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WEEKLY DEVOTION
JANUARY 13

Monday, JANUARY 13, 2025

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

“Getting Unstuck”

Well, old man winter finally came for a visit to southern Indiana last week. Last Sunday I walked into church with a dusting and came out to five inches of snow. The ride home was awesome. Someone told me that we had our entire annual snowfall for our area in one week. It sure seemed like it. Naturally the roads were a mess because of it as was our church parking lot and neighborhood driveways.

Our drive-up door on the side of the building was not plowed but people still tried going through there including a delivery van with rear wheel drive. They got in on the one side but couldn’t clear the pile of hard frozen snow on the other side and got stuck. When pulled up to the church there they were going nowhere. Left wheel was spinning helplessly on the ice rut created by the spinning tire. On the right-side rear wheel rested. The right side must have been tired. (Joke). However, with a little bit of digging and a little bit of rocking the van back and forth to get momentum we finally got him out.

Getting stuck was an ongoing thing. Because there was so much snow intersections were deep in town and smaller vehicles were bottoming out and getting stuck right in the intersection. Parked cars in downtown New Albany, were stuck behind mountains of snow left from the snow plows which froze up and had to be chiseled away. One of my neighbors had the best idea. She went to Florida to visit her granddaughter.

Getting stuck is no fun. Getting stuck happens when certain conditions occur. Weather is one reason but there are a whole lot of reasons why we get stuck personally and spiritually as well. We can get stuck in grief or in anger or in a lifestyle we know is not working for us. Getting stuck was something both the sons got into in Luke 15. The younger Son, we remember, got stuck on the idea that dad was boring, that home life was preventing him from the good life somewhere else. He asks his dad for his share of the inheritance and leaves as fast as possible. The older son is stuck in a performance-based lifestyle, stuck in resentment for his brother, and disrespect for his father. Both were prodigals in different ways.

Getting stuck is not where we are meant to be. If it was why bother digging out our car. If our car is stuck, we aren’t going anywhere. Likewise, when the brothers got stuck they weren’t really going anywhere that was good. The younger son blows all the money on Vegas style living. The Older son burns up inside with resentment but covers it up by working harder. The younger son finally comes to his sense and returns home. The older son remains open-ended.

I once got a tractor stuck up to its axles in mud. I stubbornly worked for hours thinking I could get unstuck by myself. I didn’t. I finally got pulled out with some help. The trouble with getting stuck is a willingness to be unstuck. If our hearts are weighed down over and over again with the same thinking, the same troubled mind, wondering why nothing seems to change, then perhaps something can. The first thing that must change when getting stuck is perspective. Changing our perspective is within our reach with the spiritual gift of self-control. We are told that that younger son came to his senses, realizing that back home even a hire hand eats better than he was at the pig pen. This is a realization that his dad was generous, kind, compassionate, and likely his best chance. He also realizes that his own way of doing things was not working. Ask yourself: “How might I be contributing to my being stuck and am I willing to change?” You are not simply a victim because you are stuck or feeling stuck. Often those who feel spiritual stuck in a rut are likely asking themselves the wrong questions or perhaps refusing to change what they know to be bad habits like the older brother. The older brother measured everyone else by his own ideals of work and reward. He refuses to go and participate in his brother’s homecoming. In the end he is miserable and remains unhappy. Yet, we should note that the thing frustrating him most was himself and his perspective. The Father pleads with him, reaffirms his relationship with him, but explains his gratefulness that his younger brother has returned safe and sound—which brings great joy to the father.

It is the Father’s perspective that we are to notice most. We are to see his longing for both of his boys to be at home with him and to know the same joy for one another. The Father is celebrating the younger son’s return because there is not better place to be than with the Father. Jesus wants us to know that same joy. But that’s hard to do if we are standing next to the older brother in our self-imposed solitude.

Secondly, if we want to get unstuck something must be done to unstuck it. We must take some action. If we want to get out of the mud, we may have to ask for help. If we want to get dug out of the snow, we will have to go outside and start shoveling. If we want to get out on the road, we will have to summon the courage to go. If we want to stop eating with the pigs, we have to do more than blame the world. A change in our actions will be necessary. This is not a surprise. If we want to be healthier, we have to choose to change our eating habits, exercise all year long-not just in January. This takes more than a new year’s resolution. Resolutions only set us up for a deeper rut most of the time because typically most start and then quit and feel even worse than when they started. Getting unstuck requires us to leave the pig pen forever and go home. It requires us to be more watchful of what we do, what we eat, get ourselves up and to the gym, and if you are physically able to get to the doctors, to the grocery store, to the movies etc. then get to church. If you are lonely be proactive and talk to someone. If you hurt find something that brings some joy. Leave the ‘pig pen of stuck.’ Sitting around waiting for the world to change just keeps one stuck. Find something that can give you some momentum.

Finally, be around someone that won’t let you stay in the pig pen. The Father was amazing with the older brother going out to him in order to help him. His pig pen was his pride. Yet the father appeals to him as a son. Who may be the one in your life that can challenge you like no one else? Who may be that one who will call out your excuses and tell you truth? That’s the one you need.

If you want to be unstuck, it starts with a willingness to be unstuck. At some point it means getting dug out. It means getting moving. It means welcoming a little help. It means laying claim to Your faith. It’s Philippians 4:13 stuff. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Everyone gets stuck. In Christ we don’t have to stay stuck.

Pastor Matthew Woods

John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WDJan13.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/KnaT385IPFM

[email protected] — (502) 523-9327

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WEEKLY DEVOTION
JANUARY 7

Tuesday, JANUARY 7, 2025

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

“I’m Going to Die – Sort of”

READING: John 11:21-27 – “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

This will be my last Weekly Devotion for a while. On Thursday this week I’ll undergo open-heart surgery at Baptist Floyd. Going to get that leaky mitral valve fixed. I’m not looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to getting it behind me. Seems I’ve heard it said that once you get a valve-job done on your car, it should be good for another 100,000 miles or so. I’m hoping the same is true for me.

It occurred to me a few weeks ago that in order to repair that valve the surgeon and his team will have to stop my heart from beating. He can’t really work on the valve if it is flapping open and closed 60 or 70 times a minute. That’s a little disconcerting – my heart’s been beating steadily now for some 71 years. It may have skipped a beat here or there, but it has been very dependable up until now. So if they will stop my heart from beating, I’m going to die on Thursday – sort of. Oh, they’ll have me hooked up to the by-pass machine that will circulate and oxygenate my blood to keep my body and soul together during the surgery. And, when all is fixed and sutured and ready to go, they’ll shock my heart to restore the beating. If all goes according to plan, I’ll wake up and go on from there. Still, it is a little daunting when I think it through.

How like the bigger picture of our life, death, and resurrection this all is. There will come that day, hopefully some years off, when I will take my last breath upon this earth. Something will still my heart with finality and my earthly life will end. What then? I’ve been asked about this many times over the years. “Pastor, when we die do we immediately awake in heaven or does our soul ‘sleep’ until the Resurrection?” My answer is always, “Yes!” The Scriptures are a little vague on this subject. Actually, they answer much like I do. In places Jesus gives the impression that it’s an immediate transport to glory. He told the thief in the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” In the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus he indicates that both men died and were immediately aware of their afterlife.

But the Scriptures also use the term “in the sleep of death” and when Jesus came to raise Jairus’ daughter, he told the crowd, “She’s only sleeping.” Here’s the scoop: it doesn’t matter which scenario is the case. Look, when they give me the anesthetic, I will be unconscious of the passing of time. My next conscious thought will be a nurse talking to me as I come out of my slumber. If you’ve had anesthesia before, you know what I’m talking about. You have no sense of time having passed while you were out. Everything goes black and then here you are! So whether we immediately become aware of heaven the moment death takes us, or if our soul “sleeps” until the moment of resurrection, the very next thing we will be conscious of will be the glory of the Lord and the place he has already prepared for us. A thousand earthly years could pass while the Lord holds our souls “at rest” but the moment he says, “Come out!” we’ll arise with a brand-new forever body and the realization of all of our hopes in Christ Jesus. Literally and finally life out of death!

So, I’ll be dead on Thursday – sort of. My heart will be stopped, Dr. Pagni and his team will do what they do so well. And, when it’s all done, I’ll come to in new circumstances. Someday death will truly come for me, and I’ll be dead – sort of. Sort of – because I have a promise in Christ Jesus that death does not have the power to hold me forever. No, Jesus suffered his death on that cross just to make sure that death will not be able to have the final victory. Because my faith is in him death will lose. He will say to me, “Come out!” and I will live. And so will you! We just celebrated his first coming with an eye on his second coming. In that day, whether our souls have been “asleep” or have already been rejoicing in his presence, the Holy Spirit “…will raise up me and all the dead and give unto me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.” Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) Be good to Pastor Woods while I’m laid up. He’ll be taking the Thursday Saints Bible Class and the Eighth-Grade confirmation class. He’ll be preaching every Sunday, doing all the hospital calls, and anything else that comes along. Pray for me, but also pray for him. This will be a little dress rehearsal for the vacancy my retirement will bring. I’ll get back in the saddle just as soon as I can. Until then, “God bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord look upon you with his favor and grant you his peace.” Amen.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/K6dLX_xRN9o

PRINTABLE PDF: WDJan7.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

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WEEKLY DEVOTION
JANUARY 6

Monday, JANUARY 6, 2025

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

“Being About the Father’s Business”

Luke 2:40-52 takes us to a rare place in Jesus’ life in His youth. Every year for Passover Joseph and Mary made the 65-mile trip from Nazareth to Jerusalem with a twelve-year-old Jesus. After the eight days of Passover the Nazareth caravan begins to head home. It was common in a caravan of pilgrims for the ladies to travel in a group with the children while the men traveled with other men. Jesus being 12 could have naturally walked with either group. After traveling about a day Mary and Joseph start looking among their relatives and friends but cannot find twelve-year-old Jesus. As a parent you know that if you cannot find your child for even one minute panic and fear sets in—the welfare of your child begins to naturally consume every ounce of energy and attention. I’d be willing to bet the walk back to Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph was brisk and anxious.

