quote:

Originally posted by Breez:
~God Bless You PCL, and I hope you feel better today!

Thank you Breez, but how did you know that I wasn't feeling well?

It Is God Who Chooses The Way Of Our Salvation



Morning: I Corinthians 4:9-16; Evening: Numbers 17:1-11



On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. (Numbers 17:8)



Who does not know the old custom of taking a cherry branch at Advent and placing it in a floor vase so that it would bear blossoms in the house as an early sign of spring? It’s surprising how fast - it only takes a few days before the slumbering buds burst into blossom. But the fact that a dry almond branch takes on such a life during the course of the night and by the next morning, is not only green - but it’s blossoming and bearing fruit- -- well, that’s almost incredible.



That this is a sign of God - Moses and the leaders of Israel cannot dispute. Indeed, it is true that with the almond tree at harvest time, all three stages appear concurrently: bud, blossom and ripe fruit. At the same time, this tree, which in the Holy Land bears some of the first blossoms after winter - signifies a new beginning.



Twelve staffs, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, are spread out by Moses before the leaders; the staff from the priestly tribe of Levi represents Aaron. And this particular one - this single staff sprouts and blooms the next morning. That signifies that it was God who made the decision.



This, however, does not sit well with the people. They do not want to accept the fact that Aaron and his descendants are under a special order of God to serve as His priests. In questions of faith and religion, can’t each person make up his own mind? Such a way of thinking is contemporary, very contemporary, I believe. I choose my own religion - one that fits me - or maybe I’ll pick and choose from a variety of beliefs and practices - like joining the various pieces of a puzzle. At one time in Israel, it was the Golden Calf, or the primitive worship of things in nature. Then came the practice of worshiping gods on the hills and mountains. Eventually, they worshiped the powerful gods of mighty governments which seemed to guarantee success.



And that’s what makes this illustration clear: God provides a pathway to salvation. He has given us the Crucified One - Jesus - He is chosen to be our Lord and our Shepherd.



Lord Jesus Christ, You come from the depths of God. You were sent to save the world. Grant that many will come to know You, accept You and follow You. Amen.



Pastor Hermann Lutschewitz (Erlangen, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund, 2008 April 8, Tuesday

Breez, I must tell you that your post took me a bit by surprise. I don't recall mentioning that I wasn't feeling well. Thank you again for the post. I hope for only the richest of God's blessings of strength, patience, good health, love and understanding for you and yours.

In God's Peace,

PCL

Shepherds After My Own Heart



Morning: John 17:20-26; Evening: Jeremiah 3:14-18



“And I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15)



A shortage of pastors in our churches. What could be the reason why each new generation has fewer and fewer who go into this wonderful occupation, this unique calling? Does it have something to do with qualifications, with the wages, with the strenuous study, with the expectations of the congregations? There certainly are a whole list of possible answers, but even if taken together, we still would not be able to explain why we have this difficult problem. Do you think we can ever solve it?



In such a dire situation, today’s devotional passages may help us a bit and give us some confidence and courage. God Himself promises that HE will give shepherds, shepherds after His own heart. Now there are few among us who are cardiologists; even fewer who can claim to see what’s in God’s heart. But this truth remains firm: God has always given shepherds and He will continue to give shepherds after His own heart.



God selects the shepherds Himself. There is less mentioned about the number that is necessary; more about how they are to feed Christ’s flock, God’s congregations, wisdom and understanding. “…shepherd the flock of God that is among you…” it says in Peter’s first epistle (5:2) and Jesus Himself says to Peter: “Feed My lambs!” (John 21:15)



The time of the Reformation shows us that even if there are a lot of shepherds, they do not necessarily all follow God’s heart. When we think of Luther and his colleagues then it proves that it’s not the number of shepherds that’s so important, but rather that the few exercise their office of shepherd with wisdom and understanding. The shepherd stands as God’s representative and cares for the people. God lets His heart speak and over and over again calls ministers and shepherds into service, who with His Word and Sacraments, nourish His congregations - so that when there are emergencies in life, He still provides for their needs.



Jesus, You Yourself are the Good Shepherd. Prepare men after Your own heart and call them into Your service. Amen.



