“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.”
Daniel 7:9,10

A Time of Optimism

Maybe it’s because the days are getting noticeably shorter at this time of year or because we tend to have more cloudy days, but this never seems like a very optimistic time of year. All that it takes is a little bad economic news, or you start to catch a cold, and you get down. You watch the news and see the way the world seems to be getting more and more evil, and don’t you begin to wonder? When will it end? What do you do to get out of that funk?

At first glance, Daniel knew just what that was like. He was standing before a holy and perfect God who would be his judge! How could he, an imperfect human, possibly stand before a perfect and righteous judge?

Daniel knew he could only do this by being perfect himself. But Daniel was far from perfect! God, the Ancient of Days, had promised him to send a solution to that problem. That solution would make it possible.

We have the same solution, but we have information Daniel never had. The solution to that problem is Jesus. His righteous life is given to us to make us righteous in God’s sight, so we can stand before a holy God without fear. Through faith, it doesn’t matter how bad the economic, political, or weather news is. We have the solution to the biggest problem we will ever have. His name is Jesus. What a time to be optimistic!

Prayer:
Lord, you created the seasons and the order of the earth. At this time of year as daylight hours grow shorter, keep us from letting gloom rule our lives. Help us to be optimistic, trusting all that is happening around us is in his perfect hands. Amen.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9

Don’t Get Caught Up in the Calendar

Well, here we are—the day after Thanksgiving! Maybe you’re extra full of food. Or you’re reminiscing about the days of midnight shopping on what sometimes appears to be the American holiday: Black Friday.

Maybe you’re looking ahead to Christmas. The alarm bells of anxiety are going off—probably more than you want them to.

You just looked at the calendar, and there’s no free time in the month until Christmas Eve.

You just looked at your bank account, and it is not what you hoped for heading into Christmas.

You see those beautiful scenes of family gatherings in holiday advertisements and movies, and this Thanksgiving once again proved that you don’t have that. And Christmas promises nothing better.

Your heart and mind are convinced, “I guess it’ll be another Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year that I’ll just try to make it through.”

Or not. Listen again to these promises in our Bible reading for today: “The God of peace will be with you.” And “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Through all of it—whatever happened yesterday and whatever comes between now and Christmas and beyond—the peace of God is guarding your heart, and he’s using Jesus to do it. Right now, you possess peace even amidst all these things; your heart is whole because the God of peace is with you.

Prayer:
God of peace, help me embrace the peace you promise. Give me the strength to offload my anxiety to you. I can’t carry it, but you promise you can, and you invite me to present my requests to you, in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Amen.

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
Matthew 25:14-18

Put God’s Wealth to Work

Call it what you want: calling, vocation, talent. Every single one of us has it. No matter who you are! God has given you abilities—more than given them, he’s entrusted them to you. Maybe he’s entrusted a little slice of his knowledge, grace, kindness, encouragement, money, time, energy, or some other piece of his wealth.

And I promise—he’s entrusted it to you. Do you know how I know? Because you’re here. You’re alive. God hasn’t taken you to heaven yet. You’re here to serve because God serves the people of this world through you.

You can do this by sharing the wealth of the gospel: “Jesus loves you. He paid your debt. The Father’s face lights up when he thinks of you because of Jesus’ work for you.”

And you can use God’s gifts in other ways as well, whether it’s your abilities, time, or treasures. You can give a hug, an encouraging text message, a phone call, or a handwritten letter. Or you can simply look someone in the eye and listen to them.

In Jesus’ story today, he uses the illustration of a man who gives bags of gold to his servants. While he’s away, he wants the servants to put that gold to work. In the same way, God has given each of us gifts. And, like the man in Jesus’ story, God wants us to put those gifts to work serving others.

God bless you as you put his wealth to work.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, you’ve blessed every single one of us—including me—with the privilege and responsibility of being the tools with which you love the world. Thank you for entrusting me with that wonderful task. Amen.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18

How Could He Do That?

