This weeks "Words to Live By" are fitting on this Ash Wednesday, as we begin our Lenten journey. A part of the Lenten discipline is to grow in faith and knowledge, and Pastor Paul Hauenstein's words today are a reflection on Caitlyn Miller's confirmation verse. Our thanks to you both.
(For past "Words to Live By" and other information about Our Savior, go to http://www.oursaviorelca.com/.)
KNOWLEDGE IS UNDERSTANDING
Read Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
Education is the foundation of civilization. Learning about history, science, mathematics, languages, economics and government prepares us for meaningful participation in community with others. Caitlyn Miller sees Martin Luther as an example of using his knowledge to understand truth.
Luther was a good student. He studied law to please his Father but he expanded his learning to include an understanding of God and faith. While riding through the woods in a thunderstorm he was startled by a bolt of lightning. He prayed to St. Anne and promised to become a monk if his life were spared. It led Luther to the monastery and to the study of Scripture.
His knowledge grew and his understanding of God’s love and salvation developed a solid faith. He became so convinced of the Bible’s truth that he challenged the teaching and authority of Pope Leo X. Rather than back down he was excommunicated for his beliefs.
The fear of the Lord that led Luther to devote his life to the study of Scripture changed with world. The understanding that we are saved by grace through faith led to the Reformation of the Church. He used his knowledge to translate the Latin Scriptures into the language of his people—German. It made it possible for every person to read the Bible for themselves. The invention of the movable type printing press put the scriptures into the hands of common people. Over the years the Bible has been translated into hundreds of languages and mass produced to be the bestselling book of all time.
The wisdom that comes from understanding God’s Word leads to the gift of faith given by God to those who seek the truth. Imagine a world without books, schools, education, and knowledge. The resulting lack of understanding would leave civilization much weaker and less progressive. We have an awesome God. It is our holy fear or our respect for this God that leads to wisdom, knowledge and understanding of his love and salvation. The Word of God is the beginning of the wisdom and our understanding of faith.
“Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above, With wisdom, power and love, Our God is an awesome God.” (Lyrics by Rich Mullins)
Thank you Caitlyn, your Confirmation Bible verse and your memories about Martin Luther inspire us.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
THE AUDACITY OF GRACE
As our country struggles with how to fix some long term, serious problems, Pastor Paul's words this week help us get to the root of where some of the fixing needs to take place.
Ephesians 2:8—10 "For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it. God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do."
Visions, dreams, expectations, and hopes have been expressed by the leaders of nations, of the business world, of industry, of religion, and leaders of organizations to motivate their people, employees, followers and members. Those people who have been captured by these visions, dreams, expectations, and hopes have often ridden on the coattails of those leaders who put them forth, as if one person could indeed bring about the end result of the visions and images they have uttered.
Our nation has experienced the inauguration of a new president who has put forth a doctrine of hope for America during a time of economic depression, historic unemployment, an age of terrorism, anguish over the war in Iraq, turmoil in the Middle East, and a lack of confidence in government. American democracy is on trial. Not only Americans wait to see how the new leaders of this administration will guide the country, but the world has its eye on how we will proceed.
Our democracy is a government of, by and for the people. The success of the nation is determined by the participation of every citizen in remaking the nation by doing his or her part. It is the same principle that makes business, industry, organizations and religion successful. Whenever people sit back and allow things to proceed without their participation, contribution and sacrifice they are disappointed, and become critical of the failure of the vision, dream, expectation, and hope that they have trusted others to bring about and then blame the failure on others.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church about using the spiritual gifts God has given to the church (people) to fulfill its purpose. Read chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians. It takes all the parts of a body working together to function as it is intended by the creator for the church to be the church. It is simple. Everyone must do their part. That is not the whole story however. Everyone must do their part together. It is good for us to vision, dream and hope. At the same time visions, dreams and hopes depend not only on us to become realities.
God dares to boldly declare that it is not by our works but by his grace that we are saved. Ephesians 2:8—10. The audacity of Most High God to gift his people with the love that will bring success to their endeavors speaks loudly in the midst of our times. Without God’s gifts we cannot do our work, contribute to the hopes, dreams and visions of our leaders who are likewise the servants of the Almighty. The trust that we place in the grace of God opens the way to success in every aspect of human life. Without God’s grace our efforts are doomed to disappointment and failure.
This is not a time to wait and see what our new leaders will give us or how they will help us. The change that we seek begins with the change we make in ourselves, using our gifts to contribute to the hope set before us. It relies on the participation of every citizen in the enterprise of remaking America. It demands the sacrifice of each person for the sake of each other and the world. Our hope for our future and the realization of our visions and dreams are dependent upon our participation, contribution, and sacrifice. And that is possible only with God’s amazing grace moving us to be what the Creator intended for us to do, give, and yield for the sake the world. It is not about what our nation will do for us it is what we will do by God’s grace for the sake of our neighbors, the nation and the world.
This is the time for the people of God to step up and become the church in the world. It is the time to bear witness with the gifts God has given to each of us using them together to bring the ministry of reconciliation and forgiveness to make our communities, our nation and our world a better place. The church exits for the sake of the world. The people of God are called to be the servants of world following the example of Christ.
There is one way to make the visions, dreams and hopes of our leaders become reality—pray. Pray for the leaders of the city, state, nation, and the nations. Pray for the leaders of business and industry. Pray for the pastors and bishops of the church and the leaders of all religions. Pray for yourself and every other citizen and believer to use the gifts God has given the people to realize his plan for the world. Pray every day for his blessings to be poured out for the sake of the world. That is the audacity of Grace.
Lord, God lead our nation and the world by your amazing grace to become what you have made us to be. Bless our mayor, governor, legislators and president with vision, perseverance and strength to lead us. Bestow your grace of the leaders of the nations to seek a world of peace and justice for all. Empower our pastors and bishops with wisdom and understanding of your Word in Jesus Christ to lead us into the way of truth. Give each citizen the motivation to use your gifts for the good of the world. Enable me to be willing to participate, contribute and sacrifice to establish your kingdom of peace among us. In Jesus name, Amen.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me;
Ephesians 2:8—10 "For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it. God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do."
Visions, dreams, expectations, and hopes have been expressed by the leaders of nations, of the business world, of industry, of religion, and leaders of organizations to motivate their people, employees, followers and members. Those people who have been captured by these visions, dreams, expectations, and hopes have often ridden on the coattails of those leaders who put them forth, as if one person could indeed bring about the end result of the visions and images they have uttered.
Our nation has experienced the inauguration of a new president who has put forth a doctrine of hope for America during a time of economic depression, historic unemployment, an age of terrorism, anguish over the war in Iraq, turmoil in the Middle East, and a lack of confidence in government. American democracy is on trial. Not only Americans wait to see how the new leaders of this administration will guide the country, but the world has its eye on how we will proceed.
Our democracy is a government of, by and for the people. The success of the nation is determined by the participation of every citizen in remaking the nation by doing his or her part. It is the same principle that makes business, industry, organizations and religion successful. Whenever people sit back and allow things to proceed without their participation, contribution and sacrifice they are disappointed, and become critical of the failure of the vision, dream, expectation, and hope that they have trusted others to bring about and then blame the failure on others.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church about using the spiritual gifts God has given to the church (people) to fulfill its purpose. Read chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians. It takes all the parts of a body working together to function as it is intended by the creator for the church to be the church. It is simple. Everyone must do their part. That is not the whole story however. Everyone must do their part together. It is good for us to vision, dream and hope. At the same time visions, dreams and hopes depend not only on us to become realities.
God dares to boldly declare that it is not by our works but by his grace that we are saved. Ephesians 2:8—10. The audacity of Most High God to gift his people with the love that will bring success to their endeavors speaks loudly in the midst of our times. Without God’s gifts we cannot do our work, contribute to the hopes, dreams and visions of our leaders who are likewise the servants of the Almighty. The trust that we place in the grace of God opens the way to success in every aspect of human life. Without God’s grace our efforts are doomed to disappointment and failure.