By the time they find Jesus He is at the Temple, His Father’s house, sitting with the Seminary professors asking questions and talking with them about the scriptures. This a noteworthy event for Jesus. First of all, the Talmud of Jewish thought defines a twelve year old, as the time where through a special ceremony was acknowledged to be “son of the Law.” At this age Jesus is supposed to have learned enough to be sufficiently mature enough for following the mandates of the Law of God. This is significant because Jesus responsible to the Law for Himself. This makes him responsible to make his own offerings and gifts whereas before Joseph acting as Jesus’ step-father, had to make these on behalf of Jesus. By staying behind Jesus may have been fulfilling His responsibility before God at the Temple to learn and grow in the Law.

He is in the Father’s house (New International Version). King James has Father’s business. Literally it could be translated “In My Father’s things.” When Mary and Joseph find Jesus at the Temple they are astonished (literally blown away) to see Him immersed with the professors of the Law. This astonishment quickly fades, I can imagine, because Mary and Joseph are at the same time relieved and maybe a little ticked. Mary speaks up, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father (Joseph) and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Never mind that Mary nor Joseph bothered to make sure Jesus was with them on the way home. Jesus, however, answers, “Why were searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” “Father’s business?” Both translations are fine when you consider that at the Temple was the presence of God not in a cloud or fire, not in a room hidden by a heavy curtain, but in the flesh mixing it up with the people. “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” And the business of the Father was that the Jesus would become obedient unto death on a cross for the salvation of the world. Put all of the pieces together, Jesus is assuming His role as a Son of the Law to be about the Father’s business.

To be about the Father’s business or things is our calling as well. The goal is that we end up in the Father’s house in heaven where His work is fulfilled. Luke 2:52 closes where verse 40 started us off, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Wisdom, stature, and grace are all winning elements of a Christian lifestyle and the way one pursues the Father’s work.

Wisdom comes with knowledge and experience. And that always starts with learning. Being about the Father’s business requires one to teach and one to learn. Consider Deuteronomy 6:6-9 which emphasizes teaching our children in the way of the Father. Verse 7 says, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

The Hebrew word for “Impress” is “shinan” which means “to sharpen” or “to engrave,” signifying the idea of an engraver etching words onto stone making them more permanent with each pass of his chisel. Likewise, a knife does not become sharp with one pass. An engraving gets deeper with many passes. If you want wisdom to get sharper keep sharpening. If one is to make an engraving last, it must be run deep. Otherwise, the knife remains dull, and the engraving will fade. The golden rule of teaching anything is that which is repeated is what is remembered and learned. Whatever is repeated in our own lives is what will shape character and move it toward faith or away from it. God makes wisdom a priority and it always centers on knowing the Word first. Impressing the Word upon a child according to Deuteronomy 6 is to make it a part of every day, and everything; at the table, at Sunday School, on the way to vacation, to and from school, in every corner of life. It is a repeated training, discipling, and continued learning on our part too as parents.

Consider then the final dynamic duo in Luke; “favor with God and with men.” Favor with God and with men takes grace. James Emery White, author of Christ Among the dragons makes this point. “The deep spiritual truth (wisdom) that must mark our faith, and our lives is this, “Grace by its very definition, is to be applied directly to someone else’s sin.” If we turn every difference into a kind of aggressive competition, then all that is highlight is a feeling of “one strike and you’re out.” If, however, differences are met with grace the message focuses on Jesus. Grace invites us into life. He then quotes Fyodor Dostoevsky, “Grace heals our vision, letting us love people by seeing them as God intended them to be.” Acting in grace and in wisdom brings smiles to God and new friendships. Jesus was about the Father’s business. Grace is the Father’s business, grace that came through a cross and the resurrection. Grace is our Business too.

In truth the Father’s house is indistinguishable from the Father’s business of salvation. Jesus is preparing a place for us, but Jesus is also preparing us to be in the Father’s house by teaching us the Father’s Business. John 14:9-11 emphasizes to His disciples that to know Jesus is to know the Father. To know Jesus’ teachings is to know the Father’s Business. The more we are familiar with Jesus the more we will know the Father and His business. Perhaps this can be our primary goal as we begin 2025. And then we too will grow in wisdom and in favor with God and with others. Lord willing. Blessings on our new year.

Pastor Matt Woods

John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WDJan6.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/uDRCA4Oim-c

[email protected] — (502) 523-9327

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WEEKLY DEVOTION
DECEMBER 31

Tuesday, DECEMBER 31, 2024

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

We have seen a Great Light

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/ppU7HA-B8CA

PRINTABLE PDF: DEC31.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

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WEEKLY DEVOTION DECEMBER 30

Tuesday, DECEMBER 30, 2024

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

“Faith Has Come Knocking”

Text: Joshua 6

It stood larger than anything they had ever seen. The Great City of Jericho was all that stood in the way of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. It was a city embraced by impenetrable walls. These walls were believed to be 32 feet high and 12 feet thick.

The first time the Israelites saw the city of Jericho it scared them back into the wilderness. 10 out 12 spies said it was too hard. The majority believed them and God sent the people packing for 40 years. It took 40 years and a whole new generation of desert dwellers for the Israelites to finally trust God enough to take on Jericho. It’s kind of funny in a way. These people saw God pound on the Egyptians, Part the Red Sea, and Even change Moses into a night light because God’s glory was literally rubbing off on Moses. But they still thought God was too small to destroy the walls of Jericho. When they got there they complained. “It’s too big.” “We just can’t do it.” “Well, Moses we tried, see ya back in Egypt”—at least the first generation did. The second time would be different.

God promised the Israelites that the city of Jericho would fall. God, however, had a very special way of defeating the city of Jericho. It wasn’t with polevaults. It wasn’t with a super-canon. It wasn’t by catapulting soldiers over the wall. It wasn’t even with a battering ram. Nope.

Joshua 6 tells us that the Lord instructed the Israelites to march around the city one time each day for six days. The Ark of the Covenant was to march in front with all of Israel marching behind—in total silence. On the seventh day the Israelites marched around the city seven times. After the seventh time the marching stopped. The trumpeters blew their horns and the people shouted.

Can you imagine the laughter of the folks in Jericho? “Hey Joshua are you sure you wouldn’t rather join an aerobics class?” It must have seemed ridiculous to the Israelites as well. “March around the city?” “Shout at the wall?” “What’s that going to do?”

Well, as we know it did plenty. The seventh day came and people did as they were told. And the walls came crashing down. The Israelites marched straight in and destroyed everything in their path. The mighty walls of Jericho couldn’t stand up to God. And neither could anything else. “If God is for us who can stand against us?”

Over and over again the Bible shows us how God turns the ridiculous into miraculous. And nowhere is this more true than with Jesus. “God as a baby?” Jesus took flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14). He looked like any one of us. He worked like anyone of us. But He would die for all of us. Imagine how ridiculous it must have seemed to Pilate that Jesus, “King of the Jews” would be so rejected by Jews. Imagine how it must have seemed to everyone that someone so powerful with miracles wouldn’t even attempt to save Himself. He just let Himself die. Yep.

Jesus would die on a cross as a criminal. God was using the same technique He used in Jericho. The people shouted at the walls of Jericho and the walls fell. Jesus shouted, “It is finished.” And the walls between us and heaven were torn from top to bottom. If this kind of Savior is standing for us, who can stand against us?

2025 is upon us and we will face our walls too. Maybe it’s a wall of health problems. Maybe we are facing a wall of financial changes or unexpected expenses. Maybe we are facing a wall of mourning. Maybe it’s the walls of uncertainty. Or maybe its just wall of change.

Lord knows we are going to face a lot of change this year at Grace. We aren’t moving from the wilderness to the Promised Land, nor changing our diets from manna and water to a land flowing with milk and honey. But we are changing some faces this year; faces we have known for a very long time. This next month we will be interviewing four potential pastors to come and serve at Grace. They may all be great. They also may all be inclined to stay where they serve already. Likewise a new music director will be sought. That is still a process we are only beginning to understand. But before you know it Pastor K. will be retiring and so will Helen.

Since we can say that this is still the Lord’s Church, I imagine this year in the same light as facing Jericho. The Lord doesn’t want us focused on the walls but on Him. He calls us to trust in Him above the Walls. It’s important that we have those ears to hear. Walk around the walls for seven days. Then yell at the walls. Anyone in their right mind will look at the way Jericho fell and shake their heads. If the Lord were not with the Israelites those walls would have just kept laughing at the Israelites. But because the Israelites marched each day in silence they were walking in obedience to the Word. It was the Word of God that brought down those walls. The Israelites were just the agents of God’s activity. And so are we at Grace. Our purpose does not change even if the faces of the congregation do.

