Paradise...

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

Alexa played the hyms ‘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 small 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 the Lutheran school at Pont Sonde and they fully understand the power of the violent gangs and the vodou priest, but take comfort as you and I do in knowing and believing 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 by the Navy band 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

Pay attention!

“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?  Back in the day, there were vodou priests living in my neighborhood in Petionville Haiti, who not only refused to pay attention to God’s Word, but boldly and foolishly 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 a few people who have refused to pay attention and closed their ears so that they could not hear the Truth.  The Apostle 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 61,000 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

God is with us.

“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 during our lifetime, there will be some challenges; we are people with rough edges and probably faced a few painful situations, but we can be certain that God is and will be with us, working with us as we move through our journey…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 full well that their Holy Spirit is much more powerful than the legion of evil spirits that the vodou priest, through his connection with satan, can call down upon their lives; but the evil one will not stop trying to fill their lives with endless challenges, 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 challenges in our lives but we can always be comforted knowing 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

Send me...

“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 ‘wise’ people in our fallen world who 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 these 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, Bible study groups and families supporting Trinity HOPE feeding programs; all of them are supporting at different levels, but all of them are continually supporting to complete His work in children like these throughout Haiti.  Hymn No. 496 from the Lutheran Hymnal, "Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying" which was written by Daniel March will close this Saturday morning 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 Internet 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; cooking, cleaning, removing wrinkles, becoming wealthier, losing a few pounds or getting more energy.  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.

Believe it or not, there are still other feeding programs in Haiti that have not succeeded and I can only imagine that they were unwise 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

Are we saints?

“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.  The brethren who are with me greet you.” Philippians 4:21(NASB)

I did a search on the word ‘Saint’ recently as I had read a commentary by Martin Luther that we are both ‘saints’ and ‘sinners’.  When I get up in the morning and look at the bathroom mirror there is a sinner looking at me.  Are we saints?  The world causes me to reluctantly identify myself with that title as it tells me that is reserved for a person with a higher spiritual level than I possess.  Identifying with the title ‘sinner’ is a given for me, but being called a ‘Saint’ is something that we may shy away from when that title is brought up in our conversations.

Roman Catholic theology indicates that "A saint is one who has exhibited unsurpassable devotion to Christ."  The Roman Catholic Church teaches that a “Saint has a special work in interceding with God for the souls of people which are captive to the pain of purgatory.”  On the day of the initial Reformation, Luther took a stand on these teachings and we are so thankful that he did.  The saints in the attached photo attend Bon Berger Lutherienne in Caredeux and they, like us, are both saints and sinners.

It is interesting to note that the Apostle Paul’s most used word for Christians is the word "Saint."  A search on the Internet indicated that he used it 45 times in his epistles and when he speaks of saints, he is referring to ordinary Christians like the children in Caredeux and you and me.  The hymn ‘Saints of God, the Dawn is brightening’ was written by Mary Maxwell in 1849 and her words seemed to be an appropriate to close this devotion.

“Saints of God, the dawn is bright'ning, token of our coming Lord; o'er the earth the field is whit'ning; louder rings the Master's word: pray for reapers, pray for reapers, in the harvest of the Lord!  Now, O Lord, fulfil Thy pleasure, breathe upon Thy chosen band, and with Pentecostal measure send forth reapers o'er our land, faithful reapers, faithful reapers, gath'ring sheaves for Thy right hand.  Soon shall end the time of weeping, soon the reaping time will come, Heav'n and earth together keeping God's eternal Harvest-home.  Saints and angels, saints and angels, shout the world's great Harvest-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

Are you hated by this world?

“Everyone will hate you because of me.” Luke 21:17

Being hated by others is probably not something that we attempt to attain; but being a Christian, it is inevitable as Jesus tells His disciples and us that this will happen at some point along our journey…cause you are different.  Have you ever given this passage much thought?  Actually, we have lived most of our lives in America during a time of religious freedom; unlike some of our great-grandparents experienced.  A small number of us actually know what it means to be hated by the world; but that is rapidly changing.

The child in the attached photo is eating their daily meal at the Lutheran School in St. Marc, before the roof has been constructed, is probably hated by some people in the neighborhood where he lives because he follows Jesus and believes in the Triune God.  The vodou followers hate him and hate you for feeding him and have been told by their vodou priest that Jesus is dead…period.  There may be people in your family, or place of work or within your circle of friends who know that you are helping to feed children in Haiti and they think you are foolish or perhaps hate you because you are not giving your treasures to them instead of Trinity HOPE.

