18:1-6. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Children are not always valued by adults. Yet Jesus points to them and says they get it better than adults.

Come on. The disciples are asking the wrong question of Jesus. It’s not a game where one disciple is more important than another, one person more than another. “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Have you ever watched little children play with one another? Our preschoolers at Grace School are wonderous creatures. They don’t care what kind of home the other kids come from, or their color, or that they have something different about them then themselves. It’s amazing the level of acceptance that is on display in those kids. They can still have little attitudes once in a while—welcome to humanity. But those preschoolers think nothing at all of unconditionally hugging another kid and being their buddy.

So, let’s come back to where we started. How do we value other human beings? We offer them dignity by communicating they are worthy of our time and our effort.

Assume nothing. Do not judge a book by its cover. I have had some of the most intense conversations about faith with people who struggle with sexuality issues, with faith issues, with self-respect issues, with pride issues, and some who just have issues. I have been so grateful for those opportunities and some of them I am proud to call my friends today. I often don’t know if I have done any good but I have learned to work through my “social awkwardness” enough to discover some great people out there.

And here’s a secret. I’ve been a pastor long enough to discover that we are more same than different. Many of us struggle with some kind of issues at some level in our lives. I’ve also learned that the obvious things bring the most respect out of people; hard work, showing up and helping out if needed, being respectful and honest, and patient gentleness. These things often give me a chance to talk with others. Of course, if I can show what Christ looks like and build respect doing so–all the better. Such things become powerful when someone knows you are doing such things for them. Again, you communicate their value when you do.

Bottom line take a risk. You are, after all, the one who carries the faith in Jesus and has something worth sharing. Show someone they are valued and loved in Jesus. Step up; give a conversation a chance even when it is socially awkward for you. You might discover someone really interesting. You might also at least leave an impression about Christians that is respected and memorable. As we mentioned above that has value too even if one hasn’t (yet) come to faith in Jesus. Who knows, maybe what you do will lead to faith in Jesus…eventually. Give it a shot this week. Show someone they matter.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WeeklyJune15

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/Owc4vuhfnq0

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

*************************************

Live Video Broadcast Sunday Morning
8:00AM and 10:30AM

Click on the Links Provided Below:
Note: If one fails try another link. They will be active on Sunday.
 

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PEOPLE GET THESE TWO PASTORS A CALENDAR!

THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT DAY OR MONTH THEY ARE IN!
 

A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/Nqm2l6xJKY0

 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

*************************************

WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 9

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“ME AND MY COMPASS”

READING: Psalm 53:1-6 – The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Will the evildoers never learn – those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on God? There they were, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Many years ago, I went deer hunting in Michigan with my father, brother Alan, and good friend Jeff. (We were hunting near the village of Luther, which always made me laugh to think that any deer I saw was a Lutheran deer!) We decided that the three of us young guys would walk through a large section of forest while my dad watched for any escaping deer on the road that ran along its west side. We started in on the east side, with me in the middle. Now it was a big piece of woods about 2 miles long and a mile wide with lots of trees and a long walk.

I figured I was about three quarters of the way across when I decided to take a compass reading. I was quite sure I knew where due west was, but I decided to try out my new compass just for verification. I leaned my shotgun against a tree, aware that iron or steel can cause a compass to misread if the metal is close by. I laid my compass on a nearby stump and let the needle steady up. Hhhmmm! The needle said due north was behind my right shoulder. I thought, “That can’t be right!” That meant due west was quartering away from me to the right while I was convinced due west was straight ahead of me. I jiggled the compass, then laid it once more on the stump. It gave the very same reading. “That thing can’t be right! West is straight ahead. I came straight in from the east side, so I know due west must be straight ahead. Stupid thing must be broken or something.”

So, instead of following the compass reading, I stubbornly marched straight ahead. When I finally came to the road Dad was posted at, I discovered I had drifted nearly half a mile to the south of where I had expected to exit the woods. The compass had been right! When I told Dad what I had done, he laughed and said, “Rookie mistake! Always trust your compass!” It’s a lesson I took to heart.

In our reading today, the Lord “…looks down upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” God had created man, put his law on their hearts, revealed himself through both nature and by his word spoken by the prophets. He gave to mankind the right direction. He pointed out to them the right course. But, did they listen? Did they follow his directions? Did they obey his call and walk in his paths? No, no, and no!
They foolishly and stubbornly went their own way, certain they knew better, certain they could find their own way forward. “God? There is no God!”

Sadly, nothing much has changed. We still see so many walking their own way, deciding for themselves what is good and right. They make their own laws, their own version of morality, their own rules for what is acceptable, or unacceptable. “God?” they sniff, “There is no God!” They can’t be bothered with the Bible. To them that’s an antiquated old book written by a bunch of old geezers in a whole different place and a much less enlightened time. “We know better now. We’re not bound to the old ways. We know the way forward.”

King David’s cry at the end of the Psalm was heeded by God, “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!” That’s exactly what happened when Jesus carried his cross outside the walls of Jerusalem to that ugly little hill called Golgotha. Salvation came to Israel and to the world through his death and the Resurrection that followed three days later. Now anyone can know the way forward because Jesus is “THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life.” Better and more trustworthy than any compass, Jesus shows us the way forward to salvation and eternal life. Don’t be misled. Should the whole world be pointing in one direction while Jesus points in another, follow his Way, and you’ll arrive right where you hope to be. God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

PRAYER:

GRADUATING SENIORS in both high school and college are invited and urged to attend our late service on Sunday, June 14, so we can recognize and congratulate you in the service and at the reception that will immediately follow the service.

BREAKING NEWS!! We have decided to celebrate EASTER on the last Sunday of this month in all the services, with a special emphasis on the Sunday services. We missed out in April. We held off in May. We’ll wait until the last Sunday, and then we’ll sing his praises together in his house. Join us.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/WNtGuW5iFKE

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: WEEKLYJun9

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 8

Monday, June 8, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“It’s the Little Things”

Last fall we had a little mouse that got into our garage. We found this out in an a very unusual way. Turns out we had to take Tricia’s car in for some work and low and behold the mechanic found a newspaper nest built into the engine compartment. I had just changed the oil in the car myself just a few days before—(And no Bill my work wasn’t the reason we had to take the car in. It was already scheduled to go in.) So, that little critter had build a nest using newspaper we had in a box. We use the newspaper to start fires in the fireplace which sat on to of our freezer. So that little thing went all the way up to the top of the freezer, climbed into the box, nibbled off a piece of newspaper, and carried it all the way to the engine of my wife’s car and built a nest. It must have taken many trips. Really quite impressive. Well, the mechanic told us about the nest and shared with us that it was a good thing it was found because such things can lead to fires.

Later that week I decided to change the oil in my car. And you know what I found. In the time my wife’s car was in the shop (two days) I found out that that little mouse had build a nest in my engine compartment. I should probably hire this thing to help me with VBS each year. It’s truly impressive. However, because he was a mouse he had to go. My wife is deathly afraid of mice, stand on the table- afraid of them. So, we made it our mission to evict our little tenant. We eventually managed to catch the mouse in a trap and put it outside a long way from the house. What an impressive little worker that thing was.
It’s the little things. Are the little things really all that little? Consider what a colony of ants can do, or termites. Ever notice the little things aren’t really that insignificant at all?

Consider Psalm 139 with some selected verses—I won’t read all of the Psalm but listen to all the little things.
1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

Did you notice the little things in this one passage? Your thoughts—the Lord knows them. Your thoughts matter. How you think about others, yourself all matters. For out of the heart come the things that make one clean or unclean. As you think so you go.
Your Words matter. Countless passages refer to the power of your words to bring life or death. Are your words colorful? Are your words uplifting? Are your words thoughtful and wise?

How important is our inmost being? What’s our hearts desire? How important is the way we treat our own bodies by what we eat, exercise, and so on? God knows us down to the cellular level even when those RNA/DNA patterns were woven together in our mother’s womb. Give thanks for eyes that can see and ears that can hear and legs that can walk. Recent days remind us that our inmost being needs to be healthy.

The Lord discerns my going out and my lying down—the Lord gets us. But the Lord also knows what our habits are, what our secret things are, and what it is that makes us really tick. If the Psalmist could count the times that God thinks of us, it says those thoughts would be so vast they would outnumber the grains of sands on the planet. The things in us that the Lord is paying attention to are not trivial nor really all that small. Those little things do a lot to identify us; the way we carry ourselves, the phrases we use, the unique mannerisms. Those things are usually subtle but often trigger a memory of the people we associate with those little things.

Consider the little, seemingly, unimportant things in scripture. Jesus says the hairs on our heads are all numbered in Luke 12:7. Makes sense considering what we just heard in Psalm 139. How about the faith as small as a humble mustard seed? We know from Matthew 10:29-31 that his eye is on the little sparrow and we are worth more than many sparrows. We see the love Jesus has for little Zaccheus, who climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus in Luke 19:1-10. How about the widow’s offering of two pennies in Mark 12:41. Jesus said that widow gave more than all the others because she was willing to give all she had. And how powerful was a little boy’s lunch in the hands of Jesus at the feeding of the 5000 in John 6. Five small loaves, and two fish, from a little boy who was willing to give what he had to make a difference. The small things are not insignificant.

Consider marriage. It’s the little details that can irritate or bless. A majority of marriage counseling that I do often revolves around little things like not picking up after himself, or not helping out with the kids, not communicating because one or both prefers to use mindreading, not watching the budget—“Do we really need all this stuff?” Marriage can become brittle with hundreds of little chicken pecks that finally build up and explode. But yet they are often fixable things. Same can apply to friendships. Same can apply to relationships with coworkers. I think you understand what I am getting at.

The good news is that little things are not insignificant. Why do you suppose the Gospels record the words of Jesus saying, “Father forgive them,” or “Today you will be with me in paradise?” The crowds didn’t catch them. They were too busy mocking Jesus. But the Gospel writers caught them and shared them. We see in those little sentences words that show us the heart of Jesus as He goes to the cross. These are little “I love you” phrases. And yes, how powerful are those three little words “I love you” from a parent, from a spouse, or from the Church. How important are those little things that we do to bring a little more unity to a divided country; a little more constructiveness in a time when things are broken, and a little more of Jesus to a time that needs Him.

It’s the little things. The little word of encouragement, the little act of love, offering the little extra time and effort, a little more kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. The little things can often become the biggest difference. May the Lord bless the little things we do to be fruitful, helpful, and good so that a little more Jesus gets into our world. In the name of Jesus.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WeeklyJune8

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/BqMadISCpmw

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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Live Video Broadcast Sunday Morning
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Click on the Links Provided Below:
Note: If one fails try another link. They will be active on Sunday.
 

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matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBDGvd8Q3Js

 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 2

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?”

READING: Psalm 90:1-6, 14-17 – Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning – though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered…Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.

Willow is 14. Willow is my eldest grandchild, and during this past week she turned fourteen and she was confirmed. Where does the time go?!! It was just yesterday that Becky and I first laid our eyes upon the most beautiful child we’d ever seen! There she was in her mother’s arms, all pudgy cheeks and pink toes, and we fell deeply in love with her right there. Now she’s fourteen, confirmed, and headed for high school sometime this fall. How did that happen? Where does the time go?

Less than two weeks after she was born, we moved into the house we currently inhabit. It was Memorial Day weekend, and we found out Friday afternoon that we could move in on Monday and the people who bought the Clarksville place wanted to take possession on Tuesday! What to do? How ae we going to get all of this done? Then, on Sunday morning I told the congregation that while I knew Monday was a holiday, we were in a bind and could use some help moving. The next morning at the appointed time, cars, pickups, and trailers filled the street. That house was emptied in record time. I still say the whole scene reminded me of vultures descending on a zebra carcass in the Serengeti! That was fourteen years ago last week. Where does the time go?

I’m more conscious of the passing of time now than ever before in my life. When I was younger, with a young family, I was too busy to notice as much. I had lots of years ahead of me; all the time in the world it seemed. But now, I see time as my most precious commodity. It goes TOO fast. I’m aware that around August 20, I’ll have been at Grace 30 years. Becky and I will celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks. We have eight grandchildren, and not one of them is a baby anymore. Where does the time go?

Psalm 90 is attributed to Moses himself. Here was a man of God who had spent 40 years learning all about Egypt. Then He spent another 40 years learning all about the desert. Then another 40 years leading a motley, disorderly, stiff-necked people through the wilderness right up to the Promised Land. I’m sure he often reflected upon his life and then wondered, “Where does the time go?” You see that thought reflected in the Psalm. “Throughout all generations…” – Think of how many generations of Hebrews Moses saw in 120 years! “You turn men back to dust…” – How many friends, family, and Israelites had Moses seen buried in their desert sojourn? “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by…” – Moses’ 120 years are like a blink in God’s eternal calendar. “Like the new grass…” – Here today; gone tomorrow! Where does the time go?

As Moses concludes the Psalm, he turns once more to the only One who is above time, the Creator of time, the Master of time: The Lord our God. He asks that God would grant to him and to Israel His unfailing love, His joy and gladness, His presence and His splendor, and His never-ending favor. Do you realize that the things Moses requests of God are the very things that will bless us in this life…and in the life to come? Since God is eternal, his gifts are eternal. Because of our Savior’s sacrifice and resurrection, we already have God’s promise of life in his heavenly mansions. So, while the clock keeps ticking here, our home with God has no clocks, no calendars, and no end!

Yes, I’m getting older! I am regularly reminded of that fact by what I see in the mirror, what my creaky joints and sore muscles tell me, and by every passing birthday of my children and grandchildren. I am often chagrinned at how fast a year goes by, to say nothing of a week! But my God is eternal; his mercies never fail. I can sing with real meaning verses 5 and 6 of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”, “Time, like an ever-rolling stream, soon bears us all away; we fly forgotten as a dream dies at the op’ning day. O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be Thou our guard while troubles last and our eternal home!” Where does the time go? Well, when we spend it loving both God and others, it’s certainly not wasted. And, in heaven, there’s a LOT MORE where that came from! Thanks be to God! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us on Saturday for the Weekly Review. Saturday services and the regular Communion schedule will resume this coming weekend. Communion in early service the first and third Sundays of the month. Communion in late service the second and fourth Sundays. And Communion in the second and third Saturday evening services at 5:00.

CONFIRMANDS: Congratulations to our eighth grade Confirmands! They were truly a joy to teach and to learn from. God bless: Kaleb Korner, Willow Kischnick, Caroline Hadley, Lillian Nierman, Emily Garber, Aden Olson, Karson Evans, Leah Walden, Mary Alexander, and Rachel Wilcox.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/S-YrR0j37t0

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: WEEKLYJune2.PDF

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WEEKLY DEVOTION JUNE 1

Monday, June 1, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“I Don’t Have the Words But I Can’t Stay Silent”

These are the words that were posted on Instagram by our friend, Bob Lenz up in Wisconsin. Images of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis have brought about a wide range of emotions all over the country. I just don’t have the words to define what I see in the death of George Floyd nor do I have the words to define the destruction that has followed by angry protestors. To be honest I have been thinking about this a lot in the last few days. It is heart-breaking to see the loss of life and the damage that has come as a result. No matter what angle this has all has been looked at I can’t seem to find anything constructive about any of it. Once again when I am faced with what I don’t know I turn to what I do know—that which is written in the Word of God. This is what I offer for us today.

God Values All Human Life and Does Not Show Favoritism

First, God values all human life and does not distinguish human beings the way that the sinful nature does. God so loved the world means that if you are human being on this planet God loves you in Jesus. We all remember Acts 10. Peter is sent to a Gentile man named Cornelius. Normally, Jews would not associate with Gentiles but the Lord commanded Peter to go. In the end Peter learns from the Lord an important truth about people different then ourselves and therefore makes a very bold statement for his day in Acts 10:34. “Now I truly understand that God does not show favoritism.” Favoritism takes many forms but God forbids them all.

James 2 is very clear that favoritism is inconsistent with God’s character, inconsistent with the Gospel, and completely out of line with our faith in Jesus. Verse 8-9 tells us, 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” To show favoritism is to oppose the Lord and commit sin. Any act of favoritism means someone is going to mistreated. Any act of favoritism places self above God. Favoritism is opposed to grace, makes forgiveness much harder, and sows division.

In contrast Jesus encourages us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus encourages us to use our authority and our God-given gifts for the benefit of others—to those much has been given much will be expected (Luke 12:48). We are to speak up for the weak and remain humble. This is in fact what Jesus does for us on the cross. Jesus Himself prayed for the Gentile Roman soldiers even as they were nailing Him to the cross when He prayed, “Father, Forgiven them.”

What’s more we have a view of heaven in John’s vision in Revelation 7 that should inspire us to remember we are all welcome into the kingdom. Remember what John saw.

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” Not only are there countless people but we are still culturally different and welcomed that way for all eternity. The People in heaven retain their cultural diversity. God loves all the variety. Heaven is not monochrome.

In Your Anger Do Not Sin

Secondly, Ephesians 4:25-27 to speak truthfully. But it also says, “26 ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.” Recent days, remind me that sinful human beings cannot handle anger. Anger too quickly turns to rage like a spark in a dry forest. I can’t see anything positive in anger. Too much anger ruins relationships, erodes trust, wears people out, and is, as we have seen in the riots very destructive. Anger comes too easy to the sinful nature.

The hard work for Christians is spelled out in Ephesians 4:31-32: “31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

In and through angry frustration a man has died unnecessarily and people’s lives are being ruined by destruction of property and theft in protest. Perhaps the destruction of property and theft are simply opportunistic. If that is true then I am even more sad at the loss of George Floyd. In any case one does not correct the other. Jesus did not come to destroy people or property but to save us and redeem His creation in the cross and the Resurrection. The grace of God in fact destroyed Jesus on the cross for our sin. His life was lost so that we may have life in full measure.

Slow Down

Finally, I go back to James 1:19. “19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James encourages us to slow down. Be slow to speak—you might put your foot in your mouth and have to wash it down in humility. You may cause someone to be angry unnecessarily by your lack of understanding. I know I have. I have had others try to talk to me before and I was so riled up that I just wouldn’t listen only later to find out that I really didn’t understand what was really going on? Be slow to speak. Listen first to all that is going on. Also, be slow to become angry. As we already have said anger usually doesn’t take us anywhere positive. Slowing things down within ourselves allows our pulse to slow, our tempers to calm, and gives our thinking time to catch up to our emotions. When we are calmed down then an intelligent conversation has a better chance.

Use Your Words to Build Up

Lastly, use your words very carefully. Again James 3 reminds us that our words are very powerful. Proverbs 18:21 tell us that the “tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eats is fruit.” If we are to be salt and light our words should be flavored with grace. It is wise to watch what we say. Words are best when they build up and encourage. If the Gospel is upon our lips then all the troubles that plague our culture with division have a greater chance at finding healing as well as wise justice. I certainly pray for such things. May the Lord bless us in and through the Holy Spirit to be wise, listening, impartial, and loving in a time when all we hear is anger, division, and destruction. I can’t think of a better moment to be the Church or to apply God’s love.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you. The Lord look on You with His Favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WeeklyJune1

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/H6NHhhFd458

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

*************************************

Live Video Broadcast Sunday Morning
8:00AM and 10:30AM

Click on the Links Provided Below:
Note: If one fails try another link. They will be active on Sunday.
 

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PRINTABLE PDF SERVICE PROGRAM FOR SERVICE: SERVICE PROGRAM
 

PRINTABLE PDF Pastor Woods Sermon Notes: SERMON NOTES PAGE.PDF
 

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matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

*************************************

A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/vkT9HX-lFvA

 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

*************************************

DAILY DEVOTION May 29

Friday, May 29, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“I HAVE A DEER!”

READING: I John 1:8-I John 2:2 – 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. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

I have a deer! Now, not that I own a deer, or have a pet deer, or have one in my freezer. I mean that in the way someone might say, “I have a toothache!” or “I have a stomachache” or “I have the measles! Or “I have a big pimple on my nose!” In other words, I am being tribulated by a deer! It has taken to visiting my young and growing garden to help itself to some of my fresh produce, especially my red beet tops, and I am not happy about sharing my garden with a dad-burned deer!

This is the same deer, or the offspring of the deer, that two years ago ate better than half of my pole beans. It’s probably the same one who last year came by one night and helped itself to the tops of all but two of my tomato plants and all my bell pepper plants. This deer is stalking my garden in the dark of the night, and it keeps coming back! I’ve tried this horribly smelly spray that’s advertised to keep rabbits and deer away from my precious plants. It’s been working on the rabbits around my Asian lilies, but the deer seems to like it as a salad dressing! Last evening, I put a stout wire awning over my red beets so the deer can’t get at them from outside the rabbit fence I have around the garden, but there’s little to keep the retched beast from hopping over that little fence and dining inside. What to do!

Martin Luther often talked about the struggle that goes on within each Christian every single day. He couched it in terms easy to understand. He said that within each one of us there is a “New Creature” in Christ Jesus, who desires to live according to God’s commands and in love with God and neighbor. But, within us is also “Old Adam,” who desires every day to take command of us and live in the ways of the world. Every day, said Luther, these two do battle for supremacy within us. Luther went on to say the “New Creature’s” singular advantage was his/her baptism. For “New Creature” could take hold of “Old Adam”, declare, “I belong to Christ!” and drown him in the waters of his/her baptism. That’s how we know our baptism works for us every day to assist us in the battle and to resist “Old Adam” and his master, the devil. (He also lamented the fact that “Old Adam” is such a good swimmer! The next day he’s back again, ready to have a go at us!)

In our lesson for today we hear St. John being very realistic about the Christian life. He desires and urges us not to sin. But John knows himself, and he knows about our sinful nature. He knows that sins will happen. He knows we are but dust. And so, he speaks to us that beautiful Gospel message that for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, God the Father will forgive our sins and “purify us from all unrighteousness.” So, when “Old Adam” has his way for a spell, we have recourse to God for our Savior’s sake. We confess WHAT we are, and we remember WHOSE we are, and “New Creature” gets new strength and new resources for the next time “Old Adam” tries to rise up.

I wish I had some new strength and some new resources to drive away that doggone deer! I’m thinking that this on-going battle is payback of a sort. I have seven deer racks scattered about my basement and garage. Trophies I’ve taken through a bunch of November deer hunts, and I do still have parts of last year’s deer in my freezer. So, maybe the “Southern Indiana Deer Alliance” has targeted my garden as retribution. How glad I am that God doesn’t target me for retribution! Rather, for Jesus’ sake, he forgives me, cleans me up, and calls me his child. Thanks be to Jesus! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us on Monday and Tuesday for our “Weekly Devotions” and Saturday for the Weekly Review. Saturday services and the regular Communion schedule will resume beginning with the first weekend in June. Communion in early service the first and third Sundays of the month. Communion in late service the second and fourth Sundays. And Communion in the second and third Saturday evening services at 5:00.

CONFIRMANDS: We will confirm our Junior Confirmands in the late service this Sunday. A reception will immediately follow in the Fellowship Hall. Communion will be celebrated in both services this Sunday, as well. And, remember that both services will be available live, online every Sunday going forward.

Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-UukVfu4Ec
 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYMay29.PDF

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 28

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“The Blessings of What’s In Front of You”

As I write this SpaceX is getting reading to launch its first manned space launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida for the first time since the Shuttle program ended in 2011. I grew up seeing the Shuttles develop and fly. I even got to watch a launch years back. Dad pulled the car off the road during a visit to Florida. We were about 20 or 30 miles away but we could feel and hear the rumble of those rockets blasting off. It was a perfect blue-sky day so we got to watch that thing soar way up in the sky until all we could see were the smoke trails. It was very impressive. I loved it.

The first time the Shuttle flew in 1981 I remember how the news held live coverage all day like it was the Big Game at the end of the football season or something. I was fascinated by it. In time however, Shuttle flights became very routine. Eventually, it got to a point that launches were, at best, a brief segment on the news.

It makes me think of the Apollo 13 mission. The news didn’t run the show that the astronauts put on while in space because “NASA made going to the moon about as interesting as a trip to Pittsburgh.” Imagine, space flight becoming as routine as an airplane ride to Florida. That would be incredible but it also would be a shame. Flying is something that still fascinates me but if you have to do it all the time it’s about as interesting as taking a car ride to the supermarket. Human behavior gets bored easily. It’s like moving to a beautiful beach for the view but over time not paying that much attention to it because living there has become so common. That seems so crazy but that is how people generally roll.

There are many things we take for granted unless they blow up on us or are taken away. Consider the Parable of the Rich Fool from Luke 12:16-21. “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

How many things did this person take for granted? A good income? His current barns? Notice the plural—implying that he has many barns. A comfortable home? A soft bed? Maybe a nice shower before breakfast? Supper on the table? How about his life? His faith? Taking for granted God’s blessings of a good crop? This farmer stopped giving thanks for the things that were always there for him. Instead, he reasoned why not build bigger barns so that I can have more easy living. That’s how taking things for granted looks.

Taking things for granted means that one is distracted by something else. Could this be us? Could we be chasing an idea of bigger barns? Could we be taking something or someone for granted because that someone or something has become so common in our world? Could we be so invested in tomorrow that what’s happening today gets lost? Today has plenty of worries of its own but it also has blessings too. If our ambitions steal us from our families, from our church, from our Lord then what do they really profit us? What is the point of bigger barns if it costs you a relationship with Jesus, or your kids, or your spouse, or causes you to think too worldly? Jesus Himself calls such a person a fool.

If Covid has taught us anything of late it should be that we should not take anything or anyone for granted. Jesus designed our world with hugs in mind; a world where relationships are treasured, and being together shouldn’t need a permission slip. He designed us to give thanks to the Lord for what is good.

Thanks be to God that Jesus never gets tired of us. Even when we sin over, and over, and over again Jesus can’t help but love us. The Parables of Luke 15, the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost sons, all speak about heaven celebrating the return of a repentant sinner. Repentance is celebrated. We aren’t only forgiven seven times but seventy-seven times and more than that. The Lord is more eager to forgive you than you are probably ready to think of Him.

Jesus is always thinking about you. Psalm 139 talks of Jesus knowing our words, our thoughts, our behaviors, even when our DNA patterns were woven together in our mother’s womb. Jesus counts the hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30). And given that we are talking about rockets going into space, Psalm 8 is a particular favorite. “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” The Psalmist is saying, “Lord you’ve got the whole universe to think about and yet you can’t stop thinking about me.” And no where is this more true than in Jesus’ cross and resurrection. We are sometimes doing our worst towards Jesus, like we were the ones driving those nails, and still he thinks of us in His words; “Father forgive them.” Jesus does not take anyone for granted but eagerly and routinely seeks us, blesses us, and right up to our arrival prepares a place in the Father’s house for each us who believe. Everyone counts in Jesus’ eyes and everything we do in this life matters. There is much to give thanks for and the beauty of it that the grace of God is with us every day because Jesus is with us, (as He promised in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:20), for the rest of time.

So, give thanks and take advantage of the view in front of you; the people, the places, and the gifts that bless your life. Savor them as much as you can. And especially savor the fact that Jesus brings heaven to you in the resurrection. No one is getting there on a rocket. The resurrection is still good news and raising from the dead is certainly anything but common. It’s promised to you because Jesus is always thinking of you.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyMay28

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/WjEO-WtdPVs

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 27

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“FRUSTRATION”

READING: Mark 9:14-19 – When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about? he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “O unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So, they brought him…Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “’If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

I’m under the impression that some of you watched my “Daily Devotion” last Thursday, Ascension Day, and may have seen the unedited version! If that’s the one you saw, you saw Pastor K. get a little frustrated. Yes, it’s true! I am human after all, and believe it or not, there are times I get frustrated. Last Wednesday was one of those times.

We shoot the “Daily Devotions” the day before they air so that they can be uploaded sometime after midnight on the day you will watch them. That way they are ready for you as early as you want them. So, Thursday’s devotion was recorded on Wednesday. Pastor Woods set up his laptop for me, and I settled in to record the devotion. You may have noticed that I was about a third of the way through when suddenly a cell phone begins to ring right in front of me! PW accidentally had left his phone lying there, and somebody called him. So, I stopped recording, gave him his phone, and sat down to start over. I got through that take okay, but I wasn’t completely happy with it. I decided to do it once more. I guess I was about halfway through it, when a message box obscured the screen with a warning that the battery was running low. In frustration I exclaimed my unhappiness and stopped recording. I told Pastor that he’d have to do some editing and to go with the second take; it would have to do.

Frustration is a very human condition that all of us experience in varying degrees and at various times in our lives. It’s inevitable. We have a plan for things to go a certain way, and then they don’t. We have certain desires, and they fail to be met. We want people to act in a certain way, and they act in the most unpredictable ways…and we’re frustrated! Because we are sinners, because so many aspects of this world are broken, frustration is inevitable. Even Jesus was frustrated, quite often, I should think. He certainly was in our lesson above. His disciples don’t yet get it; they don’t understand where Jesus’ miraculous powers come from. They argue amongst themselves, and with the teachers of the law, and with just about anybody else they disagree with. The Pharisees, Chief Priests, and the lawyers misunderstand and misrepresent everything Jesus says or does. The average Joe is excited about Jesus, not for what he’s teaching, but for the miracles and the “show”.

Frustration in this world is inevitable; it was even so for Jesus. Frustrations come, but how we handle them makes all the difference. Somethings we handle better than others. Sometimes we get angry or we give up. Frustrated in our prayer life, we might even doubt God’s caring about the things we care about. Then we have to confess, as did the father in the story above, “Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”

To compound my frustration on Ascension Day, on at least one online platform, the unedited version got uploaded. So, there I was, in the “ether-verse” with all my frustrations hanging out! I thought it might go viral. Then the whole world could see me get frustrated. But, hey, that’s pretty boring stuff. Everybody gets frustrated, even Jesus. Thanks be to him, when we frustrate him, he loves us, forgives us, and continues to teach us as he did the disciples. Thanks be to God! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us every day this week for Daily Devotions and Saturday for the Weekly Review. Church will be open on Sunday for in-house worship at both 8:00 and 10:30. Both services will be steamed live online. And, Communion will be offered in both services this week. Saturday services and the regular Communion schedule will resume beginning with the first weekend in June. Communion in early service the first and third Sundays of the month. Communion in late service the second and fourth Sundays. And Communion in the second and third Saturday evening services at 5:00.

CONFIRMANDS and THEIR PARENTS: Picture day and practice on this Saturday, May 30, at 9:30. Sunday in the late service we will confirm them, with a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. COVID precautions will be taken, so come congratulate our young people.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/PvLtSQhT4iE
 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVMay27.PDF

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 26

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“How to Spot a Hero”

On January 15, 2009, US Airways flight 1549 collided with a flock of seagulls shortly after liftoff from La Guardia airport in New York City. The birds congested both engines, causing them to fail and leave the pilots without any power to continue flying. With only seconds to act, Captain Sullenberger contemplated a return to the airport, but realized they weren’t going to make it. The only option was to ditch in the Hudson River. After following an emergency checklist with his crew, Sullenberger guided the plane down just beyond the George Washington Bridge and successfully landed in the river. An aviation expert later called it “…the most successful ditching in aviation history.”

After an investigation, all were in agreement that Captain “Sully” Sullenberger had done everything “by the book.” Had he made an error in judgment, or failed to follow the emergency procedures, it’s very likely that all 150 passengers and 5 crew members would be dead right now. But his preparation, experience, and determination to follow procedures, even with only seconds to act, turned him into a hero.

Heroes don’t wear capes or tights but they do use their skill sets in a way that reflects character and honor. In these last few months, we have seen hard work play out in the skills of doctors, nurses, first responders, supermarket workers, and ordinary people that at other times we may have overlooked or taken for granted. Most wouldn’t even know the names of most pilots because they do their jobs well. Most will not know the names of thousands of health care people who make it a point to show up and do their job. And most don’t even hardly glance at the nametag of a person working the grocery check-out. But given the right circumstances they shine. They shine not because they can leap tall buildings in a single bound but because they do what needs to be done. Like the single mom struggling to raise three boys, two of which have autism—that’s a hero. Like the dad who works all the overtime he can get in order to feed his family and keep bills paid—that’s a hero. Like that someone who is generous and decides to use her entire stimulus check to send groceries to the church pantry because compassion drives her—that’s a hero.

Hebrews 11 mentions what many call “The heroes of faith.” “1Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for…. 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

The list includes Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Enoch, Noah, even Rahab who in faith hid the Israelite spies at Jericho. Of course, Abraham stands out most because his great claim to faith was his obedience. His obedience to God’s call drove him to leave his home town at 75 years old and go to Canaan where he would live in tents the rest of his life. He trusted in the promise God gave him and he went—that’s as complicated as it got. He didn’t spin spider webs from his wrists or stop bullets with his bracelets or use his super strength. “He went and made his home in the promised land as God told him to do.” Abraham was obedient even to the point that if necessary, he would have sacrificed his son, Isaac. Hebrews 11:19 tells us “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” Now, that’s a hero—in God’s eyes.

Obedience to the Lord was Abraham’s greatest claim to fame. Following through on what God commanded. Of course, Jesus is the ultimate hero. He was obedient to the Father’s will even unto death on the cross. Jesus was motivated by love for His Father and for those He came to save—that’s you and me. If we are to learn from Jesus, we would find that heroes are by nature servants. Heroes are sacrificial. Heroes are faithful. Heroes show up when they are needed. Heroes apply what they have. And yet the greatest mark of a hero of faith is obedience to what God commands. In John 14:15 Jesus simply tells His disciples, “If you love me, keep my commands.” But Jesus also says in Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” The benefits of following Jesus in the way as He defines faithfulness leads to blessings and to eternal life. This is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It was what transformed the world during the pandemics of Rome when Christians set the standard for heroism simply by opening their homes to the sick and loving them as Jesus would. Obedience to Jesus is transformational especially in its impact.

Of course, the challenge is to give to the Lord our obedience. Sin does not naturally follow Jesus but prefers its own path, which is usually self-serving, disrespectful of others, and nothing that makes anything any better in the end. But when we apply what we are good at, (that is our God-given abilities), to the benefit of our employer, to our family, to our community, to our mission as Christians, and especially to the glory of God then heaven celebrates you as a hero.

Love like Jesus. Forgive like Jesus. Serve like Jesus. Give like Jesus. Obey the Father like Jesus—which by the way all brought us the resurrection. That’s how you spot a hero in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on You with His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF:DailyMay26

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/2Rp555Pau2k

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 25

Monday, May 25, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“Memorial Days”

READING: I Corinthians 11:23-26 – For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

How many of you remember the “Red Poppies”? When I was a kid, the American Legion promoted and sold paper facsimiles of red poppies in order to remember those who had died in military service to our nation and to use the funds raised to assist those who had been wounded and disabled while serving. I remember how proud I was when as a third grader I won an award from the Legion for producing the best Red Poppies poster in a competition they sponsored.

The Red Poppies were always sold in conjunction with Memorial Day, or as my parents often called it, “Decoration Day”. This holiday has deep roots going all the way back to the years right after the end of the Civil War. Various states and other entities established days designated for remembering those who had given their lives in that tragic war. Then, after each succeeding war in which Americans fought and died, new waves of remembrance would surface across the country. It wasn’t until 1967 that Congress passed a bill creating the holiday we know today. While Memorial Day is celebrated by many as the opening holiday of summer and a chance to enjoy a three-day weekend, its original and intended purpose is to remember and honor all those who have given their lives in defense of our nation. They should never be forgotten.