The 17-year-old girl opened the side door as quietly as she could. She exhaled as she looked around. No one was awake. She knew there was no hiding the situation, but she didn’t feel up to dealing with it at this hour. It could wait until morning. She slid her shoes off and tip-toed to her room, slid into bed, and closed her eyes.

And then she opened them. There was no way she could sleep. She was too busy reliving and worrying about the crash she had caused, driving later than she was supposed to and faster than she should have. The car limped home, and it sat in the street. She was safe. But she worried about the ramifications and consequences from her parents. After shifting around for hours, she drifted off to sleep.

“Knock, knock.” Here we go, she thought. What will he say? Bracing herself, she squeaked, “Come in.” Her dad came through the door, walked to her bed, and held out his arms. As they hugged, he whispered, “I’m thankful you’re safe. Now let’s go get you a new car.”

I hear your thoughts: “What? How could he do that? She’ll never learn!”

The devil cries the same words when he hears the prophet Isaiah’s words for our devotion today—how could God say our sins will not be held against us? But he does say so. He takes sin-stained people—like you and me—and declares us pure. Clean as the driven snow. Not a blemish on us. He’s settled the matter once and for all. How? By becoming our substitute in the person of Jesus Christ. By giving us credit for the perfectly pure life he lived. By going to the cross and paying the price we owed for our sins.

So, do not lose another moment of sleep because of your sin. Rest easy in the loving embrace of your heavenly Father.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for settling the matter. Thank you for deciding to forgive my sins. To clean me and make me pure. I ask you to continually settle my heart because you’ve settled the matter. Amen.

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

Be Ready

The apostle Paul used the phrase “the day of the Lord” to point to the time when Jesus will return in great glory and almighty power on the Last Day to judge all mankind. We can’t predict when that day will come, because the Bible tells us that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

If Jesus were to come back today, are you and I ready? As we consider our lives, perhaps we’d say, “It sure doesn’t look that way.” I try hard to live in a way that is God-pleasing. I try hard to love God and to love others. I try hard to be patient and kind, faithful and forgiving. Instead, I often see myself exhibiting impatience, bitterness, selfishness, and other behavior that I know God is not pleased with. That doesn’t sound like someone who is ready to stand before Jesus. I don’t feel ready at all!

But that’s the reason Jesus came. He came not because I was a good person but because I’m a horrible sinner who needs a Savior. Jesus came to this world for the express purpose of saving me, saving you. That’s why he was born humbly, lived perfectly, died innocently, and rose victoriously. Believing in him as our Savior, you and I have the assurance that he rescued us from the destruction, the eternal damnation we deserve for our sins.

Whenever Jesus comes back, you have nothing to fear. Your sins are forgiven, and by faith in Jesus, you are at peace with God. Yes, you are ready. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Prayer: (Psalm 33:20-22)
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Amen.

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”
Matthew 25:1-4

Fuel Supply

As the days grow colder this time of year, we are reminded of the importance of having a good fuel supply. Not having an adequate fuel supply can be deadly in the regions of our world that see below-freezing weather in the winter. In the same way, Jesus wants us to know that having an inadequate spiritual fuel supply is deadly.

To be ready for Jesus’ coming, we not only need to be adequately fueled, but we also need the proper fuel.

This world offers all kinds of options it claims are just as legitimate as God’s fuel supply. Self-worth found in achievements, abilities, and accolades. Strength found in wielding earthly power through wealth, politics, or social influence. Happiness found in pleasures of the flesh, drink, and drugs or of popularity and prestige.

While this sinful world imagines these can fuel a beautiful flame, they are fuels for the wrong fire—a fire of pain and suffering that will not end!

Friends, be fueled by God’s fuel supply—his promises found in the Bible. His fuel supply can never be exhausted, and you can never have too much! Fill up your fuel supply that will fuel your faith to burn even in the coldest winters of this sinful world as you patiently wait for your bridegroom to appear!

