No problems?

“…no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.  This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17 

This passage from Isaiah may cause some to imagine that by claiming to be a child of God will make you invincible; no weapon or angry tongue will harm you.  I have not found this to be true yet in my life as I have been on the losing end of a few beatings, have a chipped tooth and have received the lie filled lashings of several tongues.  After the evil in this world has beaten you down and you have picked yourself up from the dirty floor don’t ask God “why did this happen?” but rather look for the blessing that will come from this event; a lesson or quality of yours that will be improved because you did endure the suffering from this world. 

The weapons and lies will not prevail; the blessings that come from our Heavenly Father will be victorious.  This month and next month are typically months when the vodou priests in Haiti are very active seeking out young lives to overpower, conquer and use as sacrifices in their vodou ceremonies.  People in our sinful world “why do we waste our money feeding children in Haiti?” and I ask you to look into the eyes of these two girls from Pont Quenepe who learn more every day about their risen Savior.  Their young lives are in danger from the evil foe that resides in the vodou temple. 

There was a news article recently that told of police in Port-au-Prince discovering several severed heads of children in a vodou temple and a bag with school uniforms in another room nearby.  The weapons and evil of this world may cease their earthly lives, but more importantly their Heavenly Father has called them home to be with their risen Savior Jesus Christ.  How important is the relationship that we have with our Heavenly Father when times of trial come along our journey?  Are you ready for the day when the call to “come home” will arrive un-announced to your door?   

Thank you for helping to prepare the children in Haiti to learn about our risen Savior and continue to share the message with ears that have not yet heard.  The hymn ‘Softly and Tenderly’ was written by Will Thompson in 1880 and it’s words close the devotion with a reminder we are being called and as we heed His call we also strive to help others to also hear His call. 

“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; patiently Jesus is waiting and watching, watching for you and for me!  Come home! come home!  Ye who are weary, come home!  Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home!  Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me?  Why should we linger and heed not His mercies, mercies for you and for me?  Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, passing from you and from me; shadows are gathering, death-beds are coming, coming for you and for me!  Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised, promised for you and for me!  Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me!” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Live for Jesus.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 

Living your life in Christ; doing things for Him because you desire to out of love and not because you have to.  Paul encourages us to not live for Jesus for an hour on the Sabbath but throughout the day, every day until our days are no more.  The congregation members at Bon Berger in Caredeux generally spend three hours in the Sanctuary on the Sabbath; Bible study starts at 8, worship at 9 and fellowship time at 11:30.  I never saw them glancing at their watches or a clock on the wall wondering to themselves “how much longer will this service last?”  Too often the evil foe squeezes our patience glands when enjoying time with Jesus and entices us to get back into the world, his world and start living again. 

I close with the hymn ‘Let us ever walk with Jesus’ that was written by Sigismund von Birken in 1653.  May these words of wisdom bring your life of service encouragement. 

“Let us ever walk with Jesus, follow His example pure, flee the world, which would deceive us and to sin our souls allure.  Ever in His footsteps treading, body here, yet soul above, full of faith and hope and love, let us do the Father's bidding.  Faithful Lord, abide with me; Savior, lead, I follow Thee.  Let us suffer here with Jesus, to His image, e'er conform; Heaven's glory soon will please us, sunshine follow on the storm.  Though we sow in tears of sorrow, we shall reap with heavenly joy; and the fears that now annoy shall be laughter on the morrow.  Christ, I suffer here with Thee; there, oh, share Thy joy with me!  Let us also die with Jesus. His death from the second death, from our soul's destruction, frees us, quickens us with life's glad breath.  Let us mortify, while living, flesh and blood and die to sin; and the grave that shuts us in shall but prove the gate to heaven.  Jesus, here I die to Thee there to live eternally.  Let us gladly live with Jesus; since He's risen from the dead, death and grave must soon release us.  Jesus, Thou art now our Head, we are truly Thine own members; where Thou livest, there live we.  Take and own us constantly, faithful Friend, as Thy dear brethren.  Jesus, here I live to Thee, also there eternally.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Take my life.

“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured.  Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.  In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” 2 Timothy 3:10-12 

I read once that the second book of Timothy has been referred to as “Paul's last will and testament" and this is certainly fitting as it was probably the last letter Paul wrote before his earthly journey came to an end.  It is thought that Paul had most likely been killed by Roman soldiers before this letter of encouragement actually reached Timothy.  His words of encouragement still hold true for you, me and these children attending the Lutheran school in Pont Sonde in Haiti.  We can daily learn so much from Paul through his words as we identify with his challenges and blessings each and every day. 

