Confessing truth in Christ

In a theology course which includes study of the ancient creeds of the church, I invite participants to write their own confessions of faith.  I'd like to share one of those confessional writings, which stated truths of the faith in a clear and thoughtful way.

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A Christian Creed

by Tim Walsh

I believe in God; God the almighty Father, God the perfect Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  These three persons are all God, and God all three of these persons – not one God wearing different masks, nor three distinct Gods, but one triune God, whose nature no one can understand.

God the Father by Cima da Conegliano, circa 1515

This triune God, present from eternity, created everything out of nothing, and the world he made was entirely perfect – in his own words, “very good.” But humanity, the crown of his creation, rebelled against him, ruining the world that God had given to us. From that time, we have been by nature sinful. By our nature we seek to serve only ourselves, and as the first man and woman did, we flee from God at his approach, fearing his holy judgment. And because of this we deserve nothing more than death, for our rejection and hatred of the one who gave us life.

But God was not willing to see us separated from him for eternity. And so in his infinite love, the Father sent his beloved Son into our world. The Son of God took on flesh and was born from a virgin, and was given the name Jesus. In him full God and full man coexisted – not by a mingling of the natures, nor by some supernatural possession, or by dividing him into two halves, but together, in a way no one can understand. This Jesus, who was called Christ, lived a perfect, holy life, and he was unjustly executed to pay for the sins of all mankind. On a Roman cross he suffered the punishment that belonged to you, and to me, and to every other person who has lived or ever will. Jesus – God himself – died on that cross, and in his death he paid the price for every sin ever committed. And he did not stay dead! On the third day, he rose from the dead, and after appearing to his followers, returned to heaven forty days later. And I believe that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, so too will I be raised on the last day.

I do not believe any of this by my own choice. Indeed, if believing were left to me, I would surely be damned, for I am a wretched, ungrateful sinner. But through no merit of my own, God chose me to be one of his beloved children. He brought me into his fold by the work of the Holy Spirit, who inspired faith in my heart through the preaching of the good news of Jesus and the washing of baptism. I could never and would never have chosen him, but he chose me.

I do not deserve any of the incredible gifts that have been showered upon me by God. Every day brings blessing after blessing, and all I can do is praise God for his grace. Likewise, when sorrow and troubles come my way, I cling to the knowledge that the gift of salvation – the greatest gift ever given – is mine. No hardship can overshadow the joy that I take from this.

As one of God’s children, my life is not my own. I belong to my Father in heaven. I want to dedicate my whole life to him, just as Christ dedicated his life to me. In everything I do, I seek his glory, not my own. My every action, every step, every breath, is an opportunity to proclaim his name and the good things he has done.

This is what I believe.

Journeying toward forgiveness

In one of my classes this summer, participants were asked to write a doctrinal or personal article, pondering some aspect of our faith in Christ.  Desiree Alge penned a very personal account and has graciously granted permission for me to share her story here on The Electric Gospel blog.  I deeply admire Desiree for her openness and willingness to talk about difficulties in life and overcoming them through Christ.

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Forgiveness -- My Journey

by Desiree Alge

When children wrong their friends or their family, they are taught to apologize and ask for forgiveness. The trouble we find, though, is that it is simple to say the words, but to actually mean them is a bigger task. Sure, everyone makes mistakes, but coming clean and admitting the wrong you’ve done takes much more courage. And even harder is the challenge of forgiveness. 

Sometimes I wonder if my mother was ever taught this fundamental lesson. After a rough childhood, she chose to follow the same path as her parents, with alcohol and drugs consuming her life. This vicious cycle led her to be these same people she hated. She became a wife and a mother at sixteen, divorced at eighteen, and was sent to prison several times in her young life. Because of the custody battles, I was sent back and forth between homes until I was six years old. During those years, I was left alone for days, stranded to take care of my baby brother and sister. I was surrounded by parties with alcohol, drugs, and drunk men. I dreaded the days my grandma dropped me off with my mother, and anxiously awaited her arrival to take me home with her. Even years after, my mom bribed me with gifts, but always failed to show up after I’d be waiting on the porch for hours. I felt let down, alone, and unworthy. 

I never realized how hurt I was until I became older. Until recently, I hadn’t spoken or seen my mother in over ten years! Our first conversation left me bitter and angry. It contained no apologies or even a hint of regret. I caught myself thinking, “It’s impossible to forgive someone when they don’t even care!” 

As I was contemplating all of the mean names I could call my mother, my mind led me to the cross. If Christ had this same attitude towards me as I did towards my mom, I would be sunk. There have been so many times in my life where I’ve been defiant, knowing right from wrong, yet choosing the wrong path. I’ve also ignored repentance, thinking that, “I’m forgiven anyways, so what’s the big deal?” If God decided to forgive only based on apologies received, I would have a lot of sins still on my slate. If Jesus forgives all of the terrible sins that I’ve committed, then who am I to withhold forgiveness from a fellow sinner in desperate need of God’s love?

