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WEEKLY DEVOTION OCT 1
Tuesday, OCT 1, 2024
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
“Pity the Poor Rabbits”
READING: Romans 8:35-37 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Pity the poor rabbits. From the moment they are born, sightless and hairless, they are mercilessly and relentlessly hunted by every carnivorous beast in their environment. Have you ever noticed that in the spring and early summer there are rabbits everywhere? Early in the morning on a walk or a drive, you will see one or two in nearly every yard, big ones and little ones. But by this time of year, you see very few bunnies of any size. The reason is simple: they have been eaten.
According to the DNR, the average life expectancy of a wild cottontail rabbit in Indiana that lives past the nesting stage is only 11 months! Less than a year! A rabbit aged 4-5 is a VERY old rabbit and a very lucky one at that. Everything eats rabbits: owls, hawks, coyotes, foxes, weasels, bobcats, fishers, mink, snakes, skunks, dogs, and racoons. Some of the worst predation is by your cuddly and beloved housecat you let out the door who kills dozens of baby and young rabbits in his lifetime! Rabbits are very tender and very defenseless compared to let’s say a squirrel. Most of them do not have a strong hold on life. Squirrels, on the other hand, will fight to the death and inflict all kinds of damage on their assailants. Rabbits are pushovers in comparison.
In our lesson for today St. Paul says that from the world’s point of view, Christians are also pushovers. Satan can and does use many tools to pull us down. Paul names a few: trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and sword. There are many others. Paul quotes Psalm 44:22 to point out that God’s people have always experienced suffering in spite of God’s presence in their lives. Our sin, the sins of others, and the brokenness of the world have always been the cause of many sorrows. We seem like sheep awaiting the butcher’s knife, easily dispatched.
In particular the words, “…we face death all day long…” speak a difficult truth to us. You see every morning I say good-bye to Becky as she heads her way and I go mine. We expect to see each other again about dinnertime, and to this day that has happened. But we can never be absolutely sure about that. Things can happen. One of us could become involved in a car accident. A tornado could wreak havoc with the roadways or sweep one of us away. Every active shooter tragedy involves people who don’t come home at the end of the day. Heart attacks, strokes, and accidents of all sorts can bring injury or death without much warning. What I am saying is that while I expect to see my wife at suppertime every day, I cannot say with absolute knowledge that this will always happen.
Paul acknowledges this truth, but then comes roaring in with a greater and more important truth: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” And why does he say this? He goes on to list all the things that cannot, will not, and never shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Nobody, no way, no how, no thing can take away the love of God that is ours in our Savior Jesus. It is ours, and there is nothing in this whole wide world that can take our salvation from us, period!
St. Peter says much the same thing in his First Epistle, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” See – “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.” Our salvation is guaranteed – not for a day or a year or a lifetime, but forever and ever.
So pity the poor rabbits. They are targets from day one and have little to look forward to but being some carnivore’s dinner. You and I, seemingly like sheep, easily taken, always in danger, and prey to “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” have a confidence and a sure hope for our God will not abandon us to the grave but will raise us up with Christ and give to us for his sake eternal life. That is his eternal promise, and that is our eternal hope in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) MARY MILLER CRUISE through the Locks is set for October 19. Interest was such that the bus filled immediately. We are also taking the van, so a few seats might still be available. The cost of the cruise is $38 per person. If you are signed up, please send or bring a check made out to “Grace Lutheran Church” to the office or in an envelope in the offering plate.
2) While you were listening to this, I and some 45 others are traveling to Port Huron, MI, and then back to Frankenmuth today. We’ll be headed home tomorrow afternoon, so keep all of us in your prayers. Thanks, and we’ll see you soon.
Youtube Video:
PRINTABLE PDF: WDOCT1.PDF
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
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WEEKLY DEVOTION
SEPTEMBER 30
Monday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
“The Opportunity in Conflict”
I remember Dave Ramsey telling some version of a story of two older sisters who lived in the same house and each needed an orange for separate baking recipes. Only problem: there was only one orange left and no time to get to the store before guests arrived. As these sisters did from time to time they fought. In this case it was about the orange. Much time was spent trying to tell the other that her recipe deserved the orange more. Emotions ran high and tensions filled the room. In time a revelation finally changed the course of things. Turns out, one of the sisters needed the orange while the other one only needed the peels.
My point in sharing this today is how easily we can turn just about anything into a good fight. Let me tell you another one that is given to us from Acts 15:36-41. 36 Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement, but we are also told that it was sharp. Folks, they had a fight. It was emotional. It was heated. Paul didn’t believe that John Mark was up to being part of the new trip because he had walked out on the mission in Pamphylia. Barney saw that John Mark still had potential and thought that he needed to have a second shot at it. These events are mentioned in Acts 15 because they are relevant to the fact that two missionary groups instead of one were not a result of this disagreement. More ground was covered.
Beginning in Acts 15 I hope to begin a series that addresses conflict. To start off with I want to talk about what did not happen with Paul and Barnabas. First, it is not said that it became a competition where one or both rally supporters within the church to their side in order to pressure the other to give in. Typically, today, too many Christians too quickly turn an argument into a contest and assembles a huddle of people who would agree with us. Such things usually heighten emotions as each side talks themselves into greater heights of anguish and about how the “other side” is so wrong. From there it becomes like a campaign fueled by emotions. “Vote for me.” It’s a very divisive approach.
Secondly, Paul and Barnabas did not make it all about themselves. The disagreement did not become an issue of who was a better apostle as it once did with the disciples at the Last Supper. We remember how Jesus had to regularly demonstrate that being a follower of Jesus was not about sitting in places of honor in heaven. The disagreement in Acts 15 was sharp in this case because what was at stake was the mission of the Church. Both Paul and Barnabas were very much in agreement about the mission of the Church. Paul and Barnabas didn’t stress their personal reputations or their authority or their personal importance. Instead, they clearly defined the problem and came up with a mutual solution.
I would propose that one looks at conflict not as something to be avoided, mainly because, no one goes with conflict in life. That’s not realistic. I think that conflict is an opportunity. Let’s use Acts 15 again.
First thing is that it becomes an opportunity to identify something important to us. John Mark abandoned his place in Pamphylia but Barnabas was aware of John Mark’s character. By the way, this is the same Barnabas who advocated for Paul shortly after his conversion and introduced him to a very skeptical church in Acts 9. We are not told why Mark did what he did but his cousin Barnabas knew his potential, forgave him, and discipled him further on the next missionary trip. The result was years later, he is with Paul, who calls him a “fellow worker” (Philemon 1:24). Near the end of Paul’s life, Paul sends a request to Timothy from a Roman prison: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). Paul eventually recognized saw a maturity in Mark and leaned on him for ministry. Mark clearly needed more training or something and what he got helped not only Mark but eventually Paul and the mission of the Church.