In our text today St. Paul quotes Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper. Twice Jesus uses the word, “remembrance”, as he introduces the disciples to the Sacrament. It’s an integral part of our celebration of Communion: to remember what Jesus has done and accomplished for us in his sacrifice upon that Roman cross. To remember his body wracked and broken by fist and by whip, by crown of thorns, and by nails and spear. To remember his blood shed at the foot of that cross, even as the blood of countless lambs had been shed at the base of the Jewish altars throughout the Old Testament. To remember and to proclaim the death of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world. To remember and proclaim the forgiveness that comes to us by his sacrifice. He should never be forgotten!

One of the very best aspects of having people come together again in church on Sundays has been the opportunity once more to celebrate the Eucharist. This is a meal and a remembrance that was meant to be experienced in the presence of other Christians. There’s just no good way to do it “virtually” or privately. For those of you who are still waiting for the chance to come to church and participate in Communion: hang in there! It’s worth the wait. And we won’t take it for granted like we’ve been prone to do. We’ll remember its cost and its value. We’ll remember our greatest hero, our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

So, enjoy your Memorial Day respite. Be sure to thank God today for the sacrifice of so many through our nation’s history who gave their lives in defense of our country. And, whenever you next have opportunity to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, do it in remembrance of the One who gave his all, soul and body, for our salvation. Do it in remembrance of Jesus. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us every day this week for Daily Devotions and Saturday for the Weekly Review. Church will be open on Sunday for in-house worship at both 8:00 and 10:30. Both services will be steamed live online. And, Communion will be offered in both services this week. Saturday services and the regular Communion schedule will resume beginning with the first weekend in June. Communion in early service the first and third Sundays of the month. Communion in late service the second and fourth Sundays. And Communion in the second and third Saturday evening services at 5:00.

CONFIRMANDS and THEIR PARENTS: Practice for Confirmation Sunday will be Wednesday at 6:00 P.M. and on Saturday at 9:30 A.M. Confirmation will take place in late service this coming Sunday, May 31.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/3YKO7ieMhbI
 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVMay25

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Live Video Broadcast Sunday Morning
8:00AM and 10:30AM

Sorry everyone, we were having Modem issues which caused our live stream at 8:00 a.m. to drop. The links below to view the 10:30 service is available on both the Youtube and Facebook links.

 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Vn4JFP_IQP8JQ3f8QwADQ
 
Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceLutheranChurchNA 
 

PRINTABLE PDF SERVICE PROGRAM FOR SERVICE: SERVICE PROGRAM
 

PRINTABLE PDF Pastor K Sermon Notes: SERMON NOTES PAGE.PDF
 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/y27E5FhKcO0

 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 22

Friday, May 22, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“You Should Have Known Better”

An interesting article was put out by the Biblical Archeological Review magazine written by Robert R. Gargill. He writes about the Museum of the Bible in Washing D.C. and their exhibitions. Apparently in a haste to open they decided to take short-cuts that are costing them dearly. For example, Gargill mentions that “early in April 2020, the Museum of the Bible’s Dead Sea Scroll fragments were scientifically proven to be fakes. All of them. A study —commissioned by the museum itself—determined that the scroll fragments, which had served as the crown jewels of the museum’s many exhibits, were all modern forgeries.”
He also goes on to mention that an additional 11,500 artifacts—5,000 papyri fragments and 6,500 clay objects—were found to have been stolen from Iraq and Egypt and sold to Museum Chairman of the Board and chief benefactor, Hobby Lobby billionaire President Steve Green. He paid a lot of money for a private collection which in turn were to end up in the Museum. Apparently Green was warned repeatedly that buying from black markets are a good way to get burned. Bypassing certain steps left the Green collection vulnerable to unproven artifacts. Mr. Green later released a statement conceding that he had, “trusted the wrong people to guide me, and unwittingly dealt with unscrupulous dealers.”
Gargill finalizes his article by saying, “It took being caught, fined, having objects seized by the feds, and now knowing that millions were spent on forgeries to realize what many scholars have been saying all along: Purchasing and displaying unprovenanced objects is not worth the risk.”

By the way just want to put out a plug to Biblical Archeological Review. It’s a great magazine that focuses on the archeology related to the Bible. It is very interesting and well-worth your time.
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/first-person-bob-cargill/unprovenanced-antiquities-learning-the-hard-way/?mqsc=E4113921&dk=ZE035TZF2&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=BHDDaily%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=ZE035TZF2

There are many lessons we may draw from this. But let’s emphasize the most obvious one. 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” One does not have to look to hard to discover that Mr. Green’s eagerness to open the Museum of the Bible lost its way when he thought he could take short-cuts with those that knew the game better than he did. Clearly, someone played Mr. Green and fed on his eagerness. It’s like the deceiving phone calls, text, and emails trying to get us to buy gift cards, or scare us by pretending to be the IRS. Mr. Green was deliberately deceived and conned out of millions by characters more than willing to take his money. On the other-hand Mr. Green was too willing to believe them because they promised him what he wanted. Ironically, his passion for these biblical artifacts became idols for him and it blew up on him. The company Mr. Green kept may have done irreparable damage, at least to the Museum’s credibility.

Secondly, let’s talk about the short-cut. Let’s listen to Genesis 16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, “Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing [children]. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3 After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife. 4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived…”

God promised Abraham a son but Sarai got impatient. So, in an effort to give God a little help Ishmael was born. Hagar rubbed it in Sarai’s face but since Sarai was her boss she made Hagar’s life so miserable that she fled. Hagar would later return by the Lord’s command, but with a promise for her son. When Abraham tried to take a short-cut to God’s promise it was exercised in doubt, without consulting the Lord, and because Sarai was eager to have a child. It didn’t go well. Abraham was very foolish and, in some ways worse than where he started.

I’ve always said, the longest distance between two points is usually the short-cut. The short-cut usually leads to something getting cut short. A former brother-in-law got himself in hot water with the feds years back because he too kept the wrong company. He got behind on cash flow in his very large construction company. His eyes were always bigger than his wallet. He wanted to be the premier company in his area. But he didn’t manage his money as well as he built houses. He turned to a business man who painted himself as a very successful person with all kinds of money. He wasn’t. His money came from a pyramid investment scheme not unlike Bernie Madoff and he was under investigation by the Feds. But the former brother-in-law didn’t heed the warnings from the FBI. So, he kept doing business with the con artist and later found himself in jail for money laundering right along with the businessman—because he was paid in cash for his work. He lost everything.

So, what is our lesson from this? Mr. Green would have been much better consulting experts, getting advice from scholars, and allowed himself to be guided by those in the field. Mr. Green is a Christian man, and a good business man with a great success with Hobby Lobby. But that doesn’t make him an expert on antiquities. He became very foolish. Numerous times in scripture we hear that it is wise to consult the experts. “Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

If you are investing in anything; money, a relationship, a marriage, a career, an education, or buying antiquities, and especially your faith, get with some good company. Get with someone that not only educates you, but with someone that has your best interest in mind. That person may even disagree with you, show enough respect to tell you ‘no’, or challenge you to rethink your actions. That’s important stuff. Remember the words of James 1:19, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” And to Luke 11:28 where Jesus says, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Listeners are blessed when they take godly advice and act accordingly with the wisdom of the Spirit.

Whether is be Abraham or Mr. Green, or a former-brother-in-law, or any godly Christian person it is always a good idea to keep good company. I’ve always believed this to be one of the most important reasons to be in regular worship with other Christians. It is always a good idea to never let our hearts desire overrule good godly advice or warnings. Godly people obviously can and do make this mistake. In the wisdom of God’s Word, we have wisdom in the Spirit of God. By the grace of God, we have ears to hear it and opportunity to use it. So, by the grace of God let’s use it well. In Jesus’ name.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on You with His favor and give you His peace. Amen

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF:DailyMay22.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/5MBi7BNeCR4

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 21

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“A Blessed Ascension to You!”

READING: Acts 1:4-11 – On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he had said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

“Happy Ascension Day!” Now there’s a greeting that must seem a little unusual to you. In fact, this might be the first time anyone ever said that to you. Today is Ascension Day, the day our Lord Jesus Christ ascended heavenward until a cloud hid him from the sight of the Apostles who had been gathered with him. It was exactly 40 days ago that we celebrated Easter. It’s exactly 10 days away from when we celebrate Pentecost. It’s a day worthy of celebration itself.

Ascension Day used to be a bigger deal within the Church. Not so many years ago, most Lutheran churches had an Ascension Day service, but like Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day, dwindling interest and attendance at those services led to its extinction. The fact that it ALWAYS falls on a Thursday also attributed to its demise. That’s too bad because it’s worthy of our attention.

Ascension Day was HOMECOMING DAY for Jesus! Having completed the will of his Father in every way, to the last detail, Jesus was coming home to take his place at the right hand of God. What a reception he must have received! Welcomed back as the Savior, the Redeemer, the hero who had conquered sin, death, and the devil. No Roman general nor emperor ever had a Triumph thrown for him like the Triumph Jesus must have received. Only one celebration in heaven will be greater than that one: the day you and I and the whole Church in heaven and on earth will be gathered together to participate in the Feast of the Lamb in his Kingdom.

Interestingly, the Ascension has also been the focus of controversy within the Church. John Calvin, a Swiss reformer who was a contemporary of Luther’s, concluded that since Jesus ascended bodily into heaven, the doctrine of the Real Presence in Communion was not possible. He understood heaven to be a finite location somewhere above the atmosphere, and since Jesus had gone there in his human form, he could not then be really present at every altar in Christendom whenever the Sacrament was celebrated. Luther’s response to all of this was basically: 1) You cannot define heaven in terms the Scriptures don’t use. 2) Since Jesus is truly divine, then the divine attribute of “Omnipresence” applies to him, and he can be in all places at all times because his divine presence fills heaven and earth. 3) Jesus said, “This is my body…” and his word is truth.

Jesus ascended before the eyes of the Apostles, so they were all witnesses of his departure. But Jesus has also promised to be with them always to the end of the age. So, in his Ascension he disappeared from their sight, but his presence with them was never in doubt. He sits at the right hand of the Father both because the Father honors him so, and because Jesus reigns with authority for our sakes. And as Jesus had promised, if he went away from them, the Counselor would come and give them the gift promised by the Father. Pentecost was the pay off on that promise and the birth of the Church that blesses us to this day.

So, Happy Ascension! Jesus went to the Father’s house to prepare a place for us, and he promised to come again to take us to be with him that we may be where he is. That’s his promise. His work on earth was finished. Mission accomplished! The Gospel takes root and grows. The Church brings hope to “…a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language!” And he will come again, only this time every eye will see him, yours and mine included. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us tomorrow for Daily Devotions and Saturday for the Weekly Review. Church will be open on Sunday for in-house worship at both 8:00 and 10:30. Both services will be steamed live online. And, Communion will be offered in both services this week and again on the 31st.

CONFIRMANDS and THEIR PARENTS: Practice for Confessional Sunday will be this Saturday, May 23. Confessional Sunday will be at the services this coming Sunday, May 24. Confirmation will take place in late service on May 31.

SHOUT-OUT to: Jean Brafford, Mark Bertsch, Dale and Connie Beickman, Bill Davis, Robbyn and Lienhard Siebert, Pat and Wayne Smith, Ewald and Pat Grieb, and Barb Sziklay! All of those are folks we haven’t seen in person for several months. Just want them to know we miss them and are thinking of them.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/9eDc75KEW8I

 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVMay 21

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 20

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“God Moments”

In 2006 eight people from Grace Lutheran went down to southern Florida to help a family rebuild a house that was lost from Hurricane Wilma. Wilma struck Florida the same year as Katrina struck the Gulf coast. And while Katrina got a lot of attention Wilma was a larger more powerful storm. On the south side of Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Florida lived our friends, the Garcia’s, and all but their brick porch was wiped off the foundations. The Garcias were living in a FEMA trailer with only 150 square feet total. They had enough money to buy materials but not enough for labor. That’s where we came on the scene.

In five days our folks framed an entire house and got it under roof. Along the way were what we called, “God-moments”. These were little moments filled with grace too coincidental to be anything but God providing us help. For example, one “God moment” came to us when a local radio station got wind of our work and came out to do a little interview. A local man heard the interview on the radio and decided to come and help with his equipment. All week we had hoped to go out on a boat on Lake Okeechobee. This fellow who came out of nowhere also had a boat and took us out. We had many “God moments” throughout the week but this one illustrates the kind of week it turned into. Our people worked hard and were eager to get the house under roof before we left. Those little “God moments” only made us more motivated to do more for Garcias and for the Lord.

This was for many of us our first mission trip. But those “God moments” gave us strong motivation to do more. It’s amazing what can motivate one to work hard, under hot and steamy conditions (Southern Florida in the Summer was hot), for complete strangers, in a community none of us had ever been. Yet, when you meet those like the Garcias and see what God has done through a willingness to go and a desire to help one can’t help but feel grateful to have been a part of so much good. The Garcias have been our friends ever since. Who wouldn’t want opportunities to do more?

This idea of “God moments” brings to mind Ephesians 2:8-10 for us today. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

When we think of good works we often think of things we do or should do; praying, reading scripture, donating money, or going on mission trips. We think of good works as an expression of faith and that isn’t necessarily untrue. I would argue that this does not go deep enough given the context of Ephesians 2.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus…” Opportunities for good works or “God moments” come first from God doing good for us. The context of Ephesians 2 especially verse 8 gives us powerful clues to this reality. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God.” How else does one experience any good except because good has been given in Jesus. Jesus came to humanity while were yet sinners and died for us so that our sins would be removed. Jesus also generously promises a share in the resurrection not because we are so good but because Jesus gives what is good. And then what is good overflows from us to others.
One example, is in Acts 9:36-43 which tells us about Tabitha. Verse 36 describes her as a “disciple” meaning she believed in Jesus. And the verse goes on to say, she was always doing good and helping the poor.” “Doing good” was a reflection of good already given to her. It was simply overflowing from Jesus through Tabitha. The Lord worked through Tabitha’s talents to make others feel welcome, her talent to sew clothing, a gift of gab perhaps, maybe a gentle yet generous nature. Tabitha remained strongly connected to Jesus, as John 15:5 describes, connected to the vine. Because of that connection to Jesus she bore much fruit. “God moments” are nothing if not filled with Jesus and overflowing with His grace.

Something else to note in verse 10. The phrase “which God prepared in advance for us to do” is a poor translation. Literally this should read, “good works which God prepared in advance, so that we might walk in them.” The idea is that we walk in the footsteps of our Savior.

Two things. First, to walk in such footsteps identifies a follower as a disciple of Jesus as was the case with Tabitha. Secondly, the concept of “walking in the good works that God prepared in advance” is not a matter of periodic things we do here and there. The concept of Ephesians 2 is that our faith is more automated than that—that it is a lifestyle, a natural part of your day. Such walking recognizes “God in all moments” and opportunities in doing good being exercised in a consistent pattern. In other words, as much as I love mission trips, going away on a mission trip is not necessary where “God moments” are louder or more obvious. Mission trips always have their own unique blessings especially the opportunity to meet new people and for new friendships like we did with the Garcias. Yet, they are short term. Truth is: God surprises me all the time even here at home. Jesus’ best work tends to find us.

As I shared last week. I got a call out of the blue to help a family put a fence for the boys so they can go outside safely. I know how to build a fence but I knew I would have to find some way to pay for it. The next day I got another call out of the blue asking to help someone who needed it. Guess what, the fence is getting built. This was a very loud “God moment.” “God moments” come in moments of gratitude, humility, openness to grace, and sometimes a willingness to get out of our comfort zones. But they always flow from God to us first.

Just look at all the good that has been on display in the last two months by those just doing what they do; nurses, first responders, doctors, check out clerks, nursing home workers, construction workers, moms and dads who stayed home teaching their kids. Or how about the online opportunities that we have been so grateful to have experienced here at Grace. “God moments” have made a lot of our shut-down time a lot more bearable, even more memorable. Thanks for everyone who has been such a blessing to your families and to others.

The key to “God moments” is being open to them. Sin gets in the way of God. Sin will also get in the way of “God moments.” If your heart is opened by the grace of God through faith they will come. The minute one puts their own expectations or desires before being humble or having a servant’s heart is when good things may be missed. If we are chasing some concept of fulfillment, or go chasing an experience to make us happy, or some notoriety, then “God moments” are not what you find because you are not looking for them.

When we were working the tornado recovery in 2012 a group of office types came out to “help”. Only one was dressed to help. The others wore clothes more suited for the beach, dressed in flip-flops and summer shorts. After a couple of hours of listening to them complain about the conditions and the work I sent them home. The only one dressed in boots and work clothes, the only one actually dirty from working hard, apologized for his group before he left. I think he realized that all his office friends accomplished was a day out of the office. They clearly had other ideas as to what they would be doing. What those ideas may have been are still unclear to me.

Jesus is good. He is good to us and his gift of grace has opened up His salvation to us. That’s “the saved by grace through faith.” Along with that is the opportunity to take the good given to us and pass it on to others. Jesus has prepared a way that we may walk in Jesus’ footsteps. “God moments” are always with us as much as Jesus is always with us. Grace in Jesus gives us eyes to see them and hearts to share in them. May the Lord bless us with eyes to see and ears to hear. In Jesus’ name.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyMay20

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/JU2Dkab6M6M

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 19

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“Living Water”

READING: John 4:7-14 – When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “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.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

I talked to one of our mothers from the congregation this past week, and she told me she had taken her children on an excursion to Charlestown State Park. On their hike they discovered the beautiful little waterfall that graces the creek near one of the trails. She said that once the kids found it, that was all they wanted to do: play in that cold, tumbling, “living” water. They even ate their sandwiches while playing there.

That reminded me of an annual event we attended every year during my childhood and teen years. My mother had been a member of a “sewing club”, and once a year all those ladies, their husbands, and their children met at Indian Fields Park near Caro for the “Sewing Club Outing”. That park had a creek that meandered through it, and every year all of us kids were fascinated and enthralled by its charms. We splashed and waded in it. We chased minnows and crayfish. We built little dams and sailed various items through its “rapids”. Little kids are drawn to moving water like iron to a magnet.

In Bible times, water that was moving, flowing, and tumbling as in a mountain stream was referred to as “living water”. Because it was flowing and tumbling over rocks and gravel, it was often the best drinking water available. Water that pools and lies stagnant is often full of protozoa and bacteria that can make a person sick. But water that is moving and tumbling over rocks gets oxygenated and is inhospitable to the stuff that’s dangerous to ingest. Even today in wilderness areas where mountain streams run cold and clear, a person can drink without much fear of illness.

Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well that he could supply her with “living water” of a different sort. She misunderstands him at first, wondering how he could even draw such water without an implement. Then, when he tells her the water he can provide will mean she never thirsts again, she laughingly tells him to give her that water so she won’t have to come draw water ever again.

The water Jesus wants to give her is not wet at all. It is eternal life that he desires to share with her. This is “living water” that is better than any she could draw from the well. This is “water” that will quench a thirst deeper, more insistent than any thirst for regular water she had ever had. It’s a “water” more wholesome, more life-giving, and purer than any mountain stream she ever drank from. It’s a “water”, that once she drinks of it, will become a “spring of water welling up to eternal life” within her, changing the course of her life on earth, and bringing her the promise of life in the world to come.

Jesus knew the Samaritan woman was “thirsting” to death. Her spirit was as dry as the dust under her feet. Her life had been a constant parade of failure, heartbreak, and isolation. When she begins to glimpse the truth in Jesus, and when she drinks deeply of his love, new life begins to flow within her. She runs off to share her joy with the townspeople who until then had wanted nothing to do with her. That “living water” had welled up within her and moves her to action. Things change for them all.

My dad’s Conservation Club had an artesian well for drinking water. They had driven a pipe down into the ground outside the clubhouse, and water ran from that pipe perpetually, cold and clean and marvelous for all the years of my youth. We kids would be there for a picnic, running and playing like kids do. Suddenly we’d realize how thirsty we’d become. In a flash we’d run off to the artesian pipe and take turns drinking deeply of that “living water”. It was so good, so satisfying, so refreshing.

When you and I drink deeply of Jesus’ grace, his truth, and the hope that is ours in his life, death, and resurrection, the “living water” he gave to the woman at the well satisfies us, too. It gives us hope. It gives us joy. It gives us life. In spite of her past sins, in spite of our sins, the Father gives us Jesus’ righteousness as our own. He does this “purely out of fatherly divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in us.” Drink deeply of this “living water” and your soul will thirst no more. Believe it! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us the rest of this week for Daily Devotions and Saturday for the Weekly Review. Church will be open on Sunday for in-house worship at both 8:00 and 10:30. Both services will be steamed live online. And, Communion will be offered in both services this week and again on the 31st.

CONFIRMANDS and THEIR PARENTS: Practices for Confessional Sunday will be tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20, and this Saturday, May 23. Confessional Sunday will be at the services this coming Sunday, May 24. Confirmation will take place in late service on May 31.

Making their confessions in the early service Sunday will be Emily Garber, Mary Alexander, Leah Walden, Aden Olson, and Rachel Wilcox. In the late service will be Lillian Nierman, Kaleb Korner, Caroline Hadley, Karson Evans, and Willow Kischnick. Keep these young folks in your prayers this week. Pray for clarity of thought and courage of heart.

SHOUT-OUT to: Elmer Klinstiver, Linda Kidd, Laura Wilson, Audrey Hill, Steve and Patrick Montgomery, and Cora Keister. All of those are shut-ins we haven’t seen in person for several months. Just want them to know we miss them and are thinking of them.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/zAetzvfPLek

 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVMay19

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 18

Monday, May 18, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

“How The Corona Virus End?”

Articles are beginning to appear asking the question, “How will Covid-19 end?” We are not totally sure how it all started. What I’d like to do today is to react to a couple of those articles from Scientific American and the New York Times. Both reflect on the history of Pandemics and come to similar conclusions—Medically, viruses fade out after a few years. Another way they end is that people stop being afraid of them meaning it will end socially long before it is gone medically.

Lydia Denworth, “How the COVID-19 Pandemic Could End” in the Scientific American makes the following conclusion about this virus: “Unless a vaccine is administered to all of the world’s eight billion inhabitants who are not currently sick or recovered, COVID-19 is likely to become endemic. It will circulate and make people sick seasonally—sometimes very sick. But if the virus stays in the human population long enough, it will start to infect children when they are young. Those cases are typically, though not always, quite mild, and so far the children appear less likely to develop severe disease if they get reinfected as adults. The combination of vaccination and natural immunity will protect many of us. The coronavirus, like most viruses, will live on—but not as a planetary plague.” https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-could-end1/

A similar conclusion has been made in the New York Times Article by Gina Kolata back on May 10, 2020, “How Pandemics End.” However she concedes that the fear of the virus may also be another means in which it ends at least in people’s minds. She quotes a “sort of social psychological issue of exhaustion and frustration.” A strong tension has obviously been building between a social end or medical end to the virus. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/health/ coronavirus-plague-pandemic-history.html.

I wasn’t aware of this but Historically according to the New York Times Article, only Small Pox was ever completely defeated medically. Both articles acknowledge that all viruses past and recent continually mutate so much that any vaccine can only last one or two seasons at best. What’s more they both acknowledge that pandemics tend to fade out rather than be medically overcome.

Fear can be overcome and it is liberating when it is. We all know to be true that we are always at risk from viruses, accidents, disease, trouble problems, regardless of an open economy or a closed one. Somehow we do not fear them.

Overcoming fear is very important and is at the heart of many scriptures. Let me just share a few. 1 Peter 5:6-7 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” This verse is good on two fronts. First, it reminds us to remain humble and to place our care upon the Lord. It would be easy to convince ourselves science will save the day even though historically speaking it doesn’t usually work that way. It would be easy to place more trust solely in our own ability to socially distance ourselves, wear masks, and wash our hands. Neither science nor our personal cleanliness can truly give us peace of mind. They are powerful tools but in and of themselves are not the total solution to any tribulation the world dishes out.

Besides why are we more afraid of the virus then we afraid of committing immoral acts, lies, or some other sin against God? We might even get sick. We might even perish from Covid. But can we say Jesus loves us less if we get sick from Coronavirus instead of cancer? Of course not! Jesus’ love has overcome the worst that has ever plagued humanity, namely, our sin. He cured us of it’s hold on us. If any mitigation remains after the virus it should be that we do not sin. In Jesus though, we will recover from the world. What can this world really throw at us that Jesus hasn’t already overcome in the cross and the resurrection. The worst in that regard is already over. It’s like the end of an old movie—“The End”. Jesus has already destroyed the power of sin, death and the devil. There is already an end to the worst of things.

Consider Matthew 6:34 where Jesus tells us; “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Worrying never adds anything. Worrying does sap one’s strength, peace of mind, and causes one to sometimes avoid things. I know a youth who wanted to play soccer but because of his paralyzing fear of messing up never joined a team. He wanted to but could not. He never gave himself the chance to experience the rewards nor the learning that comes by participation even though he desperately wanted to. Worry can be paralyzing. Even with the Corona Virus we are not to be so concerned even for our health that we are paralyzed. Why let our imaginations steal our peace with things that may never happen?

I loved my grandmother but she was the queen of worry. When I picked her up from Bingo on Thursdays she would forbid me from going down Knox Road. It was a very narrow dirt road with large trees so close to the sides that at night my car headlights made it look like driving through a tunnel. But she had convinced herself that bingo bandits would ambush our car and take her bingo winnings. This is no joke. She hated that road. There were no bandits. And no one had a clue we had anything to do with bingo in our car. And besides grandma usually lost more than she won so there was usually nothing to steal anyway. But her fear created a scenario in her mind that would never come true.

Caution unlike fear says, be careful by using sensible mitigation tactics especially if vulnerable to illness. Caution gives us respect for things like heights and hot ovens but caution never says stop hanging lights or stop using your stove. Caution is naturally heightened when we are afraid. Caution is proactive while fear is reactive. Caution takes action. Fear would rather hide. Holding on to worry or fear accomplishes nothing constructive.

Finally, I would encourage you to read Psalm 27. The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? David wrote this while Saul wanted him dead. In truth the world wants us all dead. What David says, is not to be mistaken as simplistic or shallow.

In 27:13-14 David is speaking to himself as evidenced in the fact that all the verbs are singular. “(David)—I remain confident of this: (David)–I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (David) Wait for the Lord; (David) be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” David is telling Himself that the Lord’s silence doesn’t mean that He isn’t around or working to the good of those who love Him. Take a lesson from David in Psalm 27 even as David was under threat from a plague of assassins. Psalm 27 says, David keep your head in the game. By doing so David broke any hold that Saul may have had on him. And therein lies the greatest lesson for us today. The virus does in fact end its hold on you the moment faith is reaffirmed in Jesus. Jesus loves you and has saved you regardless of being sick or well. Jesus Himself says, “Fear not for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This promise always applies regardless of what is chasing us.

To wrap up then, I would offer this as answer to the question of “When will the Corona Virus end?” In spite of promises made with the best of intentions: Medically it will probably follow other pandemics of history and eventually fade from a general immunity that develops.

Individually it ends the moment we no longer let it make us afraid. I am not saying that caution is thrown out entirely. I am saying that the mere existence of Covid 19 alone should not imprison our minds any more than we worry about getting other annual sicknesses. As I have said weeks ago when we first began our Covid journey together, and say here again today, fear and caution are very different. Fear is a reaction. Caution is a taking action. Actively choosing to trust in the Lord above all things is a proactive faith that carries on even though our bodies are vulnerable to a fallen world. Bodies age, get sick, and finally stop working. Salvation is not undone by any of it. And that is the antibody to fear. Faith in Jesus gives us the choice to have courage no matter how deep our tribulation or how threatening our enemy becomes.

Now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailYMay18

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/Ua4A1qWvMd8

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/mwn4jDqh-N8

 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 15

Friday, May 15, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“Here Is Your Mother”

READING: John 19:25-27 – Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

With this past Sunday having been Mother’s Day, I found myself reflecting on my own mother and my life as her son. Mom’s been gone a little over four years now. Of course, I miss her. For years she was the source of all our news about the folks back home and the goings on around Richville, Frankenmuth, and Vassar. I talked to her at least once a week, and I miss her ear. She was a good listener. She was also a good audience. I could make her laugh with dumb jokes and asides, and I miss her laughter a lot. The very last time I spoke to her, she was in the hospital the day before she died and not doing very well. Still, I got her to laugh, and I’ll always treasure that laugh until we share our joy together in the Lord’s presence.

I made Mom laugh a lot, but I only know of one time that I made her cry. She was a tough old German farm wife, and she handled life’s hurts and disappointments in a very stoic way. So, I was surprised to see her tear up when Becky announced that I was accepting the call to Trinity, in Darmstadt, Indiana. We’d been only an hour and a half from home in the Detroit area for six years. We had three of her five grandchildren at that time, and now we were moving to the far corner of Indiana, a long way from home and from Grandma. She really didn’t want to see me go.

Imagine Mary’s grief. Her firstborn son, this brilliant, spiritual, wise, compassionate, miraculous, gracious, caring, godly man who did so much good for so many people wherever he went was hanging there on that cross, a condemned criminal and naked to the world. This one who was announced to her by an angel, visited by wide-eyed shepherds, worshiped by Magi, hailed by thousands as a miracle man, serenaded by hundreds as the “Son of David”, and believed by some to be the Messiah promised by prophets of old, now hung in agony, tortured and berated by Jew and Gentile alike. Imagine Mary’s grief to see all her hopes and dreams dying with Jesus on that Roman cross. She really didn’t want to see him go.

Then there in the midst of her heartache, her grief consuming her thoughts, she hears the voice of her son. In the midst of his agony and travail, she hears him summon the strength to speak to her, saying, “Dear woman, here is your son.” Her eyes follow his to John. Then he speaks again, this time to John, “Here is your mother.” Even as he perishes, he cares for his mother’s welfare. He knows that his own brothers are not yet believers. He knows that during the next couple of days, Mary will need care and protection. He knows that he himself will never again be physically present to hold her and help her. Her tears move his heart to sorrow, love, and compassion. He doesn’t want to leave her alone.

This is one of those moments again that is so important in showing us the human heart of Jesus. He is the Son of God obeying the Father’s will and understands the cosmic importance of his sacrifice. He is the Creator giving his all for his creatures. But he is also a man who loves his mother. He is a son who wants her to be comforted and cared for. He is True Man and True God, both at the same time. While he suffers the condemnation of God for our sins, he yet sees and understands the fulfillment of old Simeon’s prophecy when he said to Mary, “And a sword shall pierce your own soul, too.” (Luke 2:35b) In the thrall of his own pain, he seeks to alleviate hers as any worthy son would.

The day I saw Mom cry has always stuck with me. Since it was the one and only time I witnessed it, I knew the depth of it. I hated being the cause of it, but I felt strongly that God was calling me to Indiana. All I could do was to promise that we would visit every chance we got. In the end, she came to realize that God had a purpose in sending me as he did. Her sorrow and her tears were replaced with blessings and joy.

Mary also knew blessings and joy, sooner than she could have guessed on Good Friday. When Easter came and the reports of His resurrection began to flow in, when the other women and then the apostles saw and touched and heard Jesus, her tears were replaced with wonder and joy. Gone was her sorrow, exchanged for hope and faith. Her son lives, and so does she, and so shall we. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us tomorrow, Saturday, as we meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we will hold services (8:00 and 10:30) in the Lord’s house. They won’t yet be BIG Easter services, but they will be regular worship services that glory in the Easter truths, both with Communion, and we’ll use all the safeguards that we can. We encourage you to come IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING SO. Folks older that 65, folks with underlying conditions, and those who may have been in contact with COVID-19 should consider staying home. Anyone who feels sick should definitely stay home. We will continue to have the services online and plan to do so indefinitely from here on. If you come, we encourage you to wear a mask, at least in the narthex, and do not shake hands, hug, or kiss others. We’ll try to spread everyone out. We will sanitize and wipe down all the pew backs and other surfaces that might be touched between services. Communion will be by continuous line, so everyone can maintain their social distancing. We will NOT use the common cup, and the individual cups will be widely spaced. Pastors and elders will use hand sanitizer before and during the Distribution.

CONFIRMANDS and THEIR PARENTS: Be reminded that we have a “ZOOM” meeting tonight at 7:00 P.M. Practices for Confessional Sunday will be this coming Wednesday, May 20 and Saturday, May 23. Confessional Sunday will be at the services next Sunday, May 24. Confirmation will take place in late service on May 31.

SHOUT-OUT to: my good friends NORMA HENTCHEL, DENNIS HAWKINS, SUSIE DAVIS, JANET KUEHNER, LOUELLA AKER, and WALTER BRINKMAN. They’re all shut-ins, and I miss them all! God be with you!

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pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVMay15

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 14

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

You Are More Valuable Than Many Sparrows

Last Sunday, Pastor Kischnick mentioned a Dear Annie article from May 6 where she reacts to a poem. In the second half of the poem the author takes a very wrong turn. It said, “The world continues its life and it is beautiful. It only puts humans in cages. I think it’s sending us a message: “You are not necessary. The air, earth, water and sky without you are fine. When you come back, remember that you are my guests. Not my masters.’” When Pastor read this, I was bummed by it and it has stuck with me. Don’t we have enough knocking us down right now? Who wants to be told that their existence is the problem? At least Annie responded with some disagreement by saying, “The earth is precious” and “I would disagree with this beautiful poem on one point: You are necessary. Sometimes, it can be difficult to remember we are each necessary, capable and loved.” That’s at some level an acknowledgement that people are more than simply carriers of Coronavirus or a plague on the planet. It seems to me that one lesson we have learned in these last eight weeks is that human life is worth protecting even at great cost. Why else shut everything down if not because human beings matter.

Thankfully, the message of scripture is that every person has intrinsic value to the Lord. It is the polar opposite of the premise given in that poem I just shared. First, there is the matter of our creation. The Lord created people on purpose to bear His image and to care for the Creation God has made (Genesis 1:26-28). Humanity is elevated to a position above all other parts of creation. Humanity is called upon to populate the world and to rule over the animals, the planet, and care for it, not be slaves to it. The goal in Creation is to spread the image of God. That image was never given to fish, nor monkeys, nor angels, nor trees, earth, water, or sky, but to humanity—to you and me. It’s no small matter that a paganistic poet would diminish that image by thinking of humanity as a plague upon the earth. That’s not how the Creator of all things thinks of us. This is the biggest reason I decided it was important to be reminded of how important and privileged humanity is before the Lord.

Secondly, the Lord shows our value by paying an undivided attention you and me because He wants a close relationship with us. In Matthew 10 as the disciples are being sent out to preach on their own Jesus tells them not to be afraid of the people but to hold a higher respect for Jesus. He then reminds them of their worth. Matthew 10:29-31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

When is the last time you did an inventory of the hairs on your head? For some it wouldn’t take long. For others it will take a long time. Counting my hairs is a very close attention. My favorite Psalm, Psalm 139 captures the dept of God’s attention on you and me. (I paraphrase a little here) “Lord, you know all about me. When I get up, sit down, my habits, my character, my words, the way I think. You have been paying attention to me even since I was conceived in my mother’s womb. Everywhere I look, everywhere I go the Lord is there with me.” The Lord pays attention to us because we hold intrinsic value to Him. You matter. You are necessary. And notice in Psalm 139 that all the attention is on us not because our Creator has to keep an eye on us but because He wants to know us and we Him. Our Creator literally knows us right down to the cellular level. He literally knows us better than we know ourselves. His attention to each hair or cell is just one small level of how much God loves us in Jesus.