Stand firm.  Be reminded that your treasures are being used wisely to feed every 61,000 of His children and also that Jesus has told us that this world will hate you because of Him.  Your love of Christ sets you apart from this world.  I close with the words of the hymn ‘I Know My Faith is Founded’ that was written by Erdmann Neumeister in 1718.

“I know my faith is founded on Jesus Christ, my God and Lord; and this my faith confessing unmoved I stand upon His Word.  Man's reason cannot fathom the truth of God profound; who trusts her subtle wisdom relies on shifting ground.  God's Word is all-sufficient, it makes divinely sure, and trusting in its wisdom, my faith shall rest secure.  Increase my faith, dear Savior, for Satan seeks by night and day to rob me of this treasure and take my hope of bliss away.  But, Lord, with Thee beside me, I shall be undismayed; and led by Thy good Spirit, I shall be unafraid.  Abide with me, O Savior, a firmer faith bestow; then I shall bid defiance to every evil foe.  In faith, Lord, let me serve Thee; though persecution, grief and pain should seek to overwhelm me, let me a steadfast trust retain; and then at my departure take Thou me home to Thee and let me there inherit all thou hast promised me.  In life and death, Lord, keep me until Thy heaven I gain, where I by Thy great mercy the end of faith attain.”

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

Is your life in order?

“He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’” Luke 12:17

In the parable from Luke, Jesus tells of a rich man who had too much.  His crops were so abundant that he didn’t have enough storage bins to hold all of the grain; a good problem to have.  My crop yields were okay this year and my grain was transported to the grain elevator in Ruby, NE for storage.  Quite often their bins are full and corn and soybeans are stored on the ground until they can be moved by rail or trucks.  The man in this parable thought that best way for him to alleviate this problem would be to build more barns and storage bins…tomorrow.  He took care of his earthly problems but didn’t consider his Spiritual problems as the Lord came to take him home.

Is your life in order?  How have the pages of your legacy been unfolded?  There are over 61,000 children enjoying a school feeding program in Haiti today through Trinity HOPE, and the number of children waiting to receive this blessing is to date, thousands more.  These five girls from Bon Berger Lutheran school in Caredeux are extremely happy as they have received this blessing; the total for all five of their meals cost a faithful donor a dollar and a quarter. 

Like the rich man in the parable, we don’t know when the Lord will call us home.  As we look around us for opportunities to use our talents, treasures and lives we turn to Him, the Lord of the harvest and seek His directions.  I close today with the words to the hymn ‘Almighty Father, Heaven and Earth’ that was written by Edward A. Dayman in 1867.

“Almighty Father, heaven and earth with lavish wealth before Thee bow; those treasures owe to Thee their birth, Creator, Ruler, Giver, Thou.  The wealth of earth, of sky, of sea, the gold, the silver, sparkling gem, the waving corn, the bending tree, are Thine; to us Thou lendest them.  To Thee, as early morning's dew, our praises, alms, and prayer shall rise as rose, when joyous earth was new, faith's patriarchal sacrifice.  We, Lord, would lay, at Thy behest the costliest offerings on Thy shrine; but when we give, and give our best, we give Thee only what is Thine.  O Father, whence all blessings come; O Son, Dispenser of God's store; O Spirit, bear our offerings home: Lord, make them Thine forevermore.”

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

Praying for you.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

“You are in my prayers.”  Has somebody told you that recently?  It doesn’t matter to me if one person, three people or a congregation are praying for me; it is still a comforting and rich blessing.  The young boy in the attached photo attends the school at Bois Marchand in Gonaives and he prays for you; his school gives thanks in prayer for you.

Our Lord Jesus is present when His people gather together to pray.  The common table prayer and fellowship is so important to their spiritual lives.  When this young child prays before going to sleep on his mat on the floor of his home; his relationship with our Heavenly Father is precious.  When you and I pray for the children attending Christian schools in Haiti our common requests to feed these sheep is heard; daily.  The hymn ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’ was written by Joseph Scriven in 1865 and his words seemed like a very good match for this devotion.

“What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!  What a privilege to carry ev'rything to God in prayer!  Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry ev'rything to God in prayer!  Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?  We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer.  Can we find a Friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?  Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.  Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?  Precious Savior, still our Refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.  Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?  Take it to the Lord in prayer; in His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.”

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

Think about these things.

“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 written by 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 businesses in this fallen world will not send us a monthly bill for this service.

When the talking heads of this world attempt to strangle us with their ‘wise’ 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, challenges 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 this Saturday.

“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