If we find ourselves becoming emotionally invested in a conflict perhaps something important needs more attention in us or in another. Emotions signal such things. Along with this we may want to put ourselves in the shoes of the one we are conflict with and ask ourselves what may be important to them. The whole thing becomes an opportunity if we can learn what this may be. Finding out what’s valued as important brings a lot of clarity. It may not bring resolution right away but its good to have the right beginning point because the focus has a chance to shift from feelings to intelligent discussion and a solution.
Another reason conflict may be an opportunity is that it may lead to a greater appreciation of another. Paul and Barnabas knew that it was important to distinguish the person from the real issue. One issue can totally skew a relationship. That same issue can also make a relationship much stronger. While Paul and Barnabas disagreed sharply about Mark the failure of Mark did not become Mark’s identity. The fight did not make Paul the enemy of Barnabas. Barnabas took Mark under his wing and Paul agreed to let Mark rebuild his trustworthiness under Barnabas. Paul trusted the plan because he trusted Barnabas and in time Paul grew to appreciate Mark as much as Barnabas.
If our focus is to win a contest we lose. The moment a conflict in a relationship becomes a contest its already a problem. Remember who we are talking with; a spouse, a child, a friend, or even myself, someone we care about. Start with the relationship and assume the best. Put the best construction on your words. Don’t let your mind go negative about a person even if they are resistant to your assessment of the issue. Place the matter in the hands of the Lord and promise at least to give some thought to what the other person is disagreeing about. As with Paul and Barnabas, it may not be something we agree on.
Finally, ask, “How can we honor the Lord in this?” Every disagreement is a chance to grow in faith and to honor the Lord especially between two Christians. If we seek to honor the Lord we go a long way to avoid making the matter more complicated by what we may have said and done. Sometimes when emotions run high, we may even say, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are saying or doing right now.” If one aim is to honor the Lord then we may better remember the deep grace and forgiveness already provided for us in Jesus.
So, we begin our topic today with Paul and Barnabas today-brothers in the Lord. Conflict can be a huge opportunity. Conflict among Christians (And that is who I talking about today) has a greater chance as an opportunity if we are not quick to make it a competition or about ourselves. But if we are seeking the Kingdom of God in our conflicts just maybe everything else maybe added as well. Something good is possible if that is our goal in any given conflict.
May God bless us this week in His peace.
Pastor Matt Woods
John 3:30
PRINTABLE PDF: WDSept30.PDF
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/ILEm5OHTl5A
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327
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WEEKLY DEVOTION
SEPT 24
Tuesday, SEPT 24, 2024
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
“The Cattle on a Thousand Hills”
READING: Psalm 50:7-15 – “Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God. I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens. For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to drive out into the countryside around Corydon. As I was driving I saw a bunch of black angus cattle grazing on a hillside, and immediately Psalm 50 came to mind. It does so most every time I see a bunch of cattle on an Indiana hillside. God’s words to his people Israel continue to ring true for his people in our day and age as well.
The Israelites in the days of the kings and prophets were very good about observing the sacrificial laws. At the appointed feasts they brought their animals to be sacrificed. They gave to the priesthood the required portions. They were fine with the fat parts being burned in the fire for God. And then they were able to feast on what remained. Everyone enjoys a good barbeque, right?
The problem was not with their sacrifices. The problem was with their hearts. Their hearts were often far from the Lord their God. They went through the motions. They kept the outward law, but often inwardly they were doubtful, faithless, or even worse, in thrall with the pagan gods of their neighbors and enemies. When God testifies against them, he does not fault them for their sacrifices, but he makes it clear to Israel that he does not NEED those sacrifices. The pagan religions believed that their gods NEEDED to eat, drink, and function much as human beings do. Yahweh makes very clear to them that IF he was hungry, he had all the animals of the world to choose from. But he is not in NEED of any of them. But he does have a desire: to be loved, worshipped, and obeyed by his people.
This passage is not the only one in Scripture where God chastises Israel for there empty sacrifices. In I Samuel 15, Samuel takes Saul to task when the King failed to follow God’s directive to destroy ALL the animals of the Amalekites, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.” God was looking at Saul’s heart, not at Saul’s sacrificial fires. He found no real love or faith in that heart and rejected Saul as king.
In Psalm 50 the psalmist warns Israel, and King David, that God is looking for more than outward signs. He seeks an inward reliance on God’s goodness and a trust of his true intentions. He seeks faith. To this very day this is still the case. God does not NEED our worship. He does not NEED our prayers. He does not NEED our offerings. He does not NEED our good works. If any of these are offered out of “have to” or from fear or in the hope this will bring the giver good fortune, then God finds them distasteful and unacceptable. Going through the motions without an inward need and desire for God’s presence is just so much noise.
We have a God who knows us through and through. We have a God who loves us with a deep and undivided passion. Loved us so much that he sent his Son into the world to suffer and become THE atoning sacrifice for all our sins. That Son loved us so much that he bore our sins AND our punishment on that cross so that we could know, trust, and love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls. That’s what God wants. He wants our faith in him. He wants our love for him. He wants us to want a real relationship with him.
So, when you see some nice fat angus cattle on a southern Indiana hill, let them recall for you God’s words, “The cattle on a thousand hills are mine” – and he doesn’t NEED a single one of them. What God desires is your heart – all of it, given to him out of love, devotion, thanksgiving, and trust. That pleases him more than the fragrance of the sacrifices. He wants you to be his child forever. Amen.
PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) MARY MILLER CRUISE through the Locks is set for October 19. Interest was such that the bus filled immediately. We are also taking the van, so a few seats might still be available. The cost of the cruise is $38 per person. If you are signed up, please send or bring a check made out to “Grace Lutheran Church” to the office or in an envelope in the offering plate.
2) I and some 44 other folks, most of them from Grace, will be leaving at 8:00 A.M. on Sunday for our bus tour to Frankenmuth, MI. Keep all of us and our bus driver in your prayers. We’ll be back on October 2.
Youtube Video:
PRINTABLE PDF: WDSepT24.PDF
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
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WEEKLY DEVOTION
SEPTEMBER 23
Monday, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024
Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
“Truly Gifted”
I ran across an article from the Korean Herald this week totally randomly. It was titled, “A Record IQ is just another talent.” The focus of the article was on 48-year-old Kim Ung-yon who according the Guiness holds the world’s record for his 210 IQ. The article starts off by saying ‘the former whiz kid feels happy with ordinary life despite media expectations.’
Able to solve intricate math equations at age four Kim notes that the media belittles the fact that Kim chose to work in a business planning department rather than continuing at NASA or in some Government position or solving some of life’s mysteries. The media is quoted as labeling Kim as a “failed Genius.” Kim is noted to have worked for NASA at age 8 and worked there for 10 years. Kim says, “At that time, I led my life like a machine—I woke up, solved the daily assigned equation, ate, slept, and so forth. I really didn’t know what I was doing, and I was lonely and had no friends.” Upon his return to Korea the media made him feel “like a monkey at the zoo.” He was tired of the attention. Ironically, before he could get a job in Korea, he had to get his elementary, middle, and high school diplomas which he originally bypassed. He obviously passed the equivalency exams.
