We Tell Each Other The Truth



Morning: James 3:13-18; Evening: Matthew 5:33-37







[Jesus said,] “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely…‘ But I say to you, ‘Do not take an oath at all.’“ (Matthew 5:33a, 34a)





We’re well acquainted with this argument: “Perhaps that was the way it was back then - but today is an entirely different story.” And that means nowadays, “God’s Word and the teachings of the Church must be modernized, they have to be conformed to the way people today think. Church must become more contemporary to inspire today’s people.” We know that this “changing” does not stop with the Ten Commandments, rather it involves the entire Small Catechism of Martin Luther.



[In the Sermon on the Mount], Jesus’ “modernizing” of God’s Word [from the Old Testament] is completely different than the contemporary movement of today. Jesus is not concerned about adapting God’s Word to better fit the customs of the times back then or today. He is concerned with calling God’s people back in a mighty way - not to what is or is not allowed under man’s rules, or what “everybody” is doing - rather He calls God’s people back to faith to do those things that God has commanded them to do.



Apparently at the time of Jesus, swearing for no obvious reason was quite widespread. And one can ask himself if that’s pretty commonplace among sinners who cannot trust each other along life’s journey - because when they look into their own hearts, they realize how undependable they are. Just simple words are not good enough; they always have to bring a “higher power” into play.



This should no longer be the case regarding Christian people. Our heart which has been purified and renewed through the Word of forgiveness in Christ, shows itself in new “speech” : “Yes, yes; no, no.” We tell each other the truth, without any oaths.



Dear God, Your Scriptural Word is the plain and simple unchangeable Truth, which condemns us as well as for Christ’s sake, speaks righteousness; Let also our speech with one another be plain and simple. Amen.





Pastor Holger Sonntag (Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 July 16, Wednesday

A More Excellent Way



Morning: Luke 11:33-41a; Evening: I Corinthians 12:27-13:3





And I will show you a still more excellent way. (I Corinthians 12:31b)





[Perhaps you have heard the song, “The More Excellent Way.” It’s a song based upon “The Love Chapter” - the 13th Chapter of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.] The “more excellent way” of which this song (and chapter) speak is: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.” (13:1)



Yes, those are great words which we know all too well. But how often do these words really affect how a congregation acts?



The congregation at Corinth fancied itself to be on the right path. The Body of Christ with His many members appeared to be healthy and strong. So does this congregation really have to be shown a still more excellent way? Paul says, “Yes.” Because everything - as he states in this chapter - everything is really nothing if it does not have love. [In the first place, if I don’t have the love of God in Jesus Christ, I don’t have forgiveness and I am nothing. In the second place, if I don’t have love for my neighbor, the fruit of the Spirit has not been produced in me. But, God has loved me and has poured out his Spirit on me and has produced in me saving faith and love toward my neighbor.]



Absent of love - that was it - the condition that corrupted the Body of Christ in Corinth and made it sick. That gave way to jealousy and quarreling. It gave way to selfish ambition and cliques within the congregation. They came up with their own interpretation of true faith and spiritual discernment, and they were no longer so willing to embrace each other and consider each other as precious children of God.



Without love, everything is really nothing! Because when the stream of love dries up in a congregation, it loses its identity as the Body of Christ and takes on whatever form it wants to be.



Let us never cease to ask God to let love - this beautiful fruit of the Holy Spirit - grow and ripen in our lives for the wellbeing of our churches and congregations, and that we may have peace among us all.



You sweet love, grant us your favor, let us feel the ardor of love so that we may love one another from our hearts and remain with one mind in peace. Lord, have mercy. Amen. (from the Chorale of J.S. Bach’s Cantata 169)





Pastor Johannes Nordhoff (Gerrmany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 July 17, Thursday

Moving Along On The More Excellent Way



Morning: John 18:19-24; Evening: I Peter 3:8-17





Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind. (I Peter 3:8)





Today we will take another clear look at the “more excellent way” [which we addressed in yesterday’s devotion]. But in addition, we will also address that very important request of those who want to continue along this “more excellent way” and so we pray: “Come, Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of Your believers!”