And let’s remember that when those walls came down a new chapter for Israel had begun. This year, walls will fall, and a new chapter will begin. We can remember the blessings of the last thirty plus years and remember the same Lord continues to be with Grace Lutheran in the next call. The key is to remember what God has done so that we can remember what may be possible in what lies ahead. The Lord invites to follow His Word and to trust in Him and we will do well to lean into that invitation.

This year of course, needs lots of prayer for us to be wise, humble, discerning spirits. I would encourage you to pray and stay vigilant as members of Grace. We still have a purpose to fulfill and work to do. May the Lord bless 2025 and let us remember that He has always been faithful throughout the nearly 100 years of our congregation. Blessed New Year to you.

Pastor Matt Woods

John 3:30

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/8KTJrHfUrVg

PRINTABLE PDF: WDDec30.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

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h1 style=”text-align: center;”>WEEKLY DEVOTION DECEMBER 24

Tuesday, DECEMBER 24, 2024

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

“Have a Blessed Christmas”

READING: Luke 2:15-20 – When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told.

“Merry Christmas!” You’ve heard it in all kinds of places from department stores to doctors’ offices, on Christmas cards and newscasts, from San Francisco to Maine. It’s a throw-away phrase for many, appropriate to the season, but generic in its content and meaning. For Christians it carries much more meaning and a greater joy, but even for us, we tend to wish it on everybody without a whole lot of thought as to how it’s received.

I know a fairly large number of folks for whom Christmas will most definitely NOT be a merry one. Sixteen members of our congregation were called away to their eternal rest since the last Christmas. Their survivors will most likely be missing someone at Christmas for the first time. For many that absence will be painful, their grief jagged and hard. For others, they’re taking treatments for cancer for the first or second year of their affliction. They are tired all the time, worn out by constant medical appointments, tests, and procedure. Hard to be merry even though it’s Christmas. Still others have had broken bones, broken hearts, broken homes during this year and the brokenness still assaults them with a dull ache and a deep sadness. No, Christmas is not and cannot be merry for many people.

But it can be a BLESSED one! Blessed because their focus can be on the central, most important, and most amazing event in all of the Christmas hubbub: the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! A “Merry Christmas” tends to put the focus on you and your activities in the holiday season: gift-giving, decorating, family get-togethers, and the like. But a “Blessed Christmas” focuses on God’s actions, his gift to us in sending his one and only Son in the flesh in a little Podunk town named Bethlehem. A “Blessed Christmas” takes stock of what that birth means for us, what it gives to us, and what it does for us. His coming signals God’s abiding love for humanity. It signals His willingness to COME TO US because we cannot come to Him. It signifies the beginning of God’s fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. It tells us that our salvation was and is at hand. By the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of this one named Jesus, we can have peace with God no matter what our circumstances in this world.

I don’t have any problem with many of our Christmas traditions. I send Christmas cards to family and friends I don’t see as often as I’d like. I give gifts to family and friends. I enjoy get-togethers and egg nogg and fresh Christmas cookies. I even say “Merry Christmas” from time to time. But in these last 5 or 6 years, I find myself more often than not saying, “Have a Blessed Christmas.” The trials and disappointments of life in this world often make it difficult to find merriment. Laughs can be hollow. Smiles can be forced. We can go through the motions of being jolly while on the inside our grief is corroding our joy.

Better, I think, is to be encouraged to look at the blessings of Christmas, and it all starts with thanksgiving to God for sharing his Son with us. It continues with our amazement at the incarnation: that God would take on our flesh and our troubles and our sin in order that we might be given forgiveness and hope. “Have a Blessed Christmas” helps us focus on God’s actions on our behalf and the promises he fulfilled with them. It helps us keep our eye on the prize: Jesus, Son of God and Mary’s son, come to save his people from their sins. That might not make us merry, but it certainly can help us realize the blessedness of Christ’s Nativity and its impact on our past, present, and future. Have a Blessed Christmas in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: 5:00 and 11:00 PM with communion in both. CHRISTMAS MORNING SERVICE: 10:00 AM with communion.

2) NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE: December 31, 5:00 P.M.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/PeAZ_qFW9js

PRINTABLE PDF: WDDEC24.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

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WEEKLY DEVOTION DECEMBER 23

Monday, DECEMBER 23, 2024

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

“Peace on Earth?”

Caesar’s stupid Census couldn’t come at a more difficult time. Mary was due at any time and now Joseph would dutifully spend the next 10-14 days traveling 100 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem just to have some Roman official check his name off. Some others may have traveled with them for the same reason. By the time they reach Bethlehem an urgency has set in. The baby is coming—ready or not. To make matters worse the town full of people and its late. All the available rooms are full and courtyards are settling down, fires are fading, and some are already trying to sleep. Joseph and Mary anxiously seek a place to bed down for the inevitable arrival. A local mother seeing Mary’s condition offers the only thing she available, a small cave in the back—Bethlehem is littered with them. Normally her cave houses their flock of sheep but tonight they are out in the fields with her husband and his fellow shepherds. They make very good stables and this night they would many such caves may be full of caravan animals of the many other wearied travelers instead of sheep. Everything seems so Chaotic and improvised—Peace on earth? Not here.

The peace of Philippians 4 which comes at Christmas isn’t a peace of mind, or a sudden cure for cancer, or the end of trouble or a cure or our broken heart. That first Christmas is not like the Christmas cards but one with smells of sheep, anxious moments, displaced lives among strangers, and dangers like King Herod. Christmas Peace is found in the promise, “A Savior has been born unto you.” When everything is breaking down, when life happens, and trouble comes peace in Jesus is still in play. It is found in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians in an important little phrase, “The Lord is near.”

Since life doesn’t look like a Christmas Card consider Philippians 4 for a moment. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Peace rarely just comes. Peace is also something pursued, something precipitated by the actions of the Lord.

In Philippians 4 Paul calls for peace between Euodia and Syntyche, women who have been fellow workers in the Gospel to put aside their differences. Paul gives a path to peace. Let rejoicing replace your division–“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” –Put the Lord back in the center instead of yourself or your differences. “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests to God….” Finally fix your minds on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, or excellent or praiseworthy…not on each others faults. Whatever you learned from me put into practice and the God of peace will be with you. Let the Word of Christ dwell in your richly.

Martin Luther is attributed with this advice: “You can’t help it if a bird flies over your head, but don’t let it make a nest in your hair.” Let your mind worry it will worry. Let your mind forgive and you will forgive. Jesus says that out of a man’s heart come evil things. So whatever we let land in our hearts and minds will eventually act out.
Peace is something put into practice. It is not passive or something that naturally rolls around every Christmas. We can’t achieve peace by avoiding a problem, or ignoring an issue, or pretending that everything is okay. If we have lost someone and we are not just “ok” even if we tell everyone that. Something inside is missing. If our lives have been turned up-side-down because of illness or finances or divorce, or something else, peace seems illusive. Peace is not avoiding something but confronting something in a process where little by little one can find a new kind of wholeness in God’s grace.

Allow me this little warning at this point, however, regarding worldly illusion of control. Control is an illusion because it cannot guarantee peace. But how in control are we anyway? How many times you have pushed the crosswalk button at the stop light. Think that works? Some years back a friend of ours up in Michigan put on her favorite sweater. She was feeling good that day. She’s a bit on the heavy side but so are most of us. While at a gas station pumping gas later that morning, she kept getting whistles and waves and smiles. Friendly day right. She must really be rockin it right—at least she thought so until a woman came up from behind the other pump and revealed a problem. Turns out her other bra had hooked itself to the back of her sweater as if wearing it backwards and slightly angled right across her back–it had been hanging there all morning on full display. We try so hard…

Joseph and Mary had no control of the Census, of Herod, of a place to deliver the baby, no idea of a job to support themselves while away from Nazareth. They simply took the next step and did the next thing that was within their power to do. Joseph remained faithful to his bride and to the best of his ability he cared for her and the baby. Both simply remained faithful enough to rise to the moment. That’s all one is really able to do or asked to do.

Look again at a simple reality, “The Lord is near.” “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Peace is a byproduct of God’s activity. When the Word became flesh in Jesus peace had come between God and man. It came in Jesus because looming behind the Christmas Tree the manger and Christmas itself is the cross. Everything is in the cross. And on the surface Good Friday seemed like chaos. Jesus arrested, betrayed, beaten, tried in a fixed court and in less then twelve hours from his arrest crucified upon a cross. Within 24 hours of celebrating the Passover Jesus was in the tomb and the disciples were too afraid to show up at the burial. Sleepless were the followers of Jesus. No one had any appetite on that Sabbath. Where’ the peace?
The resurrection started off rough too—women meeting angels who tell them of a risen Lord; stones rolled away, guards fainting like dead men. An empty tomb and disciples hiding behind looked doors. Where’s the peace. Most definitely in those times it was busy transcending all understanding but peace was there. Even now as we grow older, as we struggle for some level of control with our budgets, diets, pills, and retirement planning, we know at the back of our minds that at any moment the peace that those things may promise could evaporate in a moment. But the peace of the resurrection in Jesus transcends those things. 2 Cor 4 tells us that what we see with our eyes are temporary but the things that are unseen are eternal. It transcends our understanding—thank goodness it does, if it didn’t peace for Joseph and Mary, for Euodia and Syntyche and for us would be impossible.