Just last Sunday we celebrated Mother’s Day. A mom knows every little thing about her baby. She can translate the grunts, the facial expressions, and knows when a cry is for hunger, a dirty diaper, or if the baby is just grumpy. Mom’s know their child’s nature, his habits, his likes and dislikes. She knows what sets him off and she knows what clothes are most comfortable. She knows his favorite food, his favorite TV show, or book, or game. She can tell when things are great and when things are not. And she can do this with one child or eight different children all at the same time. The Lord has a mom’s attention when it comes to humanity. Even if the child is a prodigal, she can tell you all about that child—her love for him and her distress that he is not yet come home. The love never stops. She never stops loving her child even though raising a child is hard work. We all give our Lord a hard way to go but that does not diminish how fond Jesus is of us nor how much the Lord thinks of us. The Lord who created moms has a mother’s attention on you and me. Count on that.

Finally, Jesus coming to this planet is what tells us most about how the Lord feels about us. You are not trivial, small, or forgotten. You are the reason Jesus has come.

I can’t think of a parent that wouldn’t crawl over broken glass if it meant that they could give their child a cure from a terrible virus. What parent if called upon and able wouldn’t donate a kidney or a lung to save their child? A transplant of sorts comes also from Jesus. Jesus allowed Himself to be brutalized upon the cross so that our sins would be forgiven, because that’s what we needed most. Our Savior gave away His righteousness to sinners while taking the blow we deserved. Isaiah 53:5 reminds us, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” And 1 Peter 2:24 echoes this; “1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’ Jesus shut down the world not to save the planet but to save you from sin and death. He came for you…not for Darwinian ideas of ‘an evolved you’. When the world philosophy is trying to reduce your humanity down to an animal level or less it is trying to rob you of the Divine. Jesus came so that we may forever know the Divine as we are meant to.

And don’t we celebrate such sacrifices? Are we not celebrating the heroic medical people and first responders who routinely step into the path of the Coronavirus to help people? Isn’t this what we admire? No one has sacrificed as much as Jesus. He is the hero. He had to die that we can live. And like Doctors and nurses who just step up because that’s what they do so naturally, so also Jesus stepped into humanity because that is what He does. He is the Divine Physician. His treatment is given in love. His forgiveness is the vaccine for sin. His resurrection overcomes death.

This planet as it stands eventually will be replaced. Creation groans for the Lord’s return (Romans 8:22). So, when the new creation comes Jesus’ intention is to share the new creation with you and not to leave you on a dying planet earth. His desire is for us to be with Him. He wants us around rather than lost. It makes no difference if you suffer from failure, addiction, prostitution, success, self-promotion, or whatever, Jesus wants you to know Him. If you are a human being, Jesus is crazy about you.
So, you are worth much more than many sparrows, or any other birds. The Lord is not willing to sacrifice you for any animals, nor would He sacrifice anyone for any planet. Instead, you and I are set apart and highly valued by Jesus just like a good and godly mom would love her own children. In this case we are children of the Heavenly Father. You matter. You are necessary. You are precious to Jesus; more precious than anything on this privileged planet we call earth. In Jesus’ name.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with his favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyMay14

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/0WaKh5xkUis

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 13

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“Washed Well”

READING: Titus 3:3-8a – At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 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, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.

Many years ago, we had a visitor in church who came two or three weeks in a row. I called her and asked if she would like to meet and talk about Grace. She said yes, she would like that very much. I asked he if she could she come to the church the day after tomorrow and meet at my office? She said absolutely, and she was very interested in being baptized and joining our church.

So, two days later she came to the office and we sat down. I asked her what her church background had been, and she went into quite a long narrative of various churches she had attended and then drifted away from. She said that she believed she had found what she was looking for at Grace Lutheran. And, she said she was anxious to be baptized again as soon as we could arrange it. The word “again” caught my ear. I asked her if she had been baptized before. She replied, “Oh, my, yes! I’ve been baptized five times already, but none of them really took. But this time I’m sure it’s going to last!”

Five times! She had been baptized five times and was looking for that again! I tried my best to explain to her that her first baptism had been more than sufficient. I tried to explain to her that baptism was God’s claim on her, not her vow and promise to him. I tried to explain to her that her baptism was something that worked in her every day to bring her to repentance and to rejoice in God’s forgiveness in Christ Jesus. I tried, but to no avail. When I told her that I would not be free to baptize her again, just to give her a sense of starting fresh, she seemed disappointed. I offered to take her into the Word to show her how baptism really worked in her life. But, when she left, I had a feeling I wouldn’t see her again. She was on a quest to “get it right for Jesus”, and baptism was a tool and a talisman and a “reset button” only.

She had a right understanding of her sinfulness, but she was all wrong when it came to the remedy. She realized that she had drifted away from a godly life. She knew that she had gone her own way and had sinned against God and had hurt others. She knew she needed God’s forgiveness, and she had the desire to do what is right. But she saw baptism as a new promise she was making to “clean up her act” and walk in his ways. It was HER effort that was needed. It was HER living that would make it right. It was HER promise that would get God’s attention and HER good works that would make the difference. She was going to wash that sin right out of her life. Baptism would get her cleaned up and pointed in the right direction once again!

During this COVID Crisis we’ve been told over and over and over about the necessity of washing our hands thoroughly and frequently. There were even videos that showed us the right technique and the science behind washing for at least 20 seconds (or two renditions of “Happy Birthday to Me”). These reminders were necessary because we get dirty pretty quickly, especially our hands. Washing frequently keeps those nasties from reaching our eyes, nose, and mouth. Washing frequently is good for us.

Our spiritual selves also get dirty pretty quickly. Thoughts, words, and deeds are often sinful and unclean. Without a remedy, those sins will poison us, sicken our souls, and lead us to eternal death. But here’s the good news about our baptisms: baptized into Jesus’ name we are declared BY GOD to be his children. We are declared righteous for Jesus’ sake, and when we come confessing our sins, we already have the promise of forgiveness and renewal. In our baptism the Holy Spirit came to dwell within us. He works daily to sanctify us, that is to make us holy for his sake. We don’t need to be baptized and baptized and baptized again. In that first and only baptism, we were given the Kingdom and made heirs with Jesus of eternal life.

So, we don’t have to keep being baptized in order to start fresh. Every time our spirits get dirty, the waters of our first and only baptism are there so remind us whose we are and what that One has done for us. Our faith in Jesus makes our baptism “…a washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”; not just the day it took place, but every single day since then. “One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism”; that’s more than enough! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us the rest of the week for Daily Devotions and again on Saturday as we meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we will hold services (8:00 and 10:30) in the Lord’s house. They won’t yet be BIG Easter services, but they will be regular worship services that glory in the Easter truths, both with Communion, and we’ll use all the safeguards that we can. We encourage you to come IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING SO. Folks older that 65, folks with underlying conditions, and those who may have been in contact with COVID-19 should consider staying home. Anyone who feels sick should definitely stay home. We will continue to have the services online and plan to do so indefinitely from here on. If you come, we encourage you to wear a mask, do not shake hands, hug, or kiss others. We’ll try to spread everyone out. We will sanitize and wipe down all the pew backs and other surfaces that might be touched between services. Communion will be by continuous line, so everyone can maintain their social distancing. We will NOT use the common cup, and the individual cups will be widely spaced. Pastors and elders will use hand sanitizer before and during the Distribution.

CONFIRMANDS and THEIR PARENTS: Be reminded that we have a “ZOOM” meeting this Friday the 15th at 7:00 P.M. Practices for Confessional Sunday will be Wednesday, May 20 and Saturday, May 23. Confessional Sunday will be at the services on May 24. Confirmation will take place in late service on May 31.

SHOUT-OUT to: my good friends JOYCE TIMBERLAKE, MARY LEE THOMPSON, JIMMY BARKS, ROBERT and GLEE ASPLUND, TRUDY WEHRENBERG, JOHN LILLY, and the MATERS, SHARON and BRUCE. They’re all shut-ins, and I miss them all! God be with you!

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/vhFpAZpPBSU

 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVMay13

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 12

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

How Many Lutherans Does it Take to Cut a Tree Down?

So How many Lutherans does it take to cut a tree down? Well first, I had to go to David and Joyce who own a Saw big enough to handle the cherry tree. Mine was not nearly powerful enough nor was the blade big enough to handle the size of this thing. The tree was about 90 feet tall and about 32-34 inches at the base. So, the first step was to get a saw powerful enough and long enough to cut the tree.

I also had to have equipment to move the tree once I got the thing down. Since it was on Dolly’s place that wasn’t too much of a problem. I borrowed her tractor and trailer to move the logs and brush. I put the logs on the trailer to move them out and eventually turn some of it into lumber. Unfortunately, Since, most of the tree was infested with termites and was rotted. So, about 2/3 of the tree was cut up into firewood. Hence, the reason the tree needed to come down in the first place. It was becoming dangerous.

While cutting the tree down I also needed spotters. I never cut a tree down without a spotter. A spotter has two jobs. Their first job is safety. If anything looks off or something happens, I have someone to call for an emergency. Along with that they are to watch for anyone getting near the tree while its being cut. A spotter also signals when the tree begins to fall so, I can make my retreat. It’s a coordinated event. When I cut this big cherry down, I had a lot of people watching from almost every angle. In my case one of our spotters, my daughter-in-law made sure to record the event for you all to see on Youtube. Thanks Daniel.

Josh helped me unload the trailer and let me borrow his truck later. And let’s not forget the fellow who trained me to make these kinds of precision cuts. Or how about the guy that sharpens the chain on the saw. When you look at the whole picture it doesn’t take long to see that it takes a lot of Lutherans to cut down a tree.

That’s how the body of Christ works. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 describes you and I as members of larger whole. Paul tells us, “27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.”

You have a part to play as a believer in Jesus. As I look at Paul’s list it is clearly not a complete list. Your gift may not be on Paul’s list. We are not all apostles. We are not all Teachers even though we might have had to do a whole lot of home schooling lately. And I know that I am not a miracle worker in the sense that Jesus does His work amongst the people He met. I don’t have gifts of healing and I the only other tongue I speak is very broken Spanish. But I do like to talk people. I like to help people. I do have chain saw training and a lot of other skills. The best part is getting to interact with others.

Maybe you wonder what your gifts are. Maybe you are an introvert. Maybe you see yourself less as a hand or foot and more as a kidney or lung or something. A body wouldn’t survive without the stuff inside. I find that such people are the quiet encouragers, the prayer warriors, the card writers, the one who makes an anonymous donation, and anyone who just does their best work behind the scenes. Maybe you are an ear; one who listens so well and is so good at understanding people. Maybe you are the strong arm or hand or foot that people call on to help get things done. Maybe you are an eye who can anticipate what may come. Or maybe your gift is math, or science, or medicine. Maybe what you offer as a part of the body of Christ is a consistent trustworthiness—a worker people know they can count on.

Because of the circumstances forced on us the Coronavirus stay at home situation brought about a chance for the Lord to show off His grace. Yesterday I met some boys who reminded me so much of my brother, Brian. Brian has Autism. It took a long time for him to learn how to use the bathroom. He was much older than most boys. It was getting very difficult to find diapers that would fit him.

When I was in the 4th grade mom and dad decided to go out on a date. Dad went to pick up the babysitter but ended up going to the wrong house; which in the end turned into the right house, Sally’s house. Sally, was not who mom and dad called but she was the one that answered the door. Amazingly, she grabbed her purse and came over. Sally was a God-send for Brian. Sally’s gifts were patience, kindness, and creativity, among other things. She got to know my brother quickly and she did what none had yet considered. When Brian seemed to need to go to the bathroom she led him in, and sat behind him on the toilet behind Brian and gently pushed on his belly. It worked. He learned. Until yesterday I had almost forgotten the impact that Sally had and what she did for Brian.

Perhaps you have never dealt with such thing as I just described. Maybe such things seem trivial or even strange. The things that make other people uncomfortable are common for those who live with them. Then someone like Sally comes along and just makes it work.
The family that helped me remember Sally and her gifts to my brother I got to meet because Jesus’ grace has gone to work. One compassionate phone call last Monday—that’s how it started. “Pastor can you help this family? They need a fence so those boys can go outside safely.” Wasn’t sure how but I started trying to figure something out. Little did I know the Lord had His hand on it already. Another call on Tuesday: “Pastor, I’ve got some money and I want to help someone who needs it.” Yesterday, four of us started building a fence because the Lord led Wendy to call. Tomorrow four more will set the posts and start the construction of the fence. Jesus did this. The Lord’s hand is all over it. I am literally seeing God go to work. It’s awesome!

The point here today is that God takes those things we do naturally and makes them into blessings for others. We are His eyes, hands, feet, skin—the body. You have gifts. Even my brother has gifts, even though he may not even be aware. We may too. He just does what he does naturally. Jesus can do a lot with whatever you offer. Just be yourself and don’t doubt that you have much to offer. Your purpose in those gifts are to love people and glorify the Lord.

And the thing about the body is not just that we have a part in it but that we are to interact with those other parts of the body. Nothing I have mentioned is done with just one. The hand is to lend a hand to the eye. The eye is to see for the hand. And the foot takes the rest where the body needs to go. One is not to underestimate one’s value to others nor the impact that is made simply by offering what they do naturally. It’s designed this way so we can encourage each other and become the instruments of grace that He has designed us to be. Calls, loaning tools, donating time, showing up, being a tree spotter, the list is endless. And each thing we do in Jesus is an expression of who you are.

“I am part of the body of Christ.” That means it may take a lot of us to cut a tree down or build a fence or bring a little grace to family in Christ. Lord knows we can always use that—a little more grace! In Jesus’ name.

And now the Lord bless you and Keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: Dailymay12

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/cGhxovOAJ_k

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 11

Monday, May 11, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“Be Ready!”

READING: Mark 13:32-36 – No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!”

Many years ago, I saw a silent movie clip that made me laugh so hard I nearly choked myself. I think it was of Buster Keaton, but I have yet to find it on You-tube, so I’m not sure. I’ve seen it just that one time, but I have never forgotten it. It was about a man in a hotel room on the seventh or eighth floor. He got into a fight with a bigger man who punched him so hard he went out of the open window backwards and fell all the way to the sidewalk below…and survived! As he fell, he hit the awnings over the windows, one after another, each time being slowed down and bounced down to the next. When he bounced off the last one, he managed to grab the edge and lightly swung down and landed on his feet, no worse for wear! He looked at the camera for a second and blinked several times. Then he dusted himself off, put on his straw hat, and began to walk toward stage right.

Just then, a large, male, full-maned lion came charging in from stage left and pulled the man to the ground. The screen went blank for just a moment, and then the clip ended with the lion sitting on his haunches with the man’s straw hat in its mouth! I was SO surprised, I laughed and laughed until I choked myself, started coughing, and tried to catch my breath. That lion was so unexpected and so ironic that you just HAD to laugh! The man had just survived that long fall and had come out of it with such grace and amazing luck and…WHAM! He’s undone by a random King of the Beasts, out of nowhere, totally unexpected! It was great humor.

What made me think of that movie clip was a little drama I was a part of last Friday. I was out jogging in the rain. (Not my favorite pastime, but I’m told it’s good for me!) The rain had caused a number of worms to come out of their flooded tunnels, and some of them were making their way across the roadway. As I was plodding along, I saw a worm directly in my path, and I realized that unless I altered my stride, I was going to step right on him. So, I instantly made a course correction and managed to avoid him altogether. I felt good about that. I guess it was my little good deed for the day!

I was only about 20 yards from my turn-around, so quickly found myself headed back in the worm’s direction. The thought went through my mind to be sure and avoid the little beast on my second pass. Just then, a robin swooped in from the bushes along the road, landed lightly next to my worm friend, and in a flash picked up that worm…AND ATE HIM! I couldn’t believe it! That worm had only moments earlier avoided annihilation under my shoe, and having avoided one great catastrophe, fell prey to another! Just like that! Just like the man in the film clip. Thinking himself lucky indeed, he didn’t see the second great danger coming up fast. He wasn’t ready! He wasn’t watching! He wasn’t on guard!

In our text today, Jesus says these same words with feeling and full intent. We just don’t know when that day or hour will come. That’s true about the Last Day and the Judgment when our Lord comes back again. But, that’s also true about our own last day in this world. We don’t know when or how we might be called home. It might be a lingering illness like cancer. It might be a sudden mighty jolt like a massive coronary. It might be something small and sneaky like COVID-19. It might be a missed stop sign, a red light that was run, or a hungry, escaped circus lion as we come out the front door to get the paper one morning. WE DON’T KNOW, and we should be glad that we don’t. I think the worst part of the death penalty is not the death; everyone dies. I think the worst part of the punishment is knowing the exact day and time it will come. Every single day would be clouded by the knowledge that the clock is running, and that exact moment is coming!

Jesus charges us, urges us, to be ready. How? By being in relationship with him. By being repentant of our sins and believing in our salvation through Jesus’ blood and righteousness. By trusting that whatever comes, whenever it comes, our Lord has us in his hand. By serving him faithfully with our time, treasure, and talents. And, always, with an eye toward the day when we will see him face to face.

So, Christian, be of good cheer! Yes, life in this world is unpredictable, sometimes downright ironic. People survive a heart attack, only to die of pancreatic cancer or COVID-19. People have a close call one day, and a fatal accident just four days later. Things like that happen. But, in the midst of life’s uncertainties and quandaries there is God’s truth, God’s love, God’s promises, and God’s power. We belong to him, and when our day arrives, death or Last Day, we need not be afraid for Jesus lives! And, because He lives, we also will live with Him eternally. Don’t take my word for it! Read, learn, and inwardly digest HIS Word! Oh, and…WATCH OUT! BE ALERT! BE READY! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us the rest of the week for Daily Devotions and again on Saturday as we meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we will hold services (8:00 and 10:30) in the Lord’s house. They won’t yet be BIG Easter services, but they will be regular worship services that glory in the Easter truths, both with Communion, and we’ll use all the safeguards that we can. We encourage you to come IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING SO. Folks older that 65, folks with underlying conditions, and those who may have been in contact with COVID-19 should consider staying home. Anyone who feels sick should definitely stay home. We will continue to have the services online and plan to do so indefinitely from here on. If you come, we encourage you to wear a mask, do not shake hands, hug, or kiss others. We’ll try to spread everyone out. We will sanitize and wipe down all the pew backs and other surfaces that might be touched between services. Communion will be by continuous line, so everyone can maintain their social distancing. We will NOT use the common cup, and the individual cups will be widely spaced. Pastors and elders will use hand sanitizer before and during the Distribution.

CONFIRMANDS and THEIR PARENTS: Be reminded that we have a “ZOOM” meeting this Friday the 15th at 7:00 P.M. Practices for Confessional Sunday will be Wednesday, May 20 and Saturday, May 23. Confessional Sunday will be at the services on May 24. Confirmation will take place in late service on May 31.

SHOUT-OUT to: Ron Belden, Jennifer Putirka, Sonny Kraft, Jan Zwald, Arnetta Owen, James Hill, Theresa Dunlap, and Lee Kelly. All of them are fighting dangerous ailments all the while trying hard to avoid COVID-19. May God strengthen, comfort, and protect each one of you AND those who love you.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/ARHANNVmqso

 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYMay11.PDF

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matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video:https://youtu.be/H-lIt_UvyIM

 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 8

Friday, May 8, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

Pastor Woods Meets a Bear

Years ago while still in college I spent a summer working in Yosemite National Park in California. I went there as part of the Christian ministry in the National Parks program. I lived in a cabin with two other guys up the hill from the Wawona Hotel where we all worked. I cleaned guest rooms at the Wawona Hotel on the south end of the park. The Hotel was just a few miles from a famous grove of Sequoias and host to the Sierra Mountain Range’s first nine-hole golf course. On Sunday’s I would conduct a service at the nearby campground and on Monday I got to explore the park.

It was a memorable summer with lots of blessings to it. However, all summer long I had this incredible desire to see a bear. Yosemite hosts the American Black Bear. They average about 250 pounds. They are smart and think of coolers as their personal lunch boxes.

The Summer months went very quickly and I would soon have to return to college in Ann Arbor. I thought very seriously about staying at the park to keep working. Years later I am glad I didn’t. I wouldn’t have become a pastor or met my wife or lived in Southern Indiana if I had decided to stay. The days passed very quickly. I remember seeing beautiful waterfalls, hiking miles and miles of trails, seeing incredible meteor showers, and even hiking up to the top of Half-Dome in the full moon. I had seen incredible places and experienced so many blessings both from the park and from the outdoor ministry I was leading. But my hopes of seeing a bear were slowly diminishing.

My hopes were raised when I learned of reports of seeing a bear up by our cabins. With only a few weeks left in my stay I kept a sharp eye out. Keeping a sharp eye out was something you needed to do anyway. We were often reminded that we lived in a wild place where anything can and does happen. Honestly that only made it all the more exciting to me.

Finally, it happened. In the early hours one morning with my roommates still asleep in their rooms I awakened to some noises coming from the back porch. How the other two guys never heard anything still blows my mind. My room was up by the front door, the farthest away from the back porch and I was the only one to wake up. Something was thumping around, moving stuff around. Wearing only my boxer shorts I went to the back door, opened it and turned on the back-porch light. Lo-and-behold it was a bear with a tag in its ear—must have been closer to 300lbs. It didn’t really set in until later that all which stood between me and a bear was a screen door. So, what did I do? I did what everyone told me not to do in training. I opened the screen door a little bit, reached out my hand and petted its huge head. (Don’t ever do this!—This was not smart!) Thankfully, that big old bear just looked at me as if to say, “Are you finished, I got things to do.” I pulled my hand back and the big bear wandered off to look for other coolers to check. I could not believe what just happened! I barely slept the rest of the night. In the morning my roommates didn’t believe me. I didn’t care. My patience had paid off. I not only saw a wild bear up close, I got to pet one. And you know what, truthfully after that I was ready to go home.

In Luke 2:25-32 Simeon is introduced to us as a righteous man eager to seen the promised Messiah before he departed the world. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Messiah. And when Simeon saw the baby Jesus he celebrated the fulfillment of something he desired his whole life. He sang what is commonly called the Nunc Dimittis—Effectively translated, “I am now ready to go, Lord.”

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

Simeon got to see and hold the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit had given him that opportunity. Simeon knew who he was looking at. He knew Jesus was the Word made flesh. Simeon knew that he was looking at the One who brings salvation to the world, a light to the Gentiles and glory to Israel. For Simeon this was the highlight of his long life. His patience had turned to joy and into an absolute feeling of gratitude and praise. He would leave this world with that memory and with his heart full. All I did was pet a bear. Compared to holding Jesus as Simeon did that’s nothing. The cool part. You will get to see the same person Simeon did. You will get to see Jesus and when you do He will be holding you.

Perhaps you have a bucket list of sorts. Maybe you hope to see a bear or something else. Maybe you want to visit somewhere or do something you have long wondered about. However, my bet is that you may already be holding a strong memory of a blessing that fills you up with joy. I have climbed mountains and petted bears. Even better I can tell every detail of my boys being born. I remember meeting my wife for the first time. I remember moving to my first congregation and eventually coming to Grace. These all fill me with joy. I have many memories where I feel joy over something I long anticipated, waited for, wondered about, and then saw God’s hand all over it and most of them happened right at home. My bucket already feels full.

Oh, I still hope to do certain things and see places like a cruise to Alaska for example. My wife and I were originally planning such a trip this year. However, weddings, and now uncertainty and many variables because of viruses, huge bees, and economic fallouts for the foreseeable future I image we will be waiting a whole lot longer. Who knows if and when that opportunity may come? We anticipate that eventually we may get that chance. Whatever may be that’s okay. There is joy here at home.

However, as Christians, I hope to drive home an important perspective. Compared to bears, troubles, or awesome experiences none compares to what we have in Jesus, who promises us a resurrection. Let’s see a cruise or bear top the experience of raising from the dead to eternal life. Many may forget but we are still in the Easter Season.

This time of year also often gets crowded with graduations, weddings, and other blessed events and celebrated things. Recent days clearly illustrate that such things can be interrupted or lost. Not the resurrection. Jesus came to us as John 10:10 reminds us, “that I may bring them life, and have it in full.” Heaven will not be a destination or a minor experience. It will be our home and permanently defining. And we will not be six feet from one another nor remain six feet under. Nor will we be wearing masks nor needing vaccines. And who knows? Perhaps the second creation will also have bears in it like the first creation. After all the Lord made them for the first creation and called it very good. For now, one can only imagine. Bottom line: The Lord promises that your patience in faith will pay off. For now, enjoy the blessings that bring joy to you. Savor them and remember them as small appetizers from the Lord for what is yet to come. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: Dailymay8

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/hOTwSKH73qQ

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 7

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“The Little Weapon”

READING: James 3:3-8 – When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

I had opportunity the other night to watch some You-tube offerings. One that caught my attention was a documentary on the “Phalanx Close-In Weapon System”. This is an electric, computer-guided, high capacity Gatling gun that can put out 4500 20 mm. rounds per minute with deadly accuracy. These weapons are mounted on cruisers, destroyers, aircraft carriers, and certain other vessels and are intended for the destruction of incoming cruise missiles and other rocket powered weapons that threaten the ship. It can also be used on other watercraft. There’s also a land-based version for the protection of bases, radar installations, and the like.

This thing is an awesome and horrifying weapon. It could totally shred your entire car (and you with it!) in less than half a minute at a range of two miles! It’s designed to destroy incoming missiles that themselves are traveling at 500 miles an hour. And, it does it all on its own, without any input from its operator.

That sounds suspiciously like the description James makes of the tongue in our reading for today. He says the tongue is a terribly destructive little weapon that often causes great damage seemingly without any input from its operator! It too often runs on automatic. A thought races through the mind, and before any brakes can be applied, before any wisdom can be brought to bear, before the consequences can be reviewed – BANG! That thought comes sailing off the tongue and out of the mouth with precision guidance and horrible results! The damage is done, and a fire is kindled.

We’re all familiar with the old rag, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me!” Was there ever a more stupid and inaccurate a statement made or passed along? What bologna! Of course, words can hurt us! Of course, words scar us and cause us to cringe inside! Of course, things others have said to us can stick with us for life! Words can and do hurt, and the tongue, which can speak such beautiful things, can go deeper than any sword could ever reach.

St. James says the tongue, unlike wild animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures, cannot be tamed. That’s a very disheartening claim. It sounds rather hopeless. But his statement must be understood to say that It can’t ever be led to control itself. Like any lion, tiger, or bear, left to its own devices it will do the wild thing every time. It will curse others, speak gossip, tell lies, make judgments, belittle the defenseless, and deliver all kinds of hurt. The tongue will say whatever is allowed to flow to it.

Now, while the tongue cannot be tamed, it can be controlled. That’s the important point here. A cow will do cow things, even if it is allowed to wander on its own for a period of time because it is tame. But a circus tiger allowed to wander without the animal trainer and his whip to control it will quickly revert to wild and supremely dangerous tiger behavior. So, the tongue must have a mind and a conscience to keep it in check. Something stronger than it must keep it civil and keep it pure.

As Christians we know that the language and the words we hear in the workplace, out in the street, and often on our television are the words of wild and uncontrolled tongues. The damage done to children, spouses, and others by tongues allowed to run free does not reflect the love of Christ. The things we say, the words we speak, the damage we do when we don’t control our tongues is ungodly and unnecessary. We can and must do better.

It behooves us as the people of God to control that little weapon. To think before we speak. To hold our peace when our words would only make matters worse. To speak the love of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, the sweetness of the Gospel, and words that heal, that comfort, that encourage. That little weapon has no mind of its own. It does whatever comes. But a tongue controlled by our love for Jesus, becomes an instrument of peace. May that be our goal. May that be our gift. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us the rest of the week for Daily Devotions and again on Saturday as we meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we’ll celebrate once again the joy of Easter at 8:00 and 10:30.

THE ELDERS met on Tuesday evening and have decided that we will hold service on SUNDAY, MAY 17 (8:00 and 10:30) in the Lord’s house. They asked that we NOT make it our Easter celebration yet. They were afraid that that would lead some folks who maybe shouldn’t be there yet to risk it for the sake of Easter. So, they’ll be regular worship services, both with Communion, and we’ll use all the safeguards that we can. We encourage you to come IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING SO. Folks older that 65, folks with underlying conditions, and those who may have been in contact with COVID-19 should consider staying home. Anyone who feels sick should definitely stay home. We will continue to have the services online and plan to do so indefinitely from here on. If you come, we encourage you to wear a mask, do not shake hands, hug, or kiss others. We’ll try to spread everyone out. We will sanitize and wipe down all the pew backs and other surfaces that might be touched between services. Communion will be by continuous line, so everyone can maintain their social distancing. We will NOT use the common cup, and the individual cups will be widely spaced. Pastors and elders will use hand sanitizer before and during the Distribution.

CONFIRMANDS and THEIR PARENTS: Our Retreat had to be cancelled. But we will have a “ZOOM” meeting on the 15th at 7:00 P.M. Confessional Sunday will be at the services on May 24. Confirmation will take place in late service on May 31.

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pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407

 

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 6

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

Ever been made to feel awkward?

Well, some people just have a gift for making others feel awkward. Consider a certain middle-aged man I will call, Max. Max represents a combination of experiences I have witnessed that made others feel awkward. Max was a very awkward kind of person so much so that everyone wondered if he may be in need of something to help him—for whatever may be causing such inappropriate behavior. He would often talk too loud on his phone in public places about very personal issues, his issues, his wife’s issues, his daughter’s issues, church issues… Max’s words were often colorful and an inappropriate and it didn’t matter who was listening. Once, when he was playing a video game at the movie theater an autistic young man got too close to him so he yelled at him informing him to wait his turn; to back off or he would back him off.

Church members learned that Max had no idea just how uncomfortable he made people feel. It seemed as though he wanted badly to engage people but really never figured out how. So, most who knew him were extremely patient and understanding (most of the time). He would interrupt conversations out in the parking lot of the church—just jump right into the middle and start talking about his new phone or his high school daughter’s reckless behavior with her boyfriend. He would sometimes even call his pastor even when was out of town on vacation. He just had to say something about how his daughter had just gotten home and been mouthing off to him and how much her mother just let her become so irresponsible.

Max was not a bad guy. He just had what I would call, “Max moments.” He had a good heart. Don’t get me wrong. He was very generous with his time and cared about others more than one might think. He loves his daughter and she loves him even though she would never bring friends over to visit. Those who know Max simply understand that you just never know what kind of “Max moment” may come. They all just try to love him the best they can.

Most of us have experienced awkwardness. Sometimes it’s anticipated as with those like Max. One mentally prepares for it when those like Max are around. It’s usually uncomfortable, sometimes embarrassing, and often avoidable. But how should one handle it when comes?

In Luke 11:5-8 Jesus tells a parable. Jesus says, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

Jesus tells this parable as He teaches about prayer. He is teaching his people to be bold to pray and to ask, seek, and knock. Jesus offers a parable that paints an awkward moment. A friend comes to visit. It was common back then to offer hospitality to a visitor regardless of the time of day. For us it may be hard to connect to this. But hospitality was so important that a man who has nothing to offer his guest would not tell them wait till morning. This would have been an unacceptable embarrassment to the host. He will feel compelled to bother his next-door neighbor for something as simple as food in the middle of the night. “He must wake his neighbor!” “His neighbor must understand!” “He must wake up he and his family up for bread!”

It reminds me a great deal of a moment I had while driving home from St. Louis to my Vicarage church. At one in the morning on a long, dark country road a calf was standing in the middle of the highway. I could barely see the calf but I stopped to try and corral that thing off the road. It wouldn’t budge. So, leaving my lights on and flashers running, I ran to the nearest farmhouse which the calf obviously belonged to and knocked hard on the door. A very sleepy, troubled looking man in shorts answered with a seriously confused and annoyed look on his face. It was very awkward but it was absolutely necessary to knock on that door to avoid anyone getting hurt. When I told him about the calf, he knew immediately which calf it was and sprung into action. After about 45 minutes of trying to get that stupid animal off the road in the middle of the night we finally succeeded. I said good night and the man went home and I finished my drive home.

When Jesus speaks of the awkward request to get some bread in the middle of the night he saying it is necessary to endure the awkward moment to accomplish what must be done. Of course, Jesus is telling us that it won’t be that hard with the Lord nor should prayer ever become awkward. We should be bold to come to our Heavenly Father who, unlike the neighbor, is eager to hear our prayers regardless of the time or situation.

Sometimes however, awkwardness is a necessary part of what comes next. As we consider having in-house church services again it has become clear that we are going to have to overcome some awkwardness. How do we space people out? Do we prop the doors or have someone open the doors for people? Who will wipe down the pews between services? Should we remove the hymnals for now? Should we close off other parts of the building? Which parts? Everything we decide to do will require us to trouble others in some way. It will also not be exactly business as usual either. It’s like having a visitor in the middle of the night. Suddenly, the nightly routine must adapt to something different even if it is just temporary. The plan to go to the grocery store in the morning has to be changed. Isn’t it funny how this Coronavirus thing became such a huge interruption? Now living with the “Corona Moments” has become very familiar–sheltering at home, working from home, schooling at home. Now its going the other way. It’s going to feel weird and awkward getting those things back.

Worshipping together again is something we definitely look forward to but we also realize that just being together again means that we have to endure a lot of Max moments. It will be a little weird to have people together again that we haven’t seen for a while. How will we greet one another? Will I get to sit in my favorite pew? I just want to prepare you that when we gather again starting hopefully on the 17th it will be a little awkward. But so was meeting someone like Max for the first time for his friends. Over time, you will get more comfortable. All the quirky little adjustments will become okay. Awkward moments won’t be as difficult or as unexpected. Just like at home we will discover a way to adapt and it will be good.

Many of you have expressed that you are ready to get back to church again. So are we. What comes next will need us to be gracious. It will require us to be patient. It will challenge us to be understanding and cooperative especially in these early stages. Hmmm. Patient, understanding, forgiving, yet eager to be together; doesn’t this look a lot like the Heavenly Father when he listens to our prayers. He is always patient, loving, forgiving, and eager for us to come to him in prayer even in times when we feel very awkward doing so.

Awkwardness comes in many forms. We are anticipating that we may have some awkward beginnings, some “Max moments” as we get back to church. Lord knows we may even experience some “Pastor Woods moments” too. I hope here to give you all a heads up that they will probably happen. We won’t have a perfect way to do this. We will just do the best we can. And let me also say that if it’s too early for you and you aren’t ready to get back to church that’s okay. Not to worry. We are going to keep broadcasting each Sunday from now on. But it’s important that you are comfortable with being in a church crowd again—a socially distant crowd—but a crowd none-the-less. We will look forward to being with you when that day comes again either on May 17th or afterward. So please be patient with us. Pray for us as we start things up again in our country, and in our church.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyMay6

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/tdTzVmGydmE

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 5

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“I Want to Do Good”

READING: Genesis 29:15-22 – Laban said to (Jacob), “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to lie with her.” So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her…When morning came, there was Leah!

“There was Leah!” Surprise! Jacob had worked seven long years for Laban in order that he might marry the love of his life, Rachel. He tended the sheep. He worked with the goats. He spent long weeks moving the animals from pasturage to pasturage. He was busy as a bass in a minnow tank when the lambs were being born. He spent many a night sleeping on the ground and defending the stock from predators. And, the day had finally come! He was marrying Rachel and starting their life together. This was a worthy thing. He had been honorable and righteous throughout these years. No hanky-panky! No secret rendezvous! He did not cheat his uncle. He wanted this to be good. And now, it had all turned out wrong! “There was Leah!”