In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul writes “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” and encourages each of us to do the same as we serve our Heavenly Father with our lives, our talents, our time and our treasures.  The hymn ‘Take my life and let it be’ was written by Frances Havergal in 1874 and it seemed like a good match for Paul’s letter and also a reminder for each of us today. 

“Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee; take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.  Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love; take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.  Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King; take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee.  Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold; take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose.  Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine; take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne.  Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure-store; take myself, and I will be ever, only, all, for Thee.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Be still.

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 

The Church in the attached photo is Eglise Evangelique Lutherienne du Bon Berger in Caredeux, which is a suburb in the Northeast part of Port-au-Prince; the white truck was the vehicle God blessed me with while living in Haiti.  I was blessed to have been there on a few Reformation Sundays and the above verse from Psalm 46 reminded me again that God is exalted among ALL the nations, in ALL the earth. 

Pastor Thomas Bernard read Psalm 46 in French and I followed along in my NIV Bible during the service; God was present at that moment in French, Creole and English.  No matter what the evil forces of this world are throwing at you or the congregation in Caredeux, God reminds us to be still and know that He is God; He is in control.  We will be tossed about throughout our lives, pulled this way and that but don’t fear; be still and know that God is with you.  I close with the words to the hymn ‘I AM forever who I Am’ that we sang on one Reformation Day in Lincoln and it was arranged by Kurt Von Kampen.  

“Though mountains slide into the sea, and waters rush where fields should be, though monuments and nations fall, Your Holy city stands through all.  When nothing seems to stay the same, You teach us your eternal name.  We buy and sell, we lose or gain, our fortunes shift like sun and rain.  Sustain our lives, reward our toil with bread and honey, wine and oil.  Save us and others from our greed; You always give us what we need.  Our lust for power, wealth and land diminishes the earth you planned.  Prevent our crimes and futile wars; convince us that all things are yours.  We rage and burn and kill and steal, but you redeem, restore and heal.  Like shepherds watching for the light, aware of dangers in the night, we hear the angel “do not fear”, the Savior of the world is near.  We run, we see, we touch, we laugh, You came to earth on our behalf.  Each generation looks for truth and doubt can trouble age or youth.  If other gods would take your place, remember us with love and grace.  Reclaim us if we go astray; You are the Truth, the Life, the Way.  Some days seem long, though life is brief, and death is waiting like a thief.  When vision fades and dreams go dry, we still on unseen things rely.  Our stories take up but a page but Yours goes on from age to age.  I AM forever Who I AM; above you, beneath you, around you and within you.  Be still and know that I am God.”    

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

In a storm.

“Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 

We sang the hymn ‘Eternal Father, strong to save’ recently and it always puts a lump in my throat and causes goose bumps to scurry up and down my spine.  It was written by William Whiting in 1869 and its words cause me to consider how fortunate we are to called to be His children living with His promise that we will be with Him in paradise one day.  If you have ever been on the ocean in a boat during a storm or swimming against the current you fully understand how helpless we are against His might.   

The children in the attached photo attend school at Pont Sonde and they fully understand the power of the vodou priest, but take comfort as you and I do in knowing that the power of our Triune God is more powerful and mighty than all the forces of the evil foe; we can be sure that He is with us, in control of the storms and will ultimately bring us to be with Him in paradise. 

This hymn is also known as ‘The Navy Hymn’ as it was played on most ships each day they were at sea.  During World War II, it was used at the funeral for almost all sailors buried at sea and if there was no band or recording available, it was sung a cappella by the crew or the words were read by the commanding officer.  I still remember how it struck me as it was performed as President John F. Kennedy’s body was carried up the steps of the capitol to lay in state in November 1963, and also as his body was lowered into its grave.  May it bring you comfort on this day as you may be facing storms and trials along your journey.  

“Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm hath bound the restless wave, who biddest the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep; oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, for those in peril on the sea!  O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard and hushed their raging at Thy Word, who walked on the foaming deep, and calm amidst its rage didst sleep; oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, for those in peril on the sea!  Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood upon the chaos dark and rude, and bid its angry tumult cease, and give, for wild confusion, peace; oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, for those in peril on the sea!  O Trinity of love and power!  Our family shield in danger’s hour; from rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect us wheresoever we go; thus evermore shall rise to Thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Refusing to listen.