I am human. I am sinful. I hold bitterness in my heart. I don’t want to be a prisoner to my mother or to resentment. I don’t want her to have this hold on me. Although I may feel like I’m punishing her by withholding forgiveness, I’m actually only hurting myself. The path to heal bitterness is through forgiveness.

No one deserves for their errors to be wiped clean -- neither me nor my mother. We are on the same level of sin, no matter the earthly opinion. Whether I’m disrespectful or a liar, I deserve the same eternal punishment just like someone who neglected and abused her children. The words that stem from “forgive” are mentioned in the Bible 127 times and the concept is written many more! It is obviously a beautiful message that God wanted us to know and to live. Because of God’s forgiveness and grace, we receive eternal life! In Ephesians, it says: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Why wouldn’t we want to share that peace with others?

Upcoming webinar: "Teaching the Faith"

How do we go about teaching the faith to the next generation?  When I surveyed some college students and recent grads, a number of them said that they felt much of their religious education took the form of indoctrination -- aware of the negative connotations of that term.  It's not that they were objecting to biblical doctrines as such, but rather were commenting on the way the pattern of teaching felt to them.  Learners (a.k.a. disciples) of the faith desire teaching/learning opportunities that allow them to question, to discuss, to explore, to wrestle, to ponder ... even doing some of that already at elementary school levels.

I'm leading a webinar course next week (September 21-28), offered through MLC Continuing Education, that explores this issue.  You can find more details about the webinar and related online discussion by visiting the page for Continuing Ed fall offerings 2015.  Click on "webinars" and look for WEB0801 - Teaching the Faith: Will We Instruct or Indoctrinate?  (It's at the end of the webinars list.) Click "Register Now" if you wish to sign up and participate.  MLC charges a $20 fee for webinar enrollment.

- David Sellnow

Blessed are the peacemakers

It was my turn to lead chapel at our campus this week.  I led the Thursday chapel service and also the Friday chapel service, which are archived online at MLC Streams for viewing.  I've adapted the Friday morning message for a sort of "print" edition here.

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BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

by David Sellnow

"Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18).

What does it mean to be a peacemaker?  Is it about negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration?  I suppose if you’re a diplomat trying to resolve tensions and conflicts on this or that part of the planet, that’s what peacemakers do.  But that’s not exactly what James was writing about when he spoke of sowing peace and reaping a harvest of righteousness.

Think of the message of peace you hear in the Bible again and again.  What sort of peace is it?  Where is it found?  Let me remind you of some prominent passages:

• Psalm 29:11 … The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
• Isaiah 9:6-7 …  To us a child is born, to us a son is given …  He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
• Isaiah 53:4-5 … [The Servant of God] was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
• Isaiah 54:10 … “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
• John 14:27 … Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
• Romans 5:1 … Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Philippians 4:7 … The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• And the beginning lines of several epistles:  “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 2 Thessalonians, Philemon).

Peace comes from God, from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Peace was brought into the world for us by Jesus Christ.  True peace, lasting peace, saving peace is what God gives us in Christ.  It is just as the angels announced when Jesus was born into this world for us, saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

So again, when James says, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18), remember that he’s writing to us as “believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (James 2:1).  The peace we sow is the peace that comes from Christ.  The righteousness we reap is the righteousness found in Christ.

In tangible terms, how do you sow peace day by day?  How do you act as a peacemaker?

Well, it starts with talking to people.  It starts with greeting people, caring about people, getting to know people.  The early church had a tradition of the kiss of peace.  At the end of several of the epistles in the New Testament, God’s people are encouraged, “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians).  Maybe you’d think a kiss in church would be weird – it’s not your cultural custom.  But the point is to connect with each other, to relate to each other, to be encouragers of one another in Christ.  A hug, a kiss, a handshake, an arm around someone’s shoulder – along with the reassurance of peace and love and hope in Jesus – that’s how we are peacemakers with one another. 

As Christians living in community with one another and with other neighbors, does it happen that sometimes we don’t even take the time or the care to introduce ourselves to each other?  At school or at work, we don’t go over to sit at lunch with someone we haven’t met before.  In the neighborhood, we avoid interactions more often than we befriend and connect with others.  In the community, we pass each other in our cars on the street or with our carts in the stores, but maybe not much more.  I know; I understand.  We’re all so very busy.  We all have so much work and so many tasks to do.  But what is our first calling to one another?  Is it not to be peacemakers – to be peace-bringers – to be gospel encouragers to one another day by day, sharing the peace of Jesus?   Paul put it to us this way:  “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. … Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:15-16).   The Bible tells us to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  Day by day, in the midst of each day’s business and busyness, Jesus is calling us to be peacemakers in his name, to sow seeds of his peace, his hope, his love, his forgiveness.  As we do so, the Spirit of God produces a harvest of righteousness in our lives and in our relationships with one another.