Fruits of the Spirit - that was our theme this week. Fruits of the Spirit which transform our so often sorrowful and stressful relationships with each other into relationships that are beneficial and rich with blessings: Finally! [Peter says in our text.] The fruits of the Spirit produce finally this: a unity of mind instead of indifference; sympathy instead of hatefulness; brotherly love instead of being enemies; a tender heart instead of being hardhearted; humility instead of pride. Finally!



And that’s how things should progress along this “more excellent way” of love. That’s how things should go on between husband and wife, between parents and children, between the young and the old, yes - between everyone who finds themselves being ever so criticizing, mistrusting, and showing no understanding of one another. “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (3:8-9)



What a wonderful perspective - the congregation of Jesus Christ, a community illumined by God’s love which brings salvation in Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen one. In this congregation, each person becomes a blessing for the other!



I wish that we could experience this already tomorrow! Finally!



Lord, our God, we pray You: Make our entire lives a mirror of Your kindness and love. Let us be a blessing for each one that You have given us as neighbors, and let us together remain as followers of Christ. Amen.



Pastor Johannes Nor Hoff (Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 July 18, Friday

The Spirit Of God Is In Us Also



Morning: Philippians 2:12-18; Evening: Genesis 41:25-43





And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38)



(Deuteronomy 24:18)

Joseph was called out of prison because Pharaoh could not find a single person in his kingdom who could give him advice and help regarding the meaning of his dreams. Joseph, of course, was called in to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, not because he himself had caused those dreams, but rather because he had correctly interpreted the dreams of his fellow prisoners. Joseph does not feel, however, that he himself is able to interpret dreams, but rather he expressly tells Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” (v. 16) And earlier in the story we read, “But the LORD was with Joseph…” (39:21)



And that’s why Pharaoh confessed before all his servants that the Spirit of God is in Joseph and speaks through him. That, what Joseph had to say to Pharaoh, happened because God ordained it. There’s no doubt or question about it that Pharaoh also recognized that what Joseph had said to him had been ordained by God and so he acted accordingly, for he saw it as God’s plan that Joseph had been found [and was used by God to interpret his dreams.]



This event should clearly show us that God is the one who steers history; He embraces mankind and can protect him in marvelous ways. But it is not only God’s intention to protect man from earthly misery, but this story also shows us more; namely that this God, the Triune God, has our salvation in mind. Just like with Joseph’s life, He is mindful of us and will have our lives turn out well. This He has already accomplished and shown us in Christ, our Savior. Throughout time, God has sent His messengers to proclaim this news that all mankind can be saved and given eternal life [through faith in Christ Jesus as their Savior alone.] God does not only speak through dreams and their fulfillment; He also has fulfilled all of His promises and we may again and again ask for His Spirit so that the fruits of faith will be found in us.



True, merciful God and Father; You have already given us Your Holy Spirit in Baptism. We pray that He will remain with us, strengthen us, empower us, and firmly establish us in the true faith and let the fruits of righteousness be fulfilled in us, so that we may persevere unto the end. Amen.



Pastor Jost Kallensee (Wernigerode, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 July 19, Saturday

USE YOUR GIFTS TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER



Epistle: Philippians 3:7-14; Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30; Text: I Peter 4:7-11





As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace… (I Peter 4:10)





In this ninth week after Trinity, we are admonished to properly use the gifts that God has entrusted to us for the benefit of our fellowmen. Much of the time in our doings and aspirations, the thought comes to us - and often nowadays we ask in regards to serving others: “What do I get out of it? What’s in it for me?”



And so the Apostle Peter writes: “Serve one another.” And he bases what he says on the fact that we have received gifts and therefore can also give gifts. All service is merely an outward flowing, an overflowing of God’s grace given to us. Each one in his own way has his special gifts: be it time or strength, deeds or prayer, comforting or patience, head or heart, faith or encouragement - and still so much more. You therefore are a special person, endowed by God with special gifts not meant for you to hide or keep for yourself. Serving others does not mean only being a deacon or deaconess in the church, rather this is something generally expected of everyone in Jesus’ congregations. My fellow brothers and sisters need me and I need them. And that’s why we should not want to isolate ourselves, often going our own way. Rather, we should care for one another, wherever we are needed. We shouldn’t always be only thinking of ourselves.