“But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears.” Zechariah 7:11 

Why do some people doubt that the Holy Bible is God’s Word?  Why do some people refuse to listen to the Gospel message?  Does this passage from the book of Zechariah sound familiar?  There were vodou priests living in my neighborhood in Petionville Haiti who not only refused to pay attention to God’s Word but took another step to further distance themselves from the saving Grace of Jesus Christ and sought out satan for assistance as they sacrificed animals in their temples. 

I know for a fact that these children from Merrotte who are standing next to the plantain grove hear the vodou drums pounding on Saturday nights in their neighborhood as the priests call upon evil spirits to do their business in attempting to keep the Christians from attending Christ the King Lutheran Church on Sunday morning; as I’ve slept in that Church on Saturday night and listened to their cadence into the wee hours of the morning. 

I am sure that we all have known people who have refused to pay attention and closed their ears so that they could not hear the Truth.  Paul says that men also close their minds to God’s general revelation in nature, as well as His special revelation in His Word.  Sinful man turns away from God and willingly chooses to believe in the lies of satan; the grand deceiver.  Thank you for helping to prepare over 28,000 young missionaries in Haiti to bring the message of Salvation to the closed ears and minds in Haiti.  I’ve chosen the words from the hymn ‘"Open now Thy gates of beauty’ which was written by Benjamin Schmolck in 1723 to close today’s devotion. 

“Open now Thy gates of beauty, Zion, let me enter there, where my soul in joyful duty waits for Him who answers prayer.  Oh, how blessed is this place, filled with solace, light, and grace!  Lord, my God, I come before Thee, come Thou also unto me; where we find Thee and adore Thee, there a heaven on earth must be.  To my heart, oh, enter Thou, let it be Thy temple now!  Here Thy praise is gladly chanted, here Thy seed is duly sown; let my soul, where it is planted, bring forth precious sheaves alone, so that all I hear may be fruitful unto life in me.  Thou my faith increase and quicken, let me keep Thy gift divine, howsoe'er temptations thicken; may Thy Word still o'er me shine as my guiding star through life, as my comfort in my strife.  Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee, let Thy will be done indeed; may I undisturbed draw near Thee while Thou dost Thy people feed.  Here of life the fountain flows, here is balm for all our woes.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Got problems?

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 

The Apostle Paul could have added that in our lifetime, there will be some problems; people with rough edges, painful situations but we can be certain that God will be with us, work with us as we move through our journey of serving Him. 

Our Heavenly Father knows satan, his every move; how he reacts under pressure; what's important to him; God knows everything about him.  The vodou priest that lives near these young girls who attend the Lutheran school in Les Cayes knows that their Holy Spirit is much more powerful than the legion of evil spirits that through satan, he can call down upon their lives; but he will not stop trying to fill their lives with fear and lies to persuade them to turn away from Christ. 

Our Heavenly Father is never the initiator of evil; trials, troubles and fearful situations.  He sometimes allows these troublesome events to happen, as only He can bring good from them.  These girls in Les Cayes and you and I will surely face problems in our lives but we can always be comforted that our Triune God is always with us, protecting, delivering and loving us each moment along our journey.  Today we close with the words to the hymn ‘I Leave all things to God's Direction’ which was written by Salomo Franck in 1685. 

“I leave all things to God's direction, He loveth me in weal and woe; His will is good, true His affection.  With tender love His heart doth glow.  My Fortress and my Rock is He: what pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.  My God hath all things in His keeping, He is the ever faithful Friend; He grants me laughter after weeping, and all His ways in blessings end.  His love endures eternally: what pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.  The will of God shall be my pleasure while here on earth is mine abode; my will is wrong beyond all measure, it doth not will what pleaseth God.  The Christian's motto e'er must be: what pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.  God knows what must be done to save me, His love for me will never cease; upon His hands He did engrave me with purest gold of loving grace.  His will supreme must ever be!  What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.  My God desires the soul's salvation, me also He desires to save; therefore with Christian resignation all earthly troubles I will brave. His will be done eternally: what pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Finally brothers...

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy; think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 

Of all of the words that were attributed to the Apostle Paul, this verse has always been one of my favorites.  These words describe the qualities of a life that we all should strive to model.  These words are an excellent way to start my morning prayer.  Prayer is one of the unlimited resources that each of us has; the world will not send us a monthly bill for this service. 

When this world attempts to strangle us with its directions and lessons, prayer never changes and is always the correct direction to proceed when we turn our focus to the Cross.  In our daily prayers we set aside the troubles, trials, agendas and pains of this world and let God’s wisdom and directions become our priorities as we receive His abundant blessings through a myriad of means in our lives. 