This is not a time to wait and see what our new leaders will give us or how they will help us. The change that we seek begins with the change we make in ourselves, using our gifts to contribute to the hope set before us. It relies on the participation of every citizen in the enterprise of remaking America. It demands the sacrifice of each person for the sake of each other and the world. Our hope for our future and the realization of our visions and dreams are dependent upon our participation, contribution, and sacrifice. And that is possible only with God’s amazing grace moving us to be what the Creator intended for us to do, give, and yield for the sake the world. It is not about what our nation will do for us it is what we will do by God’s grace for the sake of our neighbors, the nation and the world.
This is the time for the people of God to step up and become the church in the world. It is the time to bear witness with the gifts God has given to each of us using them together to bring the ministry of reconciliation and forgiveness to make our communities, our nation and our world a better place. The church exits for the sake of the world. The people of God are called to be the servants of world following the example of Christ.
There is one way to make the visions, dreams and hopes of our leaders become reality—pray. Pray for the leaders of the city, state, nation, and the nations. Pray for the leaders of business and industry. Pray for the pastors and bishops of the church and the leaders of all religions. Pray for yourself and every other citizen and believer to use the gifts God has given the people to realize his plan for the world. Pray every day for his blessings to be poured out for the sake of the world. That is the audacity of Grace.
Lord, God lead our nation and the world by your amazing grace to become what you have made us to be. Bless our mayor, governor, legislators and president with vision, perseverance and strength to lead us. Bestow your grace of the leaders of the nations to seek a world of peace and justice for all. Empower our pastors and bishops with wisdom and understanding of your Word in Jesus Christ to lead us into the way of truth. Give each citizen the motivation to use your gifts for the good of the world. Enable me to be willing to participate, contribute and sacrifice to establish your kingdom of peace among us. In Jesus name, Amen.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me;
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appeared the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;
Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me; his Word my hope secures;
The Lord has promised good to me; his Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymn #779)
Sunday, February 8, 2009
IMAGINATION
February 4, 2009
John 8:31—38; John 17:6—19 "Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth , and the truth will make you free.' They answered him, 'We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?' Jesus answered them, 'Very truly , I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanetnt place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportuniuty to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father's presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.'
"I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave, me because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth."
In his inaugural address Barak Obama said, “Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.”
John Lennon wrote a song the title of which is Imagine. The lyrics suggest that if we imagine a world in which there is no heaven or hell, no religion, no countries, and no possessions then there would be no wars, nothing to kill or die for, no hunger and no greed. Imagine all the people living in peace. It is a radical approach to but I don’t believe it is a godless one.
Imagination is the God given ability to perceive the divine plan that every person is a child of the Creator and entitled to live freely in the community of God’s people without prejudice, persecution and hunger. Imagine such a world. Imagine such a community. Imagine such a family. Imagine a person who sees God’s way as the way to live. Imagine you are that person. Imagine your task is to convert your family your friends, neighbors and the world to that understanding. Unless you and I can imagine what it is like there is no possibility of taking the steps to share the vision and convert others to participate in the enterprise of becoming the people, the community, and the family God intends for us to be.
Another line from the inaugural address challenges us, “The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” The time has come to set aside the differences that divide us: the partisanship, the gridlock, the greed, the lust for power, privilege, wealth, race, envy, pride and every other means of dividing people that exists.
God sends his Son Jesus into the world corrupted by sin to help us imagine the divine intention of creation. He teaches us to imagine a world of justice and peace, of love, respect, and compassion. Jesus describes the true disciples of the divine will of God in John 8:31—38. “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free…So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I declare to you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.”
Jesus prays in John 17:20—21, “I ask…that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” The differences that we allow to separate and divide us are human creations and aberrations of the divine intention. Imagine what God created you and the people around you and the world we live in to be. Then with all your heart, mind, and strength do all you can to realize that vision so that the world may live as one. It begins with your imagination and your dedication to the task.