On Judgment Day it will be revealed what took place during our lives under the topic of “serving one another” - even things done anonymously. But those things also will be revealed of which we could have done and did not do. We are still stewards in God’s service. Christ, our Judge, will one day determine what we have done or not done for Him. That can be very soon, for we are reminded in the first sentence of our text: “The end of all things is at hand.”



Lord, our God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, give us the recognition of how we may rightly use the gifts that You have entrusted to us for the benefit of all those whom You have led into our lives. Amen.



Pastor Jost Kallensee (Wernigerode, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress Freimund, 2008 July 20 Sunday 9th Sunday after Trinity

The Pastor’s Real Duty



Morning: I Kings 3:16-28; Evening: I Timothy 4:6-16





Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (I Timothy 4:13-14)





“Christian illiteracy in our church and in our congregations is a major problem. The people know their Bible much too little and hardly anyone knows anything about Lutheran doctrine,” a bishop recently complained to me. [It’s even gotten to the point where] the one in the church committee who knows a hymn to sing, is considered to know a lot. Who’s to blame for such a plight? One can certainly blame the parents and grandparents who no longer teach Bible stories to their children or grandchildren. But the pastors also need to be asked what it is that they may have neglected.



Paul certainly knew about this danger. That’s why he encourages Timothy to set clear priorities in his ministry as a pastor. We are now presented with a job description of his service. First and foremost, Timothy should: 1: Read. That means - he should acquaint the people in the church service, in visits and church events - with God’s Word. 2. Admonish. In addition to what is expected of a disciple of Christ, the people should be encouraged and called to repentance - to change from their old lifestyles of sin. 3. Teach. This is an important instrument of the church - to teach the people the doctrines and important statements of faith which are grounded in Holy Scripture. This has to do with faith-knowledge!



This job description also applies today to all those who have an office in the church, especially the pastors. Pastors even today should be held to those standards. Paul reminds them in this context of the excellent calling those who are ordained into the office of shepherd have through Christ. Keeping this in mind, the office-holder should continuously draw strength and courage to faithfully exercise his duties.



Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that You will grant Your Holy Spirit to all pastors and bishops so that they may fulfill their duties faithfully in the offices that they hold. Amen.



Pastor Andreas Ruess (Altenkirchen/Ruegen, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund, 2008 July 21, Monday

Our Bodies Belong To The Lord



Morning: Ezekiel 3:16-21; Evening: I Corinthians 6:12-20





Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own… (I Corinthians 6:19)





“The church has no business looking in my bedroom; that is my own personal and private area. The church need not concern itself how I live out my sexuality.” I agree! We react rather sensitively to this type of paternalism. [But the fact is that] as we Christians experience, there are other Christians who come across as being prudish and who even looks at their body with disdain as if in doing so, this is God-pleasing. Do they have the same authority as Paul to act this way and expect others to do so, too? Absolutely not! The Bible is not hostile to the human body or human desire. But what Paul rejects is when we look to God for guidance regarding only the spiritual side of our lives. I’m not to treat my body as if it has nothing to do with God or spiritual matters. If I did, then my body would be relegated to minimum importance- a mere “dying shell“. No, God cares about our bodies and of course our physical well-being. That’s why in Christ He physically came into this world. And Christ is not only spiritually resurrected; He is also physically resurrected. What significance our body has: a Temple of the Holy Spirit! Our body is a house of God! And that is why we really do not have license to do anything we want to do with our body. That’s why it is impossible, for example, for a Christian to visit a prostitute!



And in questions regarding how one should deal with various situations in reference to his body, each individual Christian must ask himself: Is this consistent with my Christian faith? Does this go along with God’s Will? Am I honoring God with my body, with my sexuality, with how I care for my body, with my unique appearance - in the truest sense of the word? Since our Holy Baptism, we no longer belong to ourselves, praise God! God wants our physical life, as well as our sensual life to be to His glory and not to be at odds with each other.



Dear heavenly Father, we thank You for our physical bodies. Help us to live in such a way that we may at all times honor and serve You. Amen.