As the children in the attached photo who attend school at Mammou in Port-au-Prince give thanks for their meal, we too give thanks in our daily prayers for His continual providence in our lives and for the Heavenly Home that is promised to each of us through our Savior Jesus Christ.  The hymn ‘I'm but a Stranger here’ which was written by T.R. Taylor in 1836 closes the devotion for today. 

“I'm but a stranger here, Heav'n is my home; earth is a desert dread, Heav'n is my home.  Danger and sorrow stand round me on every 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.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Our calling.

“What, after all, is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Only servants, through whom you came to believe as the Lord has assigned to each his task.” 1 Corinthians 3:5 

There are some in our world that insist that a person who is committed to Christ will become a Pastor and do work in a Church or in a Christian organization and somehow their work is more holy than work that is accomplished in the business sector, or in a public school or in a home.  Christ came to give each of His children a different ‘calling’ in their everyday lives.  We are called to bring Christ into the darkness of this world in our places of business, in our schools, in our neighborhoods and in our homes. 

Each of the children in the attached photo who attend Bon Berger Lutherienne in Caredeux have different talents and are being touched and prepared by our Heavenly Father to do His work and bring news of His Son to the lost who will come into their lives.  Some of these children may become Pastors, some teachers, some mechanics, some gardeners and some office workers; they and you and I are all doing what He has brought us here to do for Him.   

There are young children, retired adults, pastors, teachers, doctors, plumbers, architects, office workers and families supporting Trinity/HOPE feeding programs; supporting at different levels, but continually supporting to complete His work in these children in Haiti.  Hymn No. 496 from the Lutheran Hymnal ‘"Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying" which was written by Daniel March will close this devotion. 

“Hark the voice of Jesus crying, “Who will go and work today?  Fields are white and harvests waiting, who will bear the sheave away?"  Loud and long the Master calleth, rich reward He offers thee; who will answer, gladly saying, "Here am I, send me, send me"?  If you cannot speak like angels, if you cannot preach like Paul, you can tell the love of Jesus, you can say He died for all.  If you cannot rouse the wicked with the Judgement's dread alarms, you can lead the little children to the Savior's waiting arms.  If you cannot be a watchman, standing high on Zion's wall, pointing out the path to heaven, offering life and peace to all, with your prayers and with your bounties you can do what God demands; you can be like faithful Aaron, holding up the prophet's hands.  Let none hear you idly saying, "There is nothing I can do," while the souls of men are dying and the Master calls for you.  Take the task He gives you gladly, let His work your pleasure be; answer quickly when He calleth, "Here am I, send me, send me!" 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

How do you define success?

“If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” Ecclesiastes 10:10 

The dictionary has the following definitions for the word ‘success’; “achievement of intention: the achievement of something planned or attempted.  Attainment of fame, wealth, or power.  Something that turns out well: something that turns out as planned or intended.”  The Haitian word for ‘success’ is siksè.  How do you define success? 

If you turn on the television early in the morning you are bound to find infomercials promoting products that will give you success.  Go to the dentist office and open a magazine that has an article on how to find success.  What brings success?  Wisdom brings about success; good wisdom comes from God.  The plates filled with food at the school in Bois Marchand did not come about by accident.  Volunteers with Trinity/HOPE sought out wisdom from our Heavenly Father so that the feeding of children attending Christian schools in Haiti might be successful.  We are still seeking His guidance seeking ways to raise the bar of excellence and lower the prices of the meals. 

There are other feeding programs in Haiti that have not succeeded and I can only imagine that they were from plans by men and not of God.  When plans are from the pride of men and not from our Heavenly Father, they will in time fail.  Chuck Swindoll recently wrote that “Wisdom may not give us great popularity and wealth and it may not mean that we will be the most respected in our field or that we will have the most significant voice in the company, but ultimately, as God gauges it, we will be successful.”  Start your plans by seeking His wisdom and give thanks while you enjoy your successful endeavor.  I close today with the words from the song ‘Taste and see’ that was written by Lowell Alexander. 

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; you've tried everything that you thought you could; taste and see that His love is real.  Open up right now and let your heart be filled with peace overflowing, joy everlasting.  Love so amazing taste life so exciting, hope so inviting.  All who are crying to be free; taste and see, taste and see, taste and see.  Taste and see that His Word is true.  You've been hurt before but He won't lie to you.  Taste and see never thirst again; every broken heart Jesus Christ will mend.  You'll never know ‘til you try, you'll never live ‘till you die to yourself and find for yourself that He's good.  You'll never see with your eyes until your heart realizes that He is all that you need; taste and See.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay