“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
Exodus 20:7

Zeal for Purposeful Worship

Daily Devotion – March 7, 2024

Devotion based on Exodus 20:7

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Being a parent is a joy and a challenge. Your child can make you proud and look good by the way they live their life. Your child can also disappoint you and disgrace your family name. Fair or not, your child is a reflection of you.

The Bible says that God is your heavenly Father. Those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior are called God’s child and bear God’s name—Christian. They are part of God’s family. They represent God as they live their lives. People see who God is and what God is like as they encounter God’s people.

Today’s Bible passage is a strong warning against misrepresenting God and his good name. Every time we speak or act in ways that go against who God is and what God is like, we break this commandment.

Thankfully, God has given us the sacrament of holy baptism. In this sacrament, water is poured over a person in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In this act, God is giving the person his name and making the person a member of his family. Through faith in Jesus, God washes away their sin–even the sin of misusing his name.

If you’ve not been baptized, find a faithful church and find out more about it. You want and need the remarkable blessings it affords. And as a baptized child of God, you can spend the rest of your life properly protecting God’s good name.

Today’s reading is the second commandment. It sounds negative, but God is trying to help us understand the privilege and responsibility of being a part of his eternal family. It’s a special family. Embrace the privileges and responsibilities that go along with the name.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to always properly represent your good name. Amen.

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
John 2:13-17

Zeal for Joyful Worship

Daily Devotion – March 6, 2024

Devotion based on John 2:13-17

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Passover worship was one of three special worship times of the year for God’s Old Testament people. The Passover corresponds with celebrating Easter today. The Passover celebrated how God saved the nation of Israel from death and freed them from slavery in Egypt. The greater significance of the Passover was that it foreshadowed how a Savior was coming who would save sinners from punishment for their sins and free sinners from slavery to sin so they could live a God-pleasing life on earth. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover.

Imagine how joyous this occasion was for Jesus as he came to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem at the beginning of his ministry–a ministry that would end with him fulfilling the purpose of the Passover with his innocent suffering, death, and victorious resurrection from the dead. What should have been joyous, exciting, and uplifting was disappointment, as sinful corruption and distraction were everywhere.

How is your zeal and excitement for worship? Keep in mind that your attitude and behaviors regarding worship are a reflection of your relationship with God. Every time you gather for worship, you celebrate your Savior Jesus—the eternal salvation and spiritual freedom he provides.

Let Jesus’ zeal for you motivate you for zealous, joyful worship of him every week with other Christians.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, consume me with your zeal so that I zealously and joyfully worship you Amen.

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Zeal for Foolish Worship

Daily Devotion – March 4, 2024

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

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“Christ crucified” is the Biblical message that 2,000 years ago, God sent into the world his only son, Jesus Christ, so that he could be executed on a cross where he suffered the punishment of hell and death as the substitute for every sinner, including you and me. “Christ crucified” makes it possible for sinners, who believe in and worship him as their Savior, to avoid the hell they earned for their sins and to spend eternity in heaven instead.

The Jews of Paul’s day represent those who reject Jesus as their eternal Savior because they were expecting something different. In the minds of many, eternal condemnation in hell is not the biggest problem facing them. Climate change, terrorism, politics, health issues, financial worries, and racism are bigger REAL issues, and “Christ crucified” doesn’t seem to solve those problems. If God would take care of real earthly issues, they would be more willing to listen to the Bible’s message.

The Gentiles of Paul’s Day represents all those who reject Jesus as their eternal Savior because their human reason gets in the way of faith. Christ crucified is too exclusive because it excludes the possibility that non-Christians go to heaven. Christ crucified is too restricting because it keeps me from living my life on my terms as it tells me that there are certain attitudes, words, and behaviors that are sinful. Christ crucified goes against my human pride that wants to play a role in solving my problems in my own way.

Both the attitude of the Jews and the Gentiles lead people away from Jesus and the salvation he promises to all who follow him. Do not adopt either attitude. Instead, trust the truth that Christ was crucified for you to save you from your sins and assure you of eternal life with the God who created you. It may seem foolish to many people in this world, but it is the most precious message there is.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, give me the zeal to embrace foolish worship of Christ crucified, now and forever. Amen.

The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:25

Beyond Cynicism

Daily Devotion – March 3, 2024

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:25

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If you were to ask people to say one word to describe our society’s attitude for the last twenty years or so, many might say the word “cynical.” A pure cynic is distrustful of everything. A pure cynic takes pleasure in mocking someone instead of listening and learning. A pure cynic always looks for the next punch line at someone else’s expense.

Recently, however, some observers of our culture have suggested that we have begun to enter what they call “post cynicism.” This is simply their way of saying that maybe, just maybe, our society is getting tired of assuming that everything is a big joke. After all, if you spend your life only making fun of other people and their ideas, when the day is done, you still have no answers.

How about you? Over the years, how much time and energy have you spent in figuring out ways to dismiss Jesus, to dismiss his promises, to dismiss the specific things he did to rescue your soul?

One thing is certain. As long as you keep embracing cynicism as if it were some great philosophy of the age and keep dismissing the promises that Jesus has made to you, nothing will change. You’ll remain in the same old mess, the same old bitterness, the same old despair.

Cynicism is not the answer. Jesus is. He will displace your buried guilt with full forgiveness. He will fill your darkness with light. He will fill your emptiness with himself. That’s why he came to live a holy life on your behalf. That’s why he died in your place. And that’s why he lives.

Come and see.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, speak to me in your gospel. Fill me with your Spirit. Wash me in your blood. Renew my mind and heart. Amen.

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:22

God is Watching Over Us

Daily Devotion – March 1, 2024

Devotion based on Job 1:22

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What a terrible day Job had! In a matter of moments, he lost everything: his livelihood, his wealth, and his family. Every earthly thing that he held dear was gone in an instant. We struggle to imagine what it would have been like to experience such a horrible day. How would you expect Job to feel?

Once the shock wore off, we would likely feel angry. In this anger, we may lash out at others or do something rash. We might shout at God and tell him that if he really loved us, he would not have allowed these terrible tragedies into our lives. And it may not be the first time we have had those sentiments.

How did Job keep himself in check? He was human like we are. He no doubt loved his family as we love ours. How could he not blame God or be angry with him? Job amazes us by not accusing God of doing anything wrong.

Yes, Job would struggle to understand why these things happened. He trusted that God was there for him and loved him. He trusted that God had a plan for his life. A plan that was centered around a promise. Later in this book, Job would confess his faith in the promise God had made to send a Savior. A Savior who would come to take away all sin and suffering and pain. A Savior who would come to give us victory over death. This Savior is Jesus, and he has come. He came to live and die for us all and to remove the curse of sin so that we could live forever in heaven.

This same God is the one who is watching over us. He has a loving purpose for us and is always focused on getting us home to him. So whenever you are tempted to be angry at God, realize this only pulls you away from the One who loves you and can help you. Instead of anger, turn to God in faith and let him lovingly lead you through each trial.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, forgive me for the times I have directed my anger at you. Help me to trust you and to rely on your love for me. Amen.

“When suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:19

Hardships

Daily Devotion – February 27, 2024

Devotion based on Job 1:19

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It has been said that Job experienced the worst single day of anyone in history. Very few can say they experienced anything as tragic as he did on that day. Family. Wealth. Possessions. All gone in a flash. Who could compare their tragedy to his?

Has anyone tried to comfort you that way? Maybe you were going through something terrible, and the well-meaning friend said, ‘Well, at least you aren’t Job.’ Or ‘It could be worse; did you hear about what happened to so-and-so?’ When tragedy comes into our lives or the lives of others, we tend to focus on the size and severity of the event, as if to suggest that the magnitude of the event compared to others should make us feel better.

But that doesn’t work. Does it? Such ways of thinking do little to help the hurt we are feeling. In fact, comparing our hurt to others might leave us feeling unimportant or unloved. It is important for us to realize that it is not about the size of the hurt but the purpose of it. One of the things we learn from Job is that hardship is an opportunity for us to put our trust in God and lean on him.

God is not a stranger to hurt. He watched from heaven as his one and only Son died on a cross for sins that he did not commit. The Father stood by and sacrificed his perfect Son for a world full of sinners. Jesus suffered and died, and that hurt the Father more than we will ever know. But there was a purpose in that hurt. The purpose was for you and I and the whole world to have sins forgiven, to be saved, and given the gift of heaven. God allowed himself to go through that hurt so that we could have eternity in heaven, where we will never be hurt again.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when hardship hurts, help me to look to you and to find peace. Help me to focus my eyes on eternal life in heaven. Amen.

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:31,32

Who Can Be Against Us

Daily Devotion – February 24, 2024

Devotion based on Romans 8:31,32

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One of my favorite television shows of all time is Cheers. It was produced in the 1980s and 90s, but you can still watch reruns of it today. The setting for this comedy was a pub in Boston. My favorite character on Cheers was a man named Norm. Norm’s funny lines have become known as “Normisms.”

In one episode, Norm walks into the pub, and he is obviously having a really bad day. When he is asked how he is doing, he waves his hand in disgust and quips, “It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and I am wearing milk bone underwear.”

The truth is, we can all relate to Norm, can’t we? Some days, it seems like our lives are dog-eat-dog, and we are wearing milk bone underwear.

We might wonder, “God if you are loving, why do bad things happen to me? Are you out to get me? Are you punishing me for something I have done?”

My friend, God isn’t out to get you. Don’t think he is throwing darts at you from heaven. God is for you one hundred percent! He gave his Son for you and laid him in a manger on that first Christmas. He had his Son nailed to the cross on Good Friday so that every single one of your sins might be fully paid for by his holy, precious blood! You are forgiven—completely and fully.

Because God is for you, he won’t ever let you down. He will lead you through this dog-eat-dog world. Nothing can separate you from his love. He will provide strength to handle every trial and challenge. Don’t be afraid.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I face trials and tribulations in this life, comfort me with the reminder that with you on my side, nothing can truly harm me. Amen.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:35-37

Conquering Separation Anxiety

Daily Devotion – February 22, 2024

Devotion based on Romans 8:35-37

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When babies become more cognizant of their surroundings, they often begin to exhibit signs of separation anxiety. When they were a week old, they didn’t care much who is holding them as long as they were fed and changed. But later on, when the face of the person who has them in their arms is not familiar, cries for help are almost immediately let loose. If babies could talk, they’d scream, “I don’t know this person, so how can I know whether they are to be trusted? Mommy, where are you?”

Separation anxiety is not just a childhood phenomenon. Adults can have it, too. We may no longer feel it in connection with our mommies, but other people and things have taken mommy’s place. Like the security blanket Charlie Brown’s buddy Linus lugged around wherever he went, we develop relationships with the people, places, and “playthings” of this world that we can hardly imagine living without; we think they’re essential to our existence! And when we lose them, it brings tears to our eyes and anxiety to our hearts.

But is it possible to lose Jesus’ saving love? Is there anything that can separate us from it? In Romans 8, the apostle Paul answers with unmistakable emphasis: Absolutely not! He even rounds up the usual suspects in to make himself clear. He asks, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword? Nope.

But what about death? It must have the final say, right? After all, because of our relationship to Jesus, Christians “face death all day long.” We’re like “sheep to be slaughtered.” But Paul reminds us that Jesus even conquered death. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

So don’t be anxious. Jesus is here. Always. For you.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me find peace in your abiding presence and your everlasting, conquering love. Amen.