Finally lets remember that this peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We guard what we value. We are the one’s valued when peace in Christ does its guarding. Think of a time when you took your kids or grandkids to a crowded public place like a beach or a mall or an amusement park. Did you just turn them loose to do as they pleased? NO! You probably watched over them like a hawk. You never let them out of your sight for one solitary minute. A parent is always scanning for danger or trouble to maintain a vigilance in their protection. Children don’t always understand why you are holding their hand while walking in a busy intersection or why we parents are arming every limb with floaties to play in water that only comes up to their knees; or why we sometimes feel afraid when something seems out of their control or why we get so protective about grades, boyfriends, or getting their driver’s licenses.

Your protective measures transcend their understanding especially in the younger years. But as children grow they begin to understand and mature and appreciate those things. Protective things are an expression of love and of a desire for our children to have peace in their life. Ideally our children will always have a peace in knowing at least their parents love them and are always welcome. This is the picture of the peace in Philippians 4. It is always there even when other things unravel. It guards the heart and minds-the portals in which we act and do, and are. If this sacred space is guarded, peace in Jesus is much more likely to endure trouble with a strong faith. The More of Jesus that lives in the center of ourselves on the more we experience peace.

Day after tomorrow for many will be chaos. It will not look like a Hall Mark Card. For some of you there will be a measure of sadness because of a loved one we mourn. For others its coordinating dinner times. In any case one fact holds true. The Lord is near because of Christmas. That’s were our peace remains and why in joy or in sadness we still rejoice in the Lord always.

PRINTABLE PDF: WDDec23.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/jUjLCrm4aVY

[email protected] — (502) 523-9327

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WEEKLY DEVOTION
DEC 17

Tuesday, DEC 17, 2024

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

“His Name is JOHN!”

READING: Luke 1:59-64 – On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.

I have a niece who was expecting her second child. Her firstborn was a son who received the name Peyton because his father was a huge fan of Peyton Manning, the football quarterback. So I assumed that with the second child, she would get the privilege of choosing the name, and I was right. They had another son, and the day he was born his parents announced his name: “Quilleran”! The whole family was flummoxed. They had never heard that name before, much less was anyone in the extended family carrying such a name. I believe I was the only one in the family that recognized the source of that name. I had read a mystery book in which the detective who solved the mystery had the name Quilleran. My niece is a librarian, loves books, and that series of mystery books was her favorite one, and she had always thought should she have a son she would name him Quilleran.

I have a nephew who married, and in short order he and his wife were expecting. They kept the sex and name of the child to themselves until it was born. That day was announced to the family that they had a son and his name was “Ottomar”! Now, we had a few old men around my home congregation when I was young who had the name “Otto”, but I had never heard their version before. The whole family was flummoxed and wondered where that name came from. He told us later he was looking at an old plat map of one of his farms and saw that it had once been owned by an “Ottomar”. He liked it, and his wife was also okay with it, thus we have an “Ottomar” in our family tree.

When Elizabeth gave birth to a son, the whole town and all of Zecharia’s family were happy and excited for the old couple. Naturally, when the eighth day of his life came along, they all gathered for his bris, or circumcision. It was traditional that on that day the child would receive his name, and the family were of the opinion that since this was a miracle child and the only son, he would be named Junior, Zechariah, Jr. that is. When Elizabeth objects and says he’s to be named John, they scoff at her. “Don’t be silly! There’s no one named John in either of your families.” And then they turn to the man of the house. Surely Zechariah will have the last say. To their amazement, he scrawls on the tablet, “His name is John.”

It’s obvious that while Zechariah has sat in silence the past nine months, he’s had plenty of time to contemplate what the angel Gabriel had said to him at the Temple that day. He had doubted those words and questioned their meaning. For his trouble, he had been struck speechless. But he remembered full well that Gabriel had said, “…you are to give him the name John.” He wasn’t about to make that mistake again. When the family queries him, he is quick to respond with the name John. For his newfound obedience, Zechariah receives his voice once more and he employs it to the praise of his God who has done marvelous things.

The Hebrew rendering of John means “the Lord is gracious.” What God was about to do in the sending of his Son was the most gracious, selfless act in the history of the world. John’s name was to reflect that grace as he showed himself to be the forerunner of the Messiah. John does indeed become “great in the sight of Lord.” Jesus was to say of him, “Of those born of women there is none greater than John.” He was the one who went before Christ preparing the way. It was also him who declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” His name carried the weight of his mission.

Parents put a lot of thought and conversation into the choice of their children’s names. That is a gift or burden they place upon a child that will follow them to the grave and beyond. Some names have relevance within the family’s history. Some names are creatively imagined and invented. Some names are whimsical. And some names honor a hero or sports star. But the name John was given not by parents, but by God himself because he was up to something BIG! And in that BIG THING, God commanded another set of parents to give a name he himself had chosen, “You shall give him the name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” Ah, the name above all names! “It sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth! Oh, how I love Jesus!” Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) ADVENT SERVICES: Our last mid-week Advent service takes place tomorrow, December 18, at 7:00. A reminder to those affected, Grace on Wednesday will move up supper to 5:15, and classes from 5:45-6:45. Church then follows. Our theme this year is: “Signs of Messiah: Isaiah Speaks”. We will look at Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 11: “A Branch”. Plan now to join us as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth.

2) GIFTS for KIDS: we will again be gifting needy families within and outside our congregation with clothes, toys, and other things for Christmas. We can only do this with the money you provide for us. You can mail it to the office or drop it in the offering in an envelope that simply says, “Gifts for Kids”. Thank you on behalf of every child we make smile on Christmas morning.

3) CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: 5:00 and 11:00 PM with communion in both. CHRISTMAS MORNING SERVICE: 10:00 AM with communion.

Youtube Video:

https://youtu.be/M_KT0LfWLDA

PRINTABLE PDF: WDDEC17.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

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WEEKLY DEVOTION
DECEMBER 16

Monday, DECEMBER 16, 2024

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

“Making Things a Little Bit Better”

Last week a team of a dozen folks from Grace traveled to North Carolina to help with the recovery from Hurricane Helene. Two others who were locals also worked with us, one was a former member who retired out there. (He and his wife were a great host—most appreciated Gary and Jill). We worked at seven different properties around the Hendersonville area each with trees down and clean up work to get done. Our freshly trained chainsaw guys eagerly put their new training to work and many trees were cut and cleaned up. Two of our team brought along a skid steer that made short work of stumps, large logs, and even some grade work. You will probably hear much more about all it in upcoming services.

For now I want to point out one consistent pattern that was a each location. I call it the disaster before the disaster. Jan at our first stop was an elderly, independent woman who fell and broke an ankle not so long back. She has a huge property that is fast becoming more than she can handle.

At later stop Susan was a single woman from Korea. She was getting a lot of harassment from her neighbors to clean up the downed trees because they didn’t want to see the mess in the woods behind her house. This was a woman that struck me as one who was facing the world alone and needed someone just to care about her. She was eager for company and told one of our ladies all about her life.

The one that struck us all most, that we met on the same day, was Diane. She was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer and was given three months. We met her at 10 months. Her husband Mike, who had a stroke eight years before, has little used of his left side. Diane was sweet, kind, loved Jesus and clearly worried about her husband when she is gone. We cleaned up two good sized trees for them. The next morning the secretary at the church that was sending us out to work, share an email from Diane that she sent after our visit. She told us that she received bad news after we left that I can only conclude meant that nothing more could be done now. Yet she was extremely grateful and considered our work a huge help at the perfect time. It brought her piece of mind and felt like a huge burden lifted off of their shoulders.

Disaster or tribulation don’t just come with hurricanes. For Jan it was age and physical limitations from a fall. For Susan it was having neighbors who don’t get to know her. For Diane and Mike it was cancer and stroke. The hurricane just made the trouble much more complicated.

This to me is the picture in 1 Kings 17 when Elijah goes to live with the widow at Zarephath in Sidon. Elijah must travel to get there outside of Israel. Look at verse 10ff. 10 So Elijah went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”
12 “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

As a widow there was no one to supply her with what is needed. She is getting ready to make one last meal for her son, whom she can no longer feed. She is out of resources and notice that she expects no help. She is poor and on top of everything else a famine is hitting the land which is why Elijah was sent to her. This poor widow was suffering her own personal disaster long before the drought. Her condition when Elijah found her was her storm. Instead of fallen trees it was a need to feed her son.

Like those we met in North Carolina, this widow was feeling overwhelmed. It weighed heavy on her mind ultimately deciding there was nothing left to do. Likewise Big trees for an elderly, single woman or for one already fighting cancer is a huge thing that only adds to a difficult time and can steals a person’s peace.

Elijah’s job was simple. Go. Show up. Just like Jesus commands His disciples in the Great Commission of Matthew 28. “Go and disciple the nations.” Here in 1 Kings 17 its “Go to the woman and stay with her.” Through Elijah God supplied them with a jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry until the Lord sent rain once again. For us it was go to North Carolina. All together there were 14 people that the Lord sent willing to do what the Lord equipped them to do—cut trees and move the debris for those who couldn’t. A couple of homeowners offered their homes and great meals. A neighbor decided to join us and give his time as well. I could also go into the string of events and coordination from the church, the district and many people behind the scenes. This trip was possible because the Lord put the pieces together.

The goal was to leave the people a little better off than we found them. Going to help with disaster recovery isn’t about fixing all a person’s problems. Cleaning up some trees doesn’t prevent cancer or age-related problems or loneliness. It just makes things a little bit better and maybe takes a little bit of the load off. All the Lord is asking us to do is to offer what we have and let the Lord do the rest. And that my friends is all part of discipling. We can do that right?
Thank you to Gary and Jill, Will and Lisa, Dave and Julie, to Rick, Mark, Donna, Erica, Larry and Joy, Wayne, Brad, Ray, Tom, Sean, to Pastor John, David and our friends at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church for helping to make things a little bit better for Jesus’ sake. Blessings.

Pastor Matthew Woods

John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WDDec16.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/igeB9OjTH04

[email protected] — (502) 523-9327

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WEEKLY DEVOTION DEC 10

Tuesday, DEC 10, 2024

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

“David’s Greater Son”

READING: Luke 1:26-33 – In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and your are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

You folks must know by now that I am a University of Michigan football fan. You may have heard me make mention of that a time or two, especially last year when Michigan went undefeated, posted a 15-0 record, and won the national championship. We were riding high. Add to those facts three seasons in a row where we defeated our arch-rivals, the Buckeyes of “that school down south.” It was a delicious, delirious season that took us to the top of college football world.

Then, 15 of our best players were drafted by the NFL and went pro. Then our coach, Jim Harbaugh, left to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. Our new coach is a rookie who got a late-start in finding some fresh talent, and the quarterbacks he ended up with were not up to the task. This season has been such a come-down! We lost our second game of the season to Texas, and by Thanksgiving weekend we had posted a mediocre 5-5 record. From the heights to the valley floor, our luster had faded to a dim glow. Now we had to face our arch-rivals who were ranked #2 in the nation on their home field. We were as much as 23-point underdogs. We braced ourselves for a thrashing.

And guess what? We beat them! We stunned the whole college football world. We drove the Buckeye faithful to tears and frustrations. Our whole season took on a new shine. What ever else we did or did not do, we beat “that team down south” for the fourth straight year and we have bragging rights for at least another year. Hurrah for us!

David was the greatest king Israel had ever had. Even his son Solomon for all his wealth, wisdom, and splendor could not hold a candle to his father’s record as a military hero, kingdom builder, and a “man after God’s own heart”. David established the kingdom, defeated Israel’s enemies, and gave Solomon an inheritance upon which to build. God’s promise to David was that one of his descendants would sit upon his throne “FOREVER”.

Fast forward to the reign of Caesar Augustus, emperor of Rome. Israel has been subjugated for centuries: by the Syrians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Greeks, and now Rome. Now it is just a backwater province of the Empire, a place in which no self-respecting governor or military man wants to serve. And as for David’s descendants, they’re a dime dozen. None of them royalty anymore. This guy, Joseph, he’s a poor carpenter living in Galilee eking out a living making farm implements and benches. How the mighty had fallen. The luster of David’s line had faded to a weak and feeble glow.

But wait! Who’s that? An angel of God with a message for a simple virgin in Nazareth: you will bear a son, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, name him Jesus, and he will be great! He will sit on his father David’s throne, reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his Kingdom will never end! Just when it seemed God’s promises to David were just so many words. Just when it seemed that Israel would be absorbed and her Scriptures turn to dust. Just when all her hopes had come under the Roman boot – God steps in with authority. He’s about to fulfill ALL his promises: to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, to David, and to Israel. The Son of David comes as the Savior of the world. Unexpected! Amazing! Joyous!

That’s what we will celebrate in just two weeks: God keeps his Word! From a tiny corner of David’s family tree, out of the stump that Israel had become, a green shoot comes forth. In a miraculous, mysterious, surprising way God puts his plan of salvation into motion. With little fanfare, in a quiet and humble turn of events, God comes to the rescue of his people, all his people. And you and I will watch and listen once again only to marvel at what God has done. David’s greater son, Son of God and Mary’s son, our brother and Redeemer, Jesus, is coming! Get ready. Prepare a place for him in your heart. He’s coming to us again. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) ADVENT SERVICES: Our second of three mid-week Advent services takes place tomorrow, December 11, and the final one on the 18th, at 7:00. A reminder to those affected, Grace on Wednesday will move up supper to 5:15, and classes from 5:45-6:45. Church then follows. Our theme this year is: “Signs of Messiah: Isaiah Speaks”. We will look at Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 9, and 11: “A Son”, and “A Branch”. Plan now to join us as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth.

2) GIFTS for KIDS: we will again be gifting needy families within and outside our congregation with clothes, toys, and other things for Christmas. We can only do this with the money you provide for us. You can mail it to the office or drop it in the offering in an envelope that simply says, “Gifts for Kids”. Thank you on behalf of every child we make smile on Christmas morning.

3) GOLDEN SAINTS CHRISTMAS PARTY: This Thursday, the 12th, noonish. Bring a dish to pass. If you want to be involved in a gift exchange, bring a gift valued at $10-15. There will be door prizes, games, laughs, and singing. Come join the fun.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/VUz3aRwwCTc

PRINTABLE PDF: WDDEC10.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

 

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WEEKLY DEVOTION DECEMBER 9

Tuesday, DECEMBER 9, 2024

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

“Representing Jesus”

Recently, I drove to Indianapolis which is about two hours from home. Along the way I saw a multitude of billboards advertising law firms. One had an Italian looking fellow holding a hammer promising to take on those who have hurt you in an accident. Another had an older fellow, with a little photo shopping, looking similar to Santa Claus with big words saying, “Feliz LawVidad.” How clever. There were at least a dozen other billboards of other lawyers all looking tough and ready to take your case and to represent you as your champion for justice. If that were not enough, the radio broadcasted a steady flow of lawyer commercials all promising to “get the compensation you deserve.”

Well, my wife happens to be in the legal world. She will be the first to tell you that most of them will represent you if your case is considered weak. Unless they feel like they can win a settlement and profit from your misery then they will likely not represent you. And because of this the sift cases that come through their offices for those that are worth their time. This also means that you are not necessarily represented as a person but as a means to an end.

If we are in a position where we need an attorney, and I pray that you will never need one for a bad situation, what most of us imagine is someone who will go the distance for us, someone that is invested in us. I’m not saying that all attorneys are in it just for the money but the ones who are dominate the market and give off the impression that all are not there “for the people” as they claim. We want someone who will not just settle for the quickest deal but someone who believes in our case as much as we do, especially if it is a life altering situation. That’s what we expect.

Well there is no more of a life altering situation then sin. So isn’t it good to know that you have a true representative in the biggest trial on the planet. Let’s consider together 1 John 2:1-2 which says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Now let’s think on this. We are in the season of Advent. It’s a time of anticipation and hope. It is also a time that reminds us that Jesus will come back to judge the living and the dead just as we confess in the Creed. Judgement Day is described as horrifying by Jesus Himself. Judgement is coming. However, in Christ we face judgement day with Jesus at our side. He believes in us. He believes we are worth saving. This is why 1 John 2 speaks of Jesus as our advocate. He is in effect our defense attorney. He is standing before the Father making our defense in heaven’s court. We will recall in Acts 7:55 as Stephen saw Jesus standing at the Father’s side. It’s a picture of Jesus advocating, mediating for Stephen in his defense. For evidence Jesus no doubt shows His Father His wounds in his hands and side. Paid in full. This one is innocent in Jesus. Believers no longer have a debt to pay because we stand under grace and not under the law (Ephesians 2.5-9).

Scripture reminds us that Jesus represents His people. But scripture also encourages us to represent Jesus as Light and Salt. 1 John 2 argues its case to be people of the Light. 1 John 2:3-6 tells us, “3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

As believers we stand in the righteousness of Jesus. This is not just a someday thing but is for today too. Jesus regularly tells us to be awake and alert, ready that any moment Jesus will return. It is our duty and call as Christians to represent the Lord. But too often life gets in the way, the stuff of life whittles away the hours, our energy, and our interest in holy things. The stuff of life fills us with fear, or business, or some thing that gets more attention that Jesus today. We know we should do better but we often just don’t get around to it.

John the Baptist had it right when in John 3:30 he says, “Jesus must become greater and I must become less.” This is exactly the way in which one overcomes the stuff of life. If anyone lived in a court of public opinion it was John. Yet John stuck to the message and mission—“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Is this not our mission and focus as well? If we leave an impression of Jesus wherever we go then we are doing it right; to leave this impression upon our children, our spouse, our families, our friends and coworkers. Light and Salt stuff. It’s a game changer.

John the Baptist and the Apostle John were of the same frame of mind. Both of them wanted others to see Jesus when others looked at them too. 1 John 2 tell us that obedience defined Jesus love for the Father. Obedience to the Word defines true love for Jesus. Obedience makes us genuine representatives in Christ whatever court we stand in. This is what John means when he says, “If anyone obeys His Word, love for God is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him.” Love and obedience are our billboards. And our message is simple when it is focused on Jesus. We know He represents us faithfully. By God’s grace perhaps, in spite of all the pressures to do otherwise, we too may stand with the Apostle John and with John the Baptist as true representatives today, tomorrow, and the next day. God’ willing in Jesus.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/gMwp4l2DYjE

PRINTABLE PDF: WDDec9.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

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WEEKLY DEVOTION DECEMBER 3

Tuesday, DECEMBER 3, 2024

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

“Someone Was in My Heart!”