Has that ever happened to you? You plan something good, something right and virtuous, only to have it turn upside-down? It happened to me last Friday. We have a wonderful lady in our congregation, a shut-in in one of the local assisted living facilities. I had talked to her by phone, sent a note, and kept in touch with her kids. They have been visiting her in the same way my siblings have been visiting my dad: pull up a chair outside the windows and talk with her by telephone. That way they can see each other without endangering her. So, I decided I would surprise her in the same way. I drove there, walked over to the patio outside her room, and I called her. She had all the blinds closed, so I couldn’t see into the room, but she answered, and I told her to come to the door because someone she knew was sitting there. She recognized my voice and said she’d be right there.

Well, the phone suddenly went dead. I tried to call her back, but it went right to voicemail. I sat in the chair and waited…and waited…and waited. I began to wonder if I was indeed at the right door. I called again, but it went right to voicemail. Her neighbor saw me outside, and I asked if I was in the right place. She affirmed that I was. I was about to try her phone again when the door started to open. But instead of my friend I saw a male aide. I thought to myself, “Oh, no!” I said to him, “She didn’t fall down, did she!” He replied, “Yes, I’m afraid so. She seems to be all right, but we’ll probably have to send her out to be checked over.”

Oh, Good Lord! Here I had wanted to do something nice for her and now she was going to have to go to the hospital where she might be exposed to COVID-19! She could catch it and die, and it would all be my fault! I was horrified! I knew it wasn’t what I had wanted, but still, I was the catalyst for the whole scenario! I wanted to do good, but it had all gone wrong!

Now thankfully, she didn’t end up going to the hospital. She had a cut on her forehead and some bruises, but no major injuries. But isn’t that just the way things go sometimes? We want to do good; we want things to go well, we want to do things in Godly ways, but they still go sideways sometimes. We want our marriages to last, we want our relationships to be healthy, we want our children and grandchildren to be wise and well ordered. We want to do the right things, the Godly things, the good things, but all to often we fail. We are sinful beings. Sometimes we’re selfish. Sometimes we’re short-sighted. Sometimes we’re just plain mean. We know that’s not how Christians are supposed to be, but we fail anyway.

St. Paul knew all about that. He wrote about it in what I call the “Do-Do Chapter”, Romans 7. There he says these words, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing!” He also says, “Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ, our Lord!” We fail because we are sinful, mortal flesh. We are sinners, and so all too often even the good we want to do comes out wrong. But our Savior died for those sins. He paid for every one on the cross. Ha! Even Satan has things go upside-down! He thought he had achieved the greatest evil of his sordid career when the Son of God DIED! Jesus was dead! “Got him!” he thought to himself. Then comes Easter morning! The greatest evil in the history of the world became the greatest good for the greatest number of people forever and always! What a disappointment for him. What a gracious gift for us!

So, don’t be afraid to do good! Aim for righteousness. Love your neighbor. Seek God’s path and walk in His ways. Do the right thing. But, when you fail, when you fall, do not despair. Confess those sins and shortcomings. Repent of the evil that seeps out of you. Lean not on your own understanding, but solely lean on Jesus’ name. And, when good happens and you do things right, give God the glory through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us the rest of the week for Daily Devotions and again on Saturday as we meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we’ll celebrate once again the joy of Easter at 8:00 and 10:30, and listen up for announcements as we make plans to gear up for in person worship and other events.

CONFIRMANDS and THEIR PARENTS: You’ll all be hearing from me this week as we refine our plans for Confirmation. I’ll need your help and your participation. We’ll be doing some things differently because of the Crisis. We are aiming for Confirmation in the 10:30 service on May 31. Stay tuned!

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pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVOTMay5

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DAILY DEVOTION MAY 4

Monday, May 4, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

Driven to the Lord through Brokenness

Have you ever made a mistake that cost you a lot? I sure have. Recently, I had the privilege of have to fix my truck. For those of you who don’t know I have an old pick-up truck that I’ve had for almost twenty years. It takes a beating. When I need mulch or dirt or have to haul something; it’s the kind of truck I can just jump in and go. It’s got a little bit of rust and a lot of scratches on it which means I don’t worry too much about what I am hauling with it. Just this week I hauled a big stump from church. Cool right!? Its got about 215,000 miles on it and so far, it is still chugging along.

However, as it gets older it also needs more attention and things on it do break from time to time. Recently, it was my power steering pump. So, I did what I could to save a little money and I bought the part and watched a how-to on YouTube. After seeing the video, I realized that I could do this. So, I pulled my faithful old truck into the garage, jacked it up, and got to work. I even rented a special tool called a pully puller kit. The pully is the wheel on the power steering pump that holds the belt that turns the pump to pump power steering fluid that allows you to steer your wheel with one finger. Easy. So, I took off the hoses and the pressure lines and got the pump off the truck.

After I removed the old pump, I simply reversed the process and starting putting it all together again. I put the pully on. Went great. Put the new pressure line on. Super-duper. Put the pump on the truck—tight squeeze and barely room to work. Check. That’s done. Hooked up the main line that feeds in the power steering fluid from the pump. Done. Got it all back together. I was thinking this went too well. And it did. I started it up engine to test my work. I turned the wheel left to right to work out the air bubbles. Nothing. I still had to muscle the thing. Something was not right. After several days and a couple of calls to my mechanic I surrendered the truck into his care.

Know what he found? He discovered after two hours of tearing things apart and looking over my work that I forgot one crucial thing. You know that hose that feeds the power steering fluid into the pump. Well, I forgot to remove the protective cap before hooking it up. The temporary little black rubber cap has only one job; keep stuff out until its hooked up. I forgot to remove it. Well, it did its job. I had pushed the rubber hose right over a rubber protective cap on the pump and it didn’t let anything through. No fluid was getting into the pump and therefore the steering wheel wasn’t turning right. It was a $163 dollar mistake. Yea! I know. That’s a lot! Nobody’s fault but mine. At least I did most of it correct, right? Close enough? Not really. The problem literally drove me to find help after it drove me crazy.

In Mark 10:17-22 Jesus has an encounter with a wealthy young man. It says, “8 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

This young ruler was a success story in the eyes of most but still craved something that he could sense that he was missing. Something more was nagging him. But what was it? It drove him to his knees before Jesus where Jesus reveals what he is missing—the first commandment, namely an actual relationship with His God. Somehow during this man’s young life, he had replaced God with an idol. It was overlooked much like my forgetting to take off a simple protective cap. But it was a major oversight. It was the one critical thing he still lacked. It was just one thing but without it he was simply unable to steer in the right direction.

James 2:10 reminds us that “whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” The Law never lets anyone get close to God. It can only show how far we remain in our sin. The Law is more like a windshield than a stain-glass window. A single chip spoils the whole windshield rather than simply breaking a single piece among many.

So, what do we gain in this today? Well, think of it this way. Missing that one step caused me to look closer at what I had done. It even required a professional mechanic to look things over. Yes, it cost me a lot but it also taught me a lot. Humility for one. Patience. A little more wisdom. Most important taking the truck in allowed for the problem to be fixed which is the point which is the ultimate goal. Of course, people are much more complicated than trucks but the principle is the same.

The rich young man he knew he had a problem he couldn’t figure out. The one thing he lacked may be the one thing that he needed to look closer at himself. Some are quick to sell him short because went away sad. Yet, he was at least humble enough to seek out Jesus and fall on his knees at Jesus’ feet. And as we know, if he were to get what was broken in his life fixed it was going to cost him. Jesus told him to go sell everything he had and give it to the poor. He went away very sad because he was very wealthy. Jesus pointed out the one thing that was keeping his faith from working properly. This reality caused great sadness. But sadness can be an avenue for grace too.

A professor of one of our Seminaries, Dr. Scare once suggested that this young man may be none other than John Mark Himself. This could be the same man who offered Jesus a place to conduct the Passover Meal for his so-called last supper. If this is accurate, and there is truly no way to know for sure–but if this is accurate, what a tremendous turn of events this may have become. What I love most about the encounter is that Jesus leaves it open ended for this young man to discover where the real treasure truly lies. He waits for the relationship to grow naturally—not forced.

One cannot underestimate what godly sorrow may accomplish. 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 talks about how godly sorrow led the Corinthian Christians to repentance. The deep sorrow led to repairs that got things working about amongst the family of believers. Broken things can become the very thing that leads us to vital repairs, deeper relationships, and great joy. Broken things may simply be broken hearts, a wounded pride, a shattered spirit, and even a deep sense of guilt and sorrow over sin. It’s that voice within us that asks, “What is it that is missing in my life that leaves me so restless in my faith?” Is there something that seems small and insignificant to us; something like that little rubber cap, that is keeping us from knowing God’s grace more fully?

It happens all the time. People will come to Pastor K or myself with a lack of marital peace for example. In most cases the thing or things that are causing all the strife are small things. Not picking up the socks. Not helping enough around the house, not helping enough with the kids; not watching the budget. Most of the time its fixable things if they are willing to change them. I tell them what I see, looking at it from the outside. They come in humility and sometimes in desperation and sometimes with a mixture of both. I am just glad they come. Likewise, Jesus loved the rich young ruler. Jesus told him some hard truth but remember too the boy asked plainly for an answer. Jesus gave him one.

The old saying is, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Because of our sinful nature the broken thing gets our attention most. Has the trouble of recent days driven some of us more to the Lord? One can only guess. But if that thing that’s nagging us or troubling our spirit brings opportunity to look more towards Jesus then it may be exactly the blessing that steers us in the right direction again. The possibility something good being won is in and of itself a good thing. Maybe for you the future is open-ended and a little uncertain like the young man. But by the grace of God, that leaves all kinds of room for God to do great things. The Lord is certainly the Lord of great things. He is after all the Lord of the resurrection. If what we endure leads us a little closer to sharing the resurrection then it is a treasured blessing for certain.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyMay4

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/dlewoOBfzSw

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/k3XSwacTdoI

 

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matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION May 1

Friday, May 1, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“IT’S ONLY A BUILDING”

READING: Acts 17:22-25, 29-31 – Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else…Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by man’s design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

A little over a year ago, on April 15, 2019, a fire mostly destroyed Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France. The whole world lamented the event. France itself went into convulsions of grief. Money by the millions has flowed in from donors large and small and from citizens of nations scattered over the globe. Why? The answers mostly fall into the categories of “cultural icon”, “architectural masterpiece”, “national symbol”, “the heart of Paris”, or “historical treasure”. Notice what title is missing in that list: “place of worship”.

Now, I’m sure a few sincere Christians did and will again worship in its sanctuary when the repairs and restorations are complete. But, time and again I have been told by visitors to European cathedrals that can seat a thousand or more congregants that while they were there for a worship service, scarcely more than 30 or 40 locals joined them to worship. Those great cathedrals are a testament to what ONCE was Christianity’s heyday in Europe. Sadly, that’s not the case any longer. They’re beautiful buildings, but without the Faithful, they’re only buildings.

Tuesday afternoon I took time out from making phone calls, sending texts, and writing notes to wander around the church building. I walked into the gym and saw that nothing had changed in the arrangement of the room since five weeks ago. I cut through the Preschool area, and all was quiet and orderly and still. I stepped into the Fireside Room and realized the lights haven’t been on in there since March 15. I strolled down to the Youth Rooms and found them neat, tidy, and tranquil. I stuck my head into the Board Room and pictured the Thursday Saints Bible class in their usual seats jabbering away with one another like they always do, but I didn’t hear a whisper or even the echo of a laugh. I walked back to my office, sat down in a chair, and pondered what I had just experienced. Everything was clean, quiet, and neat as a pin…and totally empty and without purpose or form. It made me very sad. Without the Faithful, it’s only a building!

St. Paul visited Athens, one of the great cities of the Roman Empire. He was invited to a very prestigious assembly of the leading thinkers of the city who meet at the Areopagus, a hill which overlooked the marketplace and center of the city. There he was invited to speak to those assembled about this “new teaching” about “foreign gods” he had been preaching about in the city. Paul begins with a bit of flattery saying, “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.” But then he proceeds to declare that the Creator does not live in temples built by humans. God is the Universal God, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He is and can be everywhere at once if he chooses. Even the Jews had to be reminded that God was not confined or tethered to the Temple in Jerusalem. In Matthew 12:9, Jesus said to them, “I tell you that One greater than the Temple is here.” Without the Faithful, the Temple, too, was only a building. Without Jesus, his death and Resurrection, Greeks, Romans, and Jews alike were worshipping in buildings that were ONLY BUILDINGS!

Jesus also promised, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” The Church has always been more than a building. No matter how grand, no matter how humble, what makes a church building worthy and alive is this communion between Jesus and his disciples, God and his people. While we are forced to be apart from one another, we are still “The Church” every Sunday morning and every day of the week when we worship, praise, and pray TOGETHER. Together, even when you’re in your p.j.’s, sipping coffee, and petting the dog at home. We’re the Church because we gather in his name, hear his Word, sing his praises, and receive his finest gifts.

As I walked around an empty, still, and unpeopled church on Tuesday, I realized once again how important we are to one another; how blessed we are to be brothers and sisters of one another in Christ Jesus. I found myself longing for your companionship, your smiles and greetings, the rowdy noise and laughter of the preschoolers and the kids and the young people of this place. How glad I am to be part of this Church! But this building? Well, this building is only a building without the Faithful! I love and miss you all. God be with you. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us on Saturday, tomorrow, as we meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we’ll celebrate once again the joy of Easter at 8:00 and 10:30.

THANK YOU, RYAN DIETRICH, PAUL WIRTH, JIM FURBER, AND WENDY SHEVLIN: There are four persons who have served us well and made it possible for us to worship together online every Sunday and to keep in touch every day of the week. These are people who spend hours of their own time every week making sure the wheels keep turning at Grace. Ryan preps, operates, and monitors our online service broadcasts every Sunday. If something crashes, it’s Ryan to the rescue! I don’t know if we’d be online now yet without his able assistance. And, he brings the added bonus of his fiancée, Kirsten McCoy, who is our camera operator on Sunday. (Thank you, Kirsten!) Paul is our Webmaster and stays up past midnight every evening in order to upload our “Daily Devotions” and “Weekly Review” so they are there for you when you get up. Jim takes care of our Face Book pages and diligently updates them daily. And, Wendy comes in every Monday, counts the offerings that have been sent in during the previous week, does the banking, and completes the reports for the Treasurer and Financial Secretary. We don’t want to publish their person addresses and such on the Internet, so we would like to encourage you to send one or all of them “Thank You” notes. Send them to the church address (1787 Klerner Lane, New Albany, IN 47150), [ATTN: (name)]. Or, you can send an email to our Website earmarked for any one of them. Paul will see that the others get theirs. Let them know how much you value their service and how much it has meant to you to receive the Sunday services and such in your home. Not sure it could happen without them. Wouldn’t want to find out!

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/C0yzuOibYWo
 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDMay1

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DAILY DEVOTION April 30

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

When Plans Change….

This weekend marks the second wedding I was supposed to attend that has been seriously disrupted by the Covid crisis. The first wedding I was going to conduct was scheduled about six weeks back. The bride to be was very excited and eager to finally see the fruits of months of planning come together for her big day, a day she had imagined to be a very special day. The bride came into the church just over a week before the wedding to finalize some of her decoration ideas. We talked in the sanctuary and it was obvious that she was beaming with excitement and anticipation. A couple days later, on a Monday, just days before the Wedding on Saturday, I got a call from a very disappointed bride to be. Her wedding venue had called things off for safety reasons due to the virus outbreak. All of that planning. Every was put on hold until a date yet to be fully determined sometime this summer.

And the wedding I was going to attend this weekend? Well, its going forward with a preacher, with parents, some family, and a bride and groom—less than ten people. No big fanfare. No guests. No reception. Of course, the fanfare, the guests and the celebration will eventually happen…eventually …later. It almost feels like I’m watching the parable of the ten virgins unfold. We know it’s coming so get your lamps ready. And make sure you bring extra oil because when don’t know exactly when but it may be a while yet before we have a chance to celebrate. At any rate plans have changed because of circumstances outside of one’s control. What do we do when plans change?

Well, I invite you to consider today a reading from 1 Thessalonians 2:17-19 17 But, brothers, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

First, thing we learn is that just because plans have been forced to change doesn’t mean caring about it has. As we already know from experience and especially because of these last six weeks, just because something is keeping us apart physically doesn’t mean we stop thinking or caring about the ones we miss. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 says as much. In fact, Paul describes a deeply painful experience because of the separation. He says, “we were orphaned by separated from you.” “Orphaned” paints a picture of a child who has suddenly lost his/her parents. Paul paints is as a painful ordeal to be separated from his friends in Thessalonica.

And just so we are clear Paul seems to be referring to his experience in Acts 17:1-10. Because of some hostile characters in town, who were jealous of Paul’s success, went looking for Paul and Silas at Jason’s house. When they couldn’t find Paul and Silas, they forcibly dragged Jason, who had been hosting Paul and Silas, to the city officials no doubt to put a stop to Paul by whatever means necessary. Later under cover of darkness Paul and Silas were insistently whisked out of town by the fellow believers afraid for their safety. Verse 10 tells us that “As soon as it was night the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea.” Leaving town suddenly left a lot of things feeling unfinished. Paul, however, didn’t stop thinking about the Thessalonian Christians. It only made Paul want to see them all the more. Separation if anything builds an appreciation for the opportunity to be together again. What’s that old saying? “Separation makes the heart grow fonder.” For many of us that’s very true.

A second thing we learn is that sometimes the obstacles placed in front of may take us in a direction that allows for different blessings than what we planned. Vs 18 is interesting in this regard. “For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.” We have no idea how Paul would know this. Was this because of Paul’s thorn in the flesh that gave him so much trouble? Was this some other obstacle? We do know that Satan more than any other does his best work when He can keep us separated from the Word and isolated from other Christians. But the point here is not Satan’s obstacles but what these detours produce. As painful as it was for Paul and Silas to flee Thessalonica so suddenly to Berea, look at what we find in Berea. In Acts 17:11-15 we meet a people absolutely ripe for harvest. Vs. 11 describes the Bereans “of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for the received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Of course, the critics from Thessalonica also went to Berea to harass Paul. And again, Paul was rushed off again, this time to Athens where he preaches and manages to win some of them to the faith.

In all the hastiness and in all the change of plans, came a great blessing where many came to believe in Jesus. Every time Satan and his agents tried to make trouble for Paul, the Lord put Paul right in the path of another soul who would be won to faith. Think of it this way. Just two months ago our church was not broadcasting its services online. The virus forced us to change how we do things. And for Lutheran’s that’s a traumatic experience. What has happened is truly an impressive thing. Thousands have tuned in just to hear God’s Word preached. Imagine what the Apostle Paul would have accomplished with such tech. Who knows who you may meet or what may be accomplished because your life was diverted in an unexpected direction! The Lord clearly does some of His best work when we remain flexible.

Finally, people are what we learn to value more than our personal plans. “19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” Paul who was once on track to become the greatest Pharisee ever met Jesus and everything changed. In Philippians 3:8-9 Paul counted all his previous achievements as garbage compared to the riches knowing Jesus. And here in 1 Thessalonians 2 Paul refers to his brothers and sisters in Christ as a reward. They blessed Paul by believing and He celebrated that in his heart as a Father is blessed when his child is blessed. They encouraged Paul even when he was far from them. People, more than our plans, are the blessing God gives to us in life. My best memories are shaped by the loved ones in my life. What we may have done together only enhances the people we shared those moments with. Sharing a moment with a bride to be or a husband to be will make the craziness tolerable, even happy. It will become a great story to tell to the kids someday—all eight of them.

Plans can and do change. Recent events are just another reminder that sometimes a lot is not in our control. Sometimes things just come about. My younger son who is planning to be married this fall a couple of months ago, just before this virus thing got rolling, learned that their venue was sold and would no longer host their reception. That meant scrambling to find another place to have a reception. It’s not always Satan or viruses that change our course. Sometimes stuff just changes. And it’s not just weddings. High School seniors are missing out on prom and last things normally associated with being a senior. Graduations are being radically changed. Simply getting a diploma in the mail was not way most graduates or parents imagined receiving their diplomas. Jobs too have been affected. Jobs have been furloughed. Many things have changed. And yet, as Paul learned perhaps that’s okay. Each time plans changed Paul gained a new experience which led him to more synagogues, which led him to preach more Gospel, where he met more believers, and found more friends.

When plans change…It will be okay. When they do, I suggest that we pray for flexibility, creativity, and patience. Pray for wisdom to make the most of it. A change of plans may be a gift. A change of plans, as we have just explained may be opportunity for the Lord to do some of His best work in and through you. Jesus can and does work to the good of those who love Him.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with his Favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyApril30

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/OR-D9pdbYPg

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 29

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“O, Joy!”

READING: John 16:19b-22 – “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when the baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

The Preamble to the “Declaration of Independence” states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” And, boy, have Americans been pursuing happiness ever since! It is a major industry in our country! We have a right to be happy, and by golly, we expect to have it!

Like most of you, I’ve been watching more television than I have in a long, long time. With very few evening meetings, I’ve actually had time to sample the evening programming. I have to say, it’s pretty bleak! But, along with the programming come the commercials. (Sometimes the same commercial repeated six or seven times in one half-hour show!) One constant with commercials is whatever the product they are hawking, what they are really offering you is…HAPPINESS! Buy the right car, get the right toothpaste, own the right razor, eat the right yogurt, and YOU WILL BE HAPPY!

The problem with happiness is that it’s so doggone slippery! Like the nice walleye I landed last August, one minute you have it in your hands, and the next it flops out of your hands and falls back into the lake and swims away! Monday morning the delivery guys brought us a new refrigerator. They pulled the old one out and took it outside to haul it away. They brought the shiny new one in and prepped it. All of a sudden I see the guy with his tape measure out. He made a couple of measurements, then turned to me and said, “Ah, your fridge is 3/8 of an inch too tall! One minute I was happy! The very next minute, I WAS NOT! That’s what makes happiness something we pursue…and pursue…and pursue. It’s always just within reach and then slides away.

If you look up “happy” and “happiness” in a Bible concordance, you’ll find about 30 references. Then, look up “joy”, “joyful”, and “rejoice”. You’ll find over 300 references! Why? The Bible’s not very keen on happiness precisely because it’s fleeting. Happiness is always under the power of circumstances. When circumstances are favorable, happiness is possible. When circumstances are not favorable, happiness is at the very least dampened, if not vaporized completely. Dennis Prager, radio commentator and Bible scholar, likes to say that, “Happiness is a choice.” And, to some degree we can certainly agree with that. Some folks choose to see only the dark side of every situation. They choose NOT to be happy. Others look for the rainbow behind every cloud. But even Prager agrees that circumstances can and do steal our happiness however much we pursue it.

Now, JOY is a different thing all together. Joy is possible even when pain, loss, disappointment, COVID-19, or other circumstances steal our happiness. Joy is a deeper held emotion. Joy is a more durable inner state of being. Joy for us as the people of God is imbedded and cemented into the promises that God has made, both those he has already kept and the ones we believe he will keep. This is what Jesus was communicating to the Disciples in our reading for today. He was telling them something all of them forgot until he came to them in the Resurrection. He said, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while, you will see me again.” He said these words at or after the Last Supper the day before his crucifixion. He would be taken from them for a little while. And then they would see him again…in the Upper Room, alive and whole and perfect once more. And, what did he say the result of this would be? JOY!

Joy that could never, would never be taken from them. Joy in knowing that by his death he had overcome sin, guilt, and the Devil’s accusations against them. Joy in knowing that by his Resurrection, he had destroyed the power of the Law, the sting of death, and hold of the grave. That joy would be theirs forevermore, whatever their circumstances, whatever they had to face. And, through their message, you and I have that very same joy. It’s deep down within us. It has taken hold of our hearts and we, “…are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for (we) are receiving the goal of (our) faith, the salvation of (our) souls.” (I Peter 1:9)

As Jesus said, women while they are in labor are usually not happy campers! Love hurts! And giving birth is painful, strenuous, and stressful work. But, when that little squalling bundle of…(wait for it!) JOY is placed in her arms, all the unhappiness is swept away, replaced only by the joy that a baby “has come into the world.” So, go ahead, pursue happiness. It’s your right as an American. But, don’t make it your god. Remember the love of Christ, his sacrifice, his rising, and his promises. That’s the joy that NO ONE CAN TAKE FROM YOU! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us for the Daily Devotions through the rest of the week, and on Saturday we’ll meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we’ll celebrate once again the joy of Easter at 8:00 and 10:30.

THANK YOU, RYAN DIETRICH: There is one person who nearly single-handedly has made it possible for us to worship together online every Sunday for the past seven. There is one person who spends hours on Saturday setting up and prepping the broadcast. One person who monitors and directs both services on Sunday. One person who troubleshoots when something wants to crash and stay crashed. That one person is RYAN DIETRICH. I would like to encourage you to send Ryan a “Thank You” note. Send it to him at IN 47150. Or, you can send an email to our Website earmarked for him. Paul will see that he gets it. Let him know how much you value his service and how much it has meant to you to receive the Sunday services in your home. Not sure it could happen without him. Wouldn’t want to find out!

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/HborGobRoko
 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDApril29

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DAILY DEVOTION April 28

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

Jesus is Your Identity, Not Your Emotions or Failures

One thing we talk about in our Griefshare class is that your grief is not your identity. Grief is a powerful rollercoaster of emotions, a casserole of different feelings that invade our minds and sometimes become so strong that they crowd out the world. Depression and grief are neighbors and often work hand in hand. However strong those emotions become they are not our identity. Instead we are taught to say, “I am a child in Jesus Christ who is struggling with grief.” Here is the important point for today. You can struggle a great deal with something and still be a child of God.

Consider Peter. Peter was just a fisherman when Jesus called Him to be a disciple. In fact, the two times that we see Peter fishing he wasn’t catching anything (Luke 5:1-11—Calling them to be disciples and in John 21:1-14—Preparing them to be Apostles). Does that mean he or the other disciples with him weren’t good fishermen? No, it just means he didn’t catch any fish on those two occasions mentioned in scripture. In fact, I think that maybe that was the way the Lord caught Peter’s attention on both occasions. The second time catching the huge number of fish triggered a memory of the first catch of fish when Jesus called them to become disciples. This replay of events got Peter so excited he jumped out of the boat to get to Jesus faster. In both cases Jesus comes on the scene and invites them to cast their nets one more time only to catch so many fish the nets began to break. If you want to get a fisherman’s attention, help him catch fish right! That’s what Jesus does.

We know Peter well. Peter was one to put his foot in his mouth. He was impulsive and often self-promoting. Peter always over-estimated his ability to stand strong and be like Jesus. He imagined Himself the ultimate disciple. If Jesus can walk on water so could he, but he sank. If Jesus was being arrested Peter would save Jesus with a sword but, in fact, it was Peter who needed saving not with a sword but with a cross. If Peter was going to Caiaphas’ courtroom, Peter would get at least into the courtyard of the High Priest. But three denials later the rooster signaled that Peter was really not willing to go any farther than the courtyard. Of course, we remember that at least Peter got as far as the courtyard. Where were the others after all? See that’s the difference between Peter and Judas. Peter wanted to be like Christ. Peter felt that He failed Jesus where Judas felt that Jesus had failed him.

In Matthew 26:31-35 Jesus speaks of all the disciple abandoning Him. Peter vows, “Not me! The others might but not me!” Of, course the other disciples vowed the same brave loyalty. To which Jesus predicts Peter’s denials, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” Eventually, we know what happens later on in Matthew 26:69-75. Peter does in fact, deny Jesus three times and runs out of the courtyard weeping bitterly at his incredible failure. Peter lived with that failure for weeks after the resurrection but on this third visit by the resurrected Jesus in John 21:15-19 Jesus reinstates Peter.

Failure was not Peter’s identity even though Peter mourned his failure deeply. Three times in John 21:15-19, Jesus asks, “Peter, do you love me?” The first two times Jesus uses Agape, the divine Love. “Do you love me as your Lord?” But on the third time Jesus asks if Peter loves Jesus using Phileo-. “Do you love me as your friend?” It is on this third time that saddens Peter. “Lord you know (oida–knowledge of information) all things. You know (ginosko—knowledge gained by a strong friendship) that I love you.

Peter’s failure was so significant that upon this third resurrection visit Jesus knew that Peter’s relationship with Jesus needed healing. Jesus wanted Peter to know that Jesus has forgiven Peter. Yes, Peter’s relationship with Jesus needed healing but it wasn’t broken. It isn’t hard to see that Peter never stopped loving Jesus nor did he stop believing in Jesus. And there it is. We can say, “Peter was just a child in Jesus Christ who was struggling a great deal with a terrible sense of failure.” Peter did fail His Lord as all of us do in our sin. But failure is not an identity for Peter. It is just a failure, one among many.

As a Father I know that my boys will eventually fail. And they will also grieve. They may at times experience deep negative emotions because at times I have too. But they remain my sons; or this is my spouse; or this is my dearest friend; my loved one also happens right now to struggle deeply with certain emotions, perhaps intense emotions. It may be merely grief or even just joy. In fact, we are never just one thing at a time. What Peter’s reinstatement reminds us today as we remain isolated at home, some of us only with our thoughts to torture ourselves, is that you are still a child of God in Jesus Christ. Maybe you have done something wrong. Maybe there is something unfinished in your world. However, remember, as Peter was reinstated as an apostle Jesus also reemphasized Peter’s identity as one who is Loved by the Lord. This is important because it applies to us as well.

It will be truly good when we can stop being apart from others safely. It will be especially good to be with our family and friends again. In Peter we see just how good it was to be with Jesus again. Peter was no longer afraid. Peter was no longer plagued by his failure. Peter no longer mourned. Peter was still Peter. Even after the resurrection, after Peter spoke so boldly at Pentecost, later as an Apostle Peter would fail again. Imagine that? A Christian who blows it.

Jesus would have to confront Jesus about his opinion of Cornelius in Acts 10. Cornelius was not just a gentile. He was a brother in Jesus. “Peter start with that next time you see Cornelius.” Paul even had to confront Peter about his attitude about Gentiles in Galatians 2:11-16. Peter did not stop being impulsive or sometimes influenced by his surroundings, but in faith none of those failures became his identity. Peter was always willing to humble himself. Peter was correctable. Peter loved Jesus. More importantly Jesus loved Peter as He does us. That in the end it is not what we feel or do that gives us the most confidence. It’s Jesus opinion of us as family that matters most. Emotional prodigals are welcomed home as much as those who have failed their Lord. I pray that those of you who have in this last six weeks struggled with intense negative feelings like grief, sorrow, guilt, failure, anger, or depression remember who you are in Jesus. I will remind you again when I see you. Trust me when I say that Pastor K and I look forward to seeing you again regardless of your state right now. May the Lord give you peace in this in and through Jesus.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyApril28.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/HRVmJ3wTXBk

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 27

Monday, April 27, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“BRAINLESS!”

READING: II Peter 1:16-21 – “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning start rises in your heats. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 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.”

O, my goodness, do Americans love conspiracy theories! There are always a few people, no matter how compelling the evidence, no matter how straightforward the event in question unfurled, who will find reason to believe and/or concoct a theory that some convoluted, secret conspiracy hatched its plan and made things happen in the sight of many witnesses who were all fooled or blind to the truth. Whether it’s the Kennedy assassination or 9/11 or Rob Gronkowski going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, someone will always see some sneaky, behind the scenes puppeteers pulling the strings, and everyone else is too stupid to see it!

I’m in the process of reading a book by A. Trevor Sutton entitled, “Clearly Christian.” It was the book that each of our Junior and Senior High kids received in their packet a couple of weeks ago. (I want to encourage them all to read the book. It will entertain them, but also give them a lot to think about.) His Chapter Seven is entitled, “Brainless,” and in it he talks about how the unbelieving world has always looked at Christians. There has always been the idea that the Christian faith is based on feelings, emotions, and foolishness. The charge is that certain men in the Early Church developed a convoluted, secret conspiracy to make a god out of one Jesus of Nazareth, and they were so good at it that they are still duping people 2000 years later! How dumb can they be? Brainless!

Did you hear Peter in the reading a few minutes ago? He wrote these words less than 35 years after the Resurrection, but already there were charges that the whole story was made up and passed off on unsophisticated rubes who couldn’t think themselves out of a fishing net if they had a knife in their hand! Peter says, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories…” Then he adds, “…we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” He also adds, “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man…” Peter staked his life upon the truth of the Gospel of Christ, as did all the other apostles, the early church fathers, and countless scores of believers who faced horrible cruelties all the while holding to the Faith.

Sutton points out in his book how important it is for us as Christians “…to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that is in you.” (I Peter 3:15) Ours is not a “brainless” faith, nor is it irrational. Our faith is based on evidence, on eyewitness accounts, on documentation outside the faith, by historical reality, by archeological discoveries, and by 2000 years of intellectual and physical attacks that have not turned the Church on its head nor stripped the Gospel of its sweetness and power.

As Dr. Paul Meyer, renowned historian, author, and defender of the Faith, has written, “Myths do not make martyrs.” Since the disciples were the ones who spread the Gospel, first to 3000 people on Pentecost, and then across “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” And, since they were the ones who were imprisoned, stabbed, beheaded, crucified, tortured, exiled, shipwrecked, and otherwise impoverished at every turn, what possible reason could they have had to maintain their stories and their faith in Jesus if they knew all of it to be a fabrication? What could they hope to gain by building a lie and then dying for it? THAT would be irrational and brainless!

Over 80% of the Old Testament’s named places (towns, hills, rivers, etc.) have been positively identified. Over 95% of the New Testament’s named places are known. Historical and archeological finds have identified nearly every major figure named in the New Testament. Our faith is not based on “cleverly invented stories” or on the imaginations of some mystics and hermits. Our faith is based on the stories of REAL people, in REAL places, and in REAL times. Witnesses were there who saw and heard these things, and just as importantly, would have been there to deny or refute things they new to be untrue or mistaken. Jesus died on a Roman cross outside the walls of Jerusalem before a throng of witnesses. Jesus rose from the dead and HUNDREDS of people saw him at different times and in different places. Even his enemies had to admit that his tomb was EMPTY on that Easter morning. That’s why THEY were the ones who cobbled together a story claiming his disciples came by night and stole away the body!

No, Christian, stand your ground! Study more Scripture, read more books, ask more questions, learn more truth, and when someone tells you that Christianity is BULL, don’t you be cowed! Remember, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the POWER OF GOD.” (I Cor.1:18) The unbelieving world has always considered Christians to be “brainless,” that’s nothing new. But “on Christ, the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand!” Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us for the Daily Devotions all through the week, and on Saturday we’ll meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we’ll celebrate once again the joy of Easter at 8:00 and 10:30.

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PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVApril27

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

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pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/5xG89_uxNEs

 

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matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 24

Friday, April 24, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

Well, its finally happened. I started getting phones calls at 10:38AM in the morning and steadily phone calls and emails came in about every half-hour to an hour for the rest of the day. Members of Grace were quick to call and ask if I had sent an email asking for financial help for a friend with cancer. Here’s what it said.
From: Matthew Woods Date: April 22, 2020 at 10:59:18 AM EDT
To: Name and email specific
Subject: Re: Peace Unto You (name of members were specific)

Ok can you help me to get Steam Wallet Gift Card worth $400 at $100 or $50 denominations for a friend of mine going through cancer in the hospital. He needs the cards to download his favorite musics and videos to boost his confidence on his next phase of surgery and fight over cancer which he’s going to undergo today but i can’t do this now.

Can you get it from any store around you now? I will pay back as soon as i can. Thanks

Thank you

This was not sent from me and I was certainly never consulted. In fact, if you hadn’t told me I wouldn’t have even known. Of course, that’s on purpose. They are trying to take advantage of the relationships I have with all of you. And so, if you have received anything like this please delete it. I appreciate everyone who contacted me. Thank you for watching my back on this stuff and helping me uncover an obvious effort to use my name to con people I love and care about. Who knows how they got my information or how they got the names of contacts? It certainly solidifies that nothing in this world is completely safe. It also gives us another reminder that con artists will use any means to get our money.

