Gaining strength.

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”  2 Timothy 2:1-2

Many theologians have agreed that this message could have very well been the Apostle Paul’s last words from a Roman prison.  At this time of writing, Paul knew it could be his final contact with Timothy because his execution was most likely imminent.  It is important to know what gives hope in the face of a painful death like the one Paul encountered.  Paul, in his letter to Timothy, gave two points that should keep a believer strong: gaining strength in the grace of Jesus Christ and gaining strength in all the testimonies in the Word of God.

Do you know people who might be in a similar situation that was facing Paul in prison?  You have most assuredly been entrusted with the Word of God throughout your life.  Are there reliable people within your voice or touch who will share your love of Jesus Christ and knowledge of the Word of God with others after you have gone?

The young girl in the photo is from Ouanaminthe.  She attends the Lutheran school there and she is praying; giving thanks for her noon meal and for people like you who are helping her to be qualified to teach others along her journey about the grace of Jesus Christ and God’s Holy Word.

My music friend Alexa selected a song yesterday titled ‘Whispering Hope’ which was written by Septimus Winner in 1868.  The words reminded me of this small child living on the Northern border of Haiti, in her own type of prison.  Her soft witness will change lives because of your answering of His call to prepare others to share the Good News of a risen Savior.

“Soft as the voice of an angel, breathing a lesson unheard; hope with a gentle persuasion whispers her comforting word.  Wait till the darkness is over, wait till the tempest is done.  Hope for the sunshine tomorrow, after the shower is gone.  Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.  If, in the dusk of the twilight, dim be the region afar; will not the deepening darkness brighten the glimmering star?  Then when the night is upon us, why should the heart sink away?  When the dark midnight is over, watch for the breaking of day.   Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.  Hope, as an anchor so steadfast, rends the dark veil for the soul; whither the Master has entered, robbing the grave of its goal.  Come then, oh, come, glad fruition, come to my sad weary heart.  Come, O Thou blest hope of glory, never, oh, never depart.  Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.”

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

God's children.

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14

I don’t know about you, but yesterday was a real challenging Monday; the news was full of negative stories.  Afghanistan and the crisis at our southern border snuffed out most updates on the Haiti earthquake and the foot of rain from Grace that dumped on those poor Haitian survivors.  I’m trying to be positive and keep sharing something that will draw you and yours closer to Jesus in these times of trials.  A devotion that I read online last week stated that God’s care of our planet includes people of all races, male and female, old and young; those in diapers unable to walk, those in jeans and sneakers running everywhere and those using walkers who can ‘run’ nowhere.  We are all God’s children, no matter our age, our physical ability, our status in the eyes of this world, the color of our skin or the type of blood flowing through our veins.

God’s care includes and does not exclude.  When infants and small children were brought to Jesus he didn’t say “take them away, I am too busy.”  When I look at this photo of these children attending school at Petit Amis in Caredeux, I know that they would be welcomed by our Savior to sit on His lap, tug on His arm and share their love with Him who came to save us.

Our Savior, the Good Shepherd invites all of us to ‘come’ and be with Him here on this side of Heaven and also one day with Him in Heaven.  Whether we are sitting in our comfortable home here in Normal or spent the rainy night huddled in a plastic poncho laying on the rubble of our home in Haiti, we place our faith in Him, lean on Him and call upon Him daily.  I heard a favorite song this morning on Alexa, ‘Leaning on the everlasting arms’ by Elisha Hoffman that was published in 1887.  It is such a wonderful reminder that there is a Savior to lean on, no matter who we are, where we are or what we have done; He is always there.

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms.  What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.  Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.  Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms.  Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.   Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.  What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?  I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.”

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

Small potatoes.

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.  The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.  All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.  Do all these evildoers know nothing?  They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord.  But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.  You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.  Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!  When the Lord restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!” Psalm 14

Monday morning; so much to be thankful for and so much to give to our Heavenly Father in prayer.  What is that you say, there is no God?  People who say that believe the world revolves around them…it’s all about them.  ‘They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.’  Well for many, their world was rocked this weekend by another earthquake in Haiti on Saturday and there are probably still a few of those who will blame God as he surely caused that to happen.  He allowed that to happen and His children will follow His lead and turn this sadness into a future victory for our Triune God and His people; HE always does…because HE is God.

Last week Trinity HOPE sent out a message that indicated that they have now provided 50,125,000 meals since they began feeding 42 children at a Lutheran school in Tarrasse Haiti in 1998.  For those of us who have been involved with Trinity HOPE for the past few decades, that number is truly mind blowing.  There were a few annual Board meetings when we were cautious about taking on too many more schools; where would the donations come from?  God would take care of that, HE always does, and John Hall would ask us “Ain’t God good?”  Today, years later, over 50 million meals have been provided; ‘ain’t God good’?

I recall the many states that I have been to, giving presentations for Trinity HOPE and I have to tell you, today I feel like ‘small potatoes’.  Rick Warren says “It’s not about me…it’s all about God” and I think about that statement quite often and also repeat it to others.  And that statement causes me to feel good about being small potatoes.  Small potatoes people let God work through them and we don’t step into the spotlight but rather step aside and gaze upon the marvelous work He has accomplished through us.

You don’t think there is a God…stop trying to be in the spotlight for just a brief moment and step aside and humble yourself small potato, and see what God can accomplish through you; you’ll be amazed.  Over 50 million plates of rice and beans have been served to Haitian school children, their teachers and their cooks since 1998.  God has been working through small potatoes like you and me to donate a quarter for that meal and will use this Haitian child to accomplish His will in their life.  Thank you for letting it be ALL about Him, cause He is the ONLY one who could accomplish this wonderful ministry. 

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 weakness.

“For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.” 2 Corinthians 13:4

Admitting our weakness takes strength and humility.  Most of the scriptures that I have shared this week remind us of our weak spots and those buttons we have that expose them.  And if we are weak, spiritually, physically and mentally, then admitting that to our Heavenly Father, family and friends is really quite a challenge…but so very necessary. 

Heavenly Father, we all struggle with weakness.  We're reminded almost every day that we don't have it all together.  We need You.  We have an abundance of heartaches and disappointments that haven't gone away; there has been grief from broken relationships, illnesses, pity patter spats with loved ones, medical challenges and recent deaths.  We invite You to enter in, Lord.  Enter into all of that on our behalf.  Through Your presence may we find relief and release from that which has bound us and tied us up within.  We're able to take only so much, and sometimes we come to a virtual breaking point.  In our times of physical and emotional weakness, we need Your comfort and Your strength.

We are also stalked by satan as he pushes our bad buttons.  We need Your grace.  Sin has taken a terrible toll on this sin filled world.  And though we are well-versed in every possible way of ignoring it or explaining it away as something everybody does so that it’s okay; today we come to terms with it. Surely we have failed or fallen in some area today, and the ache of that nags us and troubles us; some sharp needless words, some outburst of anger, some lingering resentment or some caustic response.  Lord, thank You for the blood of Christ that keeps on cleansing us from all sins, including these. Forgive us, our Father.  Remove from us the evil enemy's desire to make us ashamed and to drag us under the load of that failure.  May we remember that in Your grace You not only forgive, You daily wipe the slate clean.  Thank You that You know our weakness and love us nevertheless.  In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Imagine HIS plans for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Have you ever heard the saying that “even the best laid plans will go wrong”?  Ten years ago yesterday, I retired from the State of Nebraska and today, it appears that I may possibly be doing what His plans were for me and I feel richly blessed.  A week ago, our guest Pastor Robert Frank asked us if we were doing His work and how we felt about that.  Sitting in ‘my’ pew that pointed question swirled around in my brain and I came to the conclusion that I felt blessed to be doing His work, not proud, but thankful to be able to realize and give thanks that He gave this sinful bucket of flesh and bones something to do for Him with the gifts He gave me.

I’ve never heard of anybody in Haiti ever retiring like we do in the US because there, men and women reach an age where they can no longer put food into their bodies and they go to live with relatives and die; that was never my plan, and my daughters shout AMEN!  The attached photo is of some of the children and teachers at the Lutheran school at Bongnol which is located in the Artibonite District.  There are 76 children attending school here and for me that is seventy-six reasons to volunteer my labors for Trinity HOPE to help feed these children while they learn about Jesus Christ.

As long as my feeble, arthritic fingers can type out a daily devotion that will prayerfully move another donor to help feed over 42,500 children in Haiti; that is what I intend to do.  What are your plans for retirement?  Have you given any thought to helping feed children in Haiti when you retire or even before you pick that date?  These kids need you, your talents and your prayers.  Imagine how many could be touched by your life or by your legacy when it is your time to leave this world.  I was listening to Amy Grant sing on my MP3 yesterday and the song ‘I can only imagine’ was playing and it’s words placed thoughts into my mind about what the future will bring.

“I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side.  I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me.  I can only imagine; I can only imagine.  Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel?  Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still?  Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall?  Will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?  I can only imagine; I can only imagine.  I can only imagine when that day comes and I find myself standing in the Son.  I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship you.  I can only imagine; I can only imagine.  Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel?  Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still?  Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall?  Will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?  I can only imagine; yeah I can only imagine.”