Pastor Andreas Ruess (Altenkirchen/Ruegen, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund, 2007 July 22, Tuesday

Using The Liberty That Christ Won For You



Morning: Matthew 19:4-15; Evening: I Corinthians 10:23-31





So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)





With Jesus Christ, God has come in range of our hearing, our sight and our calling. He stepped into the world of oppression and subjugation; failure and self-centeredness; a world entangled by sin and death. He threw Himself into the breach for us, to save us. Christ says, “I have carried your sin and guilt; your debt is paid. My death is your life. My struggle is your victory. No longer can any law condemn you, for you are forgiven. Your captivity has come to an end. You are free.”



Through faith and Baptism, Christ has freed believers to a glorious freedom as children of God. In the Corinthian congregation, there was a question of whether or not this freedom of Christians allowed them to have social contact with the heathen and if they could eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols. The reference to the “strong” in the congregation refers to those who were exercising their new freedom, whereas the “weak” were the ones who fearfully kept their distance from the heathen. Paul confirms the basic freedom of the Christian in dealing with the things of this creation and with the people who do not confess faith in Christ. But he also indicates what should be the ultimate determining factor for our actions: Let everything be done to the glory of God.

Our actions should pattern themselves after Christ, who gives us our freedom. Christian love should be concerned with the building up of the whole congregation. It causes no offense and does not force its own way over the fearful objections of brothers and sisters in the faith. By concentrating mission work upon those who are outside the faith, the Christian wants to be sure that they can see in him or her, a clear confession of faith in Jesus Christ. The goal is to win people for Christ. The [message of the ]love of Christ and that freedom He gives Christians [to do all to God’s glory] is the best thing that Christians in their mission work can export to a world which promises freedom, but fails to keep this promise.



Lord Jesus Christ, exercise in us the freedom You have given us as children of God, so that we may always have the welfare of the congregation lovingly in mind, and the goal of winning to faith those who do not know You. Amen.



Pastor Fritz Adolf-Haefner (Leipzig, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 July 23, Wednesday

The Message Of The Cross Is For All The World



Morning: Ephesians 5:15-20; Evening: I Corinthians 9:16-23





For if I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! (I Corinthians 9:16)





In the era of globalization, isolated areas of life are no longer conceivable. Various cultures, religions and ways of life compete against each other. “Fault lines” in which bitter conflicts can clearly be seen, are entering into the consciousness of the people. The spirit of the time demands a type of willingness to dialogue and it also claims that all beliefs are equal - a sacrifice that is taking its toll upon missionary efforts. But who would really ask the ocean to no longer cast its waves upon the shore? And in the same vein, who could expect the Church to abandon its central focus of mission work? The accusation that the mission work of a church or congregation is indulging in a dangerous form of fundamentalism could quickly change into accusations of bigotry and persecution. [But, in spite of that, the work of sending out the message of Christ, the crucified and risen Savior, must go on.]



Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, does not allow himself to fall under the jurisdiction of the pagan laws of Rome which required its citizens, under the threat of draconian punishment, to honor the emperor as one who is divine. Nor does he cower from the leadership in Israel which threatened him not to preach about Christ. Just as it was with the prophets of the Old Covenant, Paul’s service of proclamation was under a holy, divine mandate, for God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4). Committed to the mission of proclaiming Christ to the world, nevertheless voluntarily, Paul was compelled by this principle of “I Can’t Remain a Silent Follower”. His mission took the form of a “service of love” to those he wanted to win for the Savior of the World. And so that no one would question his motives, he even earns his own living.



A commitment to mission work - a goal to remain doing so until the end of days; an invitation to the near and the far - costs time and love, obedience and understanding, humility and a willingness to serve. Woe to [us] if [we] do not preach the Gospel!



Lord Jesus Christ, You send us out into the world. Give us Your Holy Spirit so that we may share the treasure of Your Gospel with all mankind. Amen.