So, let’s think on this one. The Lord can use anything to bless people. I’ve decided to see what the Lord might teach us with this experience? Lesson one: learning the method to their madness. A question; What is a Steam Wallet Gift Card mentioned in their email got to do with anything? Well, as it turns out I learned that any gift card will pretty much do. According the Federal Trade Commission’s website this is a scam that has grown 270 percent since 2015. They play on your emotions. They try to steal your money by first stealing your heart. These faceless bandits will pose as the IRS or as a utility company or of some official capacity and attempt to scare you with threats of seizures or with turning off your water. In my case they played the compassion card claiming a friend with cancer needed some help. That makes me wonder if they know I was a Pastor. Given our recent efforts with online devotions etc. they would be easy to discover. Once they contact you and get the card number and the card’s access code the money is gone. That’s what the return email was set up for. No doubt recently set up for this particular scam in my name. It is safe to say the first thing we learn is that we should not pay anything with gift cards to charities, utilities, to the govt, and certainly not to Pastor for the sake of a friend. So, thank you, mysterious bandit. You’ve given me cause to get educated on this and to help the very people you have tried to steal from. Yes, an attempt at a con was made but what the bandits meant for harm can now become our good.

Secondly, the bandits inadvertently assume something about you that I know is good. Without realizing it they have revealed something about you. You are compassionate people.

These bandits make me think of Jacob, who was really good at deception. Jacob tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:27-34). Then he fooled his father, Isaac who was old and blind. Using an elaborate scheme to convince Isaac that he was his brother, Esau, Jacob fooled his father to getting his blessing (Genesis 27). And because his mother wanted Jacob to marry a good Jewish girl and not some local Hittite woman Jacob fled to uncle Laban’s, his mom’s brother (Genesis 28:1-9). There Jacob meets and falls in love with Rachel. Jacob makes a deal to work seven years for Rachel. Because Uncle Laban finds his flocks and herds blessed by Jacob in those seven years he figures a way to trick Jacob into seven more years. We remember. When Jacob lifted the veil at his wedding expecting to see Rachel, he found Leah, not Rachel. The tradition of lifting the bridal veil before the vows became a tradition because of this. Uncle Laban pulled out an old rule from his book tricks to pull this off. Laban told Jacob, who was no doubt feeling cheated about now, “It’s not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one” (Genesis 29:26). And so, Jacob was tricked into working another seven years for Rachel (Genesis 29:22-30)

Notice every step of the way Jacob or Laban were trying to gain an advantage for themselves using some form of emotion. Jacob used his father’s love for Esau to gain the blessing and Esau’s impulsive pride to get his birthright. Laban used Jacob’s love for Rachel to get fourteen years of blessing his flocks making Laban a wealthy man.

No one likes feeling manipulated nor taken advantage of. The moral of the story for Jacob is not that deception pays but that God’s blessings are consistent. Even though Jacob received the blessing from his father deceptively the character of the blessing was not ever at issue even though Jacob’s character was questionable. Just as a certain person who is untruthful might carry a package to a house, or even attempt to steal it, that does not change the value of the package. If one is caught stealing the package this only reveals that this person who tried to steal it has no integrity and nothing more.

When one looks at the genealogy of Jesus, we see many characters like Jacob through which the covenant of Abraham passes through. Rahab, a prostitute who helped the spies at Jericho, or even David, who was an adulterer, Solomon and so on. In any case in Jesus’ human genealogy the covenant remained intact and the bloodline of Jesus came about. The Bottom line is that the covenant made Jacob not the other way around. Likewise, the covenant makes us not the other way around. And it has been demonstrated to me again this week.

In Jesus the covenant brings us salvation in the cross and a resurrection in the empty tomb. It also brings us meaning and purpose. This covenant is the package that makes us people who are compassionate toward others who may be affected by Covid or cancer. And what the bandits underestimate is the power of God’s grace and our instinct to protect one another. Many of you who received the bandit email called and asked me if the email was true because you knew me well enough to know that’s not how I do things. That’s a relationship I am grateful to have with all of you. At the same time, I also know that if did need help you would be the ones who would respond in spades as you have demonstrated so many times before. That’s love for our neighbor stuff. This is the irony. The bandits try use our compassion against us, counting on that compassion to rob us, while at the same time they underestimate us as compassionate people of faith. Even if they get away with it, they still underestimate us because we are in fact compassionate people. That’s their mistake, their sin. Not ours.

Finally, this little experience has revealed something about the bandits. I would suggest that the bandits who try to con us are in a bad place and therefore need us to pray for them. Perhaps they succeed in getting a lot of money out of this scam. Maybe they are enslaved or trapped and must do these things to satisfy someone who holds something over them. There’s no way to know. However, the scriptures do not condone immoral behavior. In fact, such pursuits cause great harm to one’s soul and that’s that their actions communicate to me. Jesus himself says in Matthew 16:25-26, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? “What good will that be if one gains the whole world but forfeits their soul?” That being said I suggest a posture similar to Jesus’ words as he was being nailed to the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do?” Rather than just be angry or frustrated I suggest praying for them. Pray for their freedom. That’s lesson number three today. Pray for those hidden enemies. Pray that the Lord finds an avenue to reach them. He knows who it is. Nothing is hidden from the Lord. “So, Lord find a way into this person’s life that they may seek a greater treasure through faith and find it in Your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

So, I round this out today. I know that we are isolating from Covid and probably on our computers more than ever lately. I’m sure that the online bandits know this too and have tried to take more advantage of it. But all they accomplish here today is to make us aware of their actions and reveal that our people are people of the covenant, people who are compassionate, caring, and connected in Jesus. They have proven that you have my back. And they underestimate us. Sadly, they undervalue themselves too. Jesus has room for them in His covenant. Perhaps one of them will hear this not as a defiant resistance to what they tried to pull but as a loving invitation to a greater treasure that is kept in heaven for all who believe. This is the covenant that makes us. By the grace of Jesus maybe we will meet them in heaven too.

And now the Lord bless you and Keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVApril27

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/wkjcBqKyO8k

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 23

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“REAL FEAR”

READING: Matthew 28:5-10 – “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you.’ So, the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’”

Last August I accompanied my brother, Alan, and four other friends on a fly-in fishing trip up in Canada. While two of us were fishing a little cove, we saw a female duck who had with her 17-20 ducklings in two sizes. We could only surmise that a number of orphaned ducklings had attached themselves to her own family, and she was shepherding them all. As we moved out of the cove and along the shoreline, both of us suddenly heard a commotion behind us. We looked to see what it was and saw an amazing sight: All of those ducklings were following that hen across the mouth of the cove at high speed. They looked to be literally running on top of the water! You couldn’t really call it “swimming” in the usual sense. I’ve never seen ducklings move so fast!

The two of us marveled at what we had seen, and in talking about it, came to the conclusion that they were moving so fast out of fear! That mother duck had learned by hard experience that in those waters roamed northern pike of large proportions. And, those big pike were perfectly happy to make a meal of duckling if they got the opportunity. The ducklings instinctively moved as fast as they possibly could because their very lives depended upon crossing that stretch of water before the fish could react. That was real fear on display.

My new “Readers’ Digest” arrived on Monday. I took some time to scan through it, just reading the jokes and funny tidbits scattered throughout. I came across a segment entitled, “When NOT to Call 9-1-1.” A mother had frantically called 9-1-1 to say that her young son was terribly allergic to peanuts. A package had arrived from Amazon, and the mother had gone ahead to open it. Now she was calling in a near panic because upon opening the package she had discovered her item was packed in, of all things, peanuts! STYROFOAM packing peanuts! The dispatcher assured her that her son was in no danger from them and she need not be afraid.

In our text today both the angel and Jesus reassure the women that they need not be afraid. Startled by all they’re experiencing, it’s natural for them to be afraid. An earthquake, the open and empty tomb, an angelic presence, an amazing pronouncement, all capped off by a very much alive Jesus; the women could certainly be forgiven for giving in to fear. Shoot, the disciples at that very moment were all huddled in the Upper Room overwhelmed with fear. The guards at the tomb were paralyzed with fear. Theirs was a perfectly normal reaction to things totally out of the norm. Yet, what they hear from both the angel and Jesus is the truth. All these things are part of God’s plan for them. Jesus lives, and truly there is nothing on that Easter morning they need to fear!

How about us? How often have we found ourselves afraid and worried about things that turned out not to be as threatening or as important as we first made them out to be? How often have we lost sleep because of things over which we had no control trying to think of ways to control them? How many lost opportunities have come and gone because we were afraid to take hold of them? Sometimes it’s hard for us to decide if something is really worthy of fear or just a shadow passing over us. In hindsight we have often wondered why we made such a big deal of things that had little consequence.

Now, understand me here: I’m not saying there are no things of which we need be afraid. Cancer, accidents, COVID-19, brokenness, grief, and the like are real and frightening threats to our peace, our living, and our loved ones. What I AM saying is that we need to lean on our Savior and his victory to do two things: First, to be able to discern what things are truly to be feared and to put them in their proper place in our lives. Secondly, to be able to trust that whatever comes, the Lord Jesus has already won for us the victory. The whole thrust of the book of Revelation speaks to this: “Christian, no matter how much it seems like evil is winning; no matter how much trouble comes your way; no matter how dark it gets; even if you should lose your life for your faith; know this – Jesus Christ is the Victor, and by believing in Him, you will be victorious.”

When Jesus said to the women, “Do not be afraid,” it was him reassuring them that even though they did not understand all that was taking place, even though they were experiencing things most unusual, even though they couldn’t see or predict what was ahead for them, HE knew the answers to ALL those things. He was in charge, and he’s STILL in charge and always will be. We can count on that today, tomorrow, and forever, so DO NOT BE AFRAID!

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us for the Daily Devotions tomorrow, and on Saturday we’ll meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we’ll celebrate once again the joy of Easter at 8:00 and 10:30.

A shout-out to Matt McLellen out in Connecticut, serving in our Navy’s submarine forces. He sent me a text on Tuesday. Good to hear from you, Mr. Squid! Thank you for your many years of service to our country.

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pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDApril23

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DAILY DEVOTION April 22

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

What We Wear Can Actually Keep Us Healthy While Saving Lives

Masks. I’m sure you have seen them being worn all about. When I have made trips to the grocery story or to the Home Depot or to the gas station at least a 1/3 of the people I see are wearing some kind of mask over their mouth and nose. Many are home-made and very creative displaying pictures of Disney characters, or flowers, or even a smiley face. Masks are designed to keep the virus bugs out of our system and therefore actively prevent us from getting sick.

But did you know that the clothes we wear can also prevent us from becoming sick? Consider Colossians 3:9b-14. “since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Notice the way in which this passage is written. It’s like we are called to clear our closets of our sinful selves and invest in all new clothes handed to us from the very closet of our Savior. We are called to put on a new self in the image of our Creator and clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience and over all these virtues put on love.

What Paul is laying out is effectively Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our souls. PPE as you know right now is the critical gear that our Doctors, Nurses, and frontline first responders need in order to avoid being infected by the virus while helping those who are sick. It includes things like gloves, masks, eye protection, gowns, aprons, and proper foot covering.

For some reason the biggest problem with PPE has been its availability. Grace had some left-over n-95 masks that we bought in 2012 for the tornado relief. These things are like gold right now. We’ve used some in other disaster recovery but honestly, they were mostly forgotten until recently. So, we sent some to Long Island, New York, some to Kentucky and a whole bunch to our local health department. They weren’t doing anything in the church garage so we were grateful to share them where they could be utilized and help do some good.

Because healthcare folks cannot remain socially distant from their patients PPE is used to create a barrier that protects them while at the same time it allows them to serve others who are infected by the virus. The goal is to be able to get close to the patient so they may be saved. I can’t think of a stronger illustration of how it works with Christians who must interact with a sinful world while avoiding being infected by it. As we say in our Mission Statement at Grace part of our goal is to connect with people in their everyday lives so that, as Christians, we can ultimately become instruments of salvation to save our neighbors. This is much like healthcare workers do with their patients. Making disciples, like healing the sick necessitates that interaction is key for the possibility of healing to happen. As Christians we operate with the love of Christ, by exercising a PPE lifestyle of kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and compassion. At the same time the disease of selfishness, self-promotion, anger, greed, lust, impatience, and envy are kept out.

Of course, none of us have anything without Jesus. John 1 talks about the Divine Word dressing Himself in human flesh. And in this flesh Jesus dwelt among us. He was exposed to temptation, to all the consequences of our sin, and all the hazards of this world yet Jesus remained without sin.

During the calling of Levi (Matthew) in Luke 5 Jesus calls Levi, the tax collector to be a disciple. Levi through a big good-bye banquet in Jesus’ honor. The Pharisees and Jesus critics were all upset that Jesus is putting everything at risk by interacting with Levi’s friends. These folks were of course, fellow tax collectors and their families, “sinners”. In verse 30 these Pharisees complain to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” But Jesus gives the answer. 31“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus interacts with people of all kinds and had a special place for the so-called, “lost causes”. And now it is Jesus who calls upon us to be the frontline as the disciples once were. As Christians we are called to get close enough that we can expose those who are sick with the world to the Holy Spirit’s antibodies that we carry.

That’s where the PPE of Colossians 3 goes beyond the mask and gown of a hospital. It’s not merely protection. This clothing literally makes a statement. Putting on humility and love identify us with Jesus. It’s like the robe put on the prodigal son upon his return to the Father. It is taken from the Father’s closet. This robe meant that his son was a son again, and not the lost cause that the older brother thought. This robe also mean that this son was a forgiven son. The clothing of Colossians 3 is the clothing given to the forgiven, those made into children of God in Baptism. Being a child of God means all classifications fade in comparison to being a child in Jesus. Verse 11 points this out. Being children of God is no longer about being a Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free; Not as a sinner or tax collector; and not as symptomatic or asymptomatic—just forgiven in the cross.

The clothes of Colossians 3 do more than just allow us to get close enough to love our neighbor by interacting with them. They do more than identify us in Jesus as children of God. They also are the medicine to be shared and given away. Love, compassion, forgiveness humility, patience, and kindness are also the means of the treatment methods. Exercising our faith in those things offers others a fighting chance to survive the world. Effectively you and I have become part of Jesus’ medical team in and through faith and our mission is to seek and save the lost; be salt and light. We carry the medicine of the Gospel. Jesus PPE work because they reflect the image of Jesus, who gives them to us through His grace. Jesus has made us the agents in which God does His saving work through humility and service to others. That makes everyone of us an essential worker. The Lord be with you as you wear your Jesus PPE from Colossians 3. In Jesus name. Amen.

Before I wrap up today, I just want to give another shout out and thank you to our healthcare folks. Thank you again for your vigilance and hard work. Thank you to all of you for your patience and support to them and to us here at Grace. Please don’t stop sending us pic and hellos just to let us know how it is going for you.

And Now may thDailyApriL22e Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyApriL22

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/akEpPZXEfsM

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 21

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

“THEY BROKE BREAD…TOGETHER”

READING: Acts 2:42-47 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Wow! It doesn’t sound like those early Christians were practicing “social distancing” in any form or fashion. They were “together,” they met “together,” they “broke bread…and ate together,” and daily God “added to their number.” Even at the very beginning of the Church Christians were in the habit of meeting together for worship and for fellowship. You could say that being together is in our very DNA!

That’s one of the hardest parts of this current crisis – this need to be apart. We were made and designed to be TOGETHER. I watched the very first “Robinson Crusoe” movie on U-Tube the other night. And, last night I saw a segment of a feature about iconic movie props that celebrated the volleyball named “Wilson” from Tom Hanks’ movie, “Castaway.” In both movies the protagonists suffer dreadful loneliness and a loss of purpose because of their isolation. Both movies are a study of the human need for relationship and fellowship.

I miss your faces, your smiles, your laughter, your tears. I miss handshakes and hugs and hymns sung at full volume by a whole congregation. I miss your stories, the little details of your lives, the everyday, normal stuff that connects us to each other. I miss the hellos before the service. I miss seeing you as I preach. I miss the good-byes when church is over. I miss Bible classes, especially “Thursday’s Saints.” And, I miss the Lord’s Supper, don’t you?

When our reading mentions the “breaking of bread,” commentaries are nearly unanimous that the first mention in v.42 is referring to Holy Communion. This was a part of Christian worship and fellowship from the very beginning of the Church. They gathered together to worship and to receive the Lord’s gifts: apostolic teaching, fellowship with one another, the Sacrament of the Altar, and prayer with and for one another. Communion gave the forgiveness of sins, the nurturing of faith, Jesus’ very presence, and a strong sense of community with each other. We miss those components these days because we’ve been deprived of the Lord’s Supper for these past five weeks.

Pastor Woods and I have talked several times about ideas for celebrating the Sacrament. We heard about a church (not Lutheran) that encouraged their parishioners to provide the elements in their homes as their clergyman spoke the words of consecration online. He went so far as to tell them if they had no wine, to use grape juice; if they had no crackers, to use Fritos! We’re both of a mind that Fritos a Communion do not make, and if they have no wine or grape juice, would they use fruit punch or apple juice? That’s not Communion as Jesus instituted it!

We’ve talked about some kind of drive-through Communion. But, how do we protect one another from viruses on the trays or cups or plates we’d use? How would be handle traffic lanes? How would we keep it private within our congregation without reporters or photographers or busybodies interfering or misinterpreting what we were doing?

Someone asked me a couple of weeks ago if I would commune myself? I assured my inquisitor that, no, I would not be doing that as much as I miss the Sacrament. For you see in the final analysis, Communion by its very name and nature is meant to be celebrated TOGETHER, as the Body of Christ in this place, as brothers and sisters in the church family of our Heavenly Father. To commune is to be together in remembrance of Jesus and in his very Presence to receive his gifts. There is no good way to do that while we are apart.

So, we wait! We wait because we love each other. We wait in order to protect one another. We wait because the gifts are worth waiting for. And, none of us should ever take for granted again how blessed we are to have a church home, a church family, and a Risen, Living, Loving Lord Jesus who deigns to come to us in his very body and blood! It won’t be much longer, and how wonderful it will be when that day comes. So come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us for the Daily Devotions tomorrow through Friday, and on Saturday we’ll meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we’ll celebrate once again the joy of Easter at 8:00 and 10:30.

My sister, Sally, has found a way to share the Daily Devotions with my dad by telephone, so I promised Dad that I would send a “Shout-out” to him today. So, Dad, here’s my shout-out to you: I love you. I miss you. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think of you and pray for you. Stay well, “und machts gut!”

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/52pCJNvVcBo
 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 
PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVOTApril21.PDF

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DAILY DEVOTION April 20

MONDAY, April 20, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
 

Praying For Our Leaders As They Figure Things Out As They Go

This last Saturday my wife, Tricia and I finally got out for a hike. We love hiking and our usual places are closed right now. So, we decided to try Hayswood Nature Reserve in Corydon, Indiana. We hadn’t been there before and we really didn’t know our way around.

We started out on a trail that eventually led us down to the edge of Indian Creek. It was an unmarked trail that our All Trails App had but the park map from the Website did not. Indian Creek if you haven’t been there recently is running shallow right now. But all the debris stacked up along the banks gave us clues that the water had been very high at some point in recent months. The ground was still soft and muddy.

Across from where we were standing at the end of our off-beat trail we could see on the other side of the Creek people walking, running, pushing strollers, and bicycling. Clearly there was a walking path just on the other side of the river. Since again we didn’t know much about the place we began plotting a way to get across the river. To get there by conventional paths, we would had to back track a couple of miles just to find another trail-head. So, we decided to gamble a little bit. We decided to blaze a trail of our own along the river bank believing that if just follow the river we will also find a crossing somewhere upstream.

We headed north on the west side of the bank with no official trail. A vague path had been worn from others who had gone this way before—though for not a long time. We had to dodge low branches, climb over and under big fallen trees, through firm but muddy, sometimes slippery ground. As we walked, we began to doubt our decision. Our mistake was looking again at the All Trails app on our phone and saw no way to cross the river in the direction we were headed. So, doubt got the best of us and we backtracked and headed south. In short order we did in fact find a bridge. What we would eventually discover is that there are actually two bridges, one on the North coming from town and one from the south coming from the park. After we walked the trail we had worked so hard to find we discovered an important reality. There was this second bridge—the bridge from town. As it turns out, if we had gone a little farther on our original trek along the river bank to where the river bends sharply east we would have seen the bridge. Now we know.

It works a lot like this during disaster recovery. A recovery effort might go in one direction thinking you are headed in the right direction only to realize you first choice is not the right way so you change directions again, and maybe several times more. Having worked in many recovery efforts the path is often similar. An event, such as tornado or a pandemic comes. At first, everyone is eager to help. At the same time there is an evaluation period to assess the damage. Then the Response begins. And over time methods change as more information comes to light.

During the 2012 tornado recovery we made a lot of mistakes. We made lots of plans that became logistically improbably we learned more about our resources and volunteers. I can’t tell you how many things we thought would work in the beginning were changed along the way. Of course, many argued over funding needed to rebuild what was lost and how to apply that funding to the places hardest hit starting with the greatest need. Likewise, whether a pandemic or tornado hits you or not the impact effects the whole community. As time goes on a new routine begins, a new normal, and just when it seems like it’s all under control something else pops up and it’s time to adapt again. Is any of this sounding familiar?

I can tell you from experience a lot of mistakes are made. Our President, his advisors, agencies, and members of congress will make a lot of mistakes. It is just what happens in recovery efforts. Recovery is always an uncharted path that you hope will lead to a way across to the other side of this thing. I would encourage you to give all of them a break; give the benefit of the doubt to those who are trying to lead us through this difficult time. Pray for them.
If there was ever a time for godly direction in our lifetime, I would count this time as a good time to pray for wisdom for our Government. To pray for all of our President, our congress, and experts is something Christians do. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 reminds us; “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Yes, I know–We all know the drama that is politics. Politicians are a special kind of people, mostly cleaver about their own ambitions. Sometimes they are just not that great at paying attention to the masses. We can all agree that they are usually more divisive then unifying. However, right now as a country we are praying to get on a path that looks like a way to get across this thing. These people that drive us crazy are making decisions that will have a direct impact on us. I am encouraging us all to pray for them; yes, even the other ones. Pray that they may surround themselves with good information and understanding; that they will listen to good advice. Pray for wisdom that benefits everyone and guidance from helpful voices. Proverbs 11:14 tells us why. “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” What these folks do will have a long-term bearing on all.

Paul is calling us to pray for leaders. That included Roman Emperors, Roman governors like Pontius Pilate to whom Jesus revealed, during Pilate’s examination of Him on Good Friday, that his authority is given from above. This includes even communist party leaders, and even the people on the “other side of the isle”. Jesus knows what kind of people politicians are. We all do. But let’s not forsake the authority that God has given. They have been given authority by the Lord to do what they do.

In fact, authority has been given to all of us. There are different kinds of authority given to each one of us to be applied in different places. Jesus says as much in His Great Commission in Matthew 28:18. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore go and disciple the nations…” In John 20:19ff when He appears to the disciples for the first time after His resurrection says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you…If you forgive anyone his sins they are forgiven. If you do not forgive anyone his sins, they are not forgiven.” A body with many parts and many gifts.

Authority is of itself just a thing. It can be used well or abused. Authority in and of itself is neither good nor bad but takes on the personality of those who carry it. And to be honest, how have we used the authority we have been given as Christians called as spouses, parents, neighbors, as forgivers, and especially as disciple makers? Have we truly represented our Savior and always cast a personal vote for Jesus over self, have we always acted with a servant’s heart? Show me one human being who is always using his/her authority, even as God’s people, to God’s standards and I will show you a perfect human being. Which example do you want me to pull from scripture to make my point on that one? Samson? How about King Solomon? How about Saul or David for that matter? Only one perfect human being actually comes to mind. Only Jesus used His authority perfectly; He used it to die on a cross for our sins. Jesus used His authority to as John 10 tells us, to lay down His life only to take up again in the resurrection.

I am not trying excuse anyone’s abuse of authority nor to say any abuse of God-given authority okay just because it’s so common. I am simply encouraging you today to pray for those in authority in our government who must make the huge decisions that are already happening and to pray that those decisions that are yet to come. Pray for wisdom used wisely. Pray for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven. Pray for humility in the face of this trouble.

The Good news and the confidence we carry into our prayers is that God knows how to accomplish His will. Even Roman emperors without knowing it served God’s will when Augustus issued a decree to have a census of the entire Romans world which lead to Joseph and Mary ending up in Bethlehem. And we remember Pilate who condemned Jesus to the cross. The Lord knows to format things so that the best possible opportunity will come from this that more will come to be saved in Jesus. So in confidence and grace we pray for our country’s leaders to serve God’s will above all else.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord grant you His Favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyApril20.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/x3LYPaNMn7Y

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/3KZsPW1kaaI

 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 17

Easter Friday, April 17, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
 

WHO ARE YOU?

READINS: Luke 24:13-18 – “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing him.” John 21:4-7, 12 – “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water…Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.”

Have you ever noticed that in nearly every Easter story of the Resurrected Christ, the people who meet him have trouble recognizing Jesus? Mary Magdalene sees Jesus at the empty tomb and thinks him to be the gardener. Not until he says, “Mary,” does she realize who stands before her. When Jesus is suddenly standing in the midst of the disciples in the Upper Room that first Easter evening, they shrink back in fear, thinking they are seeing a ghost and remain unsure this is really the living Jesus until he gives them a number of proofs.

In our first text today two of his disciples walk with him and listen to his teachings for SEVEN MILES without realizing with whom they’re walking. At a leisurely pace of three miles per hour, they were with him over two hours! One would have thought something would have registered with them. Later they said, “Were not our heart burning within us while he talked with us on the road…?” It wasn’t until Jesus gave thanks and broke the bread at their table that they suddenly realized the truth of his identity.

In the second reading Jesus stands on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, waiting for some fish from fishermen who once again have gone all night without success. It’s early, and at a distance one person looks much like any other so they might be excused for not recognizing him at the start. But when they come ashore and bring to him some of their catch, all doubt should have been erased. Yet, what does the Scripture say? “None of them dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ for the knew it was the Lord.” Wow! He’s right there tending the fire and broiling some fish, and they are still not totally convinced who he is! Why is that, do you think?

I’m here to tell you it’s because they keep expecting Jesus to appear in his HUMILIATION when the Savior is now in his EXALTATION! Some of you will remember those terms from your catechism instruction. For those who don’t, let me explain. When Jesus became flesh at his conception, he gave up his divine attributes and divine prerogatives, except for those occasions when he chose to do miracles and for the benefit of his disciples at the Transfiguration. “He made himself nothing…” says St. Paul in Phil.2:7. From his conception through his birth to his ministry, suffering, and death, Jesus was in a state of humiliation, made earthy and mortal and vulnerable to the same strokes we are vulnerable to. The disciples had only ever known him in this fully human, fully endangered state. And, when they had last seen him, he was beaten, tortured, bloody, and dying. He was as humble and humiliated as a human can be.

From Easter morning on, it’s not the “same” Jesus they encounter. This is the risen Christ, the Resurrected Savior, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is now in his exaltation: fully God and Master of the Universe! He has a beautiful, healthy, everlasting, immortal body. Not a blemish, not a sore, not a wrinkle remains – except for the nail marks on his hands and feet and the wound at his side from the spear, emblems of his sacrifice and victory on our behalf. Otherwise in visage and body language, he is once again divine with the Godly ability to come and go at will. He doesn’t register in their minds right away because he doesn’t come to them as the meek and mild Savior. This is the holy and risen Son of God!

If Jesus comes out of that tomb, torn, bruised, and bloody, the world says, “Ah ha! He was just comatose when they took him from the cross! He revived in the tomb.” But, the very fact that person after person doesn’t at once recognize Jesus speaks to his exaltation and divinity. It also tells us that when our resurrection takes place, and soul and body are again united, our resurrection body will be like his glorious body – perfect, hale, and hearty. No more glasses, no more braces, no more blemishes, no more cancer or COVID-19 or kidney dialysis for us! No, no, Nanette! Jesus lives to die no more; ours will be the same kind of life! No more tears! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us for the Daily Devotions tomorrow and on Saturday we’ll meet for the Weekly Review. This Sunday we’ll celebrate the Easter joy again at 8:00 and 10:30.

Many of you will remember our former janitor, perennial chairman of the Trustees, and good friend, Frank Appleby. As part of his pension, Frank had a $10,000 death benefit payable to his designated beneficiary. He left that to Grace, and the check came to us this week. He was a good friend to us all, and he gifted us yet one more time!

A heads up to you all – the Website and Facebook pages will soon (and may already) have a list of our shut-ins and elderly folks who are currently very isolated and alone. We didn’t feel comfortable publishing their addresses. But, most of you should still have your church directories with those addresses, and those of you who don’t can always call Karen at the office to request an address. We’d like to encourage you to send cards or notes to some of these lovely people. Encourage them and lift their spirits. They will much appreciate it!
 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/3LI4o0ZP-sE
 

PRINTABLE PDF: NEWSTIDBITS19.PDF

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
 

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DAILY DEVOTION April 16

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
 

Practiced Patience is a Package of Future Blessings

I don’t know about you but I am not always good about patience. However, once in a while we have no choice but to be patient. Last year we ordered a set of four light sconces from a company that I later learned was actually in Hong Kong, China. The lights were half what Amazon was asking. Naturally, I like a good deal as much as the next person. So, I hit send on the order button. The first message on the email confirmation said that I would receive the package in two weeks. I thought that two weeks was perfect since we still had some other work to do before we would be ready for them anyway. And by that point I could still get the lights hung and hooked up before my son and daughter-in-law stayed with us.

A month later and after several emails I discovered that the tariffs on stuff from China had gone into effect about the same time that I made my order. I exchanged many emails with polite but firm requests for updates on the arrival of my lights. I kept getting polite but firm answers assuring us that that the lights were on their way. More than a few times I thought about cancelling the whole thing and trying to get my money back but I figured by this point I might as well see this thing through. I chose to remain patient. After many email exchanges in the weeks that followed the shipping button remained stuck in the “on their way” mode but no one seemed to know exactly where they were. After about two months we discovered that the lights had come over on a cargo ship, (Like the package had been on a vacation cruise in the Pacific or something) and were being processed in some port on the West coast. But later we would learn that they were held up again, this time in port. After that point we just let it go and decided not to worry about it anymore. We chose to be patient. After almost three months of waiting on a random day in the middle of the week the lights showed up.

We quickly discovered that the lights were all intact and perfectly ready to be hung on the wall. But just to add insult to a long wait another problem came up. After hanging three of the four lights they suddenly stopped working. “Oh, great here we go!” I thought. But I chose patience. I processed my way through what might be wrong. I eventually traced the problem back to a short. On the very first light sconce a wire had gotten pinch behind some metal. After a few hours of pressure, the metal finally cut into the wire and shorted the whole thing out. Once I discovered my problem, I was able to finish the lights. Patience paid off again. Now I get to enjoy the light they put off. The bonus of it is that I get to tell a story too.

Many of us have heard of the patience of Job but what about the patience of Noah? In Genesis 6:9-31 God gives instructions to Noah to build the ark. The passage begins in verse 9 by saying, 9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God…” And the passage ends in vs 31 by saying, “Noah did everything the Lord had commanded him.” Do you think that patience was involved?

Noah was a righteous man in a wicked world. Noah faced many people and many things totally outside of his control. Likewise, an infectious virus and the shut-down we are enduring are not really things we control. But these things still require patience. On the other hand, Noah did what he was called upon to do and could do. So have we. 20 seconds of hand washing and mitigation techniques are things we have been asked to do.

I believe Noah was a man with a brilliant mind for engineering and math. I believe he was exactly the right guy at the right time to build the ark. The ark was not small. The ark was a large box about 75 five high (about has high as a large oak in Southern Indiana). About 75 feet wide and 450 feet long by most estimations. It would have required millions of board feet, all precisely cut, and fitted together so that thing would float. The logistical planning alone probably took many years. Gathering materials probably took life-times. Specialized tools and equipment also had to be created and made. Some believe that Noah compiled all of his materials over decades and then had a major barn-build in the later years. This would be reflective of how the first Temple was built in Jerusalem. David gathered materials for the Temple for much of his life, but it was David’s son, Solomon who built it. It wasn’t nick-named, “David’s Temple,” but “Solomon’s Temple”. For 120 years the ark was Noah’s life. 120 years is a long time. It took a lot of patience. Noah chose patience.

Remember, Genesis 6:9 refers to Noah as a righteous man. His patience was secured in His love and a firm trust He held in His God. And that is the lesson here today. We are usually most patient with those we love. Noah was very patience with the Lord. More importantly the Lord is very patient with us. The more we love another the more patience we dole out. Our children, for example, require lots of it and sometimes, lots and lots of it. For others we may choose to simply to trust them. Patience is also rooted in trust. The more we trust someone the more we are willing to wait. For example, I chose to trust the company that was sending my lights and therefore I chose to be patient. In doing so by the way I didn’t give my doubts a foothold which would have darkened my mindset toward the whole experience. Even though I had no fondness for this company I chose to trust the information they were sending me about the shipping of my lights. This is effectively what we are doing practicing we are social distance.

Patience is the order of the day. As I speak to you today, our Church has already gone four weeks without worshipping together. This Sunday will be week five. I’m counting. Experts are suggesting that this may last at least until the middle of May. It might feel like 120 years having been apart from our families, from the office, from our friends, from the Lord’s house, and receiving the Lord’s Supper.

So, let’s drive home this important point that patience is never exercised independently. When Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit, patience is in a list of many– Patience is interdependent with love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. All of these fruits are practiced things as much as they identify God’s people. Patience is a gift of faith in Jesus. Patience is packaged with our love for Jesus, our trust in Jesus and His Word, and more. Nowhere is this more true, then in the way Jesus was patient with His disciples, with the masses, and even with His enemies on the cross. Even as He was being nailed to the cross He prayed for them; “Father forgive them…” Jesus exercised the Father’s will perfectly patient in obedience. And Jesus has given us reason to wait patiently as we hope in our own resurrections. Patience practiced in faith blesses those who practice it and those who receive it.

Finally, patience blesses the future. Like Noah our patience will be rewarded. The end of this Virus thing is coming. Our hand washing. The fuss about TP and haircuts. Stay at home orders. The fear. The Danger. The logistics of doing everything online. At some point the culture the virus has created will fade away. Our patience will pay off. Patience is what Christians do. We don’t just wait patiently or passively but with trust in Jesus. Patience is not nothing. Patience is doing something helpful. It is usually full of opportunity. Patience enhances our faith. With love, for God and our neighbor, and with anticipation at some point where we are will end and a new beginning will come. It’s what we do as we hope in the resurrection. And my prayer is that as we practice patience we also get better at love, at trust, and at hope. Noah landed on dry ground bringing with Him all of those things. A world that has been stricken with Covid-19 will be a better place as we also emerge from our ‘arks of social distancing’ with more love, trust, and Spiritual fruit after this is all done and just a story to tell. This is my prayer for all of us.

And Now The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Matthew Woods — John 3:30
 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/BD8mYIoFLR8
 

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyApril16

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 15

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS

READING: I John 1:1-4 – “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.
And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”

Perhaps you’ll remember a sermon I preached some time ago in which I talked about the little things for which I am profoundly thankful to God. And of all the little things for which I am thankful, right near the top of the list is Chapstick. That’s right, Chapstick. My lips have a tendency to get chapped and dry, and without Chapstick I’d be constantly licking my lips only making things worse. Now I come by this pestilence genetically. For all the years I have known my father he has always carried in his pocket, had in his console in the car, and stocked in the house tubes of Chapstick brand lip balm. Not only that, but I have several grandchildren who already need the same wonderful comfort that their forefathers have found in Chapstick.