I urge you to follow up on this message with intentional action.  To those you know and those you don’t yet know, keep reaching out with a hand of fellowship, with a kiss of peace, with the love of Christ.  You are peacemakers to one another and to all the world in his name.  

Looking ahead to Advent

In recent years, Martin Luther College has developed some booklets of seasonal devotions.  (You can access them online).

For the upcoming Advent season, MLC will be producing a sort of "Advent calendar" booklet of devotions -- a devotion for each day of December leading up to Christmas.

I was asked to arrange authors for this year's booklet.  A variety of writers who've worked with me have participated in the project.  As a sneak peek preview, I'll share one of the devotional messages here at this time.  When the project is published in a few months, I'll share further information.

The following message was written by Kaylee Messman.  You might be interested also in visiting Kaylee's Bookmarks and Coffee Mugs blog, where she shares thoughts and reviews for book lovers.

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Come to Me

by Kaylee Messman

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).

The opening scene of the classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life takes place on Christmas Eve 1945. A depressed George Bailey is standing on a bridge, contemplating taking his own life. The burdens of the world have caught up to him and have driven him to the edge. Instead of being at home celebrating the season with his wife and children, George is teetering on the edge, about to succumb to the weight of this sinful world.

            There are times when we are like George Bailey. We live in a sinful world that often throws situations our way that can be too big for us to handle alone. Like George, we sometimes lose sight of the best message of Christmas, which is rest for our souls that can only be found in Christ Jesus.  The “weary and burdened” nature of life Jesus spoke about was the hurt, the frustrations, and life’s hardness that weigh us down as direct and indirect results of living as sinners in a sinful world.  He promises that if we bring our problems to him in prayer, he will provide the solution.  What George Bailey’s daughter kept playing on the piano is the message we need most of all:  “Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”  Jesus—and only Jesus—provides the comfort and rest our souls need.

Heavenly Father, when life becomes too much for us, lead us to come to you in prayer and lay our burdens at your feet. Grant us the peace that comes from your Son’s birth and the comfort he promised us in his word. In your name we pray. Amen.

Questioning God’s Goodness: When Christians ask “Why?”

by Danica Scharlemann

            You crawl out of bed after a sleepless night. You don’t bother taking a shower because last month you were laid off, due to your company’s downsizing in a plummeting economy. You check your voicemail, hoping that you missed a call for an interview from the many applications that you have submitted within the last week. Your heart sinks ask you listen to yet another message from your frantic sister who is continually struggling with the recent news of your parents’ divorce. You make yourself a bowl of cereal, using water instead of milk because you ran out the day before. You consider running to the store, but remember you’ve put yourself on a “spending freeze,” refusing to spend any money outside of the absolute essentials until you are employed. After dragging yourself into the shower, you decide to go spend the day with your sister. Convincing yourself that the company of family will raise spirits, you work up a smile and step outside. Before you take two steps, your 16-year-old neighbor runs up to you in tears, explaining that it was an accident and she’ll fix everything. Your eyes soon move past your hysterical neighbor and discover your dependable old Buick pinned to your mailbox by the girl’s 2014 Ford Focus. You nod politely to her and retreat to the privacy of your own home. You fall to the floor, letting out a cry of desperation, “Why, God! Why?”

            There are times in our lives when we feel as if nothing is going right.  We suffer relationship conflicts and struggle financially. We deal with the deaths of loved ones and try to find reasons behind natural disasters and economic crises. Daily stress drives us to exhaustion -- physically, mentally, and emotionally. We turn to God, as we have been taught, but not in trust. We come in desperation and anger, in doubt and fear. We question God’s plan, his goodness, his love. In some cases, we may even question his existence. All too often we look at the troubles in our lives and ask God, “Why?” We hear the words of Scripture telling us of our Father’s goodness and love, and yet we fail to see them in our own lives. We turn to Scripture and read, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). We read that, but rather than finding comfort in it, we blame God. We accuse God of not knowing our limits and failing to provide a way out. We fall into despair. No one would argue against the fact that life is difficult. Conflict is one of the few givens in life; however, it is not the only given in life.  

            We may not all have the wisdom of Job—a man who, even after his family and wealth were taken from him, bowed down in worship and said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised”(Job 1:21). We may not trust our heavenly Father as Jesus did upon waiting for his creation to betray him, praying, “Not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). However, we all have opportunity to reflect upon our lives in view of not only the negative, but also the positive. Though sin afflicts every day of our lives, though the devil tracks us as his prey, though the world brings us down by picturing happiness as success and wealth, yet our God defeated all evil for us.  He brings life. He brings love. He brings joy, peace, grace, and blessings galore. Rather than asking “Why, God?” accusingly, God invites us to come to him with those same words, spoken in awe and thankfulness. “Why, God, have you blessed me with such a loving, Christian family? Why, God, have you provided for my physical needs, giving me with food and shelter? Why God do you love such a wretched sinner like me?” The only answer to these questions is found in the unconditional love of our God, who gave himself for us.