The article references another “gifted” child, 16-month-old Jonathon Rader, apparently able to play various musical instruments. The press has looked at this child with the same expectations of greatness. But Kim essentially asks, ‘what if Rader doesn’t want to pursue music long term?’ Of course, Kim whom the child is compared to is said by the Korean media to be a bad example for the youngster because Kim has chosen such an ordinary life. Doesn’t matter to Kim. Kim claims too much meaning is invested in the meaning of IQ. In short, gifted children are often cornered into meeting the expectations of those around them. It’s like an episode of the movie “Good Will Hunting.” IQ is not independent of one’s hopes and dreams. https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20101006000616
Giftedness is a true value. But what is giftedness and how should it be applied? Paul makes the point in Romans 12:4-8 to say we all have giftedness to offer. “4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
All gifts are in essence spiritual gifts especially since what we have is Spirit given. Paul’s list in Romans 12 is not an exhaustive list. Someone’s gift may also be math, or computers, or it may be an ability to comfort people or drawing cartoons for children’s books. The important clue though is vs 6 which reminds us that “Each of us has gifts according to the grace given us.” The current giftedness of my grandkids is just be a joy for grandparents to be around even as they don’t even realize how much joy their bring. You may be a joy to someone too. Or you may be just the right kind of help. The point is that grace is given to each of us something to share. We are in effect all gifted. And these gifts are spiritual.
What should our gifts be applied? First, the trouble with giftedness is that some gifts get more respect than others as if one gift supersedes the rest. The media calls Kim a “failed Genius.” If there is one thing we learn it is that a high IQ is not the end all be all. We all remember Solomon as the wisest man who ever lived (other than Jesus). He was so smart that he outsmarted his own faith in God. He didn’t use his wisdom for godly things but for selfish things. His failure to apply his wisdom in a godly fashion held spiritual consequences for himself and for the Israelite kingdom. So, I think Kim is on to something here. A gift is never independent. Solving math all day doesn’t resolve loneliness or a need for friendship. Being great at one thing doesn’t separate itself from needing encouragement or friendships. I can’t imagine never going to school, not making friends, nor knowing the joy of a graduation ceremony. A life of just math sacrifices too many other necessary things in human life. I digress. The trouble of giftedness is not the gift but the perception of its value and then human nature that is so prone to see IQ as valuable but not something like peacemaking or gentleness.
1 Corinthians 12 Paul speaks of God’s people as a body with many parts. The same Spirit distributes the gifts to God’s people. Gifts are not meant to be in competition with other gifts but a complement to other gifts. For example, a gifted farmer may have expertise on growing crops but not without someone gifted in making tractors or someone gifted in refining fuel.
The gift of tongues was a big hit in the Corinthian church, thought to be really cool stuff. I’ve run into certain Christians who have told me that I am not even Christian because I can’t speak in tongues. Now, we don’t have time for a full conversation on tongues here but I always wonder why there is such a heavy emphasis on tongues and not on Galatians 5:22-23—“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Gentleness is pretty important especially in the realm of being tactful. Why not be gifted in tact? Even among Christians it’s easy to weigh one kind of gift as more valuable than another. Yet, if the Spirit gives us each spiritual gifts Paul’s argument is that a hand cannot say to the foot I don’t need you. The value of each gift is in how they complement other gifts. The body of Christ is only whole because of the variety of the Spirit’s gifts. Each of us is a part of the body and therefore, have a giftedness given to us.
Each of us is gifted. Maybe it’s not a record IQ. Maybe its an ability to cook or something seemingly ordinary. When one looks at Grace, where would we be if not for the variety of gifts that are employed in the service of God? Ministry exists because of Spiritual gifts given to each of us. May the Lord give us eyes to see and identify our gifts, to value of our gifts as gifts of the Spirit, and the wisdom to apply our gifts in a way that brings glory to Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Matt Woods
John 3:30
PRINTABLE PDF: WDSept23.PDF
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/DAY-qfOIx1U
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327
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WEEKLY DEVOTION SEPTEMBER 17
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
“Sons of the Father”
READING: Mark 10:35-40 – Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
Two weeks ago I celebrated my wife Becky’s birthday with a tribute to pastors’ wives and mine in particular. Today happens to be my brother Larry’s birthday. He is exactly two weeks younger than Becky to the day. I am the eldest child in our parents’ family. Larry is number two. Alan is third, and Sally is the only girl. Our sainted youngest brother Kurt rounded out the Bob Kischnick family.
We three oldest boys were together a lot. We did chores together. We hoed weeds together. When we got older and stronger we did men’s work at planting and harvest time. Nearly every Saturday morning found us mucking out the calf stalls together. Sometimes we were the “Three Musketeers” and sometimes we were the “Three Stooges”. We played together, we built “camps” in the woods together, we fished and hunted together, we fought one another, and sometimes we still laugh together so hard tears come to our faces. We talk often and see each other every chance we get. We are the sons of our father – “Bob’s Boys”, and we will be as long as we live.
When we were in “Three Musketeer” mode, we were inseparable. We worked together to achieve goals like building sledding hills in the winter or snow caves. We once spent a whole day in the straw mow, building tunnels and rooms amongst all the straw bales. We did such a good job that the next day our dad walked across the mow to throw some straw down onto the drive floor when without a clue he fell through into one of the rooms. We were ordered to pile all the tunnels shut again. We’ve often speculated about the look on Dad’s face when he went down into that cave we had built!
When we were in “Three Stooges” mode, we did nothing but irritate one another. The only person on the planet I ever had a fist fight with was Larry! Don’t know what the tussle was about, but we were doing the milking one evening and squared off with each other. He hit me in the mouth and busted my lip. At the same time I caught him with a body blow to the gut that knocked the wind out of him. We both retreated to our corners, the fight was called a draw, and we never did THAT again! There were also some battles while we were mucking out the calf stalls on several different occasions. When you have a fork full of manure in your hand and you’ve had enough of their stuff, well, you use it. Retaliation was always swift and in kind. Farm boys – what can I say!
I have always imagined that much of the same was true for the “Sons of Zebedee”, that is the “Sons of Thunder”. I imagine that they also were always together until they couldn’t get along. They probably had more than one “fish fight” in their day. They worked the boat and the nets together. They probably dreamt of doing something more exciting with their lives but also saw that their future together would be as fishermen and businessmen.
When Jesus said, “Follow me,” they went together. They were together at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. They often enjoyed Jesus’ extra instruction and his more intimate feelings, emotions, and frustrations. He wanted them to lead, but sometimes, like in our reading for today, they failed him miserably because they sought their own glory in his. They completely misunderstood their own request. Jesus said, “You don’t know what you are asking.”
St. John in his gospel indicates that Jesus’ glory came upon the cross. When he was lifted up, he drew all men to himself. With that in mind he must also have realized that he and his brother were asking to be at Jesus’ right hand and left AT THE CROSS. Unwittingly they were asking to be crucified with Jesus. I’ve often wondered if this realization came to John as he stood with Mother Mary at the foot of Jesus’ cross and saw the malefactors hanging on their crosses to his right and to his left. “These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared,” Jesus had said. These brothers who had shared many things were spared from sharing that dreadful death.