Pastor Fritz-Adolf Haefner (Leipzig, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 July 24, Thursday

There Is A Place For You



Morning: Romans 8:28-32; Evening: Matthew 20:20-23





…she said to Him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left in Your kingdom.“ (Matthew 20:21)





To pious ears, the request of James and John’s mother sounds impertinent. She wants for her sons to have the best places (next to Jesus) in God’s Kingdom. The other disciples protested against such a thought. (v.24) Jesus did not rebuke this request. He even debates how they could fulfill such a request. She aims for her sons to be the absolute nearest to Jesus that anyone could be. This is commendable! It’s better to strive for something like that, than to be totally uninterested in Jesus. That’s why Jesus does not scold, but instead admonishes them to consider what that request really entails. Being so close to Jesus is not possible without suffering. Can they both drink from the cup of suffering that Jesus will drink from and can they continue to follow Him? They both said to Him, “We are able.” Jesus took them at their word. He even promised, “You will truly drink My cup…” In the Kingdom of God, suffering and ruling are tied together; that‘s the significance of “Drink My cup.” And therefore Jesus’ promise in Matthew 19:28 that His disciples will rule with Him and even judge is confirmed.



At the same time, Jesus’ reference to “Drink My cup” points to a future suffering on account of faith. James will be the second martyr for Jesus, after Stephen (Acts 12:2). John is arrested several times (Acts 4:3ff; 5:18ff) and in his old age, exiled to Patmos. (Revelation 1:9ff). However, what is not granted to the two of them are places at Jesus’ right and left side. These are, of course, the places next to Jesus on the cross. In spite of their readiness to take those places, God here makes another choice. “…it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” (v. 23) Two loyal disciples were not crucified with Jesus; rather it was two criminals. And in doing so, God emphasizes that the death on the cross was no hero’s death; rather, it was a sacrifice to save mankind from sin. One of the criminals trusted Jesus. (Lk. 23:43) and that same hour was taken to be with Jesus in Paradise.



For every person who so trusts in Jesus as did that criminal, there remains another place next to Jesus. That is why the places by Jesus’ side could not be reserved for the sons of Zebedee. They remain free for all sinners who place their trust in Him in their time of need.



Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom! (Luke 23:42) Amen.



Pastor Andreas Volkmar (Rodenberg, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 July 25, Friday

The Lord Hears Our Affliction And Acts For Us



Morning: Luke 12:42-48; Evening: Lamentations 1:1-11





“O LORD, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!” (Lamentations 1:9d)



(Deuteronomy 24:18)

The Bible is God’s Word. Here what God requires, what He commands, takes the form of language. But in His Word we also hear God’s comfort, His encouragement, His message of Good News. God’s encouragement is shown by the fact that in His Word He is patient and understanding with us humans. It’s not only our praise and thanks that ring out, but God also allows our complaints and cries of despair - just like Job, who had to suffer innocently, could cry out in his need and agony. But God also opens Himself up to those who are suffering justly and are being punished because of their sins.



In five dirges or mournful poems, the Book of Lamentations cries over the fate of Jerusalem and how she had turned away from God. The city had turned her back on the care of the living God, allied herself with foreigners, and followed lifeless gods. God warned the people through prophets like Jeremiah. When they refused to see reason, God abandoned the people and the city to their enemies of Babylon. The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem took place which broke down all norms and structure of society. Mothers ate their own children (2:20; 4:10). Idolatry flourished because the people would cry out for help to every god known to them. The people went mad. They even wanted to kill the prophet Jeremiah, accusing him of being a traitor and a spy, merely because he proclaimed the truth. Things went to the extreme. The town was defeated and many of her inhabitants were dragged off to Babylon. Only now did the remaining ones show some sense and turn back to God. They complained to Him in their dire need, guilt, and despair. God does not shove their complaints aside. He makes room for them. He takes them into His Word. This should encourage us when we are struck by grief or sorrow that we cannot understand or explain. God hears us. Besides, some grief will not go away as fast as we would like it to. It is then that we should comfort ourselves with the promise from Lamentations 3:26 - “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” The Hebrew word for salvation here is related to the name Jesus. In Him, our Savior, God grants us all grace and comfort.



Eternal Father, we thank You that You take our complaints and needs seriously. Help us in all times of sorrow, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.



Pastor Andreas Volkmar (Rodenberg, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 July 26, Saturday

GOD IS NOT MOCKED



Epistle: Romans 11:25-32; Gospel: Luke 19:41-48 ; Text: 2 Kings 25:8-12





In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month - that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon - Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. And he burned the house of the LORD and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. (2 Kings 25:8-9)





It was, at that time, the end of Jerusalem. In the year 587 B.C., the city was plundered and burned down. Was God’s presence no longer there? When charity, especially the care for the poor, was ignored and other wicked things in society became the agenda, there existed a flagrant contradiction which God could not tolerate. He would not feel even the slightest bit of obligation to defend the people in the face of such threats from their enemies merely because the Temple and its rituals were there. Because His claim upon their entire lives was no longer taken seriously, God resigned His people to their own fate. This was His divine judgment!



The Apostle Paul writes about God taking things into His own hands: “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will He also reap.” (Galatians 6:7). These words apply to people, governments, and for individuals in equal measure. We can often see this in hindsight regarding world history and also confirmed in our own lives. This, however, is not His final say-so on the matter for us.



“As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways…” (Ezekiel 33:11)



What exactly does this mean? [When one’s faith is erroneous, everything is erroneous. When one turns to God through faith in Christ, his faith is correct and his life will be correct also.] So, “when a person is in need, we must be merciful and compassionate, as if that person were Christ. Where injustice occurs, we must bravely intercede for what is right and true, as Christ has taught us.” (Nicholas Gross, resistance fighter against the Nazi Regime.)



Lord Jesus Christ, [you are the owner of my life because you have bought me you’re your precious blood. For the times that I neglected your claim upon my life, forgive me. Help me to bravely strive for what is right and true, as You have taught me. For You are my Master and my Friend. This, I pray, my Lord [and Savior]. Amen.



Pastor John W. Siegmund (Henstedt-Ulzburg. Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress Freimund, 2008 July 27, Sunday 10th Sunday after Trinity

The Church Is Alive



Morning: Romans 11:1-12; Evening: Lamentations 2:13-20a





Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading. (Lamentations 2:14)





The enemies of the people of Israel have plundered and destroyed Jerusalem. The leading people among the population were taken prisoner and led away into exile. The conquerors had a lot of fun cursing and degrading the people of Israel.



Why did God allow this destruction of His people? Jeremiah, the prophet called by God, had warned the people of Jerusalem in God’s Name. But they did not want to listen; they preferred to listen to their own “self-appointed” prophets, who despised God’s Word, saying such things as: “It shall be well with you,” ‘and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, “No disaster shall come upon you.’” (Jeremiah 23:17) Because the leaders told them what they wanted to hear, they raced to their own destruction and took the people along with them.



And today? In many places Christian proclamation and leading a Christian way of life have grown weak and have born little fruit. Why is that? Probably because church leaders and pastors cannot agree about [preaching the Law and thus] exposing how the people have sinned against God and His Word and commandments. If they had done this, it would have changed the fate of many congregations! But in the spirit of the times, the Gospel is often twisted around and sold to the people as being truth; “oracles that are false and misleading.”



Jesus, however, does not want to leave us to such deception and deadly thoughts - neither today nor on the Last Day. He gathers those who are His - where God’s Word is taught in its truth and purity, both in Law and Gospel. Each Sunday, in Holy Communion, which Jesus instituted, He nourishes and heals us. And most of all - where this happens, it is there, where His living Church is - for us!



Jesus, our crucified and risen Savior, increase in us the desire and joy of Your Word and Sacrament, and revitalize Your Church. Amen.



Pastor John W. Siegmund (Henstedt-Ulzburg, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund, 2008 July 28, Monday

Give Us Zeal For Your House, O Lord



Morning: Luke 21:5-6, 20-24; Evening: Jeremiah 8:18-22; 9:6-12





[Thus says the LORD]: “For the wound of the daughter of My people is My heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on Me.” (Jeremiah 8:21)