Pastor Juergen Schmidt (Kassel, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 April 9, Wednesday

It Is More Blessed To Give Than To Receive



Morning: Ephesians 4:8-16; Evening: Acts 20:17-38



“…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35b)



That is a sentence, which according to the experience of many people, turns them on their heads. In a time when “stinginess is cool”, as one company in its advertising suggests, where the Me-First mentality and hunting for bargains rank at the forefront, some would voice a protest over Jesus’ statement. “Why not take what you can get, because there can always be more. One doesn’t want to run short of anything!”



In fact, we are used to being on the receiving end. Think for a moment about our attitude of expectation - and how we feel entitled to so many things. You know, it’s not only children who get excited about gifts. But they also get especially joyful when they can give something to someone else. Perhaps they still have that marvelous feeling from early on what it’s like to be able to give to others without hesitation, without fear, without thinking about how they would rather keep the gift for themselves.



Today’s devotional text comes from the mouth of the Apostle Paul. He tells us that it is something that Christ said - which means it’s the Word of the Lord. And so it has a special significance. Even if a person occasionally forgets it - the fundamental attitude of Christians is giving. It is such a fundamental, basic attitude because we Christians actually already have everything that we need. Christ the Lord Himself has given us all that we need. He spared nothing. He held back nothing. He did not hesitate nor think that what He was giving He’d rather keep for Himself. He looked upon those who would receive everything - upon us, His life for our lives. His righteousness for our sins. This becomes quite clear: everything that we have - we owe to Him. So - should we be counting every penny when it’s going towards things like our congregation, our synod, our district, our neighbors?



The saying of our text is one that comes from experiencing it. If you have lots of money and are stingy and have no idea what it’s like to be poor or in want, then you do not know what it means that “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.“ Only those who are generous with their money get to have the experience of knowing the true meaning of that phrase.



As You, Lord have lived for others, So may we for others live. Freely have Your gifts been granted; Freely may Your servants give. Yours the gold and Yours the silver, Yours the wealth of land and sea; We but stewards of Your bounty Held in solemn trust will be. (LSB 842 v.2)



Pastor Juergen Schmidt (Kassel, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 April 10, Thursday

Friday, April 11, 2008

Read:
John 18:28-38


ESV text provided by Bible Gateway



No Swords!

Put up again thy sword into its place for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
(Matthew 26:52 KJV)

When Peter saw the band of soldiers about to seize Jesus, he reached for his sword, probably a short, dagger-type knife such as travelers carried. Peter is ready now to do what he had promised Jesus—die for Him. In the church we need men and women who will dare for Jesus, who will risk all for Him.
But Peter did not understand. Jesus was ready, even eager, to face His captors. This was a necessary part of His work of salvation. What He had to fight could not be accomplished with the sword. Resistance with arms would have defeated the whole purpose of His life.

Still people use the sword. They prefer to do something, fight something, be physically active in gaining salvation. It is hard for people to let Jesus be crucified and by being crucified earn eternal life for them. But so it must be if we are to be saved at all.

Even in the spread of the kingdom, the sword has been used. "Be baptized or die by the sword" was the choice offered the Goths when "Christian" soldiers entered the north country. Nor can gimmicks replace the Gospel in evangelizing the world, as if they were more potent than the simple telling of the story of Jesus. "Put up the sword," says Jesus. "I will win My way."


Jesus, save me by Your Gospel of grace. Amen.

Author: Louis W. Grother/March 17, 1962

We Are Sheep Of His Pasture



Morning: Matthew 26:30-35; Evening: Ezekiel 34:23-31



“And you are My sheep, human sheep of My pasture, and I am your God,“ declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 34:31)



Each of us has his own burden to carry whether he is young or old. One may even be bent over from carrying a heavy burden - be it trouble at the workplace, an incurable illness or the loss of a loved one. And then a good friend writes to him which cheers him up and offers him new courage. We have such a letter before us. God writes to us in our need. He wants what’s best for us; He wants to be our good and faithful Friend. He has already promised that in our baptism. And now He reminds us - especially in the difficult times of our lives - of His promise: “You are My sheep, human sheep of My pasture..”



That means nothing other than that God wants to provide for us with His love and patience. He wants to be our Good Shepherd, and the wellbeing of every individual lies upon His heart. Under His protection we can live confidently, because He has great plans for each of us. He wants to keep those that are His in His kingdom forever - even after this earthly life has passed. He has promised this to us and we can depend on it; even when we have blundered into the worst predicaments.