So to Brother Larry, “Happy birthday, Knucklehead!” To the rest of you, give thanks that Jesus was willing to “drink the cup and be baptized with the baptism” that his Father had prepared for him. By his sacrifice you and I can be brothers and sisters in Christ, sons and daughters of the King, our gracious Father. Amen.
PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) MARY MILLER CRUISE through the Locks is set for October 19. Interest was such that the bus filled immediately. We are also taking the van, so a few seats might still be available. The cost of the cruise is $38 per person. If you are signed up, please send or bring a check made out to “Grace Lutheran Church” to the office or in an envelope in the offering plate.
2) GOLDEN SAINTS LUNCHEON, this Thursday, the 19th noonish. Bring a dish to pass.
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/252V3XnobGg
PRINTABLE PDF: WDSept17.PDF
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
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WEEKLY DEVOTION SEPTEMBER 16
Monday, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
“The Difference Between Waiting and Hope”
Waiting is no fun. Last week sat in my car getting ready to turn on to a busy road to come to church. The traffic was very thick and there was a driver in an big SUV ahead of me signaling a left turn. This road does not give up opening easily during morning rush hour so decent openings to turn left come after long waits. The driver in front of me, who was waiting to make a left hand turn, must have been sleep driving or playing with a phone, or maybe was too nervous to try it. Opening-no movement. Another opening—no movement. Ten stinking minutes—no attempts at all. I was wondering what kind of gap the driver was waiting for. Finally, thirteen minutes and twenty seconds in, the big SUV turned out leaving about five of us behind anxious to get going. It took me one minute to find an opening big enough.
Waiting is not a favorite to most people. Waiting in an ER…Oh who doesn’t like sitting in a room full of coughing, snotty, sick people. I often say the reason we call patients in hospital’s patients is because that’s what we have to practice, namely, patience. Waiting for important test results or for the next meal, doesn’t matter, waiting in the hospital is literally a drag. Perhaps the worst point of waiting in a hospital is when a doctor suggests that you might be going home today. In your mind, its time to get dressed and get out now. Not so fast cries another specialist. “Might need to do one more test.”
And who doesn’t love to wait at the BMV? It’s way better now than in my early driving days. Used to have to pack lunch when going. All the while I sit wondering if I had all the documentation needed for my stuff to get done. Waiting is not meant to be a time of worry and fear.
Here it is: At some point one has to leave the waiting room. At some point one has to make that left turn. At some point one has to make the decision for the procedure to be done or not to be done. Waiting can be helpful. Waiting can be crippling too. Waiting too long can build anxiety. Waiting just enough can build within us hope and anticipation. Waiting can give time for information to be weighed and considered. Waiting too long can become destructive. The difference is what is happening in the waiting. Waiting usually isn’t empty especially when one is waiting on the Lord as Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” The whole point of the wait is to go home or to the next thing. Waiting implies that something comes next which means that waiting is meant to be a transitory state, not a permanent place.
The word for wait here is Qavah, to wait, to hope, to expect. This is not a passive existence but a deliberate, proactive, and preparing for the next thing. For example, it is to trust in the Lord and love the Lord with all of your heart, mind, and soul. Waiting on the Lord is a conscience lifestyle that lives by the Word. It is propelled by hope in the resurrection. It is a hopeful, expectant waiting that anticipates eternal life as a certain thing.
Waiting renews our strength. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Think of waiting as rehab time. When one is in rehab the whole point while waiting to heal is to strengthen oneself in the waiting. It is about renewing one’s strength after a sickness or a surgery. Even a soul needs some rehab from time to time especially after losing a loved one—one needs a time to mourn. While mourning eventually a point comes when one must renew their strength. Waiting in the Lord can do this.
It is also a waiting that calls us to renew our minds in the Word thus transforming us from being without knowledge to having more knowledge of those things that can shape us in faith and in our way of doing things. Waiting gives us time to meditate on the knowledge gained and then employ that knowledge. Waiting ponders the choices ahead of us and reasons out how those choices may play out. Examples may include what college to go to; to go ahead with a procedure; or to give your heart to a significant other.
Waiting should not be passive in opportunities that the Lord puts before us because as 1 Corinthians 15:58 reminds us nothing we do in the Lord is done in vain, not even waiting. Eventually, though, at some point we must summon the courage to make the left turn or get on with the next thing. At some point we must step out of the waiting places and into the opportunities that are placed before us, especially by the Lord.
When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, Peter literally stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. Curiosity? Maybe. A challenge? Possibly. But Peter didn’t wait in the boat. Ephesians 5:6 tell us to “make the most of every opportunity…” Peter did what he could in that moment and for a brief few steps his trust in the Lord was wonderous. Yes, he sank, but Peter was the only one of those disciples to know what it was like to walk on water like Jesus. Opportunities may include meeting a person at just the right place and time who needs you to be there or they for you. Or in may lead to finding just the right person to call for a Music director at Grace. At some point it’s important to recognize an opportunity when it comes upon us.
Nobody likes to wait, especially when the waiting seems to be without purpose or meaning. Waiting is meant to hold within it, purpose, waiting for a reason; anticipating the next thing, especially in the Lord. Waiting in the Lord is meant to shape everything about us so much so that faith always holds its focus on the resurrection. Perhaps the most significant way we measure waiting of any kind is by what comes next. And Lord knows that experience has shown us that what comes next after waiting isn’t always good news or happy circumstances. We often get tired of waiting on doctors to make something happen. Yet waiting in the Lord is unique in that we are waiting for that which not of this world, built by the Lord. And that is what the Word of God wants us to keep focusing on.
So, wait patiently. Your waiting on the Lord is not in vain. Our waiting in the Lord holds within it the blessings of heaven.
Pastor Matthew Woods
John 3:30
PRINTABLE PDF: WDSept16.PDF
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/82Uj4Pb8qm8
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327
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WEEKLY DEVOTION
SEPTEMBER 10
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
“Be Thankful for Little Problems”
READING: II Cor.6:3-10 – We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
We had a chipmuck problem! One of those cute little varmints found its way into our cabin at the lake in Canada. We came back one afternoon, and when I walked into the cabin, I saw something scurry around the front room. I saw it was a chipmunk, and he was trying to get out through the picture windows but having no luck. He ran back and forth for a moment, then hightailed it past me into the kitchen and disappeared behind the stove. Later we discovered a big hole in the lower backside of a bag of salted-in-the-shell peanuts. He must have been running in and out all afternoon with his cheeks stuffed with winter provisions.
The following day, which was rainy and rather cool, my brother and his boat partner came in before us to get the fireplace going for the rest of us. Once they had the fire going, they were sitting at the table drinking some Lutheran lemonade when the chipmunk reappeared from behind the stove. He gave them a quick look-over, then spying a peanut, he picked it up with his paws, sat on his haunches, and ate the peanut all the while looking at the two men as though to say, “How’s things with you guys?”
