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How is your church known? When I arrived at the church I served for most of my ministry, they had a label in the community that I did not find out about until I had been there for over a year: “The church that owns the liquor store!”

Long before I arrived, the congregation sold part of their property to a local businessman. There were some restrictive covenants in the sale where he agreed he would not use the property for a junkyard or a drive-in theater or a liquor store and a few other things. Because our county was “dry” in those days, the liquor store was a non-issue. Until the early 1970s when Denison voted to go “wet” and sell alcohol. The property the church sold was the first “wet” spot on the highway coming north from Sherman, which was still dry. The man who bought the property was a businessman, and he could not pass up the opportunity to open a liquor store. This upset some of the members more than a little bit. Unfortunately, the congregation decided to sue the man. This was big news in Sherman and Denison. It made the papers every day, often on the front page. The case was settled out of court, but the congregation became knows as “the church that owns the liquor store.”

That was not exactly the reputation the congregation was going for. And eventually, we changed how we were known. In the early 90s a member suggested we put up a display of crosses on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade to represent how many abortions take place each day in the United States. We also put up a sign saying that “God Chooses Life,” and encouraged people to do the same. We reached out to those who had abortions with a message of God’s grace and forgiveness that was available for Jesus’ sake. And we became known as “the church that puts up the crosses.”

How is your church known? Are you like the grumpy old man who yells at kids “Don’t play in my yard!”???  Or are you known as a place that cares about people, a place that shows God’s love, a place that is welcoming?  Which will best enable you to share the Good News of Jesus?

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

You still need to proclaim the whole counsel of God, Law and Gospel. We must condemn sin and call people to repentance. But it must be done in a loving, compassionate and kind way. Lord, help your children to do this.

Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

Over the last week, God sent some rain to this parched area of the country. While we didn’t get any at our house, we have seen and heard the storms around us. And we are grateful for and with those who have received that gift. Even though we didn’t get rain, the clouds and showers kept the temperatures down in the low 90s rather than the triple digits we have been having, and for that, too, I thank and praise God.

Have you ever noticed that when people get what they have asked God to do for them they say, “God answered my prayer!” What they mean is “God answered my prayer in the way I wanted Him to answer.” I’ve also heard people say “God didn’t answer my prayer,” when in fact He gave them an answer they didn’t want to hear.

The reality is that God hears and answers every prayer offered with faith in Jesus.

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

When we offer up our prayers in faith, we can be confident He hears and answers them. Every single one. The problem is we don’t always acknowledge Him when He says “No.”  But that is a legitimate answer. So is “Not now” or “wait awhile.” Paul recognized a “No” he received from God to His petitions.

2 Corinthians 12:8–9a Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

God, a loving Father, is going to answer in the way that is best for you. Sometimes it will be what you request. Sometimes He will say no. Sometimes He has something better than you asked for in store for you. He knows how to give good gifts.

Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

You know from God’s Word how giving God is. He already gave you His best when He sent Jesus. He has given you the payment for your sin so that you can have eternal life, which begins when you have faith in Him. Forgiveness is a reality in your life for Jesus’ sake. And God does not stop there. He invites you to come to Him with your wants and desires in Jesus’ name.

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Prayer is a simple thing. It is talking to God and making your requests known to Him. He will answer. It may not be the answer you are seeking, but it will be the answer that is best for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I thank God for the recent rain. I will continue to implore Him to give us relief in the form of more rain. I know He will answer in His time and in the way that is best for me.

Yesterday I included the hymn that has the refrain “Heaven is my Home.”  After I wrote that devotion, I had a different song in my head off and on all day. It was one by John Denver that had this refrain:

“Hey, it’s good to be back home again, yes, it is
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend
Yes, and hey, it’s good to be back home again.”

In our retirement Cheryl have made it a point to travel as much as we can while we can. We have had a blast and most of our trips have been fantastic experiences. We have been checking items off of our bucket lists and appreciate the opportunities God has placed before us. But it is always good to be back home again. The song by John Denver listed all the comfortable things about being in your home, and that is what we feel like each time we return home.

As good as it feels to return to our earthly home, I can’t imagine how wonderful it will feel when we get to our heavenly home. And we know that is ours because we have placed our faith and confidence in the one who paid for all sin and earned our salvation. It is not based on what we do, but on what Jesus did for us. We live our lives with this certainty and strive to thank God by the way we live while still here on earth.