He is coming! He is coming to take you home! And he has given you all you need to be prepared to go home. Be in his Word in personal devotion. Be in his house with your fellow waiting believers to encourage one another and to receive the fuel of your salvation in the body and blood of your Savior together with bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper, and you will be well supplied!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for providing all the fuel I need to be ready for your return. Help me to treasure this fuel and daily fill up my supply. Amen.

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly . . . But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. . . For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-5,9,10

God’s Calendar

Even if you’re not big on scheduling your life or using a calendar, you probably still use a calendar for the big things in life.

What if you knew the biggest event of your life was coming, but you didn’t know exactly when it would be? You never received a “Save the Date” for your child’s wedding, or no one told you when to show up for a critical surgery that could save your life? It would be disconcerting at best.

In a way, that is our lives as we wait for the Last Day to come. God has told us that the biggest day of our life is coming, but we don’t know when it will be. This has caused all kinds of people to become frustrated with God. Some have even tried to find hidden messages in the Bible to try and determine when that day will be.

But friends, let God’s peace rest on your hearts because you know your sins are forgiven. Even though the Last Day will come like a thief in the night, the surprise will not upset you because you are children of the light! God has opened your eyes to see the truth that Jesus is your Savior, and you are safe and will live with him forever in heaven!

Prayer:
Lord, help me to give my “Amen” to your calendar, and patiently wait for your Son’s appearing. Amen.

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Endless Blessings

God created the first people perfectly. They were more than free from defects or handicaps; they were completely holy and pure—like God himself. It was God’s wonderful will to have them live in his presence to enjoy his great favor and experience his endless blessings.

But sin entered the scene. Disobedience brought separation from God and fear of his judgment. Though deserving, God did not appoint sinners to suffer wrath. He did not want sinners to be condemned and suffer eternally. Rather, it was his deepest desire that they spend eternity with him.

So, God sent his Son into the world to rescue people from their sins against him. Jesus was born like us—a true human being. But unlike us, he had no sin. In the greatest act of love that this world has ever seen, Jesus willingly took on the guilt of everyone’s sin. He placed himself under the judgment of God in place of us. He died and paid in full the penalty of sin for us all.

Now all who trust in him as their Savior have no fear of eternal wrath, only everlasting life with God. Be encouraged by this tremendously good news and encourage others with it, too.

Prayer:
Dear God, who loved this fallen world and sent your Son to save it, renew my faith in Jesus as my Savior. Comfort me with the good news that by the death of Jesus, I am freed from the fear of your wrath and have the gift of life with you forever. Amen.

[Jesus said] “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.”
Matthew 5:11,12

Rewards of Grace

Jesus knows how ferocious and cruel life is in this sin-filled world. He knows that as you and I live and work, eat and sleep as children of light through faith in him, the forces of darkness will be pushing back. Satan, his demons, and all their allies will seize every chance to pull down, trip up, intimidate, distract, demoralize, and humiliate—anything at all to discourage us from our walk with the only Savior there is.

With all that in mind, Jesus has chosen to tell us something for the moments he knows will come. The moments when everything is too hard, the mountains of difficulty are too high, the darkness of despair is too thick, and the cackling voices of cynicism are too loud. It is for those moments he tells us, “I see you. I see what you are enduring. I will not forget you. I will acknowledge what you have suffered for my sake.”

Yes, the Lord promises to reward us. However, his reward has nothing to do with our merit or worthiness. It has everything to do with his merciful encouragement. It has everything to do with grace. It has everything to do with his undeserved love for you and me.

Out of grace he lived a perfect life on our behalf. Out of grace he suffered and died for our every sin. Out of grace he encourages us along the way, and he will lead us home.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the road is long, but you know this. Thank you for your rewards of grace to encourage me along the way. And thank you for the home that awaits. Amen.

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:17

Temporary

Human beings appear to be the only creatures who cry. Sure, there are animals that shed tears from time to time for functional reasons. Humans, however, seem to be the only ones who genuinely weep in moments of high emotion.

Based on the current scientific research, there is still a great mystery behind the whole subject of our tendency to weep. Some have speculated that it helps purge toxins from the body. Others have proposed that it helps produce hormones to stabilize a person’s mood. Others consider it a safety valve for moments of extreme stress. Still, others say it signals to others close to you that there’s a problem and you need help.