There were mouse traps set in various places, but we never caught the little bugger. My brother saw him actually stick his head between the jaws of the trap to lift a peanut set there as bait. He did it with the care of a surgeon and got away clean.
On our last evening of fishing we stayed out on the lake late. We got back to the dock around 8:45 or so. The next day one of the young college kids that worked on the staff showed us a video he had taken from the boat dock about 8:00 that last night. In the distance you see something black moving on the beach. Then the camera zooms in and you see a 300-pound black bear walking on the beach not 40 yards from our cabin’s front porch. We could have seen his ears from the porch as he moved along below the cut-bank. We decided right there and then that our little problems with the chipmunk were literally small peanuts compared to returning to the cabin only to find a 300-pound bruin in our cabin. Thank God for little problems!
St. Paul in our lesson from his Second Letter to the Corinthians gives quite a list of problems and troubles that he and his fellow evangelists encountered on his missionary journeys. It’s not the only place where he makes such a list. I think he wanted his readers to know just how much he valued their salvation and their faith in Christ Jesus. He was willing to endure all things if it meant he could see them grow in faith and service.
In particular I get a kick out of the last seven items. He says, “…genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet no killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, yet possessing everything.” None of those things can be regarded as good, but each of those things could have been worse. None of those things was to be enjoyed, yet each of those things brought blessing to others. None of those things were sought after, but when each of those things came their way, they made the most of them.
There are strains of Christianity who try to teach people that if they just have enough faith, God is going to rain down physical, economic, medical, or relational blessings without number upon them. I say, show me where Jesus promises that in this life we will be without trouble? In fact he says that for his sake we will most definitely have troubles come to visit us. But if you and I trust that God can and will produce good fruit from our steadfastness and our endurance and our faith, then we can thank God for the little problems and thank him that the bigger ones have not befallen us.
In Chapter 4 of this same book Paul says this, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
“Light and momentary” – our problems don’t always feel so light and momentary, but when we compare them to what we will experience in heaven, they will fade to nothing in that day. So you and I can thank God for the little problems. We can thank him that they are little. We can thank him that they will not last. And we can thank him that his Son has already taken care of our greatest problems: sin, death, and condemnation. Those things he has already undone. Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) Turns out we will not be taking an excursion to the professional Women’s Soccer match later this month. No one took up our offer! Hmmm!
2) SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 is a BIG DAY! We will celebrate our 50th year in our Sanctuary with a CONGREGATIONAL PICTURE to be taken between the services. Want every possible member to be there around 9:15. After late service the Elders will serve their BBQ. Come!
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/dk_joZ_DnkY
PRINTABLE PDF: WDSEPT10.PDF
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
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WEEKLY DEVOTION
SEPTEMBER 9
Monday, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
The Purpose of Anniversaries
Anniversaries are wonderful things. This weekend we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Grace Lutheran’s church building here on Klerner Lane.
The church has officially met as a congregation on four properties. The first place in 1927 was a rented room over a pool hall in downtown on State Street in New Albany. Each week members had to set up a borrowed organ, lectern, and hymnals. Folding chairs from Dieckman’s funeral home were dropped off on Saturday afternoons and picked up on Mondays. A large coal-burning parlor furnace was used to heat the room and the coal that fueled it was carried from several blocks away by members. The members rented the hall for $20.00 per month and met there for little over a year.
Then the congregation moved to a location to East 10th and Oak. It was here in 1930 that a one room school house was started in the basement with an enrollment of 18 students. Within a year it grew to 35 students.
Eventually the congregation moved to Charlestown Road in early 1950s where they bought the James Whitcome Riley School and refurbished it into a church. This location remains famous to former students of Grace. Many still talk about the teachers back then and the big metal slide out back. The slide was the old school kind that would bake your bottom because it would heat up in the sunshine. Growing again to 600 souls, the congregation bought the property on Klerner Lane in 1964 but would not build until 1974
Now, this year we celebrate being at Klerner Lane for 50 years, longer than all the other locations combined. We hope to celebrate the day with a rededication of the building, a congregational picture, and a big BBQ. Since the previous three locations all had a congregational picture taken in front of them and since none has ever been taken at the current location we want to honor our history with a bit of tradition. So, we intend to take a congregational picture. I hope that everyone can make it.
Anniversaries mean things. One of the oldest anniversaries still celebrated today is very much connected to our 50th anniversary. Consider Exodus 12. This is where the Lord gave the Israelites the Passover. Note what is said.
14 “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance….24 “Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. 26 And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ 27 then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’”
Did you catch it? “When children ask you…” Anniversaries teach each new generation. History is always a significant part of an anniversary. History keeps one grounded in the fact that generations before us helped establish what we now enjoy. History gives us roots, legacy, and a sense of belonging. The faithful group that started Grace, every week hauled coal for several blocks, hauled chairs upstairs, set up and took down a borrowed organ each week. Years later members of the congregation had the courage and foresight to buy 7 ½ acres on Klerner Lane in 1964. Many years of faithful acts all contributed to what is celebrated this weekend. At the same time such history reminds us that God was at work in these very people. We are rooted both in the essence of the Passover, namely Jesus, and also in the legacy of our predecessors.
For both the Israelites and for Grace what we learn is how the Lord blessed his people. We benefit for example from the Passover, in that the Lord, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away our sin. The central message of Grace Lutheran is Jesus. Those who commemorate Passover teach the children what God has done. One of the great opportunities of anniversaries is to remember what God has accomplished over the years. Once the Lord freed His people in the Passover, a defining moment in salvation history. A 50th anniversary of a church is not on the same level but we are none-the-less celebrating God blessing us with a day that does define the ministry of God in this place. No matter how one slices it, we are teaching the next generation to remember what has been done by the Lord that helped make 50 years in our currect location possible. Imagine 50 years after the Exodus, Israel was in the Promised Land remembering how they got there by commemorating what God had done a generation before.
A second reason that anniversaries are good is that by retelling our history we gain confidence for our future. Note the promise of verse 25. “When you enter the Land the Lord has promised….” This verse is given even before anyone has left Egypt. No one yet has tasted freedom. Yet, the Lord speaks in a tone that is certain that the Land promised will one day be occupied by Israel. Grace Lutheran thrives today because of the certain hope that we have in Jesus’ Word of a promised resurrection. Grace Lutheran’s main purpose is the Gospel as its center. Right now, we remain captive to our sin in a fallen world. For now we hear of our future in a 50 year old sanctuary. We hear of another place not built by human hands, a place that cannot fade, spoil, or be broken. And it’s ours through Jesus’ promise to all believers. We will be given a promised place in the Father’s House. When the Israelites looked back on their history they were looking at a future too. That future was Jesus, the fulfillment of the Passover.
Grace Lutheran has spent its years remaining focused on the Gospel of Jesus. 50 years in one location is not that long in the grand view of things but it’s more proof that the Lord is still at work. We only got this far in our history because the Lord has blessed us with His Word and Spirit. The Lord has blessed us even through seasons of blessings as well as trouble. We remember and celebrate that while everything changes the Lord remains the same. Jesus’ continued grace is also worthy of our attention as we consider the call process for a new pastor and a new music director next year. It is good to have confidence in the Lord and courage to believe that the Lord will continue to be with Grace and help us reach the next chapter of our congregation next year. God is still good, still faithful, and still provides because he still the great “I Am” and He still with us.