Now my purpose today is not to do a long testimonial for Chapstick. Rather I want to take a look at the little things that make the account of Easter and its aftermath ring with the absolute assurance of the truth. It’s the little things that undergird and tie together the whole marvelous story of Jesus’ Resurrection and the beginning of his reign as both Lord and Christ. These little things are not really little at all. They play a big role in giving you and me confidence in the Gospels’ good news.

First off, how about that burial cloth that had been over Jesus’ face when they laid him in the tomb? St. John tells us that when Peter and John came to the tomb and entered it, they saw the strips of burial linen lying where Jesus had been laid, but the face cloth was off to the side by itself, neatly folded. Why is that important? Well, if the story that the Jewish leaders told was true, that the disciples had come by night and stolen the body, are we to believe they would have taken time to fold up that face cloth and gently lay it down? IF they had summoned the courage to come by night to the tomb, IF they had managed to sneak past the guards and break the seal and roll that big stone without waking those guards, are we to believe they took the time to unwrap the body and fold up that face cloth before hightailing it out of there? I DOUBT IT!

How about feet; Jesus’ feet? Why are they important? Well, in the First Century, A.D. people believed that you could tell when you had seen a ghost because ghosts did not have feet. Since they were an apparition, they floated rather than walked. So according to Matthew when the women encountered the Risen Christ, “…they came to him, clasped his feet, and worshipped him.” They took hold of his FEET, so not a ghost! And, when Jesus appeared in the Upper Room that Easter evening, “He showed them his hands and his FEET.” (And, by the way, those hands and feet had NAIL MARKS in them…another important detail!)

How about the “nonsense?” You know, when the women came back from the tomb with the announcement that they had seen angels and Jesus and that he was alive, the Disciples greeted their news with contempt. Luke says, “But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.” And, why was that? Because in the First Century, A.D. the testimony of women was not considered reliable. It was not even admissible in court! So, if someone was going to fabricate a story about the Resurrection of Jesus, why in the world would he have the women be the first eyewitnesses? Why not have James and John waiting faithfully at the tomb? Why not have Peter, filled with grief, come to the tomb and run smack dab into the Savior? But, women? Not good story telling unless…it happens to be the TRUTH!

And, how about FISH? Luke records that when Jesus came to the Upper Room that first Sunday, he asked them if they had anything to eat. They brought him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it “…in their presence.” He ate a piece of broiled fish! Despite what “Ghost Busters” would have you believe; ghosts DO NOT EAT! They couldn’t if they wanted to! That little piece of Galilean perch is proof positive that the One standing before the Disciples that evening is a real, living, breathing, digesting JESUS! HE LIVES!

There are a couple of other things we could look at, but they take a little more time to tell. But these little tidbits give you grounds for confidence and assurance that what the four Gospels relate to us is not some grand conspiracy to establish a “Jesus cult” or some such nonsense. These were not group hysteria or mass hallucinations. These were little details that you would expect to hear in any recitation of the experiences of various people when they came in contact with the Risen Lord. They’re the little things that mean big stuff! And, “…these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA! Happy Easter Wednesday!

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us for the Daily Devotions Thursday and Friday. On Saturday we’ll meet for the Weekly Review. And, Sunday we’ll celebrate the Easter joy again at 8:00 and 10:30.

A number of you have asked about my dad and how he’s doing and thank you for that. I am glad to report that he seems to be in good spirits and in fairly good health. He now lives in an Assisted Living Home in Frankenmuth, MI, and I think he’s really glad that he’s not at home during the present circumstances. They’re taking good care of him there, and my siblings and nieces and nephews come to visit him. They sit outside his window and they converse by telephone. That way they can see each other without endangering him. He and I talk by phone several times each week.

A shout-out to my grandchildren, whom I miss hugging a lot! Hello WILLOW, LILLY, JUDAH, ELI, MATTHEW, LUCAS, EVA, and URI! I love you all!

Finally, Pastor Woods and I have felt a great injustice! All of you get to see the two of us frequently, but we get to see very few of you. That’s not fair! So how about you send us some selfies? We both have I-phones, so send us a text and show us your beautiful selves! His number is: (502) 523-9327 and mine is (502) 797-7407. Why, we can’t wait!

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/LYRCfLQwcJk
 

pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDApril15.PDF

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DAILY DEVOTION April 14

T
UESDAY, April 14 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

Mitigation Is The Hard Part

A couple of months ago I was serving communion at our early service. Everything was business as usual. I was carrying the common cup which was almost full of wine. We were almost finished when I bumped the cup. The wine in the cup became a tempest, rocking and rolling around and then splashed all down the front of my alb. Too my relief I wasn’t near anyone. My fear is that someday, probably on an Easter Sunday, I will spill on a person at the railing. I would be mortified. But I am probably voted most likely to accomplish something so galactically embarrassing. On this occasion I splashed wine all down the front of my robe. Wine on a white robe does not look very …um…professional. If there is a liquid near-by a spill may not be far off. Maybe that’s why I never took up coffee.

So, there I was finishing the last two tables of communion and I was looking like a slob. As soon as the communion was finished, I ran to the back to the sacristy, took off my robe, and washed the robe under cold water in the sink. I didn’t even wait until the end of the service. After a good dose of cold water, I immediately threw the rob into the washing machine in the back hoping that I had enough time to wash and dry it before the second service. Thankfully it worked. The wine washed out and everything was all better by late service. A sigh of relief.

Maybe you didn’t know this about Pastor Woods but I am not always that graceful. Maybe you suffer from the same klutziness. I’m the guy who after going through the drive through gets the drop of ketchup or special sauce on my shirt, or my pants, or on my tie. However, usually it’s not just a small droplet. And usually it’s right before I supposed to meet someone. No, when it happens with me, I do it right. It’s impressive how much stuff can actually Squoosh out of a sandwich. Supersize always seems to apply to my ability to where my food. All the extra napkins in my lap, trying to keep the wrapper around it… forget it. It’s like the condiments leap off the bun and right into the one spot that isn’t protected.

Oh, and my favorite is when I don’t realize that I have a goober on me. So, I end up wearing a drippy glob from lunch like a fashion statement. When I go into see my shut-ins or when I go on hospital visits, I go wandering down the hall saying hello to the staff, while my big ketchup splotch is crying out, “Hey do you have a tide stick?” Staff members smile and say hello and are often too polite to point out that I am wearing my lunch on my shirt.

And then comes the fun part: Getting the spot off once it is found without looking obvious. In the car I keep a bundle of wet-wipes. If I catch my goober in the car, I can avoid embarrassment relatively easily. However, if I’m in the hospital or on a visit and discover the spot I might try to cover it up, or play it cool, and at the first chance dash into a restroom to get a wet paper towel to wipe it off. Maybe I’m the only one but this is one of the challenges I face just being me.

A similar challenge faces all of us. We’ve just celebrated Easter two days ago. We celebrated Jesus forgiveness of sins on the cross on Good Friday. We celebrated the resurrection which gives us hope for eternal life. Yet we also know that as long as we live on this side of creation, we are still people with spots on us. Sin still sticks to us, clings to us, and violates our very DNA. But the solution is the same as getting rid of the goober on my tie. The way to get rid of sin is to wash it away. And that is what Jesus has done.

In Revelation 7 John sees a vision of heaven. A great multitude has gathered there wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. In verse 14 each member of the crowd was made clean. It says, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” In the verse we see the ultimate blessings of Jesus’ cross on Good Friday. They are identified by this washing because they carry no sin. It is completely erased. That’s what has been promised to us. That’s our future in Jesus.

Yes, but until then we still sin. A few weeks ago, I mentioned a video about hand washing called, “Why 20 seconds.” It talked about how the Covid virus like all viruses are made up of a shell made of fat. Like when we handle bacon the fat clings to our hands. Fat is sticky, that’s why the virus sticks to surfaces, to our hands, and to everything else. Washing with soap breaks up the fat that protects the cell of the virus and pulverizes it into little pieces. I remind you with this that our Baptisms work like this as well. Baptism literally breaks sin’s hold on us, destroys our sin, and restores us to Jesus. The reason for this is spelled out in Romans 6:3-6 “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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.” Our Baptisms take hold of the daily Spiritual cleansing.

Vigilance to overcome sin in our daily lives is the practice part and the hard part. First, the tricky part is this; avoiding sin. I think by now we know that avoiding sin is not going to happen any more than the reality that I probably will spill something on myself again. It’s my nature. It’s your nature. Sin is our nature. It’s what we do. But we can mitigate sin. Just like we are separating ourselves from potential contamination from the Corona virus we also have the God-given ability to lesson sin’s opportunities to contaminate our souls. For example, if we know that Peanut butter pie is a weakness and our cholesterol is too high already the answer is not to eat just one piece. The answer is not just to eat smaller pieces. The answer is to eat no pieces. That’s easier said than done though right? That’s why it is called temptation. We already know where our temptations lie. So why go near them. Just as we know not to be where the virus is so we also know that we should stay away from where our temptations lie.

Second, we should be ready to practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is like having Lysol and sterilizing agents against sin. The virus may get on you but sterilizing agents reduce the virus’ opportunity to get a foothold in our life. Sin is going to happen with sinful people. The idea is knowing what to do when it happens. In Matthew 18:21-22 Peter asks Jesus “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

I think that Jesus has forgiven me at least seventy-seven times and probably a lot more just in one day. Take a lesson from the hospital. Countertops will not be wiped down one time only, but probably multiple times a day. It’s all part of the mitigation process. That way if the virus did get around the damage can do is stopped or greatly reduced. Forgiveness reduces a lot of damage in most cases. I’m not going to say it’s always going to work between two sinful human beings but when exercised forgiveness offers a lot more possibilities for healing then without it.

Finally, its important to learn. Right now, scientists and doctors are scrambling to learn fast about Covid-19. The goal of this learning is to develop a vaccine to counteract it. In the same way I would encourage you to keep visiting the Word of God. What is gained from God’s Word is a learning that gives us wisdom to counteract the world. Knowledge is power especially in the case of the Gospel where Paul in Romans 1:16 calls it the dunamis “power” of God. The Greek word, Dunamis is the same word where we get dynamite from. Knowledge of the Gospel is power in the Holy Spirit to know how sin works, what it can do, how it is stopped, and how one overcomes this world in Jesus. The Lord wants us to use our brains as well as our hearts; to be as transformed in the renewing of our minds as much as we love from our hearts. A daily dose of the word is always a good vaccine to counteract the world’s influence.

It’s just a fact I will probably dribble ketchup on my lap at another drive thru again eventually. Likewise, I will probably sin again too. The Good News, –I know that my sin and your sin is forgiven in the cross. But I also know that like the virus I/we all need to stay vigilant because sin is still a threat. If we stay as vigilant about avoiding sin as much as we are trying to stay away from the virus, we will truly remain very healthy.

And now, the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with His Favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyApril14.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/GemQeIDMSAY

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 13

Easter Monday, April 13, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

THE DAY AFTER

READING: Luke 24:36-44 – “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”

Super Bowl Monday is widely known to be the least productive day of the year across America. Except for the few who get to celebrate another Tom Brady victory, the rest are tired, surly, and dispirited. Even the winners are a little spent and not up to par because of the eating, drinking, and betting that has become part and parcel of the Super Bowl tradition. The day after is often one of letdown.

How about when you throw a party? You have the big build up, you prepare and provide food, drink, and decorations. You play host to your guests and see to their comfort and enjoyment. Then, it’s all over! And the next day, you are either tired and groggy because you stayed up into the wee hours to clean everything up, or you are tired and groggy because you entertained your guests into the wee hours, and now you have the whole mess to clean up this morning. Either way, your spirits are like your pretty helium-filled balloons – hovering midway between the ceiling and the floor. The day after is often one of letdown.

How do you think the Disciples were the day after Easter? A little dazed perhaps? A little befuddled? When they woke up (if they slept at all), it must have seemed like a dream. Jesus lives!! Right? We saw what we saw, right? We heard what we heard, right? We touched him; we saw the nail marks; he ate the fish, right? What does it all mean? They must have wondered. The day after is often one of letdown.

Then, Thomas walks in. “What’s all the buzz?” he asks. “We have seen the Lord!” “Sure you did.” And, as they give him the details about how Jesus looked, what he said, what he did, Thomas stands with arms crossed and a skeptic’s face. “I will not believe it!” he barks. “Unless I can put my fingers in the nail marks and put my hand in his side, I will not believe it!” Why should he? It’s the day after Easter and he saw and heard and touched nothing! The day after is often one of letdown.

When Jesus returns to them the following Sunday, do you think he’s coming just for Thomas? I doubt it! No, he’s coming for all of them. They all need another dose of the new reality. Jesus really, REALLY lives! Make no mistake, “They were OVERJOYED when they saw the Lord!” And, this time Thomas had that joy, too! But it would take several more visits from Jesus and a large out-pouring of the Holy Spirit before these men REALLY got it! Before the day after was no longer a letdown for any of them.

How about you today? Is Easter Monday a letdown for you? I hope not. For you see, we have so many advantages over the Disciples. We have the whole of Scripture to instruct us, not just the Old Testament, but the entire New Testament that teaches us and makes us eyewitnesses of Jesus’ birth, life, teaching, suffering, death, and Resurrection. We KNEW Easter was coming! We KNEW Jesus would greet the women, and walk to Emmaus, and visit the Disciples in a locked Upper Room. And, best of all, we celebrate Easter every single Sunday around the calendar. Every Sunday is a celebration and a witness to the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ! No “Day After Blues” for us! Jesus lives, and we live in him. He said it. We believe it. It must be so! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Join us for the Daily Devotions Monday through Friday this week. On Saturday we’ll meet for the Weekly Review. And, Sunday we’ll celebrate the Easter joy again at 8:00 and 10:30. See, we celebrate Christmas season for 12 days. We celebrate Easter season for six weeks. You do the math!

As you may have heard in our prayers yesterday, we received news that Rev. Parker Knoll has died of complications from COVID-19 in Indy. Pastor Knoll was a good friend who served Concordia, Louisville, from 1988-1995, just ahead of Pastor Peters. He’ll be missed.

A shout-out to Maureen LeSerra (daughter-in-law of Cindy and Bill Wirth) who is Director of Emergency Room Nursing Services at Tallahassee General Hospital in Florida, and on the front lines.

A “shout out” to my Eighth Grade Confirmands! They have their personal statements ready to go…and we have to wait. So, I want to say “Hi” to Rachel Wilcox, Leah Walden, Aden Olson, Lillian Nierman, Kaleb Korner, Willow Kischnick, Caroline Hadley, Emily Garber, Carson Evans, and Mary Alexander. Hang in there, Team! We’ll get you confirmed soon!

Also, to all our Junior and Senior High Youth: a packet is coming to you in the mail. The return address says “Rose Ebling, 5801 Hartford Lane, Charlestown.” That’s because Rose and Wendy Shevlin put these together for you. So, by all means, open it and enjoy what you find therein.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/7aPj6ggUc6I
 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

DAILYApril13.PDF

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Live Video Broadcast EASTER Sunday Morning
8:00AM and 10:30AM

Click on the Links Provided Below:
Note: If one fails try another link. They will be active on Sunday.

 

PASTOR K 10:30 SERMON NOTES:
 

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pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

 

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/EyHM9ee0554
 

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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Live Video Broadcast Good Friday at 7PM

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Note: If one fails try another link. They will be active on Friday.
 
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DAILY DEVOTION April 10

GOOD FRDAY, April 10 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

PART ONE OF TWO — TWO VIDEO’S

It’s Good Friday. Today I thought to do something a little bit different. Today I thought it best to travel down a kind of Via Dolorosa—A way of Sorrows with Jesus on the First Good Friday. On our written content I will be posting the scripture of each stage so that you may go back and read from the Gospels.

Examination Before Caiaphas

(Matthew 26:57, 59-68; Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:54a, 63-65; John 18:24)
We start our journey at daybreak. Since Jesus’ arrest in the Garden the Religious Leaders have run a marathon session of trials throughout the night. By sunrise Jesus has been hauled before the High Priest, Caiaphas, the hateful Religious leaders, and many false witnesses to convict Jesus in a totally fixed trial. These so-called religious leaders lose all sense of dignity in their hatred. They mocked Jesus, spit on Jesus, blindfold Jesus, and one by one strike Jesus saying, “Prophecy to us who hit you.” After that the guards beat him some more. Every bit of the night time trials were illegal and brutal. No doubt Jesus’ face was badly bruised and swelling.

Denial by Peter

(Matthew 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54b-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27)

Meanwhile the disciples had all long-abandoned Jesus except Peter who managed a way into the courtyard of the High Priest. By morning as Peter was making his 3rd and strongest denial of Jesus, a very bruised and wounded Jesus was simultaneously walking out through the other side of the courtyard after his all-night session of abuse. Just as the rooster crows Luke’s account says that Jesus paused and looked straight at Peter from across the courtyard. Peter’s heart flooded with shame and he left the courtyard weeping bitterly.

An Official Condemnation of Jesus

(Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1a; Luke 22:66-71)

To make the verdict official the Sanhedrin, the Ruling body of Israel left Caiaphas house and gathered at the courthouse to be on the record. They condemned Jesus for Blasphemy. Because Jesus stated His identity as the Son of God they condemned Jesus rather than believe Him.

The First Trial Before Pilate

(Matthew 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1b-5; Luke 23:1-5 John 18:28-38)

The Religious Leaders cared about public opinion. Because they didn’t want the blood of a famous man on their hands the next step was to get Rome to take the brunt of the people’s fury for killing Jesus. It would be like a two-for-one deal; kill Jesus and blame the Romans. Caiaphas wanted a very public execution of Jesus to humiliate Jesus as much as possible. So came the next step; manipulating Pilate.
Pilate was governor of Judea and was in town with his troops to control the mob. The city had swollen in numbers for the Passover due to the Pilgrims who had come. The Jewish mob of Religious Leaders dragged Jesus (Bound no doubt) to the tower of Antonia to Gabbatha, the Stone Pavement. The fortress was built against the Temple wall so that from the tower they could keep an eye on the inner courts of the Temple. Pilate was forced to come out because the Religious Leaders, John tells us, wanted to avoid becoming unclean by touching the Gentile ground of Pilate and the Romans. (Still trying to portray the image of godliness will they were nothing but white-washed tombs in their hearts,) The hypocrisy was thick. They presented an obviously beaten Jesus as a rebel who was inciting rebellion against Caesar as though these Jewish leaders cared anything about Rome or Caesar. It didn’t take long for Pilate to know that Jesus was innocent. Learning that Jesus was a Galilean citizen Pilate decided to send Jesus to Herod Antipas; (Yep, the very same one that beheaded John less than three years before.)

Herod finally Gets to meet the Famous, Jesus of Nazareth

(Luke 23:6-12)

It is still before 7:00 AM but when word got to Herod, who was in town for Passover he was eager to meet the miracle worker. But when Jesus offered no miracles nor conversation the meeting ended quickly. But now Jesus’ enemies growing impatient and more enraged. Herod and his soldiers mocked. They dressed Jesus in an elegant robe and sent him back to Pilate.

The Second Trial Before Pilate

(Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:1. 4-16)

At this point we know what happens. The religious leaders returned with Jesus but this time they brought a crowd of loyal employees and guards and packed the court with a mob of duty bound loyalists. In short order Pilate buckled. With each attempt to release Jesus the leaders and their mob became more restless. The Rebel, Barabbas, who’s name literally means, son (bar) of the father (abbas), and an actual known rebel, was offered up by Pilate as an alternative to Jesus the true Son of the Father. More ramped up in determination than ever the crowd dutifully shouted for Barabbas’ release and Jesus’ crucifixion. In classic political fashion Pilate condemned Jesus without making himself responsible. Pilate made a declaration that Jesus was innocent and he publicly washed his hands of Jesus declaring himself innocent of Jesus’ blood. It all happened very quickly. Mind you John 19:13 says it is still only the sixth hour—John 19:13.

Jesus was then flogged. This was done with a Flagrum which had a short handle with leather straps attached to it. At the end of the leather straps were bone, metal, anything sharp. Jesus was tied to a post more likely standing up. Stripped of his clothes they struck him his back, from shoulder to calf. With each strike the metal dug deep, pulling and tearing at the flesh. Many believe that the prescribed method was to use about forty strikes. It would take him to the edge of his life and leave him bleeding and barely able to stand.

The Romans Guards Mock Jesus

(Matthew 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-19; John 19:2-3)

After Jesus had been scourged his clothes were returned. The Governor’s soldiers then dragged Jesus into the Praetorium, the soldiers quarters, where the whole company gathered for some sport. They stripped Jesus back down. They put a scarlet robe on his bloodied back. Anyone who has torn a bandage off of a cut will understand that when that robe was torn off his wounded back it would be cruel. The Romans had no love for Jews and took their hatred out on Jesus. They wove a crown of thorns and wedged them onto his head. They mocked Jesus mercilessly, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spit on him, took the staff they had placed in his hand and struck him on the head over and over and over.

PART TWO

Finally, Jesus Processes to Calvary

(Matthew 27:31-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-17)

As was customary the convicted would be paraded out to the crucifixion sight. A sign was carried in front of the condemned stating their crime. For Jesus the sign was given by Pilate Himself, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. Things continued to move fast. Not long after the guards had their moment with Jesus it was time to be crucified. Jesus now too weak to carry a cross let alone himself was given help by Simon of Cyrene, no doubt a Pilgrim of the Passover who was in the wrong place at the right time. Interesting that we know his name when the names of other faithful people in Scripture are left out. Jesus was paraded to the place called, Golgatha, the place of the skull outside the city walls. He was crucified with two other criminals, one on His right and one on His left.

The Crucifixion

In short order Jesus as stripped to nothing. His clothes later divided by casting lots. The nails penetrated just below his palms in the middle of the forearm right through the median nerve. The feet nailed together through the ankles. Fire burned through his arms and feet as the nails clanged into the wood through his flesh. And even as the nails were pounded in Jesus pleaded to the Father, “Father forgive them. They know not what they are doing.” Not long after the cross was raised, the sign hanging over his head, the insults were hurled at Him again. The chief priests, and the soldiers. Even the criminals next to him mocked him. “If You are the Christ, come down off the cross. Save yourself.” One of the criminals however soon changed his tune. Something came over him and he began to defend Jesus against the other criminal. Finally he makes a request. “Jesus, Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus promised, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus body is shutting down as darkness settles over the land at noon and lingers unto 3PM. In medical terms Jesus was going into hypovolemic shock. (Hypo means ‘low,’ vol refers to volume, and emic means ‘blood.’ Basic meaning = A loss of a lot of Blood) The symptoms:

–Heart races to try to pump blood that isn’t there.

–Contributes to fluid building around the heart (pericardial effusion) and lungs (pleural effusion).

–The blood pressure drops, causing fainting or collapse.

–Kidneys stop producing urine to maintain the volume of blood left.

–The person becomes very thirsty as body craves fluid to replace lost blood.

At the 9th hour (About 3PM) Jesus cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama Sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” In short order after he said this Jesus was offered a drink to wet his lips. After he received the drink Jesus declared, “It is Finished!” Finally and exhausted Jesus labored one more shout, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” Then He bowed His head and died.

Accompanying Signs

(Matthew 27:51-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:45, 47-49)

As soon as Jesus died we are told the curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. God’s people were no longer separated from God by stone or by the Law. The earth then shook and tombs of believers broke open. After Jesus’ resurrection we are told that they went into the city and appeared to many people. Wouldn’t that have been an interesting conversation!

Jesus was Buried

(Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42)

Faining religious piety once more, Caiaphas asked for the crucified men to be hurried along so that he bodies would be down before sundown. In truth they just wanted to be done with Jesus. Crucified victims were usually left on the cross to rot as a warning not to mess with Rome. Because crosses were often reused the wood probably smelled of death.

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who were members of the Sanhedrin stepped up in complete protest to what their colleagues had just pulled off. They saw through it all. With no more personal concern for career or self-preservation, nor of being ceremonially unclean from touching a dead body, they respectfully brought Jesus down off the cross. They hastily washed his bruised and bloodied body, holes in his side, his hands and feet. They lovingly wrapped Jesus in strips of burial linens, placed a cloth over His head, and gave him a king’s funeral using 70 pounds of spices; no doubt materials once being stored up for themselves. Carefully, somberly they wrestled Jesus lifeless, limp body into the tomb.

The Tomb is Sealed

(Matthew 27:62-66)

And then by order of Pilate, once again at the urging of Caiaphas, the tomb was sealed. Caiaphas knew that Jesus promised to rise again on the third day and he was determined to keep Jesus in the tomb. A Large stone (Indicating by the way that this was a rich man’s tomb—It was big)—This large stone was rolled in front of the entrance. Wax was poured around the cracks of the stone and a Roman seal from Pilate was place on it warning that anyone who broke the seal would suffer criminal charges. A guard was posted. Of course, we know none of that would stop Jesus. None of that would be enough to prevent Jesus’ promise of the resurrection. That is still true today.

I pray that this summary of Good Friday was a blessing to you. I hope that it offers a fresh look at the depth of Jesus love for you. God Bless you.

Pastor Matthew Woods. — John 3:30
 

YOUTUBE: Good Friday Upload—Part 1 — https://youtu.be/G8BFeg4N3Fs
 

YOUTUBE: Good Friday Upload—Part 2 — https://youtu.be/nF9C1hpTaTw
 

PRINTABLE PDF: GoodFridayApril11.PDF

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 9

Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

THE LAST PASSOVER

READING: Exodus 12:3-8, 10, 14 – “Tell the whole community of Israel hat on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast…Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it…This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord – a lasting ordinance.”

If your family is like my family, you have certain traditions that MUST be observed with the various holidays and family celebrations you observe together. For instance, at Thanksgiving it is understood that there WILL be deviled eggs on the table. One year I made the terrible mistake of telling Becky we had enough side dishes to go around; she didn’t need to mess with making deviled eggs. Well! A minute into the meal someone asked, “Where are the deviled eggs?” Becky immediately threw me under the proverbial bus by saying, “Your dad said we didn’t need them.” Oh, my, was there an outcry, and to this day invariably someone will comment how Dad ruined one Thanksgiving dinner by omitting the deviled eggs!

Traditions about what we use and how we observe these family moments illustrate something important about the Jewish Passover meal. Today is Maundy Thursday (And by the way, it’s Maundy Thursday, not MaunDAY Thursday. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin “maundatum”, which means “command.” On this day Jesus said to his disciples, “A new command I give to you, love one another.”), the day that Jesus and his disciples celebrated their last Passover together. The Passover supper, or Seder, was as traditional a meal as there ever was. It was ALWAYS celebrated in the same way, with the same words, the same prayers, the same foods, the same actions, and the same order of service, or liturgy called the “Haggadah.” For men the age of the disciples, they had celebrated Passover 20 or even 30 times in their lives. They knew all the words by heart. It was always the same.

Until this night! Jesus, as host, leads them in the liturgy. He says all the right prayers. He does all the right things. When it comes to the sharing of the “matzo,” or unleavened bread, he lifts up a loaf, says the appropriate thanksgiving, tears the loaf, hands a half to those on his left and on his right – just like it has ALWAYS been done for centuries…then he says these words, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Folks, I’m here to tell you, every eye in that place went wide, ever mouth dropped open, and every brow was knitted up in surprise: Jesus changed the Seder! They had never experienced something like this at Passover. “What’s he doing?” they must have asked each other under their breath. But then everything went back to normal. The meal was served with roasted lamb, matzo and side dishes, and Jesus faux pas receded in their thoughts. After the supper it came time to drink the third cup of wine (there are four in every Seder), called the “Cup of Blessing.” Jesus did everything correctly. He picked up the cup, gave thanks to the Father, then handed it to the one on his right. But then he did it again! He said, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Once again, he changed the Seder, and once again he took the focus off a lamb sacrificed some 1400 years earlier and put the focus directly upon himself.

They didn’t get it then, but they never forgot that Last Passover. After Jesus was glorified, they realized that these things has been said about him. That first Passover with Moses was a tremendous object lesson about the Messiah still to come. A male, perfect and prime lamb; blood smeared on wood that death might “pass over” God’s people; the requirement that the lamb must be totally consumed; the “Bread of Life” given in unleavened bread – all these things pointed to the ultimate Passover sacrifice in the death of Jesus Christ, our Lord. And every time we celebrate Communion, we rehearse and remember that sacrifice while at the same time continuing that Last Passover with Jesus truly present in our midst.

Traditions are important in our family life and in our faith life. Jesus changed the Seder that night because he knew the next day would usher in an Exodus far more important than the first one from Egypt. His death followed by his Resurrection was going to free all his people from the tyranny of sin, death, and judgment. We remember and give thanks for his innocent suffering and death, praising Jesus now and in eternity. Have a blessed Maundy Thursday, and when we once again are privileged to celebrate the Holy Communion together, rejoice that the Last Passover became the “Lord’s Supper” for us! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Walk with Jesus to the cross tomorrow evening as we observe Good Friday at 7:00 P.M. with a live streamed service, and let’s rejoice together on Easter morning when we live stream both the 8:00 and 10:30 services. A “shout out” to….

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/LrHqSjX078Y

PRINTABLE PDF: DEVOTIONApril9

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

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DAILY DEVOTION April 8

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

The Grace of Jesus Offered to Judas

Today is Wednesday. Hump-day. The Middle of the week. But today is a different kind of Wednesday which comes around only once a year. Not everyone knows this but today is “Spy Wednesday.” We know what a spy is. None is more famous than 007—“Bond, James Bond.” The spy’s job is to infiltrate the enemy’s trusted circles and get information, learn the enemies secrets that will help defeat them. A spy by nature is hidden, blends in, and lies about his true intentions. And the worse kind of spy is one that decides to change sides. Spy Wednesday applies to the Wednesday of Holy Week because this is the day traditionally believed to be the day that Judas makes his deal with Jesus enemies for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). He knows that Jesus’ favorite place is in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas has known Jesus for three years. He knows what Jesus looks like even in the middle of the night. And that silver: That silver was taken from the Temple treasury and designed to be used to by sacrifices for the Temple. The 30 pieces was also the exact price of a slave (Exodus 21:32). (Consider reading the connection with Zechariah 11:4-14 if you want to go further). As Peter and John are preparing for the Passover (Mark 14:12-16) Judas is preparing to hand Jesus over to the religious leaders who are plotting to kill Jesus (John 22:3-6).

What I invite you to look at more than Judas is the depths of Jesus’ grace that was offered to Judas. Judas is a terrible spy to think he can hide anything from Jesus. Jesus knows all of our sins. As Psalm 139 reminds us, “He is familiar with all of our ways.” It’s easy to think we are nothing like Judas but when we portray ourselves on the outside as faithful and true while on the inside we are harboring our sins then we betray Jesus too. But look at what happens at the Passover meal that is famously called the Last Supper. John’s account in chapter 13:21-30 gives us the fullest view of the conversation that took place that night. The disciples are all together for the Passover meal. Judas is believed to be sitting on Jesus’ right side while John was on Jesus left. The reason is that John leans “back” to ask Jesus who the betrayer is.

Jesus announces that there is a betrayer among them. A festive night turns to sadness, confusion, and disbelief that such a thing was even possible. Peter tries to sniff out the traitor but everyone is wondering how in the world they could have missed it. The impact on Jesus is not lost on us either. John 13:21 tell us that “it troubled Jesus’ spirit.” Translation–It broke Jesus’ heart. Like a parent of a prodigal Jesus knew that if Judas left that room he may not come home. Any parent who has a prodigal like this knows exactly where Jesus’ heart is. It is broken.

In such situations parents are tempted to ask themselves, “What went wrong?” “What could I have done to prevent such a painful loss?” But children will make up their own minds. For Three years Judas saw the same miracles that the others saw—three times, for example Jesus raised people back from the dead. He heard the same preaching of the Sermon on the Mount and all the teaching at the Temple. He experienced the same welcome as the other 11 and was offered one of the highest honors to be one of Jesus’ Apostles. Jesus even invited him that night to sit at the highest place of honor, on the right side of Jesus. Jesus is one to give every opportunity to repent.

But something in Judas changed. Judas reflects a perpetual battle that often rages within many who follow Jesus. We have the same response as Judas, “It’s not me, Lord.” We know that Judas was an especially unique case in that He betrayed Jesus. Yet what does 1 John 1:8 tell us? “If we claim to be without sin we deceiver ourselves and the truth is not in us.” If our story ended there we would all be lost. But vs 9 finishes the picture. “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus was offering a way back even as the intensity grew at the at Passover Table.

So, let’s look again at this moment to renew our focus on Jesus. When we see Jesus in this picture his heart is breaking. He is also extending a hand of grace in the meal itself. In John 13:25 we learn that Jesus offers a piece of bread to Judas. It’s an act of fellowship This is not just a simple act to reveal a betrayer. Jesus is appealing to a close relationship that He has been developing with Judas. It is a personal offer from Jesus’ himself to commune with Jesus. It is as if Jesus were saying, “Please stay. Don’t do this. I still hope that our friendship remains close.” The appeal is no different for us. Yet, we are told in verse 27, “As soon as he took the bread, Satan entered into Judas.” It is a choice to entertain the devil or to keep the door locked. Judas opened the door and the devil entered him. He got up and left to set the trap for Jesus. The next time they would meet in the Garden Judas would betray Jesus with a kiss of death. Jesus is reminding us on this Wednesday that we do not have to let the devil enter in. Grace can keep Him out.

Jesus does not chew Judas out or make an example him. Jesus allows Judas to engage in his personal struggle and to reveal the implications of his unfaithful actions. Jesus offers hope for conversion. Offers an opportunity for repentance. Jesus offers grace and for Judas to keep His place in the Father’s plan to know the power of forgiveness and the promise of Easter glory.

We all make choices to do things. Judas made some very bad choices. But it’s the choices that Jesus has made on Spy Wednesday that give me pause. Jesus chose to offer a better way to Judas. He chose to appeal to a deep level of friendship. He chose to give Judas every opportunity to do the right thing. And to this day–Jesus still choses to come even for the worst of us and when we are at our worst with the desire to have a saving relationship with us.

Grace is the order of the day as it has always been. The same Jesus that taught us to love our enemies, to do good to those around us, and to love sacrificially also continues to encourage us to reach out to all people regardless of who they are. We have a reason today to appreciate life itself and who we share it with. Jesus is good even to those who do not deserve goodness—I am as much proof of this as anyone. Jesus always desires for us to remain connected with Him. Forgiveness makes this a reality. And nowhere is this more visible for us then on Good Friday where Jesus pleads, “Father, forgiven them.”

It’s Wednesday of Holy Week. Good Friday will be here soon. For some of us staying at home, the daily updates about Covid-19, the Social Distancing, and all the stuff associated with the virus is becoming familiar; almost normal. Perhaps familiarity tempts us to let our guard down. We shouldn’t let that happen. However, this week we are reminded of grace given to all people who are sick with the fatal thing called, sin. We are reminded that Jesus’ love will not betray us and that His grace is greater than our betrayals, our denials, or our fears. By God’s grace Holy Week is also the most intense week of the virus when it is expected to peak. I don’t see that as coincidence. It’s almost as if Jesus is saying come and take a seat at my table. Here you are going to be okay. So, get close this week. Take it all in.

And now, may the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on You and be gracious unto You. The Lord look on you with His favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Matthew Woods. — John 3:30

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/nR_hnzhskvU

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyApril8.PDF

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 7

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

WHEREVER I AM…

READING: Psalm 139:1-10, 23, 24 – “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast…Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

My son, Dan, when he was 3 or 4, one day went outside when he had been told to stay in the house. He had snuck out, and when I began calling for him a short time later, he was afraid of what I might say or do when I found him outside, so he did what in his mind was the sensible thing – he hid himself. There was the boys’ little wading pool out in the yard patiently waiting for warm weather and in the meantime had been turned turtle to keep out the snow and the rains. He placed himself under that overturned pool in hopes that Dad would stop looking for him.

Now, that’s as far as his little child’s mind had gone. Maybe Dad won’t find me and give up. He certainly had not thought that through, because Dad only increased his frantic search. I looked high and low for that boy, and in the end, I left no stone unturned, or at least no wading pool unturned. I spied the pool, and when I lifted its edge, there was my little boy curled up and looking up at me with those big, brown eyes. I scooped him up, gave him a big hug, and happily carried him back into our home.

In Psalm 139 David makes a very important theological point, one that highlights how different Judaism (and later, Christianity) is from all the other religions in the world at that time: The God of Israel is the Universal God, the one and only true God. He’s not bound by national borders or geographical features. He’s not the God of a few, but the God of all! But, he’s also a personal God, for David declares that God knows us as individuals, and he cares for us in breathtaking detail! He knows our rising and our lying down; he knows our thoughts and the things that trouble us. He knows our needs and well provides them. He loves us all, and he loves each one. As David said, “…such knowledge is too wonderful for me.”

You’ll remember that Cain hoped God had no clue as to what had become of his brother, Abel. Jonah thought that by sailing the length of the Mediterranean Sea, he could avoid God’s call. Ezekiel spent much of his prophetic ministry assuring the Jews in exile in Babylon that God had not been left behind at the border, but that he was even then with them and guiding their future. Daniel trusted in the God of Israel far from home and in the face of the lions’ den. And, Saul (later Paul) met the resurrected Christ, not in the Upper Room with the other Apostles, but on the road to Damascus, well inside the borders of Syria.

You and I need often to be reminded that God knows all that we do, say, or think. He knows in detail what’s going on in our lives. He knows all about COVID-19, all about its threats, all about the troubles and fears and trials it’s brought. He knows what you desire, and even better, he knows what you NEED. He is always with you, always in charge, and always working to the good for all those who put their trust in him.

Today is Holy Tuesday of the Passion Week of Jesus. On this day Jesus taught in the Temple, and the “powers that were” questioned his authority to do and say the things he did. By the time he was finished with them, they were afraid to ask anything more. He refuted and defeated every attempt they made to trip him up. They just didn’t realize, refused to see, failed to believe that this was God’s Son, Immanuel, “God with us.” He had all the answers then; he has all the answers now. He knew what he was doing then; he knows what he’s doing now. He so loved the world then; he so loves the world now. And, he so loved YOU then, he so loves YOU now.

My son, Dan, only thought to hide from me that early spring day so many years ago. He didn’t think any further. If Dad didn’t search for him and find him, what would he do for food? What would he do when he got cold? What would it be like under that pool when the sun went down and the darkness filled the night? What if the folks just wrote him off as lost and locked the doors? He didn’t think it through at all, but he didn’t have to because Dad was going to search everywhere for him until he found him and took him safely home.

You and I are NEVER out of God’s mind or heart. He’ll never leave us nor forsake us. And, best of all, we will always have his love in Jesus Christ, our Lord. One day he’ll come to take us home. Bank on it!

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Walk with Jesus to the cross on Good Friday at 7:00 P.M. for a live streamed service, and let’s rejoice together on Easter morning when we live stream both the 8:00 and 10:30 services.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Yo6y-SziQmU

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYApril7

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

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DAILY DEVOTION April 6

Monday, April 6, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

Well we’ve begun Holy Week. Yesterday was Palm Sunday a day traditionally celebrated with palm branches. As a way of celebrating Palm Sunday we hung some homemade palms on our door to mark the day. Tricia and I just used some leaves from day lilies because they look like little palm leaves. We put a sprig of yellow forsythia and viola; a little Palm Sunday door decoration.

Where do we see Palms in Scripture? We see them sprinkled into some key places. One of the first significant places we notice palms is in Leviticus 23:40. On the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles the Israelites are commanded “to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.” Palms are celebratory plants. We also find them in 1 Kings 6:29 which describes Solomon’s Temple as having palm trees carved into the walls. It says, 29 On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers.” Ironically, no one saw the golden walls of the Temple except the priests. And so it should not be any surprise that on the eve of the Passover festival, during what we know to be holy week, that the people would display a celebration with palms on Palm Sunday.

Just something to plant into the back of your mind. Only John’s Gospel specifically mentions Palm branches. Mark 11:8 says, “Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.” Luke’s Gospel describes the crowds spreading their cloaks on the rode as Jesus rode through Luke 19:36. However, it also describes Jesus’ sorrow over the city (Luke 19:41). Matthew 21:8 simply says, the crowd spread their cloaks on the road while others cut branches from trees and spread them on the road. But John is unique in which tree branches the people cut. John 12:13 says, “They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the king of Israel!’”

Why is this fact so significant? Well, consider the next time we see Palms mentioned. In Revelation 7:9-10 John is given a glimpse into heaven and again he gives specific mention to palms. “9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

‘Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.’

Here again it is the same formula associated with Palms. Heaven is filled with joy. It is not Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles that is celebrated here in Revelation 7. Not anymore. It is Heaven and the multitude is celebrating Jesus. Heaven is not possible without a Lamb sacrificed for the great multitude. There is no multitude without a Lamb.

This crowd however has a complete and accurate picture of Jesus and are celebrating the reality of hopes fulfilled. People are not shouting “Hosanna” this time but they are praising God in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” This multitude that no one could number, (because it’s too big), is not like the crowd of Palm Sunday. This crowd has a complete picture of who Jesus is. He is not riding on a donkey as a conquering king but as One who must meet Good Friday’s cross. Jesus is going to be that Passover Lamb before He sits on the throne. Salvation belongs to God because Jesus has given His life in Sacrifice. Salvation has come because sin is conquered and Jesus’ resurrection has taken hold. Every single person in heaven understands this fully. There is no heaven without Good Friday. There is no redemption without the Lamb’s blood being spilled. There is no salvation without a cross. But the cross is only complete because of the resurrection on Easter Sunday.

So, Palms are being held by the multitude as a victory flag. This time Palms are not carved into the Temple walls that separate us from the Lord; unseen by all but priests. This time the Lord is with His people directly in the flesh—seen by all, known by all even as they are fully known.

And notice what remains on Jesus’ resurrected flesh. He still holds the wounds on His hands and feet and side. Thomas got to put his finger in the resurrected side of Jesus. Although they are not mentioned in Revelation as such but why would Jesus be rid of such defining wounds if the crowd is praising Him as the Lamb. Lambs are for sacrifice. Jesus is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. The wounds are defining. That’s why I argue that they are still with Jesus. So, did you consider that before? Jesus is the only one who holds any scars from the previous life? He is the only one who carries scars after the resurrection. The rest in that crowd have no leftover plagues, no lingering unfinished business, no more brokenness, or wounds of any kind. Only Jesus. The glimpse that John beholds in Revelation 7 shows nothing incomplete. There is no more sorrow and no more death. Everyone in that crowd is remade and whole.

Palm Sunday is just the beginning of Holy Week. This week starts with cheers but by Good Friday there will be betrayals, denials, and a concert of sinister demands for a crucifixion. But a week from now we will remember a much different picture. Reports of a angels. Disciples running to find an empty tomb. And finally, a visit from a Resurrected Savior who still wears the wounds on His hands and feet. The Palm branches are not just a Palm Sunday thing. The are a resurrected thing. Palms are waved in victory and the praises will be, “He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!” If the Lord can make the resurrection possible, then we have every reason to give thanks and praise to Jesus even in the midst of tribulation we face right now. Think of it as a warm up for that day when we will stand in that Great Multitude—You know the one—the multitude of believers that is described as having come out of the great tribulation and washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. Palms are waved and praises are sung. May the Lord bless this week with confidence enough to praise the Lamb for our Salvation.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

Pastor Matthew Woods. — John 3:30

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/JqgZGpmmdNE

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyApril6.PDF

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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Live Video Broadcast PALM Sunday Morning
8:00AM and 10:30AM

Click on the Links Provided Below:
Note: If one fails try another link. They will be active on Sunday.
 

BIBLE READINGS for PALM Sunday:
Isiah 50 VS: 1-9
Ephesians 2. VS: 5-11.
John 12 VS: 12-19

Hymns for Palm Sunday:
#442 — ALL GLORY LAUD AND HONOR
#443 — HOSANNA LOUD HOSANNA
#524 — HOW SWEET THE NAME OF JESUS SOUNDS
 

PASTOR K’S SERMON NOTES: SERMON45.PDF
 

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DAILY DEVOTION April 3

Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

A GOD-SIZED HOLE

READING: Mark 1:32-38 – “That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Very early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

To start with I want to thank Rev. Larry Peters, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Clarksville, TN, for the article he wrote that brought the theme for this devotion to my mind. St. Augustine wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” That’s an eloquent way to say that every human heart has a God-sized hole in it, and until that whole is filled with the true and living God, the heart cannot be whole, healed, nor at peace.

How many people do we see in our world who seem to have everything the world dreams of: wealth, beauty, fame, power, honor – and still they are not satisfied, happy, or at peace. The old Johnny Lee song entitled, “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places,” said it well. Human beings have an intrinsic need for meaning in our lives, a purpose worth living for, a desire for love that transcends the simple animal business of living. And, as Johnny said, so many look in all the wrong places for the fulfillment that brings peace and true worth.

Why is it that some people are absolutely fanatical about environmental causes or animal rights, pro-choice demonstrations or protecting the whales? Why are others all about the almighty dollar, portfolios and the bottom line? Still others will do anything for their fifteen minutes of fame or to see their name on a Senate office door? And still others pursue extreme experiences and mind-bending drug highs? While all of these things might seem very different from each other, they have a common connection: each of them can be an attempt to fill that God-sized hole in the heart. We cannot live well without meaning in our lives, and without a healthy relationship with God, meaning has to be devised. It has to be conjured. It has to be substituted for. But, somehow it just never fits right. It doesn’t measure up. It leaves the hole unfilled. And, finally, at the end of one’s life filled with something less than God, what does a person have left but a handful of dust and a final, fleeting breath?

Now be careful! The people in Capernaum had Jesus right in their midst. They saw his miracles, knew the people who were healed, heard the demons screech as they came out, and yet they did not allow God to fill the hole in their hearts. They jostled one another in order to see. They crowded around Simon’s door to witness what was going on. The following morning they were earnestly seeking Jesus all over the countryside. When they found him, what did Peter grouse? “Everyone is looking for you!” Sure they were looking for him: more bread, more miracles, more shows. But looking for the Messiah, the Savior? Not so much. And, there are still people who turn to God for the quick fix: end the Coronavirus pandemic, get my job back and running, get my check from Uncle Sam into my mailbox, show yourself since “…everyone is looking for you!”

No, our faith in Christ comes from a real life that was lived in a real place amongst real people, and it came to an end with the events we’ll remember this coming week: a sham trial, an unjust condemnation, torture, crucifixion, bitter death, and…a glorious Resurrection from the dead. Our Lord did all these things FOR US. And, in him we put our trust and eternal hopes. We look for him in the Scriptures, in the Sacraments, and in our hearts because only a real Redeemer, a real God can fill the hole that’s there. It’s a God-size hole, and he’s a God-sized Savior who fills it completely! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Watch our Week-in-Review tomorrow. Tune in Sunday as we celebrate and commemorate Palm Sunday. And, walk with Jesus to the cross on Good Friday at 7:00 P.M. for a live streamed service and rejoice together on Easter morning when we live stream both the 8:00 and 10:30 services.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/bXPIvH-MuiA

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVOTApril3

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

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DAILY DEVOTION April 2

Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church and this is the Daily Update for April 2, 2020

Focused on the Unseen Things

About a week ago we bought a 2000-piece puzzle. We call it our “Corona puzzle”. It’s a picture of a farmer’s market in front of a couple of barns. There’s a fruit stand with lots of fruit, a classic old blue pick-up truck loaded with fruits and vegetables, and a whole lot of busy patterns. It’s very colorful and sports many challenging shapes, textures, and images that blend one into another. The pieces are small but slowly after a week of picking on it the picture is coming together. I think of our Corona puzzle as a metaphor of what’s going on.

The pieces are a mystery but you know that’s once the pieces come together we will have the whole picture. Right now the pieces come together slowly. Each piece gives us clues as to how it fits into the picture. As I listened again to the President’s team talk about the Corona Virus it seems that they are managing a puzzle as well. And slowly the pieces are coming together in a way that we have more of the picture than yesterday.

As is the case with most puzzles we started ours by putting together the edge pieces. The edge pieces frame the puzzle and are defined by having one flat side. After a week we had all but one edge piece. Somewhere within more than a thousand scattered pieces one last edge piece was hidden, invisible next to the blended mass of color and texture. It was there but invisible. Likewise, the Coronavirus is often called invisible. We can’t see it with the naked eye because its so small. And that’s been the hard part; How do we know where the virus is if we can’t see it. Symptoms take a long time–up to two weeks before they show. So, we isolate.

Test processes have been developed to help us see. Today a new test is being rolled out that will reduce the test time down to minutes instead of days or even a week. Being able to see where the Virus is will help bring treatment to where it needed quicker. It will also help us to know who may have it and who does not. The big reason we are essentially in quarantine in our homes is that we don’t know who has the virus. Seeing the virus is a very important piece of the puzzle. Being able to locate the virus will help define who needs attention and who needs to be quarantined for everyone’s safety and recovery.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18 says, 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you….

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Our bodies are fragile like jars of clay. Clay no doubt is an expression of Adam being made from the dusk of the ground. What I love about this passage is that it describes us as carriers of something invisible. We are carriers not just of viruses or cancer or heart trouble—that’s the fragile clay. We are also vessels; carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that they life of Jesus may be revealed in our body. Life is at work in you. We are carriers of Jesus’ death and resurrection. That’s the treasure that is hidden within this mortal body that God has made into a Temple of the Holy Spirit. The Jesus treasure is not seen with the naked eye and can’t even be seen with a microscope but we know the symptoms; there are clues in the fruit that we bear. It is hidden within the acts of love, within the acts of grace, of forgiveness, and generosity toward our neighbor. As we live in our mortal body we expose others to something that is designed to be contagious and good. It is our Lord’s goal that all people be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). His goal is to makes immune to this world by installing eternal life into our lives. We may be fragile but we are not crushed. We are cast down but never broken. Instead of being a viral thief that steals a person’s life Jesus comes to us giving life in and through His cross and Resurrection. Remember what Jesus said to Thomas in John 20:29 “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And so as Christians we look for the hidden things. “We fix our eyes on what is unseen rather than what is seen.” What is seen (even what is hard to find) in the created world is temporary—viruses, unemployment, worry, and death. What is unseen is eternal, faith, hope, and love.

As we have worked on our puzzle at home I have found myself focusing on one section at a time, a part of the barn, or the trees, for example. My eyes have to look hard amongst the pieces to find patterns and colors that match the area I am trying to build. The hidden pieces have to be searched for and sought out. And then I have to try and make sense of each piece, rotating it, trying it in multiple places, until at last I find where it goes. And once it fits in it seems so obvious. “Why didn’t I see that before?”

In time the invisible virus will be more exposed then its victims. In time it will be quarantined because we will learn to know where to look for its patterns and colors and we will learn how to defend ourselves from it. In time a vaccine will come and the focused attention will pay off. For now we are still encouraged “to fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith” Hebrews 12:2. He is not seen through a microscope but through faith. What is seen through the microscope is temporary but what is seen through the eyes of faith is eternal.

And so what I am offering today is a renewed invitation to trust the Lord. A great deal of trust has been placed in the decisions made by government officials, by doctors, and by those studying the virus. I pray that our greatest trust remains in the Lord and our eyes fixed on Jesus.

I also pray we remember that we are designed to be vessels that hold His very presence. We are designed to be carriers of Jesus. Maybe being stripped down to staying home is what we needed so we might pour out all the clutter. Maybe we have been turned upside down so that all the clutter inside falls out. Like a closet full of useless junk we clay pots may now finally have a lot more room for Jesus. I may be a cracked-pot but more of Jesus is always a blessing. He is the author of things eternal. Jesus is cure giver even when life is a puzzle.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious unto you. The Lord look upon you with his favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Matthew Woods. — John 3:30

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/dOqgFtu1eug

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyApril22020

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION April 1

Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

HE WENT AND DID IT!

I couldn’t believe my eyes! I couldn’t fathom it! I cried out, “He went and did it! I can’t believe it!” We had just made it home from our visit to Andy and his family in Wisconsin. It was only the 20th of March. We’d hardly had a day in the 60’s. But there it was, irrefutable evidence: my neighbor had gone and mowed his lawn! Aarghh! His grass couldn’t have been over an inch long! There were a few clumps of wild garlic here and there, but nothing to get in a twist about. But, no! He cranked up that rider and happily dashed back and forth, back and forth, mowing little but making the racket I find so discomfiting this early in the spring.

You see, I have a theory. It’s just a theory, mind you, for I have never yet been able to test it thoroughly to its natural conclusion. See, I believe that come winter, my lawn goes into a deep sleep. It lies there dormant, happily napping away the days while it awaits the warm sunshine and clement rains of late spring. But, let one eager beaver pull the cord on his lawnmower, let just one of those foul machines rumble and roar, and my lawn wakes up! Mind you, it doesn’t want to! It instinctively knows it should be allowed to sleep at least another month, so when it is prematurely awakened, it reacts like any other creature disturbed in its sleep: it gets cranky and coarse. It sprouts all manner of weeds, it grows thick in some places and terribly thin in others, and, worst of all, it forces me to mow it!

According to my theory, if I could just get all my neighbors to join me in this, if no lawnmower were started before April 30, none of us would need to mow any grass at all until May 1. But, there’s always one! One fellow who has no hobbies! One fellow who has too much time on his hands! One fellow who actually LIKES to mow his lawn! And so, we all have to suffer. Wake up, O Sleeper! I think I heard a dandelion stretching!

Happy April Fool’s Day! I hope no one’s been too hard on you yet today. Maybe this would have been a good day to sleep in. At least your “self isolation” might keep you from getting punked too badly! Sleepers is what our lesson is about today. Three champion sleepers who just could not keep their eyes open to save themselves. Here’s the reading:

READING: Mark 14:32-38 – They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Peter, James, and John couldn’t help themselves. It had been a long day capped off by a big Seder meal along with its four cups of wine. It’s getting on into the night, everything’s quiet, and sleep beckoned them. Yes, Jesus had asked them to keep watch, but who’s going to find them here in the olive groves? Jesus’ enemies can’t possibly know where he is, so what’s the harm in a little shut-eye? The spirit may be willing, but their flesh is definitely weak.

How about us? Do we ever need a wake-up call? Have we been complacent, comfortable, and cozy with our material world; certain that trouble can’t find us? Look at the economy! Look at the stock market! Look at the jobless rate! Yes, I think we were lulled to sleep. Oh, maybe not all of us at once, but I think we took turns. And then, a tiny little piece of a cell, a rogue RNA strand, found a home to its liking in a person’s respiratory tract in Wuhan, and…

WAKE UP, WORLD! You don’t control your own destiny. You don’t know everything there is to know. You are mortal and vulnerable and not in charge of much. You need to put your trust in the one who said, “Not my will, Father, but yours be done.” He went and did that! A whip, a crown of thorns, nails, spear, and the bitterness of death. He went and did that, and you and I and all who hear of it should wake up and rejoice. We have a Savior who brings hope when there is fear, brings strength when there is weakness, and brings life EVEN WHEN death threatens. “ Wake up, O Sleeper! For your salvation is nearer now than when you first believed!” Do not fear, only believe. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): The Church Council met last evening by teleconference and decided to have a Good Friday Service Online as well as Pastor Woods 8 am Live Video Broadcast and Pastor Kischnick at 10:30 Live Video Broadcast on Easter Sunday.

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ96cK-kDNE

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYApril1.PDF

pastork@glcna.com — (812) 949-9014

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DAILY DEVOTION March 31

Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Pastor Matthew Woods, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

Well, its the end of March; the end of our first two weeks in isolation. In two weeks much has happened. Unfortunately, yesterday we learned that we will continue to stay home until the end of April. And as we look ahead we see that our vigilance will be needed much longer.
As I was thinking about all of this, I recently stumbled upon a new reality that I was completely unaware of. If you are driving a newer car chances are you are not checking your oil enough. Yep! That’s right. According to my local mechanic there is a new design trend in newer cars. My local mechanic has observed and his research has shown that newer cars are actually designed to use oil. This seems to me to be a paradox since it is also said that newer synthetic oils only have to be changed every 5000 miles or so. Of course, most dealers will not tell you this. And the sales sticker on the window will not likely show miles per quart of oil next to the miles per gallon number. But the responsibility is on the owner to know this reality.

In the old days older cars were the cars that consume oil. I can remember sitting at a stop light on State Street right behind a much older car that was obviously burning oil. The heavy blue smoke pouring out of its tail pipe gave it away. When the light turned green it blasted out a plume of blue cloud that was so thick that I had to wait for it to clear before I could go forward. It was like a ghetto James Bond car keeping its enemies away. I just couldn’t see. I buy old cars. All of my old cars burn oil or simply sweat oil on the driveway. I am used to adding oil to my car and watching oil levels in the cars I drive.

However, my wife’s car is newer than mine. It’s a 2014 small SUV with black paint. I am not trying to embarrass anyone. However, according to its manufacturer it is acceptable for this vehicle to lose oil. It is expected. This means that as an owner of this vehicle I have to keep watch so that the oil never gets too low. I have to remain vigilant about this or slowly over time the car will lose too much oil and cause huge mechanical problems. I talked with a member of our congregation just last week that was surprised to find that his oil was so low it was barely touching the stick. To his surprise he learned that his vehicle will lose oil too because it is a newer vehicle. Now that he knows he will be watching a lot more closely. Now that I know that new vehicles are designed to use oil I need to be vigilant. I will have to pay attention. The oil level is such a simple thing but also such an important thing to maintain.

Consider Nehemiah 4. “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart….Therefore I stationed people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears, and bows. After I looked things over I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome and fight for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’”

Nehemiah was a cup bearer for the King of Persia who was sent to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city wall had been destroyed by the Babylonians about 75 years before in 586BC. Neighboring leaders around Jerusalem, who operated more like mob bosses, mocked and ridiculed the Israelites for rebuilding the wall. However once the wall got halfway finished they turned to threats to frighten the Israelites to stop building. These enemies of Jerusalem didn’t want the wall to be built because an independent Jerusalem would mean these neighboring mob bosses would lose the power they had gained over the Israelites.

Half a wall was not enough. Because the threat was serious and real, Nehemiah changed tactics on the fly. He prayed and encouraged the people of Jerusalem to stick together and to set up a network that would counteract the threat and the fear. There was no way to know if or when Israel’s enemies would strike. So until the wall was finished half the men guarded the wall and while half were building it. And those who were building kept their swords handy. Nehemiah set up an alarm system so that if a horn blew the Israelites were to rally to it ready to fight. Nehemiah also reminded the people that what they were protecting was not just a wall; they were protecting their sons, daughters, wives, and homes; their families. And so for the next month or so they kept building until it was finished. And under the leadership of Nehemiah their entire community stayed vigilant because the threat of harm remained hanging over them. And we will remember that their vigilance paid off. In record time, just 52 days, the wall was finished.

There are many lessons we gain from Nehemiah as we hear the news that we will be social distancing from one another for another month-until the end of April. Social distancing means that we are putting up walls; six feet apart; parents are suddenly homeschooling their kids; going to the office means logging in; and everything we touch is approached with a sense of Lysoled caution. We are not just building a wall of defense for our community and our country but especially for our sons, our daughters, our spouse, and our homes. And maybe we wear a mask instead of a sword. In our actions we deter an enemy from bringing any harm.

Looking at another month of separation feels in some ways like being only half-way done with building a wall while the enemy threatens. And in some ways building a wall would for me be much more welcome because I could at least know what finishing a wall looks like. Fighting a virus is not so comfortably defined. And that’s the hard part. The good news is that we are learning more and more every day and as test kits become more efficient and more common, we are gaining on this thing. The Israelites maintained a sense of urgency in their work. Likewise keeping our guards up means that the virus is not getting in without a fight.

We also learn from Nehemiah to adapt, sometimes right in the middle of it all, on the fly. A few weeks ago most of us were driving to work and interacting with others. Now we literally live in an online world because our culture has had to adapt. The most noted heroes today are much closer to home; the medical people and the grocery clerks, truck drivers, distributors, tech people; the folks having the most direct impact on the well-being of our families. Truth is they have always been important. (Be sure to say thanks for their help). As we know well by now, adapting means washing our hands 20 seconds longer that we used to. Wiping things down has become more of a regular priority because we know a virus could get a foothold if we don’t. We may yet be fine tuning our tactics in the days ahead but everything we do builds a defense and stands guard for the sake of the ones we love with the added benefit of helping out one another as well.

I pray for vigilance. Vigilance is the order of the day. Cars don’t run well with low oil and don’t go anywhere without oil. We don’t run well on viruses. But vigilance is not new to us as Christians. Keeping up our guards against temptation is an everyday battle. Yet, one truth stands above all others. None is more vigilant and aware than our Lord. None was more determined to destroy the world’s greatest enemies of sin and death than Jesus in His cross and in His resurrection. None has done and is doing more to ensure the safety and the future of your family than Jesus.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto. The Lord Look upon you with His Favor and give you His peace. Amen.
Pastor Matthew Woods. — John 3:30

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/EafKcxDjUJM

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyMarch3120

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION March 30

Monday, March 30
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

SHELTER-IN-PLACE

READING: Psalm 61:1-8 – “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever, appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then will I ever sing praise to our name and fulfill my vows day after day.”

“Shelter-in-place.” We’ve heard those words previously in contexts other than our present one. We heard it when an active shooter was working his evil. We heard it when tornadoes or other threatening events made travel or being out-of-doors dangerous. But, that always referred to other people in other places. Now we all know what it means on a personal level: stay where you are, stay safe, stay out of the way!

In today’s text we hear King David say how he longs to shelter-in-place under the protective wings of God. He had plenty of troubles, did that man! He had enemy nations all around Israel threatening to attack it and claim its territories. He had enemies within his nation who chafed at his leadership and coveted his power. And, he even had enemies within his own family who coveted his crown and his throne. Add to that the day-to-day stress of governing his people, it’s no wonder David wrote so many plaintive psalms in which he sought God’s protection and help. “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings,” he wrote, and I’m sure he meant it!

To shelter-in-place under God’s security and providence has been the desire of his people from the very beginning. But, sometimes that shelter took the strangest of forms. Who would have thought that the best place to shelter-in-place for Jonah would be…the belly of a great fish? Holy mackerel! He had three days of safety from the wind and the waves, and three days to consider his folly and sin and to make confession. Three days that changed his life and the lives of many in Nineveh.

Who would have thought that the best place to shelter-in-place for Daniel would be…the lions’ den! Holy katzenjammer! Those lions hadn’t been fed in days, and they were HUNGRY! Who would have bet a nickel that when they opened the trapdoor in the morning they would find a whole man alive and well and not a skull and a few bones on the den floor? A man who even then stood firm in his confession that the God of Israel had saved him from the lions’ teeth, and that his God was the one and only true God in all the universe! And, to prove that the lions hadn’t just had a toothache or slept the night away by accident, when Daniel’s opponents were thrown into the den, they were devoured before they ever touched the ground! God had been Daniel’s shelter and sure defense.

Who would have thought that the best place to shelter-in-place for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would have been in the center of the fiery furnace! Holy Smokes, Batman! That furnace was hotter than it had ever been stoked before! That furnace was so hot its heat overwhelmed and killed the soldiers assigned to thrown the three men into it. And, guess what? It was cool in the furnace! Cool in more ways than one! Not only were they not singed; not only were their clothes not scorched or smell of smoke, but they were joined by one who the king said, “…looks like a son of the gods.” Ah-ha! They were sheltered by the One who lays claim to all mankind; the One who is also our refuge and strong tower.

Who would have thought that the best place to shelter-in-place for St. Paul would be under house arrest in Caesar’s Rome? But, there he was, chained to his keeper, able to have visitors and to write letters even as he waited months for his audience before the Emperor. During that time he taught, he preached, he prayed, and he trusted that whatever befell him, God was working through him by bringing him to the very city he had been longing to visit. And, there, at the center of the Empire, Paul fulfilled his calling.

So, here we are, sheltering-in-place, threatened by COVID-19 and its attendant hardships. Who’s to say but that this is also part of God’s plan for something bigger and more important in his Kingdom? How many people have suddenly been reminded that as much as we think we have tamed and dominated nature, that there are things large and small that can turn our world upside down? How many people have dusted off their prayer life or found ways to reach out to people they’ve neglected for some time? How many of us will be more aware of and thankful for the simple things of life that we so much take for granted. And, finally, how good it is to shelter-in-place under the almighty wings of our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The God of Jonah, Daniel, the Three Men in the Fiery Furnace, Paul……..and us!

When once again we can gather with our families, friends, and brothers and sisters in the Faith; when once again we can in unison praise our God in worship and thanksgiving; when once again we may travel, work, and play without masks, hand sanitizers, or fear; then may we still shelter-in-place under the wings of the One who is “the Rock who is taller than” us!
May we dwell in his tent forever. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENT(S): The Church Council will meet by teleconference tomorrow evening and decisions about Good Friday and Easter will be made. So, meet us on-line Wednesday for the latest news. God bless and keep you and yours safe in his almighty hand.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/7XezychiQsg

PRINTABLE PDF: DAILYDEVOTIONMarch30.PDF

Revkisch@att.net — (812) 949-9014

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WHY 20 SECONDS?

Short video on why you need 20 seconds for handwashing viruses.

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Live Video Broadcast Sunday Morning
8:00AM and 10:30AM

Click on the Links Provided Below:
Note: If one fails try another link. They will be active on Sunday.
 

Https://glcna.online.church
 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Vn4JFP_IQP8JQ3f8QwADQ
 
Faceboook:  https://www.facebook.com/GraceLutheranChurchNA

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A WEEK IN REVIEW

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/OkSVTFzYtEU

Revkisch@att.net — (812) 949-9014

matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327

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DAILY DEVOTION

Friday, March 27, 2020
Matthew Woods, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church In New Albany, Indiana

Today I am really hoping to speak to our youth and our parents. I am wondering how you are all doing and praying that you are doing well. I am also curious to know how you are reacting to all that is going on. I wonder what impression that all of this will leave on you. As Pastor of Grace Lutheran over the years I have had the privilege to hear from folks that experienced the 37 flood that ripped through here back then. Many of them were just kids themselves back then but they can remember with wonderous clarity the circumstances of those days. They remember very well what they lost and how they had to adapt. It left a very lasting impression throughout their lives. That’s what has me curious now as to know what impression this may leave on your lives.

I know for most of us it’s still Spring Break so maybe all that is going on still may seem far away to many of you. But I am sure you know well by now that no one is going back to school until the beginning of May at the earliest. That’s still a month away. Of course, all this means that Grace On Wednesday is over for this Spring but it will be back in the fall. Obviously, the virus has had a serious effect on a lot and will probably interrupt a lot more before its done. The important thing is that you remain well through all of it.

On the lighter side of things there is something to consider that only came to my attention recently. Naturally my warped mind got my head whirling with thoughts about it. What about all these hair places that are required to close? Can you imagine: what are the hairdos going to look like when this is all said and done especially for anyone who is already overdue. You may think, “What are you talking about Pastor?” But isn’t it the simplest things that can frustrate us and make it real for us?

You may not have had this in your house but up and until I was about 15 my mom cut my hair. It was at times very tragic. As soon as I started driving I was also getting my hair cut some where more professional. Once while home from college for a visit I made the mistake of allowing mom to trim my hair a little bit. So, like before out came the electric trimmer and soon the buzz of hair fell from my head. Then in a moment of horror and shock I heard a terrible gouging sound, a deep vorrummpt came from my head. Mom abruptly stopped, took a quick deep concerning breath, and then sympathetically cried laughing along with the others sitting at the kitchen table. When I finally got to a mirror I saw that mom had carved a road through my hair right on the top; couldn’t miss it. It was not attractive. Mom was forever banned from touching my hair ever again. After weeks of wearing a baseball hat the hair grew back and I was able to find someone capable of making my hair a lot better. By the time things open up again, there may be many hair tragedies like mine. But we can deal with those things right? As long as we can stay well we can deal with those things and we will be grateful that’s the worst it got for us.

Enough of that. I’d like to pass on a song to you that I think has a good reminder for us. It’s a Christian song by Austin French called “Why God”. It’s based on Matthew 11:28, where Jesus says, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” In his introduction Austin explains that he went through a time of a lot of questions. A realization that children can ask God anything struck him when his little boy naturally turned to his dad, Austin, and asked some why questions of his own. And it helped him to realize that as a father those questions from his son are welcome and this is what kids do. “Asking why questions doesn’t make us a bad Christian,” he says, “it makes me a kid”. “Why?” is usually asked when things just don’t make a lot of sense. It is asked when we are scared, or sad, or confused. In the song he asks, “why people have to die,” and “why do people fall apart,” and “why we feel alone” and struggle. He confesses he doesn’t understand the wisdom of such things. But he does know such things are a good reason to run into the arms of our Heavenly Father as a child does. “God is with us in the whys.”

In Matthew 11:25-26 Jesus says, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.” Kids get Jesus. Kids take the lead in humility, love, and compassion. They are not afraid to ask the why questions. Just watch any preschooler. Sometimes their take on the world amazes me. I find the same in youth, in you all. You all ask great questions. You are curious, creative, and often smarter than you realize. Sometimes I can answer your questions and sometimes the only answer is “God only knows why.” Just remember one thing that I have learned long ago and often share in our Confirmation classes. Sometimes the answer is just to stick to what you do know. What I do know is written in scripture. Jesus is Savior and that in His grace you and I are forgiven and welcomed to be His kids in the Heavenly Father’s house.

As a parent and as your pastor, you should know that not being able to answer all of our kids questions however doesn’t make us bad parents. Let’s face it our parents don’t always do everything right. Lord knows. But as parents we do want to love our kids well. And even though a parent may butcher our hair I can tell you from experience they will do anything they can for their kids. And if you think that’s cool remember our Heavenly Father sets the standard on loving His kids. Just look at the cross. Having all the right answers is not what being a parent is nor is it what being a Christian is. And parents shouldn’t be uncomfortable with just saying, “God only knows”. But the main thing is that our Heavenly Father is where we turn as His kids in Faith. Why is the Coronavirus happening? God only knows. Maybe a better question is what can we learn from it? What are we to gain from all of this? What will we say when we look back down the road like those who experienced the 37 flood? What will God say through this experience. But such things are why we turn to our Father and why we are invited to come to Jesus and find rest.

I thought about saying something from Confirmation today. I thought about a lot of things I could be saying to you. But I think right now I just want to remind you that Your Heavenly Father welcomes your questions and prayers. He is still a fixed thing. He is the one we actually know in all of this. If you have time take a listen to “Why God” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv_Pf7bDZj4). If you have the notion maybe you can share a song that is meaningful to you right now. And go easy on your parents. Their biggest concern is keeping you safe especially now. And if they are annoying you; well that’s just means things are probably okay right now. In the meantime, enjoy the time off. Get some rest and remember to wash those hands but by the Grace of Jesus know that Lord is with you.