READING: Psalm 16:1-3 – Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing .” As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

Back in October I underwent a heart catheterization. They prepped me and shaved me and made me wait for what seemed like most of the time. Then they took me to an O.R. and prepped me some more. Finally they gave me some “happy juice” and things got hazy. But I do remember at one point watching the big monitor that hung over me. There I could see the chambers of my heart, the valves opening and closing, and the catheter moving around INSIDE MY HEART! Even though I was a bit loopy I remember thinking how strange and weird it was to see in real time someone inside my heart moving around and exploring it.

During the week of November 11-17, four ladies of our congregation were called to their eternal rest. Jeanne Romer died on Tuesday, very suddenly and unexpectedly. I have known her husband Jeff for 32 years, but only started to get to know Jeanne since they joined our congregation in 2020. I liked her very much, and it broke my heart to hear the pain in Jeff’s voice when he called to tell me about her. She was in my heart, one of the saints “in whom is all my delight.”

On Friday morning I awoke to find a text message from Lee Lynn, the daughter of Sharon Mater. She let me know that Sharon had passed away about 3:30 that morning. I have known Sharon for nearly thirty years. I had lunch with her husband Bruce week after week when our prayer group met. I have visited Sharon scores of times over these past years as she had become house-bound. She was a woman of deep faith and great wisdom. She was in my heart, one of the saints “in whom is all my delight.”

That same Friday I made sure to visit Peggy and Kenny Morris. Peggy had been declining for the last several weeks, and I wanted to be sure to visit her before the weekend kept me busy. When I came into the house, I found Kenny, her daughter Sandra and her husband Tony, and Peggy’s son Bobby all standing watch. One glance at them and then one at Peggy told me her time was rapidly drawing close, and she died that afternoon. Peggy was always such a character, ready to joke with me and cut-up – just a lively and wonderful Christian of strong and abiding faith. She was in my heart, one of the saints “in whom is all my delight.”

That same Friday I made an afternoon visit to Susie and Keith Bolin. Susie, too, had been in a rapid decline, beset by a number of ailments. Keith and I talked quietly while she slept, then prayed that the Lord would not delay much longer but would bring an end to her suffering. Sunday after church I was walking up their driveway when I received Keith’s text that Susie had gone on home. Susie and Keith were nearly always in church, usually in the same pew, Sunday or Saturday, week after week. I had ministered to Susie’s father. I had shared communion with her and Keith in their home. Susie knew and loved her Lord. She was in my heart, one of the saints “in whom is all my delight.”

What a week! I’ve never had one in all my years at Grace to match it. Don’t want another one like it either. Having been at Grace for all these years, none of our members are “just parishioners”. You are my family, my brothers and sisters, and I love you. When the Lord calls one of you home, I not only minister to the family and survivors, but I also have to allow myself to grieve. You’re all in my heart.

I have always loved Psalm 16. I call it “The Pastor’s Psalm” for in it you can find most of the most important truths and doctrines of the Christian faith. In particular v.3 has been one of my favorite verses. When it says “As for the saints who are in the land…” I think of those I have served and still serve at Grace Lutheran, those living and those now in heaven. They have all been in my heart, and it has been my heart’s delight to know them, teach them, minister to them, laugh and cry with them, and to love them.

People asked me that week and the one to follow: “Pastor, how do you handle all these deaths and funerals?” My answer has always been the same one: “I have a promise, and I will hold the Lord to it. I will see these folks again.” The Resurrection of Jesus is my staff to lean on in sorrow and my rod with which to bash the devil when he wants to make me despair. See, not only have all of you been in my heart, but better yet all of you are in Jesus’ heart! Thanks be to Christ Jesus! Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) ADVENT SERVICES: There will be three mid-week Advent services on Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18 at 7:00. A reminder to those affected, Grace on Wednesday will move up supper to 5:15, and classes from 5:45-6:45. Church then follows. Our theme this year is: “Signs of Messiah: Isaiah Speaks”. We will look at Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 7, 9, and 11: “A Virgin”, “A Son”, and “A Branch”. Plan now to join us as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth.

2) GIFTS for KIDS: we will again be gifting needy families within and outside our congregation with clothes, toys, and other things for Christmas. We can only do this with the money you provide for us. You can mail it to the office or drop it in the offering in an envelope that simply says, “Gifts for Kids”. Thank you on behalf of every child we make smile on Christmas morning.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/uw9LyJOMhvk

PRINTABLE PDF: WDDEC3.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

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WEEKLY DEVOTION DECEMBER 2

Monday, DECEMBER 2, 2024

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

“The Power of “How Are You”

Recently a muppet we all know as Elmo went viral on X with a simple question; “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” No one expected what happened next. In less than 48 hours, the post has received over 13,000 replies, over 100,000 likes, and has been reposted over 46,000 times. “Elmo” became the No. 1 trending topic in the U.S. on X (Twitter), with over 338,000 posts according to an article by Inc. ( https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/elmos-viral-9-word-tweet-just-set-internet-on-fire-its-a-powerful-lesson-in-emotional-intelligence.html). Many responses were essentially “Thanks for asking” while other responses talked about layoffs, mental health concerns, and expressions of anxieties about the world around them.

“How are you doing?” is a question tossed out pretty casually much of the time. The typical answer is “I’m fine.” But are we? Are you doing okay as you watch this?

In Mark 5:24ff we meet a woman who had bleeding problems for twelve years. Note verse 24ff. “A large crowd followed and pressed around Jesus. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.”

Did you catch it? For twelve years. For twelve years she hoped that doctors could help her, but they didn’t. They made it worse and left her poorer in the process. Bleeding would have made her unclean, meaning she wouldn’t be able to be in a crowd, or among family. This would have been a lonely life. She is all alone in a crowd. No one knows her problems. No one knows how’s she doing. Even if they asked, she would probably have said, “I’m fine.” Does anyone really want to know? Could she trust anyone to understand where she has been for twelve years? Everyone else is busy going about their own business crowding around Jesus. We too are busy and crowding our lives with all kinds of other things. Would we have the energy to notice. But God wants us to see her. That’s why we read about her here in the Gospels. Notice too that she is captive to her thoughts and her hopes. She has become a very private person. Perhaps you can understand her because of your own private struggles.

However, we also know that Jesus inspires hope within her. She probably thought of nothing else but getting to Jesus once she learned that He was passing though. Held deep within her thinking she is telling herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” “How are you doing?” has a very different answer after she reaches out to Jesus.

Verse 30-34 goes on to say, “At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

“You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Here’s what I hope we all see. She has Jesus’ total attention. The crowd fades away and it is just her and Jesus. She falls at Jesus’ feet and in a moment of pure terror—I say pure terror because someone unclean is not supposed to touch a rabbi or anyone else for that matter. She is trembling with fear because she tried to be subtle, unnoticed, hiding amongst the crowd, something perfected over twelve years of an invisible life. Yet here she pours out her heart; years of frustration, disappointments over doctors, years of spoiled hopes, years of tribulations, sadness, loneliness—The whole story is poured all out before the crowd. Finally…She gets to tell her story. Finally, someone gets to know who she really is—not because she is healed but because in her sheer terror she feels she must. But somehow this terror spills out in relief. Finally, she no longer has to be invisible. Verse 33 says she told “the Whole Truth.”

“What’s Jesus reaction going to be?” she may have thought. Jesus looks right at her, “Daughter…” Let that linger for a minute. “Daughter…” means she is not isolated but part of a family. Jesus welcomes her as a daughter of Israel and of God. “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” I hope for you to see that what is more important that the actually physical healing was that he showers her with love. She is no longer unknown, untouchable, nor someone that should think of herself as unwanted.

Perhaps you have plenty going on too. I don’t have a miracle of healing to offer. My clothes are not that powerful. But I can listen, and pray, and remind someone that they matter and that they are worth stopping a busy crowded day for a chance to talk about how they are doing. I can give them a place to pour out thoughts and emotions that have been long trapped for fear of rejection. We can all do that. I have met many with illnesses and troubles of all kinds. They struggle with bad days and good days which happens with anyone. But the bigger thing is, “Does anyone care about me?” The simple answer is yes. Jesus of course does. However, we are the ones who are sent to remind each other that we matter to Jesus. We are the ones who show Jesus’ compassion. Who listen as Jesus would.

Thousands of people responded to a puppet from Sesame Street. But we are not talking about Elmo therapy here. We are talking about bringing the grace of God to someone in the form of time, company, and a willingness to listen; to take real interest in them. “Notice me.”

If there is anything we learn it’s to notice others, especially our sisters and brothers in the Lord. Calling the woman “Daughter” not only blessed her with a reminder of her value to Jesus but communicated to everyone else in the crowd, who didn’t notice her, that she was family to Jesus. They were quick to notice Jairus’ troubles because he was of a synagogue. But now they were to note this woman’s faith, which stood out in this crowd. It’s important to notice others. And that means more than just greeting them on Sunday. It means stepping out of our crowded lives, perhaps even interrupted for a moment for the sake of the one who is needs someone to listen. For us it means making it a point to reach out to them instead of always waiting for things to be convenient or for them to come to us. At any level surely as Christians in the body of Christ we can do better than Elmo in asking “How are you doing?” and mean it. We can do that. Right!?

Pastor Matthew Woods

John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WDDec2.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/igHIfM8jhB0

[email protected] — (502) 523-9327

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WEEKLY DEVOTION NOVEMBER 26

Tuesday, NOVEMBER 26, 2024

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

“Thank You, Thank You, Thank You”

READING: Psalm 105:1-5, 8 – Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations.