May the Lord then bless our anniversary. May our commemoration teach the next generation about the faithful who have gone before us and how the Lord has been so active in our history. May our commemoration also remind us that our future in Jesus remains just as fixed now as it was when we started generations ago. And may we remember as part of our future is the certainty that someday we will get to see those previous generations again in the resurrection. Finally, may our anniversary continue to remind us that the Lord will provide what we need in our call process. May the Lord make us wise and discerning in our call process. May the Lord make us diligent to serve Him as we move into the next chapter of our Congregation. “The is the Day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Pastor Matthew Woods
John 3:30
PRINTABLE PDF: WDSept9.PDF
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/r7caFTcNrM8
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327
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WEEKLY DEVOTION SEPTEMBER 3
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
“Becky’s Birthday!”
READING: Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-30 – A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life…She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Today is my wife Becky’s birthday. I won’t say how many years, but she is now just one behind me. I started dating her when she was just 16. We got married when she was 17. She was 21 when she graduated with me from Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, IL, and not yet 22 when Andy was born. Fifteen months later Dan entered our lives. At 29 she gave birth to our daughter Christa. By then she was teaching kindergarten at St. Paul in Royal Oak, MI, and I turned in her master’s thesis the day Christa was born. Two years later she moved with me to Evansville, IN, where she established the preschool program and put up with me as her principal. Three years went by and another move came, this one to Ft. Wayne and the Seminary. On August 20, 1990, we arrived at Grace, New Albany. While we have stayed put for the past 34 years, Becky has not been static.
She worked as a trainer for 4-C Community Outreach in Louisville, then started the daycare program at Epiphany, New Salisbury. From there she made the jump to public school teaching – kindergarten and first grade. During that time more college classes were taken in administration, and then she did an internship at Parkwood Elementary in Clarksville. From there she made the jump to principal of the largest elementary school in the district at that time, Wilson, in Jeffersonville. Ten years of that, then back to the classroom for a couple of years until retirement came some five years ago. Sit around and drink tea? No, not Becky. She established York Academy of Discovery in New Albany where she herself takes five 4-year-olds of various abilities and economic means and preps them for kindergarten four days a week from 8:30-4:00. And, what an education those kids get!
Now, besides her professional endeavors, there were eight grandchildren born in the past 18 years. Five of them were close enough by to warrant weekend babysitting and holiday and summertime sleepovers. There were birthdays to celebrate, graduations to attend, weddings to plan, our parents to tend to and mourn when they passed, confirmation parties, and scores of games to attend or listen to on her phone app. And she did all these things while married to a pastor who had a big parish to tend. I was out of the house nearly every Monday through Thursday with meetings, confirmation, pre-marital counseling, visitations, etc. And the weekends weren’t much better: Saturday services when I was preaching, Sunday mornings getting the kids ready for church by herself, and often classes or visitations after church. Had she been less understanding and less supportive of my calling, she could have made things harder for me. But she understood hard work and dedication because she practiced those things herself. She was the first to recognize my calling, and she honored God’s call by standing beside me all these years. She was a “helper fit for me”.
The pastor’s wife is often seen in the background of the ministry. She doesn’t preach sermons or do children’s messages. She doesn’t necessarily lead the Sunday School or greet people at the door. But a pastor’s wife does a hundred little things every month that enable her husband to meet the needs of the congregation. Becky helped with a lot more homework than I ever did. She gave more baths, fixed more hair, washed more clothes, took more messages, affixed more Band-Aids, and dried more tears than I did because she was home in the evenings when I wasn’t.
Now, she’s not the only pastor’s wife who has done all those things. Most of them are just as self-giving, supportive, and sacrificial as her. She just happens to be MY wife, and on her birthday I wanted to acknowledge her service to me and the congregation. Her help and patience made my years of ministry possible and more effective, and I wanted to say, “Thank you, Dear, and I love you.”
The last chapter of Proverbs has a husband lauding his wife in much the same way. He stands in awe of her abilities and her efforts. He finds himself confident that while he is immersed in his ministry or vocation, she has his back. He not only trusts her, but he admires her skills and aptitudes. She is a marvelous match, and she is also a woman who honors God by serving her family, her husband, and her neighbors. Reminds me of the woman I have at home.
Since today is Becky’s birthday, if you would be so moved, why not send her a birthday greeting? Her cell number is 502-797-7406. She’ll be at first puzzled and then tickled that people know it’s her day and are taking the time to send her blessings. Thanks for letting me express myself and my love for my helpmate. I’ll talk with you next week. God bless you.
PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) The trip to the Women’s Professional Soccer match is cancelled. No one wanted to go!
2) SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 is a BIG DAY! We will celebrate our 50th year in our Sanctuary with a CONGREGATIONAL PICTURE to be taken between the services. Want every possible member to be there around 9:15. After late service the Elders will serve their BBQ. Come!
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/0bIPnbsANFs
PRINTABLE PDF: WDSEPT3.PDF
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
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WEEKLY DEVOTION
SEPTEMBER 2
Monday, SEPTEMBER 2, 2024
Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
“Not Just Another Bear Story”
I’ve shared my bear story before. It happened on a summer night at around 2AM. I heard rustling sounds on the back porch. No one else woke up but me. My curiosity got the best of me, so I got up to see what the noise was. I opened the back door only to discover a huge furry shadow on the other side of the screen door. I turned on the porch light to see a 250-300 pound black bear staring at me from the other side. Not thinking I opened the screen door slightly and petted the top of that bear’s head. It just looked at me confused and probably just wanted to keep looking through the empty coolers left out to dry from the day before. In hind-sight that was not too smart. It quietly wandered off after that and went back to bed.
Now before you wonder if this happened at college or at home you will need to have the rest of the story. It happened while working in Yosemite National Park in California between my junior and senior year of college. I wanted to see a bear all summer and finally did. My roommates didn’t believe me because they somehow slept right through it. I didn’t care. It was an experience I will never forget. I share my bear story is to prepare you for another bear story in 2 Kings 2:23-25 which definitely needs context to understand the whole picture. The point for today is to make sure you have the whole picture.
Let’s read the passage and you will see what I mean.
23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. 25 And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.
On the surface it appears as though Elisha is passing by an elementary playground and getting teased by little boys on the playground and then sends a bear to attack them for being so disrespectful. Tell that one to the kids in Sunday school. “Don’t misbehave or God is going to send some bears after you.” But as we look closer we will see that there is much more to this bear story.
First, let’s get back to the Hebrew. The word used for ‘boys’ is na‘ar. The NIV translates it “boys,” the KJV uses “little children,” and the ESV “small boys.” But na‘ar is much more broad in its possible meaning. It can designate more than just children or boys. It can also be a servant (Gen. 22:3), a king’s official (2 Kings 19:6), or even a priest (1 Sam. 2:17).