The Lord Bless you and keep you. The Lord make His Face to shine up on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with His Favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30
matt.woods@glcna.com
Phone # (502) 523-9327

I’m even on Instagram too—(I never thought I would see the day either)

PRINTABLE PDF: DailyMarch2720

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/gBkYRWTwIOg

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DAILY DEVOTION

Thursday, March 26
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD

READING: Genesis 50:15-21 – “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’ So they sent word to Joseph, saying ‘Your father left these instructions before he died: This is what you are to say to Joseph: ‘I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.’ When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said. But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You meant it to me for harm, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”

You undoubtedly remember the story of Joseph and his brothers. Their father, Jacob, favored Joseph because he was the firstborn of Jacob’s beloved Rachel. He was gifted with a coat of many colors, and he had not been at all reluctant to share with his older brothers the two dreams that had come to him. In one they were binding up sheaves of grain when his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to Joseph’s sheaf. In the second one, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low to Joseph himself. None of this ingratiated Joseph with his brothers. In fact, they came to hate him, and when the opportunity came, they allowed him to be sold as a slave in Egypt.

In Egypt Joseph became the slave and manager for Potiphar, until Mrs. Potiphar made advances upon him. When he rejected her, she accused him of attempted rape and he was cast into a dungeon. There he befriended the Pharaoh’s butler and that led to Joseph’s interpreting two dreams of Pharaoh that warned of an impending famine. He became second in the land only to Pharaoh and oversaw the storage and later rationing of grain. During the famine, Joseph’s brothers came for grain, and after several tests of their character, he revealed himself to them. Then his father, Jacob, came to Egypt along with the whole family. Later, when Jacob died, his brothers feared that maybe Joseph had just been biding his time until Dad died to then wreak his vengeance upon them.

This is where we pick up the story today. Joseph is much affected by his brothers’ fear. And, when he says to them, “You intended it to me for evil, but God meant it for good,” he teaches us a very wise lesson. What sometimes is bad, or even seems bad, can in fact become a blessing in disguise. As you may have heard me say on various occasions, “When Satan throws poop into people’s lives, God can turn it into fertilizer and grow green things from it.” Sometimes we actually can look back and see that very thing. Sometimes the good is not obvious to us even in hindsight, but always God, “… works for the good of those who love him. (Rom.8:28)

In our present circumstances as difficult as they may be, as inconvenient as they are, as scary as they can be, we trust that the Lord is present working out his will in accordance with his overall plan and purposes. Who’s to say but that this pandemic isn’t a rehearsal for something that could be far worse in the future. This particular virus isn’t especially deadly to a large segment of the population. And, when it has finally run its course, a great deal of study will be done on the world’s response to it. Much will be learned, mistakes will be uncovered, better methods will be developed, and greater awareness of our interconnectedness will keep us mindful of the need for vigilance and cooperation should some other pestilence rear its ugly head.

Yes, it’s been bad. Yes, it’s been a pain. Yes, it’s been frightening. But, again, only evil thrives on such things. Only evil glories in chaos. Only evil desires us to despair and turn to wrath. Remember, on Good Friday, Satan gloried in his greatest stroke of pure evil in all of his existence: the Son of God – DEAD! It was the utter epitome of evil. Jesus, DEAD, FINSIHED, OVERCOME, and GONE! But, what did God do with that catastrophe? He raised the Savior from the dead on Easter morning and turned the greatest evil into the GREATEST GOOD for the GREATEST number of people EVER!

So, Christian, do not despair. God even now is working for the good of those who love and trust in his providence. This, too, shall pass, and down the road we may well see how God was directing and protecting his beloved ones. Joseph said, “You intended it to me for evil, but God meant it for good.” There’s much to learn from that statement. And, here’s another one to think about: “All the time God is GOOD!” And the response to that is, “God is good ALL THE TIME!” Believe it! Amen!

LET US PRAY…

P.S. We’ll continue to park the shopping carts outside near the main entrance. Since you’re allowed to travel for food, keep in mind those who are most affected by current crisis: those unemployed and those with their children home every day and hard pressed to provide basic nourishment for them. Stop by on your way home and drop off your gifts in the carts. We’ll take it from there. Remember, if you bring perishables, call the office and tell us about them so we can get them inside in a timely manner. Thanks, and God be with you.

PRINTABLE PDF: DEVOTIONMarch 26

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/oL1ZOzPMQzA

Revkisch@att.net — (812) 949-9014

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DAILY DEVOTION

Wednesday March 25, 2020

Pastor Matthew Woods From Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana

WORDS OF HEALING

Well it’s finally happened. The end of the world must be close. Pastor Woods has gotten on to social media with Instagram. My son and daughter-in-law helped me discover a brave new world. I am learning how to post pics and what is means to “follow” someone and what it means to “like” something. Up till now I have been studiously avoiding such platforms but the events of late have given me a new appreciation of their potential and value.

I was amazed this last weekend when our services received over 3000 views on Facebook alone. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine such a reach. I am truly humbled by it and grateful to be speaking to so many online friends and family members. I also received an email that said this last Sunday the internet saw its largest online audience in history because of the churches that broadcast online. I am heartened by the eagerness and hunger for God’s Word. May those who have ears to hear let them hear.

I’ve been told in times of war that one of the most important things to establish is a line of communication. Our government has declared war on this virus. The sirens to take shelter have been sounded and so we have hunkered down. Because of the technology we have today we have a wide range of communication. But what are we actually hearing? We hear of statistics, exposure rates and governors forecasting dramatic numbers. We hear of possible votes in congress, of possible medications to combat the virus. We hear about the financial difficulty felt by many. We hear about plans, and price gougers, and of a vast number of things on the news and all over the net. But this last Sunday, many in our nation chose to get online and listen for God’s Word. And thankfully we have a way to keep hearing the message of God’s Word. We have a way of receiving it. God’s Word has exploded way beyond our four walls.

Now is a very good time to listen to Jesus as He speaks to us though His Word. Romans 10 says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”… 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ….17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Jesus’ goal in hearing His message is saving you and me. Embedded in the Word itself is the saving power of the cross and the resurrection. Right now there seems to be an intensity to our hearing and a willingness by many more to listen. The Gospel is always brightest when the world gets darkest. But what are we listening for?

Jesus’ reputation preceded Him everywhere He went. And everywhere He went we are told that Jesus often spoke in parables. When Jesus finished His parables He often finished by saying, “He who has ears to hear let him hear” such as in Matthew 13:9. This phrase was meant to provoke God’s people to deeper thinking. It was meant to find a truth in the parable that would draw God’s people closer to Himself.

The Gospel is not a recipe for what to do as much as it is a declaration of what has been done in Jesus. Pastor Kischnick often rips on my chili recipe for the chili cookoff because it’s a vegan recipe. He often says things like, “You can’t have a chili without meat. That’s not chili.” Somehow it makes him unsettled and uneasy but that’s the fun. I’ve made my veggie chili the same way each year for over a decade. I can tell you exactly how to make it by heart. If we are listening to the Gospel for a recipe to fix our lives, or solve our crisis we are going to be disappointed. Most of us have recipes that we follow. We know how recipes work. The scriptures are not a recipe that tell us if we do certain things we will get the result we want. The Word of God is more like a relationship than a recipe. Relationships are complicated and often fluid and yet they are defined by love, forgiveness, and responsibilities that enhance the relationship. Sometimes there is frustration, anger, and sadness while also feeling close to someone. As siblings of our Heavenly Father our relationship with Him and one another is not something to be controlled like a recipe. It is to be honored, nurtured and grown—and occasionally forgiven or healed. The life that Jesus has given and continues to give is a spiritual life that becomes tangible when it bears fruit and demonstrates love for Him through faith.

The Gospel is also a great disrupter. It will mess with your life and if it doesn’t then its not much of a Gospel. The Gospel by its very nature is designed to put aside the sinner and replace it with a new person saved. The Apostle Paul was once a success story by Pharisee standards. Top of His class he became the great equalizer, a zealous destroyer of Christians until Jesus came to Him in Acts 9 and turned His world upside down. Afterward He became the church’s greatest communicator and witness. Paul writes in Philippians 3:8-10, “For Jesus’ sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 —- 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection.” The Gospel is designed to reorient our priorities and focus our hearts on Jesus above all else. Paul found freedom in Jesus and was literally liberated from the world on every level. He certainly caught all kinds of hell literally. His enemies and His problems were exponential but every time they took a swing at Paul, the church found more courage, and more reason to believe. We can certainly agree that things are disrupted right now—but maybe this is exactly where we need to be. Maybe at this moment we are better listeners. Maybe at this moment we have a better opportunity; a chance for perspective and clarity to be provoked towards a deeper faith. I pray we take advantage of it.

During this season of Lent I for one choose to see opportunity to be challenged by the Word of God. I see opportunity to be encouraged by the fact that thousands chose to tune into the Word of God—many who otherwise may have not have done so under normal times. I see blessings in ways that I have never anticipated. And finally I love the fact that the Lord continues to surprise His people. Once again he has greeted us with grace – in of all times when the world is so shaken. A fresh attention is being given to things like communicating, connecting, paying attention to others, expressing compassion, loving their neighbors, and the Word of God. Are these dark times or some of the brightest?

Please pray for the ongoing efforts of the Lord’s Church to keep reaching many and that those who listen may have ears to hear that message and believe. Please continue to pray for President, congress members, and those who are working to exhaustion to find solutions and relief from the virus. Pray for doctors and medical people who confront the dangers of illness every day—that they stay well themselves. Pray for those who have no income and for those who are locked in fear.

And now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on You with His Favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Woods — John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: DEVOTIONMarch 25

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/TY0zNbjD_Mw

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DAILY DEVOTION

Tuesday, March 24, 2020 — Pastor Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN

HE TOUCHED THE MAN

READING: [Matthew 8:1-4] – “When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’”

It’s obvious that Jesus had failed to get the memo about “social distancing!” He’s a lot closer than six feet. In fact he touches this man who no one was to touch for fear of being not only ritually unclean, but quite possibly infected with a terrible and ultimately fatal disease. Why does he do such a thing?

That poor man hadn’t been touched in a long time: no handshake, no hug, no kiss of affection, no comforting pat on the shoulder, no human interaction in, oh so long! Jesus knowing how important such human contact is to the inner person, he touches this man as a sign of acceptance and love. He does this even before healing the man of his affliction. Humans are made to be sociable. We’re made to be together.

Isn’t that something we’re missing about now? Keeping even our relatives, friends, and neighbors at a six foot radius is weird and disconcerting. When this virus outbreak has passed us by (and it will!), won’t it be wonderful to shake each other’s hand, give one another a friendly hug, or even touch our own faces! We were made to be sociable! We were made to be together! We were made for one another.

Did you notice what Jesus tells the leper after healing him? “Tell no one.” Really? Tell no one? After such a life changing and life saving gift he’s to tell no one? Well, Jesus has good reason: this man is under the commands of the law until he is given certification by a priest. He hasn’t been allowed to approach anyone within a stone’s throw for many, many months. His first duty is to go straightaway to the priest and then, having been found whole, he must make the ritual sacrifice of thanksgiving. Only then will he be totally and completely “clean” in the eyes of the community again. Jesus is giving him the entire package, nothing left undone. It’s another sign of Jesus’ love for the man.

What a marvelous Savior we have! He came to make all of us “clean.” The leprosy of sin infects and threatens us all. But, he WAS willing! Willing to take our sin upon himself, to carry our burdens to the cross, and to suffer our punishments that we might be clean in the sight of God, our Heavenly Father. But, to have the whole package, he also poured out his Holy Spirit upon us that we might be brought to faith in Christ Jesus, and so receive fellowship with him and with one another in the Church on earth.

Someone once famously said, “No man is an island.” Boy, he had that right. I miss you folks. Texts are good. Emails keep us posted. Telephone calls bring your voice to my ear. But seeing you in person, worshiping our Lord together, laughing and teasing one another – I miss that! So, we’ll keep in virtual touch with digital data and plentiful pixels, but we’ll pray together that God would soon put this pestilence far from us. We’ll thank him for deliverance. And, we’ll look forward to once again filling his pews, singing his praises in a divine service, and kneeling at his altar together to receive his Son’s body and blood.

Until then, keep us in your prayers as we do you. Keep us abreast of things going on in your lives. And, God be with you until we meet (in person) again!

In His Service,
Pastor Kischnick

PRINTABLE PDF: DEVOTIONMarch 24

Youtube Video. https://youtu.be/AfzPO6fGQFE

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DAILY DEVOTION

Hello this is Pastor Woods from Grace Lutheran Church and this is The Daily Update for Monday, March 23, 2020.

Around our house the island in the middle of our kitchen is the place where our family catches up. It happens naturally. As some or all of us stand around the kitchen island we tend to talk about how work is going or how my son’s in-laws are doing; we look at pictures of potential houses that my son and his wife may want to buy. We talk car breakdowns, what it took to fix the thing, ponder the rumors that certain stores may be selling toilet paper on certain days, and review upcoming appointments aren’t happening right now. It’s a place of information, casual conversation, and learning important things from one another.

Saturday I was forwarded a podcast (https://crossexamined.org/ For Friday March 20, 2020 with Dan Eickenberger) that interviewed my former doctor, Doctor Dan Eickenberger who came out of his very recent retirement to help cover the huge demand for medical people needed during this Coronavirus season. Dr. Eickenberge has been someone I have trusted with my health and his reputation in our area is highly regarded so naturally I listened.

He talks about his experience with four patients that he has been treating as a volunteer at our hospital. His four patients all presented the same symptoms when they arrived at the hospital; fever, cough, short of breath, and weezing. One had parainfluenza type 4, one had meta-pneumonia, one had rhino virus, and one has coronavirus (forgive me if I don’t have this quite right—not a doctor). Distinctions are made when testing is done that help distinguish who has what. Since we are in a season that is naturally prone to virus its hard to know who has what. This means any who present with these symptoms must be treated as a coronavirus patient. This means that masks gowns, gloves, and high precautions are taken. The problem that is bigger than virus is that such supplies are running short in hospitals throughout the country. Every person, every time, one enters into those rooms must dress in gowns, gloves, and masks even for a simple change of bed sheets.

Another interesting point of information is that the more tests that are completed the more cases of the virus are found. However, the higher number of known infections the lower the death rate drops. As of last Friday it was a rate of 1.05. It was also stated that much of our information is coming from third world countries with far less sufficient health care for the people in those countries. Our information is incomplete and big decisions are being made with insufficient information. What are we to believe then? How are we to respond to all of this?

What we do know is that Malaria Medications are showing very promising signs of being helpful to the more severe cases. Another positive is that we are on pace for one of the fastest developments of a vaccine. Twelve months as I have heard it is extraordinarily fast (Although we could use a vaccine for fear or panic). And still one more piece of good news I believe is that it is believed by Doctor Eichenberger that we will eventually build a kind of immunity through the normal passive exposures that we experience with things like flu and colds. More exposure in time means more immunity built up in our communities. It seems that our doctors are beginning to understand more than we did yesterday. Distinguishing the facts through filters of fear, sensationalism, and lots of other noise will be the challenge.

But such was the case long ago in Matthew 16:13-16 where Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” By this point in Jesus’ ministry scriptures have many times described the land of Israel in an uproar about the news of a Rabbi who heals people. In Luke 7 after Jesus raises the widow’s son at Nain we are told that “A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!” News spread about Him throughout Judea and surrounding region. Mark 2 even describes four men tearing open a roof to lower a paralyzed friend down to Jesus because the house was too crowded to get in any other way. What they heard, felt, and believed was no doubt shaped by what people were saying about Jesus and motivated them to take extreme, creative action to help their friend. People who were sick traveled miles on what people were saying about Jesus. Was it hope or simply hysteria? We all know how rumor motivates people—just mention that a store will have TP at a certain place at a certain time and see what happens. So for deeper clarity Jesus asks, “Who do people say I am? The Disciples answer Some say, John the Baptist, others say Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

There was so much information. There were so many reports. Many saw and experienced Jesus first hand but very few had an accurate picture of Jesus, especially Jesus’ enemies. They would never see anything good no matter the facts or the good that had been accomplished. Some say one thing. Some say another. What they heard and felt and wanted from Jesus varied greatly depending on what they thought about Jesus. Some just wanted healing. Some just wanted bread to eat. Some genuinely sought a Savior and believed—all different conclusions based the same intelligence.
The most important question we must ask is the question Jesus finally asks the disciples; “Who do you say I am?” Of course, we remember Simon answered; “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” As Christians we understand the value of this answer.

Having lots of information and facts are at their best and most helpful when the right conclusion is reached. Otherwise all we have are interpretations driven by strong emotions of excitement or fear; All we have are the sensational reports of things that may or may not be accurate conclusions. For us we depend on the accuracy and truth of God’s Word and its center, Jesus.
Traditionally every year at Easter we hear of Easter Morning when news from the women reached the disciples. Remember their reaction? They thought the women were crazy. Because of their bias and emotions they were slow to believe their report in resurrected Jesus. We hear of Mary Magdalene mistaking Jesus for a gardener because of her sorrow even as Jesus stood right there. We hear of the Emmaus disciples who in their sadness for Good Friday take a whole day of travel walking with Jesus to realize that Jesus was with them the whole time teaching them. But when they understand they run back and spread the news to the disciples. Information takes time to filter through the discovery process, the emotions, and the human elements before it finally reaches its realization. But here it is. And this is the critical point we pray for: In time, in one form or another, the right conclusion is necessary for saving people’s lives. This is medically and spiritually true.

I encourage all of us to pray for the right information that may draw us to the right conclusions. Perhaps pray that our discovery in this will lead to a vaccine sooner than later. Pray for us all to gain wisdom through knowledge and experience so that in the long-term we are a more prepared health care, a more prepared nation. Pray for courage at home and for faith to trust the Lord especially in uncertain times. Finally, perhaps consider praying for a deeper gratitude for those who genuinely dedicate themselves to help all of us understand, learn, and finally succeed in overcoming the virus. Their talents, time, and work are a gift of the Lord.

And Now the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you. The Lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Matthew Woods
John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: March2320

Youtube Video. https://youtu.be/46fatprbO1k

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WEEK IN REVIEW

Pastor Woods gives his “Week in Review” in the Youtube video listed below:
 
Youtube Video. https://youtu.be/Q59x-F1BiUc

 
 

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DAILY DEVOTION #3

Pastor Woods — Daily Update and Devotion

Friday, March 20

When you enter the main doors of Grace Lutheran Church there is a copy of a painting of Jesus crucified on the cross. It’s a dark, somber painting meant to reflect on the depth Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. It is reflective of the darkness of Good Friday from noon to three as Jesus hung there. I love art and admire this painting as one of my favorites. But I have to be honest I saw our copy of the painting on the entrance wall but really never looked that close until recently. Like most I usually just hustle in and out of the door and rarely, if at all, look up to see it. Last fall that all changed. When we went to St. Louis with our Confirmands I connected the dots. I’ve been here nearly twenty years and Last Fall I finally discovered why it looked so vaguely familiar to me.

We walked into the old Cathedral in St. Louis down by the Arch and right up in front, hanging on the wall behind the marble altar is a larger copy of Diego Velazquez’s Christ Crucified 1632 (The original hangs in the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain). I admire this painting and enjoy seeing it again when we visit every two years. This year however, when I came home I became aware that our painting over the door is a smaller copy of that same painting in St. Louis. I don’t have to go to St. Louis to see it again. I am now paying attention and now fully aware that it has been with us this whole time. All I have to do is take the time to look up to see it before I rush out the door.

Being aware is always helpful and can be very rewarding. Awareness depends on information and observation, with a dose of knowledge and wisdom. Right now doctors around the world are gathering information to become more aware of the extent of the Coronavirus. Vaccines for known illnesses like the different strains of the Flu have been developed because smart people have learned about them. Experience has also taught us how to deal with them. Learning takes time; time for testing; time to gather results; and lots of patience. Awareness has been the hardest part of dealing with coronavirus precisely because there are still so many unknowns. We know a whole lot more about the virus than just a week ago and therefore we are taking action differently then we did a week ago. With patient endurance I believe these talented medical people will be blessed with the wisdom to become sufficiently more informed about this virus to develop a vaccine. Buying them the time needed to explore and learn is the challenge immediately in front of us because we are in a hurry get past this. But with time it is more likely the secrets of the virus will not stay hidden.

One of my favorite people that we meet in scripture is the woman in Luke 8:42-48. I admire her courage and faith to humbly reach out for Jesus’ hem. She believed as many did in her day that even the hem of His garment would bring healing but she is the only one I know of that took action to follow through. She had been suffering for twelve years with an illness no one else could cure. It was a humiliating illness with all kinds of social realities tied to it. The illness made her unclean and probably ruined any chance of marriage or children. Within this crowd of people, this woman used what strength she had left to reach Jesus. The rest crowded around Him and no one noticed this woman struggling to get closer. “If I just touch the hem of his garment” she thought, “I will be healed”. She succeeds. And immediately she is healed. She can feel it. She couldn’t remember feeling that good. And just as quickly as she is healed Jesus stops everything and asks who touched Him because He sensed power had gone out from Him. Suddenly the woman that no one noticed is front and center and everyone notices. Jesus doesn’t scold her or punish her but praises her, and celebrates her faith which was bold enough to reach out to the Lord in a crowd. Within this crowd Jesus notices this courageous woman—she literally stands out. When no one else is aware Jesus certainly is.

Please note that this woman seems to be aware of what everyone else didn’t fully see. She pursued Jesus as the Messiah who heals, not just as a rabbi who did miracles. She believed in Jesus and her faith was as commendable as the Centurion of Luke 7:1-10 or of the Gentile woman of Matthew 15:21-28. It seems she was way ahead of the disciples. She is so unique that Jesus stops everything to praise her act of faith. This is why she is one of my favorite people in scripture and why she stands out in a crowd and be written about in scripture.

What does this teach us? First, like this woman’s example of faithful diligence and endurance, it only takes one to stand out to teach and inspire others. It only takes one breakthrough to change everything. And just as this woman sought out Jesus unlike anyone at that time—in our time somewhere, someone will see what others hadn’t spotted yet. Then the whole game changes for everyone. All it takes is one person to spot it. All it takes is one person to stand out to teach the rest. And then we will all know. We will learn. Then we will know much more clearly how the virus works and what we can do to overcome it.

Here’s another point. Faith for some of us opens up to us in the same way. Our breakthroughs often happen under specific conditions and at certain times. Even as adults our Lord is using “Teachable moments”. The disciples spent three years learning from Jesus but the greatest lesson—the breakthrough didn’t come until Easter. Jesus announced three times He was to be sacrificed on the cross and then on the third day rise again. Yet none of the disciples expected a living Savior on Easter. Good Friday was a mess of emotions and of disciples in hiding in fear being next. After Easter Sunday, the disciples finally understood—finally they were fully aware of the whole picture and purpose of Jesus’ crucifixion. Then–then they were ready to witness to everyone about Jesus and eventually their teaching was known to the world.

Yesterday the President announced that there may be a breakthrough with some medicines that are already on the market. Could this be like the painting I mentioned earlier. Could an answer be in front of us the whole time. Maybe these meds will work. Maybe not. Maybe something else will be needed. The point is soon we will know more and tomorrow we will be wiser and with patience a solution will be developed. That’s how it works. That’s the process of awareness.

The woman we mentioned from Luke 8 captured the picture of our day; Facing an illness, isolated, wondering how long, and will things ever be normal. Somewhere she heard reports of a cure—in her case Jesus. Perhaps this is a time to learn not only about our health. Maybe this is a teachable moment for us to learn more about faith in Jesus. Maybe something in all of this is meant to drive us deeper into His Word and tap into places found only when we are challenged. And maybe it will be something that has been with us the whole time. Chances are if we just look up we already discover Jesus has been there the whole time, like the painting hanging over the main doors of the church entrance. Maybe what we are to gain is not very definable right now, but perhaps whatever we are to gain will make much more sense later on as we become more aware and made more wise.

So the next time you enter the church I encourage you to look up above the doors. See if you can spot the crucified Christ, who’s been there the whole time—through thick and thin.

And the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Matthew Woods
John 3:30. — 502-523-9327
matt.woods@glcna.com
March202020.PDF for Printing

Youtube video: https://youtu.be/c7Bt-GelGuk

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DAILY DEVOTION #2

Pastor Woods — Daily Update and Devotion

Thursday, March 19

It’s not fun to feel afraid. Years ago I had the privilege of visiting with an elderly lady in our congregation named, Vivian. By the time I met her she had been living on her property her whole life and known no other home. No big deal right? Except she had so much fear of leaving the property that she hadn’t left it for over twenty years—not for groceries, not for a doctor visit, not even for her mother’s funeral. She depended on her nephew or friends to get what she needed. She couldn’t define her fear but simply knew its hold on her. In effect she felt that it was necessary to stay sheltered in place–permanently.

Fear is hard to define and anxiety can become paralyzing to some. But does fear accomplish anything constructive? Some may argue that it gives us the good sense to avoid dangerous animals and to stay away from powerlines. But how much of that is really more a sense of caution and care. The difference between caution and fear may be a fine line but it is an important line to hold. Caution and care are exercised in love and proactive rather than reactive. Fear and anxiety are not seen as positive things in scripture. Fear and anxiety are usually associated with doubt and doubt it never a happy place.

Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25-27 from His Sermon on the mount. Matthew 6 is especially potent for us Americans here in Southern Indiana, who are used to a certain level of comfort and security. In previous verses Jesus has just spoken about seeking first the kingdom of heaven and everything else will be added as well. And then Jesus teaches about anxiety–25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Isn’t this a great truth. Worrying cannot make things better. “Each day has enough trouble of it’s own” is so true. And right now each day sure has all kinds of new troubles to stir things up. But let’s be real. Worrying simply cannot improve the situation no matter how strongly we feel the pull of that anxiety. It cannot produce more toilet paper or chicken to buy. It cannot undo the damage of an illness such as a cold, or flu, or the Corona Virus. All it can do is complicate matters. Worse still, worrying is generally self-focused and usually not focused on any kind of love or concern for our neighbor. Jesus never healed anyone by worrying about them. In fact, Jesus never let anything or anyone get Him off of His game to serve the Father’s will. And He has given us grace to do the same—to stay in the game.

In Matthew 6:25ff Jesus reveals first of all that God hasn’t forgotten you. Life is more than food and more than clothes. Jesus came to seek and save us with His cross not make us fashionable or fill our bellies. Something more permanent is already in place in Jesus.

Think of it this way: Unless I look at pictures I can’t remember what I wore at my niece’s wedding a couple of years ago and I definitely can’t remember what the menu was. I can remember that is was a great time and beautiful night, that my niece and her husband were glowingly happy, and that we enjoyed being with the family in Michigan very much. (For a Michigan boy it’s always good to be in Michigan). And yet when a virus comes around somehow I’m supposed forget Jesus and worry about having enough food and toilet paper. What kind of faith would that be?

The most important thing we have is each other in all of this. I can’t stress enough how great it is that we are close to our family and how cool it is that I can sit at the table for a meal with them even if it is just burnt hot-dogs—(Sorry about that Tricia. The Grill was on high.) What a great time we have right now to exercise gratitude for what we have instead of worrying. By the way—gratitude is the mixture of grace plus attitude. Put the two together and you get gratitude—thankfulness filled with grace. Embrace this time with its opportunities and don’t be afraid of it.

No one wants to be limited. I know I sure don’t like being cooped up away from all of you. We certainly pray that the virus will go away and that our first responders and govt. leaders stay well. But within this time where we are tempted to worry I would invite you to look for the gifts Jesus brings within this experience. It is a time unlike any other. It will be uniquely remembered like the 37 flood that all the old-timers remember from their childhood. You have the chance to shape that experience. Now is a shared story that your kids and grandkids will remember being with you when it all happened.

Years back when Michigan was hit hard by an ice-storm our home in Clarkston was without power for a week. So, we all huddled in the basement in our new reality—grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings, cousins all gathered at our house. No personal space. And very uncomfortable. Without power we had way to run the well-pump and therefore no water either—ugh! We literally melted snow for water and cooked off the top of a buckstove like settlers on the frontier right in our basement where we kept warm. No TV—No internet back then—Yikes. But we did a lot of sledding and woodchopping, boiling water, and board games. Yea, we were all a little greasy by the end of the week, I won’t lie. But in spite of the headache and drama of it I remember it with fondness and gratefulness that we had that shared experience.

And now even those of us who are members of Grace who live alone this is our shared experience with you too. Your stories and experience is as much a part of mine. And so, I choose not to let fear get a footing in my emotions or in my thinking. I choose joy because of the opportunity that I have with you rather than giving into worrying about something I have no control over anyway. I encourage you to choose joy and to give thanks for this extremely rare time that has become so basic and beautiful.

Matthew 6 is Jesus’ truth not just mine. He’s the one that tells us not to worry. We may get uncomfortable. We may even get sick. We can’t always avoid those things anyway. On the other hand, we certainly want to be cautious and careful about such things. But again, that is a proactive mindset rather than a reactive one. Your Father knows what you need and certainly values you more than the birds of the air. I pray that you would trust in our Lord’s wisdom in Matthew 6 and value these days. I would pray that you would remember to give thanks for what you have rather than worry about what you can’t do much about. I would pray that your faith would be more real than the reality of our current state. I pray that Jesus fills our hearts more than your anxieties. And I pray that we take to heart the words of Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” May the Lord’s peace reign in the storm!

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord Look upon you with His favor and give you His peace.

Pastor Matthew Woods — John 3:30

Devotion19.PDF

WOODS VIDEO FOR 3-19-20 https://youtu.be/w-lNYsFNEDE

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DAILY DEVOTION #1

A Word From Pastor Matthew Woods

March 18, 2020

I think by now we can all agree that the Coronavirus and the fear it has brought has plunged us rapidly into uncharted territory. We are learning new terms like “social distancing” and exercising self-isolation. We hear every day more and more about how the virus is impacting our country and now our community. And we don’t know if it will take weeks or months to recover. We have been exposed to a vulnerability unlike anything we have experienced in anyone’s lifetime.

Last evening (Tuesday, March 17) our church council gathered to develop a plan that would see us through this unprecedented time. We feel that it is important to act not only in our own interests but also in the best interest of our community. As Doctor Matthew Harris, our Synodical President, has stated recently–We will do well to practice our faith—Not to hurt or harm our neighbor in his body but to help and support him in every physical need. And so we hope to do our part in stemming any opportunity for the virus to get any foothold among our families especially our most vulnerable. This is why our leaders at Grace have decided to postpone most activities and to move its services online for at least the next couple of weeks and possibly longer. As things develop we will adapt and do our best to keep ministering to out folks with as much contact as possible. This is what we can do on this side of things. However, I pray that all of you will continue to be attentive to the health of your souls too. Such times as these usually have a strong impact long term. What’s doubly hard is that our instinct is to band together but this time we are being told to stay apart and isolate. Given today’s technology the Pastors are eager to stay connected to you.

I have to admit it’s hard not to think about all that is going on and to let my mind rest from it. But last night our family watched Frozen 2—not normally my kind of movie. Disney gave it an early release because so many are home hunkered down because of the virus. We even left the closed captioning on so my daughter-in-Law could sing along. But it was fun. We were all together with both boys and daughters-in-laws huddled together in Josh’s basement living room. I did find it interesting as I watched the news beforehand that all the commercials keep going as though nothing has changed. They still want us to buy their stuff. It’s interesting how irrelevant those commercials seemed given our current circumstances. Who’s thinking about a new car, or a new home loan, or a diet pill when it confronted with a sense of one’s well-being or safety. The commercials seemed shallow, empty, and trivial. I confess the movie was okay. Like all movies it was a nice distraction for a while. But we need more than just a distraction. As your pastor and as Christians I would invite you to get reacquainted with something real and timeless.

I can’t help but think of John 3 where Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus. Jesus references Numbers 21 in John 3:14-15. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” You probably remember in Numbers 21 that snakes were biting the people but God promised that if they looked at the serpent on the pole and believed God’s promise to save them they would live. Jesus connects the most famous verses (John 3:16-17) to this fact. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but the save the world through Him.” Looking at a cross one can’t miss that it is connected to Jesus and to His promise to be saved through Him.

Notice though God didn’t take away the snakes. Instead the Lord gave the Israelites a way to overcome the snakes by looking to His promise attached to the Serpent on the Pole. The world has seen many deadly things since that time in the wilderness and still calls us to look to His cross and its promise for deliverance. We don’t always get to follow Jesus during “comfortable times” or from “safe places” and history has shown us that bad things can and do happen to God’s people. If anything, however now we are called upon to remain faithful and to remember, “when I am weak, He is strong.” The Apostle Paul went through a lot of harsh living and still he believed Jesus is real and not just a Disney story. He literally bet his life on Jesus.

Even as we keep watch over our hearts and minds we will also do well to remember to pray for our government officials. They are I think doing their best at this point to figure this thing out. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and a for unprecedented cooperation for the sake of the country. Pray for our first responders like the doctors and nurses, and those on the front line of this thing. Pray for those already affected by the virus. Pray for courage in the face of fear and for humility in the face of things we cannot control.

Remember the plague of 1527 in Wittenberg? Maybe you haven’t. As others fled, Martin Luther in 1527 decided to stay when the Plague came to Wittenberg. He and his wife, Katie, who was pregnant at the time, decided to stay and they devoted all their efforts and their home to caring for the sick. It was also an unprecedented time, mired in fear as officials and citizens wondered what to do and what may yet come. It was in this time that Luther was inspired to write His most famous Hymn; “A Mighty Fortress is our God”, basically Psalm 46 put to music. Those on the front lines are exposed. Please keep them all in prayer. Pray also for Grace Lutheran and for the Body of Christ that we may remain faithful, adaptable, and viable throughout.

Some of us will not be the same after this. As least in one measure that may be a good thing. Now that so much that would ordinarily fill our time has been postponed or cancelled during this season of lent perhaps we get a chance to be more basic. Maybe we have a real chance to fast from the things that have distracted us for too long from our family time. Perhaps we can learn about ourselves and refine our priorities. Perhaps we needed to work from home and have a different pace to life and maybe we could use some time to get some needed rest. Maybe we needed to confront our idols in repentance. The Lord knows.

Often within trouble is the opportunity for God to do something He otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to do because any other time we may not be ready to listen or tune in. So often this is the case with our friends who are fighting cancer, for example. They learn to find God’s hand on everything. Just having the strength to go is counted as a blessing—the most basic of things are remembered as gifts. We don’t necessarily get out of such things unharmed and sometimes we are mortally wounded but the most spiritual journeys often find reality when trouble hits hardest.

I pray that you will find your refuge and strength in the Lord. Perhaps we are being tested. The key is found in which way we look for our help in this time of trouble. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent on the pole so too the Son of Man, Jesus is lifted up. I encourage you to look toward the cross in prayer and for courage.

Finally, I invite you to join us at our Web site (glcna.com) for daily updates and for further devotions. Look for us online for the broadcast of our church services this Sunday. They will be held at regular times and I pray that you would take advantage of our church app as well. Please continue to support the ministry of Grace and reach out to us with your ideas and concerns and especially let us know how you are doing. Thanks for taking a moment with me today.

The Lord Bless you and keep you, the Lord make His Face to shine upon you and give you His peace.

Pastor Matthew Woods
502-523-9327
matt.woods@glcna.com
 
Pastor’s Video: https://youtu.be/Hy0NaDAVc38
 
PDF of Pastor’s Statement.PDF