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

Words of Eternal Life.

“On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching.  Who can accept it?”  Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?  Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!  The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you; they are full of the Spirit and life.  Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”  For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.  He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”  From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.  “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:60-69

I was thinking about verse 65 that reads, “He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them” and it reminds me of what the outcome is for those who turn away from Jesus; deny Him.  In my simple thinking and worldly wording, ‘they will go to hell’.  I shared that phrase in a message I gave back in 2004 at Christ Lutheran and there were a number of people who thanked me for saying that, as they hadn’t heard that painful reality very often and said they really needed to hear that more often; to be reminded.

Why is it so very important that we must urgently share the Good News about Jesus with those living in this sinful world?  We don’t know when their last breath will be taken and above all, Jesus desires ALL to be saved from the fires of hell.  The two girls in the attached photo know Jesus, accept Jesus as their Savior and their smiles can brighten a lost soul on the darkest path in their neighborhood with the message of salvation and Eternal Life.

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

Wake up.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.  Therefore, do not be partners with them.  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible; and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.  This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”  Be very careful, then, how you live; not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:6-17

Take a close look at the attached photo.  Does it remind you of a tourist attraction at the next exit on I-40 in the middle of New Mexico that sells flags?  Well, it’s not.  This is a vodou temple along the highway about 2 miles northwest of St. Marc Haiti and those flags are ‘fruitless deeds of darkness’ as each of them represent an evil spirit that resides in this temple and is ready when the vodou priest needs it.

Wake up!  Satan is out there today with his slimy fingers on your sinful weakness buttons, eager to cause you to leave the lighted path and venture into the darkness.  Stay in the Word, be wise and make the most of every opportunity to accomplish God’s will with your life today.

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

Real wisdom.

“Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.  She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.  She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!”  To those who have no sense she says, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.  Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”  Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.  Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.  Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:1-10

There is a lot of wisdom found in these verses and I highlighted verse 9 that reads “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning” as that could very well be on a marquee in the front of every school with a Trinity HOPE feeding program.

The parents of these six girls at the Lutheran school in Cap Haitian sent them to learn more about Jesus, reading, writing, arithmetic, science, language and also to receive a noon meal.  A Trinity HOPE donor shared a portion of their income, $1.50, for their lunch…the Holy Spirit will take over from here to use these young missionaries to share their wisdom with those in the family and their neighborhood.  These six are the future of Haiti.

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

Turn from evil.

“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.  Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.” Psalm 34:12-16

On every Monday morning, I open the online Lectionary and read the appointed scripture readings for the coming Sunday.  I don’t know how many of you do that too, but it helps me prepare for the message on Sunday and also gives me some ideas for messages during that week.  The above reading is the appointed Psalm for next Sunday and it has a general theme that sure does fit well with what is taking place in our country, in Haiti and also in our fallen world; ‘turn from evil’.

Satan is the author of all lies in our world.  He daily baits us with all forms of deceiving lies, talk, video, food and pushes our buttons that draw us away from the truth; he knows our weaknesses.  I don’t know your weakness and you probably don’t know ALL of mine…but the devil does.  Take a look at these 6th grade Haitian girls and tell me if you can imagine what their weakness might be?  I have seen them and can tell you from all outward appearances their temptation buttons are labeled ‘boys’ and ‘gossip’.  Turn from evil.  Put satan behind you and Jesus in front of you.

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

God is faithful.

“Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness.  Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me.  This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.  The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:19–23

We had a guest pastor recently and Rev. Fitzner reminded us that Jesus was always in our boat and we shouldn’t fear; be courageous!  Our God is always Faithful.  Lord God, we thank You for being more than a friend.  Thank You for Your sovereign hand upon us, for Your mercies that are new every morning, for Your great faithfulness.  Thank You for not leaving us when we should have been rejected and left to perish, for not abandoning us when we deserved it.  Thank You for being true to Your Word.  Thank You for keeping Your promise that all who come to You will in no way be cast out.  Thank You, our Shepherd, for Your earthly sheepdogs in many different forms; for goodness and mercy and, especially, faithfulness that follow unrelentingly at our heels guiding our lives.  In faithfulness, You will receive those who come to You.  We pray for those who've run away from You or never searched for You.  We request that You would win them back through Your compassion and mercy. We ask that they would sense the sympathetic faithfulness of God and that that alone would draw them like a magnet to You.

In the name of Christ, our strong Savior, we pray. Amen.