The other Hebrew word is an adjective, qatan, which means small, little, or young. When Solomon takes the throne at about the age of twenty, he describes himself as a na‘ar qaton (1 Kings 3:7). It is the belief then that these na‘ar qatan are more likely priests in training, or servants from Bethel where Elisha was passing through.
So, what? Well, add the next piece of information, Bethel. Bethel was a central place of worship in the Northern Kingdom founded by Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25-33) when the kingdom divided. This is where Jeroboam set up the false religion of golden calves in order to keep the Israelites in the North from going back to Jerusalem to worship. In short, it was designed to keep King Jeroboam in power over the people by distinguishing his kingdom from Judah. The fake religion had its own priests and holidays. Eventually, it just became part of Baal worship which ultimately ruined the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Bethel, ironically translated, “House of God” became a capital of a false religion.
When Elisha passed by these na‘ar qatan were likely young men tied to the false priesthood from Bethel. And there are a lot of them. We are told 42 were mauled by two bears. There may have been many more. Like bullies often do they traveled in a large group, no doubt in order to intimidate and perhaps bring harm on Elisha as their victim. To reject God’s prophet is to reject God. To reject God’s Word is to reject God. These men are enemies of God as much they are enemies as Elijah. These are not innocent little children but more like a gang threatening harm to Elisha. And like the demons of Jesus’s day who always ran to Jesus in order to yell at Jesus these men seem to deliberately go out of their way to harass this prophet of God and mock Him. “Go up you baldy.” Basically, “Get Lost!” “Go away like Elijah!” Instead of welcoming the prophet of God as Israelites should they were basically trying to curse the guy. In truth these young priests in training had already cursed themselves in their false religion and rejection of the Lord. Elisha in effect only pronounces a judgement day of sorts in his curse. God sends the bears and they maul 42 of these na‘ar qatan.
Interesting point of fact here is Leviticus 26:22-23 for Israelites who reject the Lord. “I will send wild animals against you, and they will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and make you so few in number that your roads will be deserted. “‘If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me…”
So, we see quickly that there is much more to this event. It is not God being cruel but God pronouncing judgement upon young men, Israelites who have condemned themselves in their rejection of God. And it’s nothing new. People curse themselves with bad financial disasters, bad marriages, venereal diseases, broken bodies, and much more because of some bad lifestyle choices. The worst is the curse of being separated from God in a lifestyle that mocks God, belittles Christians, and rejects His Word.
Today, many secularists want to talk about Jesus as flippantly as the young men in Bethel. The impression of too many in our day and age is Jesus as a Hippy preaching a summer of love. Jesus is painted as a mere friend who will accept any lifestyle, doesn’t really care about sin, and pushes the latest social justice cause to show some love. But Jesus is God, Creator of all things, God in the flesh who died for our sins, rose from the dead, and will come back to judge the living and the dead, each according to what they had done; Not because what we do saves us but because what we do reveals what’s in our heart.
The whole story is relatively simple to understand but is often not believed any more than my room mates in Yosemite believed I petted a bear. Believe it or not, it happened. Likewise, to live in sin is to live in a separation from Jesus. Jesus has come in the flesh to save us from that separation. People cannot save themselves from death, but they can condemn themselves to an eternity absent of Jesus. We need Jesus. We need those like Elisha who represent the Lord. Jesus simply says in John 15:14, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” A heavy emphasis is laid on following the Word of God with the point that we get the whole picture. We are sinners who are lost without Him. However, because of Jesus, sin is overcome, and eternal life is given to those who remain faithful to the end. We will all answer to the Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). By the grace of God this is not just a bear story. It is the future reality.
Pastor Matt Woods
John 3:30
PRINTABLE PDF: WDSEPT2.PDF
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/aR64m5oOLK8
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327
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WEEKLY DEVOTION AUGUST 27
Tuesday, AUGUST 27, 2024
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
“Man Overboard!”
READING: Matthew 14:25-33 – During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reach out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
If you heard my sermon on August 18, you heard me tell about losing my fishing rod and reel to a fish that yanked the whole thing overboard while I was busy helping my partner land his fish. I heard the rattle but paid it no mind. When I turned to take up my rod, it was gone. Deep sixed. Sunk!
What I haven’t told many people is the rod and reel were not the only thing I lost overboard during our week in the Canadian wilds: I lost my boat partner overboard! His name is Dennis Sergeant. We fished together all week with much success and with much bon homme, but on Monday afternoon as we were heading out to go fishing once again, we had a little hiccup. Dennis was running the motor and I was seated up on the front seat. As we rounded “The Point” and the speed increased, I thought I would sit myself on the center bench seat to give us a lower center of gravity and to avoid being bounced so hard when we slapped into the waves. It wasn’t a bad idea, but I should have warned Dennis before I made the move.
As I slipped back onto the center bench my movement changed the balance of the boat. At the same moment we had the misfortune of encountering my brother Alan’s wake. Before either of us could adjust, the bow went up high, the boat dipped low on the left side, I was thrown back and into the bottom of the boat, water came rushing over the side, and Dennis, fearing a swamping, rolled out of the boat on the right side.
I lay in the bottom of the boat a bit stunned and wondering how to get myself back up on the seat. I looked back over my shoulder to see what Dennis thought only to find no Dennis in the boat! I raised myself up and looked to my right, and there was Dennis treading water. I shouted, “Are you okay?” He said he was, and I could see another one of our boats already heading toward him, having seen the whole thing take place. I went to work bailing water out of the stern, reconnecting the gas line, and figuring out how to run the motor without the “kill switch key”. (That’s a little key attached to a coiled line which was attached on the other end to Dennis. When he went overboard, he pulled the key with him, and the kill switch turned off the motor.) The other boat towed Dennis to shallow water where I came and picked him up. No harm, no foul! We took A LOT of kidding the rest of the week, but it was a stark reminder how quickly things can go wrong. Vigilance, always vigilance!
So it was with the disciples as they toiled with the oars on their lake. The wind and the waves came up suddenly and turned their quiet cruise into a fight for their lives. Suddenly they saw a figure moving across the surface. The only explanation that came to them was, “It’s a ghost!” Fear and panic ensued, until a familiar voice said, “Take courage. It’s I. Don’t be afraid.” They knew that voice. They should have taken comfort in that voice and in those words, but Peter wants proof. “If it is you, bid me come to you on the water!” Bold words, don’t you think?
Jesus replies with but one word, “Come.” Give Peter some credit; he alone steps out of that boat and walks a few steps on the water. He does more than most. But he makes the mistake that we also all too often make: he took his eyes off of Jesus. As soon as he looked elsewhere, he was in trouble. All he could see were the dangers, and down he went. “Lord, save me!” he cries. Man overboard! How quickly things turned for him.