And that is why He sent His Son Jesus Christ to us so that we can be freed from the greatest burden of all - our sins. Through Him we have been baptized into His Kingdom and through Him we will also live with Him eternally.



How well it is for us that we have such a faithful Friend on Whom we can always rely - even when things in this life have us so shaken up that we don’t think we can go on! God always has a way for us and accompanies us even in our darkest hours. He is and remains our Good Shepherd.



Lord, make us firm in our faith and enable us to trust in Your promises. Look upon us in our distress and help us to persevere and always remain with You. Amen.



Pastor Klaus-Peter Kaessner (Runkel, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 April 11, Friday

What Should We Be Doing In The Evening?



Morning: John 14:1-6; Evening: Genesis 1:1-5





And God said, “Let there be light,“ and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)

(Deuteronomy 24:18)

It’s six o’clock in the afternoon. [What are the people in the neighborhood doing? Some have just gone in to work the night shift; others are retuning from the store after making the weekly purchases. Other will not return until later. Still others are preparing for a party. Others are taking it easy at home, waiting for tomorrow and the soccer game.



Is there anyone who is dedicating himself to preparations for tomorrow, the Lord’s Day?] In these surroundings it is difficult for anyone to prepare oneself inwardly and spiritually for the Lord’s Day; to let the week come quietly to an end.



But in this gloomy and boring monotony there shines a Light - a Word of Light.



“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”



Whoever has attended an Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday will remember: “Christ is the Light!” It was sung during the procession into a quiet, dark church. A bright light then went out from the Easter candle which depicts Christ, the Light of the World. And the first reading from the Book of Genesis was introduced with these words: “On this night God has begun a new creation through the Resurrection of His Son and gives salvation and life to all creation. Full of hope for the world to come, we think to the first creation, at the beginning of all things.”



From a biblical point of view, the new day always begins after the first evening star rises - in the “eve” as we would say today. At the end of one week the new week already begins to shine.



And so just like we each Sunday celebrate the Lord’s Day by remembering Easter and the Resurrection - so can we also already on Saturday be comforted in remembering the reclaiming of this dark world; we can prepare to celebrate welcoming the Light of the World: Christ through His victory over our sin, over evil and over death -has brought Light into the world. On what is thought of as being the darkest stage of His life - in the absolute night of God-forsakenness -this took place for us. It is Saturday. Light a candle and receive the Light of the World.



I thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, that Your bright light has driven away the darkness. Shine in my life and lead me to the goal - until I see You as the true bright and Morningstar which will never set throughout eternity. Amen.



Pastor Gert Kelter (Goerlitz, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 April 12, Saturday

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Read:
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Psalm 13

ESV text provided by Bible Gateway



The Price of Freedom

[God] made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.
(2 Corinthians 5:21 RSV)

After suffering yet another persecution for the mere fact of being Jewish, Tevye, the main character in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, looks up to heaven and says, more whimsically than seriously: "I know we are Your chosen people, Lord, but do You have to choose us so often?"
There is more than a little truth to this if we apply it to Jesus. He was the "Christ of God," that is, the Chosen One, the Anointed One, who had been set aside for a special task.

We tend to think of the glory and privilege involved in being the Chosen One. We forget that Jesus was chosen for a terrifying task. In the Garden of Gethsemane He would feel sorrowful unto death and sweat profusely at the thought of what was coming. As our text indicates, God was going to make Jesus to be sin for our sakes so we would become God’s holy people. God would say, "I no longer see sin anywhere else but in My own Son. In Him I see Sodom and Gomorrah and all the evil that exists, and I will destroy it all by destroying Him."

The Chosen One set us free at His own expense, and what a price He paid! It was sufficient to make us eternally pleasing to God.


Lord Jesus, help us appreciate Your love and the price it prompted You to pay for our salvation. Amen.

Author: Mark Wessling/Sept. 8, 1982

Oh, How Good!



Morning: Romans 1:18-25; Evening: Genesis 1:9-13



And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:10b)



In the reading recommended for this evening, we see this verdict of God pronounced twice for the things He created on the third day. However, what God made on all six days was equally good. This statement, spoken by God, is a seal of the utmost quality. It is the mark of quality upon His Creation which includes us. What comes from God’s hands is good.



In a child’s elementary school textbook about creation there is a furious and snorting animal figure to be seen in the background of the globe, as a contrast to the biblical Creation story. That is a viewpoint that we should rule out! The world around us is not full of pitfalls and traps that want to lure us or make a fool of us as if we were playing a game of cat and mouse! Rather, God established all that He created in an order which can be observed and investigated. He set a border for the water: the shore of the oceans and lakes. The earth has been given a multitude of various types of seeds, which when wisely cultivated, and provided sun, wind and rain, will reproduce itself many times over and provide enough food to nourish all living things.



Creation has not gone on without risks and danger. All technology that wants to make our God-given living environment subservient, runs up against boundaries and dangers. The most frightening examples are those where humans forget who created their environment and who sustains it. Such a person places himself in the role of one who has absolute control, placing his trust only in himself and upon that which he has made. Such a person is standing on slippery ground.



But if this person should discover himself in a new way to be one who has been created and called to live in harmony with the Creator - then he would develop an eye for the beauty of the world and a heart for all living things. But he would also get a realization of the depths of creation and what ruinous effect he may have upon it.



In the beauty of the earth and the wonderful relationship of living in harmony with God, he discovers an outlook which God grants to us by Christ: that of a new creation in which sin has passed away for good and all weeping has forever ceased.



As Your perishable creation, O Lord, let us live grateful lives and listen to Your imperishable Word, through which You make us new! Amen.



Pastor Samuel Piringer (Waldenburg, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund, 2008 April 14, Monday

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Read:
John 1:1-13
Psalm 27

ESV text provided by Bible Gateway



Darkness and Light

From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
(Matthew 27:45 RSV)

Calvary was a place of contrasts. While the enemies of Christ stood firm in their conviction that Christ was to die, they stood on unfirm ground because of an earthquake. Although His accusers wanted nothing to do with Him, they swarmed around His cross and wouldn’t leave Him alone. While some at Calvary were cheering for Him, others were jeering at Him.
Perhaps the sharpest contrast at Calvary was seen in the three-hour darkness that surrounded the Savior, who said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12 KJV). Never before were darkness and the light seen in their contradictory natures.

The darkness on Calvary symbolizes our darkened lives of sin. The light that penetrated this spiritual darkness is the Christ, who conquered sin, death, and the devil in His sacrificial suffering, death, and resurrection.

The German poet Goethe in his dying moments cried, "Light, more light." We too pray for the light of God’s love in Jesus Christ, which penetrated Calvary’s darkness. We need "Light, more light" until we through faith in Christ will dwell in the eternal light of heaven.


"O Christ, our true and only light, Enlighten those who sit in night." Amen.

Author: Ihno A. Janssen/April 10, 1982

All The Creation Will Be Restored



Morning:John 8:31-36; Evening: Genesis 1:20-23



So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves… (Genesis 1:21)



Perhaps you have seen them in a movie. Perhaps you have seen them in person. The largest mammals in the world: the whales. Some people dedicate their vacations to the search for these animals. They travel to Canada or to Africa to watch them. Why? These large animals bring to us both a shudder and a respect of Creation. Besides, these marvelous creatures and their songs perceptible to human ears, understandably excite us, as God’s creatures always do.



[These days we hear a great deal about the danger in which a large number of species of animal find themselves in the world. Sometimes people show more concern for these animals that for human beings. It seems that they consider it more important to protect an animal from extinction than to protect a fetus that is in danger of being killed in the womb.



Human beings are the center and the high point of the creation. And the truth is that the future of the animals depends on the future of the human race. The human race should have been extinguished because of its rebellious disobedience.] But the truth is that Jesus promises them this: “If I free you, you will be truly free.” And what this means about the animals is this: “The creation anxiously awaits the revelation of the son of God.” (Romans 8:19). [In the resurrection of the dead and in the renovation of all things, men will be freed from corruption. When this happens, all the creation will be freed, even the animals.]



I am happy when people make an effort to conserve the creatures that God has made and to protect them from the greed and neglect of fallen and self-centered men. As good stewards of the creation, we want to see the what, for example. It is impressive to see in a photo or in person the animal that God used to protect Jonah, putting him in the belly of the whale in order to rescue him from death. But more impressive will be to see the Son of Man whom Jonah prefigured. Jesus suffered, died and rose after three days in the belly of the earth (Matthew 12:40). Because of his victory, all the creation will be restored.