All that aside, you and I know from hard experience what kinds of things can bring us to tears: A close friend abandons you. A family member breaks your heart. Someone you love receives a ghastly diagnosis. Your child or grandchild is seriously injured. Financial catastrophe leaves you feeling helpless. A critical mass of regret is smothering you. Your burden of life responsibilities overwhelms you. A death surrounds you in the darkness of grief.

Virtually all of us have known such tears. We have felt them on our cheeks. We’ve tasted their saltiness. We’ve struggled with the lump in the throat. We have choked on our own stifled sobs.

Such weeping comes from sin—your sin and mine. For the brokenness of this broken world, the tears fall. For the pain that sin breeds, the tears fall. For the mournful mess that sin has left, the tears fall.

But as they do, the Lord speaks. In Revelation chapter 7, his Word reminds us that our hot, salty tears of grief, pain, disappointment, and loss—these tears are temporary. These tears will not last. For the One who has “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” has seen to it that these tears will come to an end. Our Savior has come. His life and death in our place have destroyed the cause of our tears. Very soon, our only tears will be tears of joy. Forever.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you know what it is to weep in this fallen world. Remind me that the tears of grief are temporary, but the tears of joy are forever. Amen.

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
Revelation 7:9

Multitude

Author Willow Liana begins a recent article by telling a story about a close friend. Her friend has just graduated from college and has entered the workforce. The transition has been difficult, but not because of the work. Rather, the problem has been her sense of isolation. In college, she had a close circle of friends she saw every day. Now, however, she feels constantly alone. “I keep asking myself, ‘Where is everyone? Where are all the people?’ I have this persistent feeling there are supposed to be people around, but they are missing.”

The article goes on. It describes current cultural factors isolating individuals from larger groups—from the loss of community in neighborhoods to technology that often makes it easy to work and eat and live with no person-to-person contact.

With that, however, let’s look at something very different. In the last book of the Bible, the apostle John describes a massive gathering of individuals who are not lonely at all. What he sees is a great multitude . . . from every nation, tribe, people and language. They could not be happier or have a greater sense of belonging. And the reason for their perfect happiness and sense of belonging is right before them—the Lamb, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. On the basis of what he has done on their behalf, on the basis of the blood he has shed at the cross to wash their sins away—they now belong to him, and he belongs to them. They are the multitude of blood-bought souls who will never know loneliness again.

This present world is broken, broken by sin—your sin and mine. As you and I walk through this broken world, we will taste many bitter things. We’ll taste grief. We’ll taste cruelty. We’ll taste frustration, anxiety, and fear. And we will taste loneliness.

Enter Jesus. He carries us through each lonely moment. And remember what’s coming. The multitude awaits.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, carry me through each lonely moment. And remind me that, one day, the lonely moments will be gone forever. Amen.

[Jesus said] “Freely you have received; freely give.”
Matthew 10:8

Freely Give

This command was among the many instructions given by Jesus to his twelve disciples before sending them out on a mission trip. The disciples had received God’s love and forgiveness, mercy and compassion, call and commission. Now Jesus said to them, “Freely you have received, freely give.” The work they were called to do was not fee-based. They weren’t to profit from sharing the gospel of Jesus. From the heart of God, they freely received his gifts of forgiveness, new life, and salvation. God opened for them the floodgates of his grace. As they had received his blessings, they also were to give them away to others.

This message applies not only to sharing the gospel—our greatest treasure—but also to the many other gifts our Lord has graciously given us: our money, our time, and all those various skills and abilities that God has bestowed on us. As he has freely blessed us with all that we have, we will want to thankfully respond to God’s love by freely giving him some of our blessings for the benefit of his work to spread the gospel.

If our gifts are given under compulsion or only out of a sense of duty, then our offerings of money, time and skill are not gifts at all, and God is not pleased with them. If our offerings are not motivated by what we have freely and firstly received from God, then they sink into a mere go-through-the-motions activity.