Jesus spoke about that when talking about the last day, when the sheep will be separated from the goats. I’m including the beginning of that account here, but I encourage you to go on reading in Matthew 25.

Matthew 25:31–34 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

The kingdom prepared for you. Your heavenly home. It will be so good to be home with our Savior.

Hebrews 4:1–9 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. ² For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. ³ Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. ⁴ For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” ⁵ And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” ⁶ It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. ⁷ Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” ⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;

Today my mother turns 92 years old. My siblings and I will be with her today to celebrate. While I know she will enjoy us being with her, I also know that she longs for a different kind of celebration. Many of my recent conversations with her have focused on how she is weary of this world and wonders why she is still here. She longs to be with her Lord and all those who have gone before her to our Savior’s presence.

I had this same conversation with many people over the years of my ministry, especially those who reached their late 80s and beyond. They feel their bodies wearing out, are unable to be active or do the things they want to do, yet for some reason the Lord is not finished with them here on this side of heaven.

While I cannot answer why God allows some people to tarry here on earth so much longer than others, what I can do is give them the assurances He gives us in His Word. He knows those who are His, those on whom He placed His name in Baptism, those who through faith have claimed the merits of all Jesus did to accomplish our salvation from sin and death. That was all His doing, not ours. Paul spoke of it this way.

Philippians 1:6 … he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The “work” God has done is saving us, which will be brought to its completion when Christ returns. We will enter His rest.

I’m but a stranger here, Heav’n is my home;
Earth is a desert drear, Heav’n is my home.
Danger and sorrow stand Round me on ev’ry hand;
Heav’n is my fatherland, Heav’n is my home.

What though the tempest rage, Heav’n is my home;
Short is my pilgrimage, Heav’n is my home;
And time’s wild wintry blast Soon shall be overpast;
I shall reach home at last, Heav’n is my home.

There at my Savior’s side, Heav’n is my home;
I shall be glorified, Heav’n is my home.
There are the good and blest, Those I love most and best;
And there I, too, shall rest, Heav’n is my home.

Therefore I murmur not, Heav’n is my home;
Whate’er my earthly lot, Heav’n is my home;
And I shall surely stand There at my Lord’s right hand.
Heav’n is my fatherland, Heav’n is my home.

(The Lutheran Hymnal #660)

Heavenly Father, we thank You for those in our lives who have lived for many years. We pray that You would strengthen Your dearly loved children in the confidence they have in Christ Jesus, enabling them to wait patiently to enter the place Jesus has prepared for them. Help all of us to encourage each other with the Good News we have of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In His Name we pray. Amen.

Happy Birthday Mom!

One of the volunteer activities I really enjoy is working with Habitat for Humanity. I’ve been doing that for quite some time, but even more so since retirement (at least when we are not traveling). A few years ago I was up on a ladder taking a measurement for a guy on the ground, and it was 19 5/8 inches. I made a comment, “that’s the year I was born.” The guy on the ground had a shocked look on his face. He said, “No. Really?” I said, “Yeah, 1958.” The other guy said, “That means I’m older than you!” He was surprised by that. I wasn’t sure how to take that!

A few minutes later, when I was back on the ground, we continued the conversation. He said he would was in his late sixties. I told him that was a good thing, to which he replied, “The way I look at it is that I’m that much closer to being dead.” My immediate response was, “Oh, I don’t worry about that.” Again, he had the shocked look on his face, but it soon turned to a smile. You see, he knows I’m a Christian. We’ve had many conversations about that. I openly share my confidence that Jesus paid for my sins and I know I’m going to heaven because of what He did for me. I try to make it part of my everyday conversations.

Colossians 4:2–6 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Sometimes I do that well. Others times not so much. I need to “make the most of every opportunity.” When you hear that phrase “make the most of every opportunity,” what thoughts does that bring to mind. Here are some of mine:

• Spend time with family and friends.
• Don’t always be in a rush to get to the next thing.
• Take time for worship and Bible Study. Help those in need.
• Offer assistance to those in need.
• Watch the sunset.
• Go fishing more often.
• And always be ready to tell people about Jesus.