We can also be like Peter. We can take our eyes off of our Savior and then all we see are our troubles. Then we find ourselves sinking into despair, depression, or panicked responses that take us only deeper. How good it is to hear his voice and his words, “Do not be afraid.” Those words are his most used imperative command across all four Gospels. That’s not by accident. Jesus came to allay our fears, calm our spirits, and call us to faith. He has already seen to our eternal salvation. We can put our trust and hope in him for the rest of our needs as well.
While my rod and reel went to the bottom, thankfully Dennis did not. Give him credit: he got right back into that boat with me and we fished for four more days together. The others teased him about trying to “walk on water.” He just smiled and said, “My name isn’t Peter but the results were the same.” Peter had to learn to trust the voice of Jesus, and he did. We also need to be reminded sometimes that when we feel like we’re sinking, we can call, “Lord, save me!” and Jesus will reach out and catch us. Amen.
PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) Grace on Wednesday started last week. Class number two is tomorrow night. Classes for preschoolers to adults are available. Bring the young ones in your family. Supper is at 5:30; classes are 6-7:30.
2) SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 is a BIG DAY! We will celebrate our 50th year in our Sanctuary with a CONGREGATIONAL PICTURE to be taken between the services. Want every possible member to be there around 9:15. After late service the Elders will serve their BBQ. Come!
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/IuHi0OyyVPM
PRINTABLE PDF: WDAug27.PDF
[email protected] — (502) 797-7407
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WEEKLY DEVOTION AUGUST 26
Monday, AUGUST 26, 2024
Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
“The Freedom of our Decision Making”
Ever need a little space? After a hard week isn’t it nice just to have a little quiet time? For me it’s the opportunity to get into the barn and do a little woodworking. Such opportunities allow me to let my mind rest and relax. Space is also important for relationships. Dallas Willard in his book, Hearing God speaks about how important space is for our relationship with God.
He speaks on Genesis 3:8 speaks about God walking in the Garden. The Lord went looking for Adam and Eve. From this littler verse Willard goes on to speak about how God is interested in our lives but also gives us space. He doesn’t stand over us or smother us but gives us opportunity to work and be our own. He gave Adam and Eve distance but came to visit. So, when Adam comes out of hiding this distance gave Adam opportunity to respond. God comes to us and closes the distance that sin creates. He literally walks in our midst with Jesus becoming flesh. Jesus regularly said the Kingdom of God is near. The Kingdom happens to be wherever the King happens to be. It is well revealed in the same way as when Moses took off His sandals because God’s presence made that spot holy ground. The Lord’s ultimate goal is to seek fellowship with us because it benefits us.
Dallas goes on to mention how God has a counseling session with Cain. He warns Cain that sin is crouching at his door eager to take Cain down. Dallas asks, ‘Could God have stopped Cain from killing Abel?’ We know the answer is, of course. Yet, the Lord allows Cain to make his choices. And it’s in such scenarios that we may ask ourselves, “Why didn’t God stop such and so from happening?” Willard’s answers, “Well, a conversational relationship with God is not always or primarily about God telling us what to do. A relationship with God cannot simply be defined in being told what to do any more than any friendship is one telling the other what to do. Being in the will of God requires that you go beyond that. On the other hand, a relationship with God is defined by knowing what God wants of us. Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). Jesus invites us to be co-workers. Sometimes we listen. Sometimes we are told what to do. Yet, then there is distance to follow His will or reject it. And here is where this conversation becomes important to us today; The Lord never directs us as much as he draws us to Himself, by His goodness and to His beauty, and Saving promise in Jesus. The Lord gives us freedom and by doing so respects our wants and our wills and refines them and helps us to be the individuals He has designed us to be. It is never forced upon us.
What we should realize in our day in age is how much we are being manipulated or directed into certain kinds of behavior. It’s not necessarily evil. It’s marketing. It’s also a lot of psychology. For example, my insurance company has a tracker in my car to evaluate my braking, turning, speed, and acceleration. It is said that I save money because of it. Is it purely to save money? Is it just for my safety? That tracking provides a lot of useful information.
How about that loyalty card so many of us carry. Without it we pay more. With it what we buy is tracked. Is this merely to help us with our shopping?
It’s interesting to me that God chose to give us space while everything else is trying to hover over us watching every movement and attempting to direct our every move. And as such things direct our behavior it should not be lost on us that such directing is to benefit the insurance company or store or online stuff that tracks us. It is used to manipulate us. It in effect turns consumers into a resource rather than people—it’s not a relationship. Like it or not we rely on such things to get stuff done. (Side Note—Notice they watch our behavior, not just our words. They understand well, “By their fruits you shall know them.”)
But what happens when ungodly types take hold of such things. Ungodly types almost universally insist on a forced conformity to their will. Via law and courts secularists can’t help themselves. They routinely look for more power over others and usually target God’s people. Daniel 3 is perhaps the most famous when King Nebuchadnezzar made a statue and then made a law that everyone must worship it when the band plays. The Punishment for not conforming was death in a fiery brick furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t bow down and were thrown into the fire. They survived but note the lesson. The law created was a deliberate attempt to put the Israelites in a position that would compromise their faith, enforced with a punishment by brick furnace.
A similar case happens in Daniel 6. By chapter 6 Daniel was much older and a new king of Persia had come on the scene. The king liked Daniel and elevated Daniel to the right-hand position, making the other officials very envious. So, they plotted to trap Daniel by convincing the King to pass a Law that forbad anyone to worship or pray to anyone else except the king. Daniel hears of the Law, prays anyway, and is eventually thrown in to the lion’s den. Again, notice how officials in this case plotted and manipulated the king, only to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den, to die. The goal was again to force Daniel, a follower of the Lord, to conform to their will, to ruin him before the king, and be rid of him.
Today secularists just take Christians to court to bleed them of savings while attempting to destroy their reputations in the public eye. Such people are easy to spot because they do such things to promote self over others. It’s all about them.
The goal of the secularist is to corner the believer just as much today as in Jesus’ day. Secularists today deliberately set traps on life issues, gender issues, morality confusion, and then position themselves in a way that paints Christians as hateful, unkind, or even dangerous. It is all a deliberate effort to put social pressure on us via our employer, cancel culture, and other means. They want automatons that will simply just do what they want them to do and compromise their faith. That leads to some very hard decisions to make for Christians. The secularist is betting that we will fold and bow to their will over the Lord’s.
So, as we round out this week, rejoice that the Lord would give us so much freedom in our decision making. So much freedom to choose is a signal of His desire to have a relationship with Him. He has created opportunity for a true relationship that gives us space to be ourselves. He comes to us and invites us to follow Him as a friend not as someone forced into labor or manipulated to conform or something else. The Lord desires us to know Him fully. Finally, regardless of what pressures may come to force us to compromise our faith, remember those who didn’t, like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshack, Abednego. As Hebrews 11 talks about, remember the great cloud of witnesses who held their ground because of their relationship with the Lord. Heaven celebrates their bravery as well as their faith. May the Lord give us courage as well. Blessings on your decision making. May it bear much godly fruit. In Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Matthew Woods
John 3:30
PRINTABLE PDF: WDAug26.PDF
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/NKb7QlcFcIo
[email protected] — (502) 523-9327