Reflect on God’s generosity for you. All that you have for soul and body is a gift of God’s wonderful grace. Through Jesus, you have received the free gift of salvation! With a heart moved by God’s many free blessings, freely give to him.

Prayer:
Dear God, forgive your selfish servant and move me by your generous nature to love and serve you and others freely, for I am richly blessed and privileged to give through Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.

[Jesus said] On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:18-20

Guided by the Holy Spirit

On April 18, 1521, some of the world’s most powerful political and religious leaders were gathered in a German city called Worms. Three and a half years earlier, a monk sparked a wildfire when he questioned the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. After digging into the Bible, he discovered that many of the doctrines of that church stood contrary to what God said.

Because of the truth of God’s Word, Martin Luther was brought before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. The emperor’s representative demanded that Luther take back his writings, or he would be outlawed and labeled a heretic. But Luther knew what he had written was in accordance with God’s Word, so he famously said, “Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

Jesus predicted to his disciples that this would happen. And it did happen to them and many others in the early Christian church. It happened to Luther and the reformers. But Jesus didn’t just predict it; he also promised to send help. The Holy Spirit would speak through them as they made their witness about Jesus.

While you might not find yourself before governors and kings on account of Jesus, you might still find yourself intimidated when sharing your faith and speaking about Jesus. Questions might race through your head. Will they believe me? Will they make fun of me? Will I lose this relationship?

Jesus gives you the same promise. He is with you. The Holy Spirit will help you find the words to say. Let your words and actions witness to the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me rely on the Spirit’s guidance with unwavering trust. Strengthen me to be a bold witness of your Word, no matter the circumstances I face. Give me the courage to speak truth, love, and grace to a world in desperate need of you. Amen.

So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
Daniel 6:16

Our True King

The king knew he had made a mistake. He had allowed his ego and pride to get the best of him. And he had walked right into a trap. Daniel’s enemies had convinced him to pass a decree that said, “Pray only to the king for thirty days or face the lions.” And now his best government official, Daniel, would be thrown into the lions’ den.

The king tried to figure out a way to rescue Daniel. He worked till sunset, looking for a loophole. But the law was ironclad. Daniel had prayed to the true God as he always did, not to a human king. Daniel would now have to face the consequences of the king’s vanity.

The king had done everything he could to stop this except for one thing. The king didn’t offer to go in Daniel’s place and be his substitute.

Thankfully, our King, Jesus, was willing to be our substitute. Though he did no wrong, he offered to go to death in our place. Jesus did this so that all who trust in him would not be separated from God but live with him for eternity. What a wonderful King we have!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are my true King. Thank you for doing everything to save me. Help me to give you the worship and praise you deserve. Amen.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:21-24

Fellowship

God wants to have fellowship with us. He wants us to live with him and experience his love and blessings. Finally, he wants to bring us to his heavenly glory. He has one requirement—we must be righteous. We must have the “rightness” that makes us acceptable to God. Setting the standard, God declares, “Be perfect.” We are to be and do everything according to what meets his approval. And what meets the approval of the holy God is nothing less than perfection.

Try as we may to reach that level of rightness by striving to do what God commands and avoiding what he forbids in his law—we are faced with the fact that it is impossible. The truth is that all of us “fall short” of the perfection that God requires. On our own, we are helpless and headed for an eternal separation from God and all of his blessings.

Oh, how we need saving! God knew that, and in mercy, he acted. He came into our world and freed us from the tangled mess of our sin by suffering for us the punishment we deserved. And he gave us his own perfection so that God now counts us as perfectly right. We meet God’s approval because Jesus has covered us with his righteousness. What we could never produce on our own, God has freely given to us.

Jesus did exactly what we needed him to do: he saved us. Trusting in Jesus, we have life with God and will enjoy fellowship with him forever!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 376)
Jesus, your blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress;
Mid flaming worlds, in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head.
Bold shall I stand in that great day—who can a word against me say?
Fully through you absolved I am from sin and fear, from guilt and shame. Amen.