I just did the math. God gave the covenant to Abraham about 2040 years B.C. So that’s about 4060 years ago. If we take 20 years to be the average time between generations, God’s covenant has been in force about 203 generations, give or take. Since the Psalmist says that God’s word will hold for at least 1000 generations, there’s still at least 16,000 years left in that promise! Of course I’m being a little facetious here. The Psalmist isn’t speaking in literal time, and I’m not going to either.

God made a promise to Abraham that he would use his descendants as the nucleus of all those who would trust in the one true God. They would forsake the idols of the world and the false gods of every kind, and lift up the name of Yahweh, the Great “I Am”, and praise him only. You and I understand and believe that the promise was not for Israel only, but for all those who would come after the fulfillment of God’s promise in the coming of his Son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

A year has come and gone since our last Thanksgiving Day. Think back over that year: have you had more blessings than you can count? More blessings than you deserve? More blessings than disappointments? I’ll wager you have. God has kept us supplied with everything we needed for both body and soul. And even if you have suffered grief, even if you have suffered ailments, even if you have struggled, God has not forsaken you. The fact that you are listening to this devotion tells me that. He has kept you in his family. He has sent his Holy Spirit to keep you in the one true faith. He has blessed you with his presence, his Word, his Sacraments, and his promises. And note: those promises are the very same promises he gave to Abraham – “Trust and serve me, and I will make of you a great nation.”

No, your descendants probably won’t establish their own nation on the map of this world. But they will receive a “Promise Land.” They will be part of a “great multitude that no one could count.” They will be blessed by the same God you have been blessed by. The same God who blessed Father Abraham. And even if you have no descendants following in your footprints, you are still part of the greatest family in the history of the world: the Family of God.

So as you contemplate Thanksgiving, the service tomorrow evening at 7:00, or your family dinner on Thursday, or just a quiet day on your own – give thanks to God for all his benefits. Be reminded that you are known by the Creator of the universe BY NAME! That you are offered the same blessings, the same future as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Daniel, Peter, James, and John. The One who blesses you has shown you salvation by bringing you to faith in his Son. Jesus has told you, “Because I live, you will live also.” And if that’s not enough, you live in a great and spacious land, free to worship your Lord as you see fit.

Thanksgiving Day has its traditions: turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, afternoon football games, and left-overs for days on end. But do not forget who the real center of the day should be. Take some time to give God thanks…for EVERYTHING. Physical blessings, yes. Personal blessings, yes. National blessings, yes. But especially those blessings that the world has nothing to do with: his love, his truth, his Son, his promises, our hope. Have a Happy and a Blessed Thanksgiving in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYER:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) THANKSGIVING SERVICE – 7:00 PM tomorrow, Wednesday, November 27. My last Thanksgiving sermon at Grace (probably). “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever!”

2) ADVENT SERVICES: There will be three mid-week Advent services on Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18 at 7:00. A reminder to those affected, Grace on Wednesday will move up supper to 5:15, and classes from 5:45-6:45. Church then follows. Our theme this year is: “Signs of Messiah: Isaiah Speaks”. We will look at Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 7, 9, and 11: “A Virgin”, “A Son”, and “A Branch”. Plan now to join us as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth.

3) GIFTS for KIDS: we will again be gifting need families within and outside our congregation with clothes, toys, and other things for Christmas. We can only do this with the money you provide for us. You can mail it to the office or drop it in the offering in an envelope that simply says, “Gifts for Kids”. Thank you on behalf of every child we make smile on Christmas morning.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/RwpZkHnfn6E

PRINTABLE PDF: WDNov26.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

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WEEKLY DEVOTION
NOVEMBER 25

Monday, November 25, 2024

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

“A Lifestyle of Gratitude and Joy”

Last week we talked about filtering all things through Jesus recognizing that rejoicing by itself is not true joy but rejoicing in the Lord is essential. Today we continue our thoughts on Thanksgiving asking ourselves “How do we learn to rejoice in the Lord, to not be anxious about anything?

First, look at what you have…a warm home, being healthy, running hot water, someone who loves you, friends, a job, a good church home, having a Bible, a dependable vehicle, electricity, warm clothes, food to eat, and much more. Much of what we have is often taken for granted, but the moment we lose it we are quick to miss it. All ten of the Lepers in Luke 17 missed their good health.

Leprosy not only had physical ramifications, but also social and emotional ones too. For one to have leprosy meant that he would have to live apart from his friends, apart from his job, apart from his family, no longer allowed to touch his wife or hold his children or even be within ten feet of them. These Lepers pleaded with Jesus to get back what was lost—their health, their homes, their jobs, and their families—the very same things that are so often taken for granted. Look at what you have and give thanks and you find yourself much more content. Psalm 92:1-2 says, “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.”

Secondly, rejoicing in the Lord means we stop complaining. We don’t always complain because we have a lot of problems. Much of the time we have problems because we complain. Complaining doesn’t change anything or make situations better. It amplifies frustration, spreads discontent and discord, and can invoke an invitation for the devil to cause havoc with our lives. Complaining makes us miserable. Psalm 77:3 says, “I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed.” Philippians 2:13 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Instead of looking at the negatives in our lives and complaining, we must look at and for the positives and give thanks.

Thirdly, no one rejoices out of envy. Envy is never satisfied; nothing is good enough nor fulfilling enough. Envy builds in us a sense of entitlement, entitled to anything I want. Envy only frustrates people, leaving them in a constant state of need. Life is always unfair, always the victim. James 3:16– “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Envy is based in pride. In Deuteronomy 8 we hear, “Be careful you do not forget the Lord…otherwise, when eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your prosperity grows then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord who gave it to you.” The opposite of pride and envy is daily gratitude that recognizes that what I have is a blessing from the Lord. Gratitude is envy repellent.

Next learn to laugh a little, or a lot. “Rejoice” means “be glad”. Proverbs 17:22 says that a cheerful heart is good medicine. I heard Joyce Meyer read the following paragraph which describes the benefits of laughter. She did not name the source but I thought it was a wonderful description of the benefits of laughing. “Laughter is good medicine because causes the release of body chemicals called endorphins. These substances help to relieve pain and create a sense of well-being within us. Laughter is able to raise your energy level and pull you out of the pit of depression. It actually releases tension, anxiety, anger, fear, shame and guilt and can completely change a person’s attitude. Like a massage, a good belly laugh is able to stimulate all your major organs. It’s like internal jogging. Laughter strengthens your immune system. It increases antibodies. It is believed to have a protective capacity against viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms. It’s like an internal aerobic exercise because you inhale more oxygen when you laugh. Laughter stimulates your heart and blood circulation and is equivalent to any other standard aerobic exercise.”

Learn to laugh. As we said last week genuine joy is found v.4 “in the Lord”. He didn’t say to rejoice in yourself but in the Lord. All spiritual blessings are in Christ and since you are in Christ you always have a reason to be joyful. Learn to laugh because in Christ you will share in the greatest last laugh of them all, overcoming the world in Christ. Grumpy Christians don’t make a lot of sense. You and me have reason to laugh. All the dirt and yucky stuff that invades our peace is eventually going to be filter out permanently through Jesus.

Finally, let us turn to Jesus. V. 6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Two words stand out don’t they, “with thanksgiving”. At first it might seem like an odd insertion, but “with thanksgiving” implies that something is already given. And there is something given, namely the giver in this case has given Himself.

Years back my cousin’s husband Harry planned on going to Afghanistan for a year to work. They still live in Michigan, and with jobs hard to get back then it was a place that become a state of anxiety to say the least. Opportunity knocked so Harry set himself up to work on Hum-V’s for the military as a mechanic. We may remember from the news that Afghanistan was a dangerous place. Family members harbored concerns, naturally. Yet Harry wasn’t all that worried. In his mind he would be working on base, surrounded by American soldiers, 24/7. His anxiety is lessoned because of who will be with him, making it safe to work. The tax free income that he earned definitely motivated him to sign on but he but it was the safety of being with the American soldiers that made it work most. It is their presence that made the other blessings possible for Harry.

It is easy to forget sometimes that we daily live in enemy territory. Anxiety is one of the enemy’s favorite tools. But remember Jesus promises, “I am with you always,” and “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Jesus is with us. Jesus willingly became the filter for our sin purifying us on the cross; That’s the hard stuff. How much more then should our confidence be that we can make our requests to God to ask for the smaller things. James 1:16, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, come down from the Father…” We don’t live or work in Afghanistan but we still have our anxieties don’t we. Jesus is, however, right here with you. It is His peace alone that transcends…And it is already yours.

Jesus is our filter. Jesus purifies us from all unrighteousness. He makes us ready for eternal life. Let us rejoice in the Lord. Let us make our requests. Let us give Him our anxieties. Let us learn most of all to give thanks for what we have because what we have promises more to come. This thanksgiving let us rejoice in the Lord and give thanks for all that Jesus has given us.