Father, thank you for bringing me to know and believe that Jesus is my Savior and giving me the certainty of life and forgiveness. Help me to proclaim that message clearly as I should in my day to day life. Help me to fill my conversations with grace, your grace, so that I can make the most of every opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. In His most holy and precious name I pray. Amen.

Yesterday I attended the ordination and installation of a new seminary graduate. While I met this young man when he was a toddler, I didn’t know him as an adult. I know his parents and went to school with several of his aunts and uncles and also knew his grandfather, a now sainted pastor and missionary. So Cheryl and I went to the service to rejoice with the family and the congregation he has been called to serve.

It was a joyous occasion and gave me hope for the future. Another generation taking up the mantle and continuing the proclamation of Jesus Christ as the only hope for this world. The preacher did a wonderful job of reminding us that the world is dying without Jesus and that is why we must share what we know about Him as our Lord and Savior.

There was one thing in particular that preacher shared that I want to share with you today. Before I do, read through this passage.

Acts 9:1–19 ¹ Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” ⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. ¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. ¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” ¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” ¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹ and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Paul’s conversion speaks of him being blinded, but then having his sight restored and being baptized. His new life began. And the preacher pointed out that Paul’s sight was changed from that point on. After that, he saw people with the eyes of Jesus. He saw people who were lost in sin and needed the forgiveness that Jesus earned for everyone. He saw people that needed to hear the Good News that he had to share. He saw people needlessly dying in their sin and unbelief. The drove Paul to share the one he encountered on that road to Damascus for the rest of his life.

You and I should do the same.

Lord, you have called us to be your own. You bought us back from sin and death and gave us Your name when You claimed us in Holy Baptism. Remind us to see the world around us with Your eyes, so we will remember to share with others the Good News of who You are and what You have done to save us all from what we deserve. Help us to live today rejoicing in the wonderful message of Your love and mercy and grace. Amen.

Exodus 6:6–9 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.  I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.  And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’ ” Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.

Moses was given a tough assignment. Sure, He had God appear to him, yet he tried to talk his way out of being God’s spokesman to Pharoah and the Children of Israel.

Exodus 3:10-11 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

God’s people wouldn’t listen to Moses. Pharoah wouldn’t either. It took Ten Plagues before he let God’s people go, and even then he still chased after them, bringing destruction on himself and his armies.

Moses was able to lead God’s people only because the one who identified Himself to Moses and “I AM” was with him. As God’s representative, Moses was unparalleled. God delivered his people from their slavery in Egypt using Moses. But the Exodus was God’s doing, not that of Moses. Moses was a “type,” a prophecy of the one to come who would lead God’s people to an even greater deliverance.

As powerful a servant as Moses was, as mightily as he was used by God, he was not God. Jesus was. God Himself come down to earth. He would accomplish the greater deliverance, freeing us from our slavery to sin and death, by living a sinless life that He would offer as the sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Hebrews 3:3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.

Calvary was God’s doing. The empty tomb was God’s doing. To God be the glory.

I have a daughter who usually gives me gift cards for my birthday. She did so again this year, and I have already used them. A few years ago I set one of them aside and forgot about it. I found it just before Christmas and used it then.

I remember reading an article once about unused gift cards, so I did an online search. While most gift cards are used within the first six months, almost 20% of gift card balances remain unredeemed at any give time. About 6% of gift cards are never used at all. That works out to be THREE BILLION dollars worth of gift cards are bought each year and never spent. They were given, they are good, they could be used, they can make purchases, but they are not used.

That reminds me of the great love of God and how many react to it. He has given us so very much. God offers of free forgiveness to everyone in the world. The payment for the sins of the world has already been made, paid in full. Jesus did that when He offered Himself as the sacrifice for sin. The “gift cards” have been issued, so to speak. God offers free forgiveness to everyone. It is like he placed a “get into heaven free” card in front of everyone. But some people don’t bother picking it up and using it. They leave it behind.

Jesus knew this would be the case. He was lamenting how His own people, the chosen nation of Israel, did not listen to Him.

Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

As I said above, Jesus already paid the price.

1 John 2:1–2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Don’t leave your gift card unused. Take Jesus at His Word. Believe in Him. And get the benefit of what He did through His life of perfection, His innocent suffering and death, and His victory over death when He rose again.