The prophet Jeremiah is not one to be envied. He had to proclaim God’s judgment to His unfaithful people. Yes, and more - Prophetically, he already sees the judgment as having been fulfilled. He sees his people, the ones that God has left, already dead. He would love to run away and hide himself. Imagine if you had the gift of prophecy and could see which ones of your fellow human beings, now alive, as being already dead and having to spend eternity far removed from God! What would YOU do? Act as if nothing was the matter? In any case, Jeremiah cannot do that. He does not have the choice to remain silent. The mission of the living God compels him to warn his fellow man, even if they have no desire whatsoever to hear. For God has “no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11b)



Our country is sick, just like Israel was at that time. But it’s not that we are so sick from our economy or our social system; rather we are sick from godlessness. The quest after the gods of our time has resulted in the fact that faith in the living God is something that has been forgotten. This does not occur without consequences. The Good Shepherd will take pains to make sure that His flock does not run astray. That is why He sends judgment; not so much as a penalty for our godlessness, but rather more as a call to repentance. If God sends difficult times or even judgment, [this is not his “first will”]. He would much rather bless. But He has eternity in mind. What God, as well as Jeremiah in his prophetic vision here are concerned with, are not so much the physical needs that Jeremiah’s contemporaries are so loudly complaining about. No, what is much more important are their spiritual needs and the consequences. But how does one call the errant ones back? How does one show the importance of the Bread of Life to those who have led a soft, easy life? God lovingly sends distress, because distress often teaches us to pray. Now Jeremiah has to interpret this action of God so that his contemporaries will not get mad at God, but rather understand it as a call to repentance. An almost impossible task, as everyone who has ever tried to fulfill such an assignment from His Lord, knows. But there will be joy in heaven if even only one person hears the call to repentance, turns from his wickedness and is saved.



Lord God, Holy Spirit, with Your gifts, equip us weak children so that we may be strong in our faith and have zeal for our Lord’s house. (Pentecost Hymn by Philipp Spitta, 1883) Amen.



Pastor Harald Karpe (Uelzen, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund, 2007 July 29, Tuesday

Honor Your Father And Mother



Morning: John 4:19-26; Evening: Lamentations 4:11-20





The LORD Himself has scattered them; He will regard them no more; no honor was shown to the priests, no favor to the elders. (Lamentations 4:16)





One of the greatest lies in the Church is the talk about the “loving God.” There is only one holy, one jealous, and one loving God. Behind such talk about a “loving God” however, hides an inaccurate picture of the Lord of the heavens and the earth. It’s a widely accepted concept of man’s that the Lord is an old grandpa who is no longer aware of everything going on. For a long time, already, that is how one has pictured God to be - or at least, that’s how people have led their lives with that picture of God in mind. But what Jeremiah is mostly complaining about, is the same idea that even the church [today] reinforces: “God is a loving God and will certainly be gracious and merciful to the sinner.” No longer can one hear from the pulpit about the loving God who loves the sinner but hates the sin. The lives of the “devout and pious” ones were acceptable back in Jeremiah’s time, too. As an example, Jeremiah cites the 4th Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” [He laments the fact that] the authority of the pious religious fathers (the priests) has been rejected as well as that of the fathers of the country (the elders). [He was well aware that the Fourth Commandment also says, “…that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long upon the earth.” But if a general anti-authoritarian basic attitude develops - well, this would have disastrous consequences. [The disobedient Israelites were taken from the land and carried into captivity.]



[There can be seen in many places today a similar attitude toward the authorities and toward the elderly.] Is it possible that such an attitude have disastrous consequences for the people of today? So, there should arise in us a great terror when one recognizes that he is going against the will of God. The concentrated beams of His anger are deadly. There is only one place where the sinner is safe: in the shade of the cross of Jesus. It is there where the wrath of God meets the Son of God, and it is there where the sinner can live. That is why the seriousness of the Law must always be proclaimed and then the Gospel preached to the sinner to show him where he can find peace. Only where the [true and] holy God is proclaimed, does the Gospel enlighten the sinner [in darkness] with its wonderful message [of being saved by grace through faith], and this message will have an impact upon the way the believer then lives.



Lord God, Holy Spirit, be with all who proclaim the Gospel that they may do so in its truth and purity. Reveal to us, above all, God’s love to us in the forgiveness He has won for us by His Son’s death on the cross. Amen.



Pastor Harald Karpe (Uelzen, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 July 30, Wednesday