So, those who are interested in the conservation of the whole creation should begin by knowing the one who gives life to all, the one who give life to the dead through his death and resurrection. We anxiously wait for his revelation in the last day, because this day will be the day of true liberation and true conservation.



Pastor Markus Nietzke (Missions Director, Bergen, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 date, Wednesday

We Have The Green Light



Morning: Romans 8:7-11; Evening: Genesis 1:24-31



So God created man in His own image. (Genesis 1:27a)



“I do not believe in anything at all!” said the man and drove through the intersection on a green light without blinking an eye. And so one must ask, “What does faith have to do with green traffic lights?” One figures it out when he realizes that he can substitute trust for faith. “Of course!” Whoever travels ahead on a green light trusts that the lights today are not operating randomly and also that those drivers who are color blind have stayed home. And so when it happens that someone again says that he cannot believe anything at all, we should ask him to specify what he means. For example: “I do not believe in anything at all except for the traffic lights!” And then one quietly adds another exception - the pharmacist. How would it be if one didn’t trust the pharmacist and before one took his rheumatism medicine, he first tested it out on the dog? And then there’s the matter of trusting the barber, my children’s teacher, the baker…?



One finally comes to the fundamental realization that everything that is important and fundamental in life functions mainly through trust. We live by the trust of others and the trust we place in them makes life go smoothly. God examines our trust. “Created in the image of God” means: “The Creator so fashioned His creation so that they talk to Him and they can hear Him.” (H.J. Braeumer) Between us and God, trust should reign. God has especially proven His trustworthiness in a radical way. Out of love for us, He sacrificed His Son on the cross and awakened Him from the dead three days later. Since then, the traffic light has remained on green. Therefore: Take your foot off the brake and look towards God and by His Spirit place your trust in Him. [He has given you the green light to go forward in faith.] Because through faith, [eternal] life is made possible.



Lord, remove from us our worries and our lack of trust in You. Let us live in strength of faith and full of trust in You not only today, but to eternity. Amen.



Pastor Michael Voigt (Weigersdorf, Germany)

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

Every Seven Days, A Gift



Morning: John 19:1-7; Evening: Genesis 2:1-3



So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation. (Genesis 2:3)



A great gift lies hidden in this sentence. “The gift of a time of rest,” I like to call it. When God had made everything, He rested and thus He has given a time of rest to human beings. Our whole lifetime is a gift, of course. But the fact that it is a gift becomes especially clear after every seven days. After every seven days, we again can open the gift of the time of rest.



This gift has three characteristics. First, it wants to be opened and received. The first thing we do in the week which begins on Sunday is rest. A time of rest should be sacred, something we don’t fail to do. The one who does not rest loses himself in his activity, makes himself the maker, and disavows the One who has made everything. “You must leave your work so that God may do His work in you,” thought Martin Luther. The one who does not rest, pays a high price.



Secondly, the gift wants to be received with celebration. Time is a gift to us, not only for working, but also for celebrating. What can distinguish a festival day from an ordinary day? Well, for a retired person living alone - that would be different than for a family with little children. Taste delicious food, go for a ride or just do nothing. What do I, what do we like to do? We can let our imaginations run wild in order to distinguish Sunday as a gift apart from the other ordinary days. It can be a day of celebration for us.



And there’s a third aspect to the gift of the time of reset. After seven days, we have time to listen. We often live under the illusion that we have no time, not even a little bit, to listen. God gives us time and speaks with us. Into the fleeting and melting time, He speaks and His Word opens life. Sunday is the day of the Resurrection in which we Christians were torn away from the temporal and given the eternal with Jesus. As a congregation we come together and celebrate Jesus life and his victory over sin and death. And so will the gift of the time of rest becomes an eternal light in the midst of our journey through this world which is in the shadows.



God, You Creator of life and Giver of all good gifts. We thank You for the gift of time of rest and the gift of Sunday. Grant that we, on that day of rest, may discover more and more the hope of eternal life and celebrate it. Amen.



Pastor Karl-Heinz Gehrt (Bochum, Germany)

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