It is an exciting time to be the church in the world. The challenges are great and our God is almighty. Everything is possible with Him. Our future is dependent on our understanding of the divine vision of the church. Pastor Jerry Wahl, Mission Director for the Florida Bahamas Synod in the recent workshop helped us define the purpose of the church. There are four elements: worship, education, koinonia, and service. The worship must be inspiring. The education is life-long. Koinonia is the fellowship of believers; and the church exits for the sake of the world—serving others. Imagine how the world would look if we began to live together as God’s people for the sake of the world.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream must be imagined to become a reality.
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal...I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.”
BRING IT ON!
January 21, 2009
Read Matthew 5:11-12 ("Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.")
Everyone who claims the name of Christ will at sometime endure insult and sometimes injury. Faith becomes a source of blessing for such times. Marisa Ward says, “God made me comfortable with myself. He will always love me.” This is a great assurance for a Christian.
Reverend Ruben Duran, Director for Development of New congregations for the ELCA reported to a Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly that there were communities in the U.S. where land developers were resistant to selling land to the church for new buildings; governments that were using high impact fees, assessments, and building codes to discourage churches from building; some community organizations opposing new congregations from being developed in their cities. The devil, said Rev. Duran, uses every possible way to keep the good news from the people. But he said, “Satan and those who oppose the church don’t know who they are dealing with. They don’t know that with God anything is possible. So, bring it on. We are ready for anything.”
You have to know whose you are and who you are in Christ to face the insults and rejection of the world. You have to believe in God’s love for you to continue doing his will in spite of the obstacles and resistance you will meet. You have to believe your faith is worth the insults, being made fun of, and even persecuted by those who don’t believe.
We are encouraged by the Word of God that tells us how people treated God’s prophets and even his own Son in the past. Our assurance is that God rewards the faithful. Jesus tells us about the banquet where all God’s children will gather together in the Kingdom to rejoice and celebrate the victory. The feast awaits and those who are comfortable with what God has made them. They are ready for everything. So bring it on. Faith makes us ready for anything.
“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; O what a foretaste of glory divine. Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood. This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Hymn # 638)
Thank your Marisa for helping us remember the assurance and importance of faith with your expression of faith and the Bible verse you chose for your confirmation.
Read Matthew 5:11-12 ("Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.")
Everyone who claims the name of Christ will at sometime endure insult and sometimes injury. Faith becomes a source of blessing for such times. Marisa Ward says, “God made me comfortable with myself. He will always love me.” This is a great assurance for a Christian.
Reverend Ruben Duran, Director for Development of New congregations for the ELCA reported to a Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly that there were communities in the U.S. where land developers were resistant to selling land to the church for new buildings; governments that were using high impact fees, assessments, and building codes to discourage churches from building; some community organizations opposing new congregations from being developed in their cities. The devil, said Rev. Duran, uses every possible way to keep the good news from the people. But he said, “Satan and those who oppose the church don’t know who they are dealing with. They don’t know that with God anything is possible. So, bring it on. We are ready for anything.”
You have to know whose you are and who you are in Christ to face the insults and rejection of the world. You have to believe in God’s love for you to continue doing his will in spite of the obstacles and resistance you will meet. You have to believe your faith is worth the insults, being made fun of, and even persecuted by those who don’t believe.
We are encouraged by the Word of God that tells us how people treated God’s prophets and even his own Son in the past. Our assurance is that God rewards the faithful. Jesus tells us about the banquet where all God’s children will gather together in the Kingdom to rejoice and celebrate the victory. The feast awaits and those who are comfortable with what God has made them. They are ready for everything. So bring it on. Faith makes us ready for anything.
“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; O what a foretaste of glory divine. Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood. This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Hymn # 638)
Thank your Marisa for helping us remember the assurance and importance of faith with your expression of faith and the Bible verse you chose for your confirmation.
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