Pastor Matthew Woods

John 3:30

PRINTABLE PDF: WDNov25.PDF

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/CdG1ykFs7eU

[email protected] — (502) 523-9327

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WEEKLY DEVOTION NOV 19

Tuesday, NOV 19, 2024

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

“Shorted and Cheated”

READING: Isaiah 30:8-11-13, 15 – Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness. These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction. They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!” Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant.” This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and thrust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

Back in October, Becky and I spent a week in Appleton, Wisconsin, visiting our eldest son Andy and his family. We had a wonderful time, and we had wonderful weather: warm sunshine, a high blue sky, and cool breezes. It was so nice; I decided one day to go fishing in the Fox River at a lock and dam I had discovered last year. I bought a one-day fishing license and I went to a Kwik-Trip gas station to buy some bait. They have a cooler there with live nightcrawlers and other worms and grubs. I bought a Styrofoam container that contained a dozen nightcrawlers, or so it said.

I drove to the lock and dam and went to work. I set up one rod with a bobber and a sinker, put on a nice fat nightcrawler, and tossed it out into the river. Then I took my other rod and went along the embankment casting a jig and crawler. I had several bites that robbed me of a ‘crawler, and I caught one lone freshwater drum. When I rebaited my hook, I had to dig around quite a bit in the container to find what I knew to be my fifth nightcrawler. After I baited up and tossed it back into the water, I thought to myself, “Boy, I sure had to hunt for that last one. Where are the other seven ‘crawlers?” I dug around in the container without success. Then I started to shake out the dirt. By the time the container was empty of dirt I had already come to the realization that I had been cheated! Instead of a dozen nightcrawlers, I had received only five! They had shorted me by more than half! It angered me. I thought, “I’ll have to go back there and make complaint!”

In the entire book of Isaiah, Yahweh makes complaint through his prophet of how Israel is shorting and cheating him. Our text is just one example of his lament and his charges. Israel had fallen into a pattern. They offered up the appropriate sacrifices, paid lip service to Yahweh in worship and prayer, but then failed to live lives in obedience to his law. They cheated, abused, and mistreated the poorer people of the land. They committed adultery, stole, lied, defamed, betrayed, and falsely accused one another. They practiced idolatry with the gods of their enemies and the cultures around them. They acted uprightly in public, but in secret they practiced divination and all manner of vices. And when the Lord sent his prophets to them, they dismissed them, turned away from them, or even did violence to them. They were shorting God of what they owed him for all he had done for Israel. They were cheating him of the praise, the trust, and the love that should have been his. They were giving those things away to false gods or just spending it all on their own luxuries and pleasure. They were ignoring Yahweh and treating him with disrespect.

Is it any less so in our day? Lots of people live their lives without much thought about God. Oh, they may use his name in vain. They may send a quick prayer his way when danger or trouble overtakes them. But on a day-to-day basis they live as though he does not exist. They have nothing in their hearts for him. They live for their own leisure, their own pleasures. They break his commandments as it suits them. They pursue all manner of false gods, most especially the false god of “self”.

And even those who label themselves “Christians” do not much pay attention to what his Word says. They are swayed by the culture around them. They try to “keep up with the Joneses.” They do what “feels” right, no matter what God’s word has to say. They short God of the obedience due him. They cheat him of the thanks and praise that are rightfully his.

Let that not be said about us. As Thanksgiving Day comes ever closer, let us be the people who rightly give him our thanks and praise. Let us do our best to walk in his ways and to seek his will. Let us never cheat him of what is rightfully his, nor short him of our devotion. May he be our great Treasure and our great Light through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER:

P.S. When my last worm was gone, I put all my tackle into my car. Then I walked across the street to the “Down the Hill Tavern” and enjoyed a “Lutheran lemonade.” That helped take away the sting of being shorted and cheated!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) VOTERS ASSEMBLY – Sunday, November 24, after late service, we will have a Congregational Assembly with the principle work of looking at, amending, and approving the Work Plan for 2025. Changes are coming in that year, so careful and thoughtful planning for various contingencies are called for. Please make an effort to attend. Lunch will be provided.

2) SEMINARIAN JOSH BIERI will be here the weekend of November 23-24. He will be the preacher at all three weekend services. Josh and his family have been the recipients of our financial assistance these past two years as he prepares for vicarage next year and ordination beyond. We can look forward to his message and to seeing his wife and at least their little son who will be a year older than when we last saw him.

3) THANKSGIVING SERVICE – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 27. My last Thanksgiving sermon at Grace (probably).

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/bTr0YXLPpE8

PRINTABLE PDF: WDNov19.PDF

[email protected] — (502) 797-7407

 

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WEEKLY DEVOTION NOVEMBER 18

Monday, NOVEMBER 18, 2024

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

“Rejoice in the Lord”

We use filters for everything it seems these days. On our cars we have fuel filters, oil filters, air filters, and the ones most never change—the cabin filter which filters the air inside the car. In our homes we use water filters, furnace filters, and HEPA filters in our vacuums. We even use filters on our computers to keep out viruses. We all know how they work: When water passes through a filter dirt is trapped in the filter while the water passes through. When air passes through a filter dirt is trapped in the filter while the clean air passes through. The whole idea is to remove the dirt and the harmful stuff that spoils our fuel, our air, our oil or our water. The filter ends up with the dirt and then is sacrificed to purify whatever passes through it.

Jesus is our filter. In order to enter into heaven Jesus invites us to come to the Father through Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Upon the cross our sins were laid upon Jesus. Our dirt stuck to Him so that we can receive the pure righteousness of God. 1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” Jesus is our filter for salvation, and our filter for living in joy.

Philippians 4:4 calls us to “Rejoice…. I will say it again rejoice.” In verse 6 he goes on to say, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, will guard your hearts in minds.” As I read this, did you notice what I left out? Wait for it…Philippians doesn’t just say rejoice, but “Rejoice in the Lord…” The Peace of God doesn’t just happen, it happens through the filter that is Jesus. The Peace of God which transcends all understanding, guards our hearts and minds…in Christ Jesus.” “In Christ Jesus…” is the key to thanksgiving and the center of our attention this Thanksgiving season. Genuine joy is an outgrowth of thanksgiving and gratitude is found in the Lord.

The Apostle Paul made it his practice to be in the Lord even though he wrote to the Philippians while in prison in Rome. This was during Paul’s Roman imprisonment in about 62AD. Acts 28:16 tells us that Paul was “allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him” (house arrest). Ironically, Paul was once thrown in prison in Philippi, along with Silas (Acts 16:19ff.). As a result, we know that the Philippian jailor and his entire family were saved. But now, from his house arrest in Rome, Paul is giving thanks and expressing joy. Philippians is often called Paul’s joy letter. He is thankful and joyful because of the Gospel. Philippians 1:12-15 we learn that Paul’s imprisonment has advanced the Gospel, and it is well known to the whole Palace Guard that he is imprisoned for Christ. Paul is thankful and joyful for his fellowship in Christ with the Philippians and for their support.

Perhaps you have something similar happening in your life right now. Perhaps you are in a place you didn’t expect to be. Perhaps you are mourning a loved one and this is the first Thanksgiving without them. Perhaps your job has been cut and Christmas looks like very intimidating rather than like a blessing. Perhaps you are caring for a loved one where every day presents new challenges. Or perhaps your children are simply far from home and you are just feeling a little lonely for them. Like Paul you may be in circumstances that were not planned and developed completely outside of your control. Giving thanks and rejoicing would naturally under difficult circumstances be a lot harder. It was hard for Paul.

And yet somehow, we see Paul choosing to look for the good of his circumstances. He didn’t miss an opportunity to talk about the Gospel. He didn’t let his thinking dwell too far on things he couldn’t change but instead chose to focus on what he could do within each moment of each day. He made it a priority in fact to find reasons to rejoice and give thanks for what he does have rather than what he didn’t. Paul was as human as any of us. He had thorns in the flesh and asked to have them removed. Paul endured a lot of things that left him hungry, hurt, or miserable. I am sure being stoned by his enemies and left for dead was not a pleasant experience. And yet, Paul was defiantly focused on giving thanks and rejoicing in the Lord.

Being in the Lord doesn’t necessarily make things pleasant. It doesn’t make things fair. For Paul being in the Lord gave Him purpose. Whatever his circumstances, in plenty or in want, Paul made it about Jesus and about others around him. Notice how Paul starts the whole book of Philippians. In 1:2-3 He says, “Grace and peace be to You from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God every time I remember you.”

If we are facing our first thanksgiving mourning a loved one, we can still rejoice and give thanks for them and the good they blessed us with. We can celebrate them in grace and in peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ even in sadness. We can do the same thing while caring for one with long term illness, or when missing a child far away, or when struggling with troubles. Something good has been given to us that is worthy of our thanksgiving. Missing them is evidence of that. Troubles also move us to take stock of what we have. It’s just as important to filter the hard stuff through Jesus as much as our sin. That’s what Paul did over and over and rather than dwelling on his troubles he focused on the good of the people. The people in the churches that he visited were his greatest blessing. When he wasn’t with them Paul missed them like any of us would miss loved ones. Through those people God blessed Paul in prison. They visited him for long visits and cared for Paul. Paul depended on them as much as they depended on Paul. And in the midst of it all Paul rejoiced in the Lord and gave thanks in all circumstances.

Faith gives us the same advantage that Paul had. Filtering our lives through Christ makes some things tolerable and other things a great joy but it always brings us salvation. Our great joy in the Lord is knowing that when all is said and done our Lord will keep His promise to us. Because of this Philippians 4:13 is a place many are fond of quoting in this regard. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” A life filtered through Christ is a life strengthened in Jesus and a life that still finds a way to rejoice in the Lord. May the Lord strengthen you. (Part 2 is next week.)

Pastor Matthew Woods

John 3:30

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