            You rise to your feet at the sound of a van door closing and your daughter’s laughter. She runs through the door and falls into your arms, showing you the picture of the two of you that she painted at school. The door closes as your spouse greets you will smiles and a loving embrace. The whole family gathers to help prepare a meal of Hamburger Helper. You help your daughter with her spelling homework before tucking her into bed.  As a family you recite your bedtime prayer:

Lord, I have passed another day
and come to thank thee for thy care.

 Forgive my faults in work or play

and listen to my evening prayer.

 Thy favor gives me daily bread

 and friends, who all my wants supply.

 And safely now I rest my head,

 preserved and guarded by thine eye.

We are Christ to our neighbors -- in any and every neighborhood

Henry Tyson, superintendent of St. Marcus Lutheran School in Milwaukee WI, wrote this powerful testimony as part of a course with me this summer.  I asked if I could share it here on The Electric Gospel blog, and Henry graciously agreed.  He passionately urges all of us, in every city and town and village, to be living witnesses for Jesus to those among whom we live -- to the communities we are called to serve in the name of Christ.

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Living as Christians in Milwaukee’s Central City

by Henry Tyson

How is it possible that there can be so many Christians and churches in Milwaukee’s central city and yet the church seems powerless in the face of segregation, poverty, and crime?  What can we say about the life of Christian and what such a life will look like in a city so gripped with ungodly behavior?  From a biblical standpoint, one can see that the life of a Christian in Milwaukee’s central city – in the face of all that we see – will be marked by extreme joy, increasing holiness, radical love, and urgent, prayerful solitude, all to the glory of God.

Satan has laid claim to this city by leading people away from the Lord and thoroughly destroying the fabric of traditional families and communities.  The resulting chaos enables Milwaukee to lay claim to the ignoble titles of most segregated city in America, city with the highest incarceration rates among African Americans, an extremely high homicide rate, and one of the highest rates of child poverty in the richest nation on earth.  If Christ were a Milwaukeean today, what would his ministry look like?  Where would we find him?  What would people make of him?  Surely we would find him joyful in demeanor, radical in love, urgent and prayerful in solitude, and fruitful in his ministry.

In his first letter, the apostle Peter explained why the life of a Christian will be a life filled with joy.  Following a clear and concise explanation of the pure gospel, Peter wrote, “Though you have not seen Christ, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls”  (1 Peter 1:8-9).  The “salvation of your souls” is in reference to the Christian’s movement from eternal death to eternal life as described by Paul: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).  Therefore, the life of a Christian is filled with joy regardless of events or circumstances, because we have been justified by faith and our salvation is certain.  This is not something that we have to wait for but it is something that we have already received.  For this reason alone, the life of a Christian will be marked by a length and breadth of joy that cannot be understood by the world.

In addition to joyfulness, the life of Christian will be marked by increasing holiness.  What does this mean?  It means that the life of a Christian, as he or she matures, will be increasingly identified with the life of the Lord Jesus and therefore increasingly look like the life of the Lord Jesus.  The apostle Paul got at the heart of the matter when he wrote:  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).  The process of being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” is the process of sanctification – the process by which the Holy Spirit shapes the Christian’s life into a oneness with Christ. 

The great 20^th century theologian, Oswald Chambers, captured this wonderfully when he assured his readers that “sanctification does not mean anything less than the holiness of Jesus being made mine manifestly,” and “it is his patience, his love, his holiness, his faith, his purity, his godliness, that is manifested in and through every sanctified soul” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest). The Christian life therefore -- in Milwaukee and at any time and in any place -- is a life that increasingly reflects the holiness of Christ.

It is this concept of increasingly becoming and reflecting the holiness of Christ that mandates that the life of a Christian in a broken city and a hurting world will be marked by radical love.  Martin Luther King, Jr., understood the radical love of Christ when he wrote from Birmingham City Jail, “Was not Jesus an extremist for love – ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you’” (Letter from Birmingham City Jail)?  Dr. King understood that “Jesus love” goes far beyond the usual interpretations and extends as far as loving enemies and blessing those who insult us.  Further evidence of Christ’s radical love is found in Jesus’ tendency to hang out with sinners (Mark 2), his willingness to break social norms and talk to a Samaritan woman (John 4), and his willingness to forgive the very men who were conducting his execution (Luke 23).  And for those who doubt the radical nature of Christ, perhaps it is worth considering his very death – a wicked, lonely, brutal death that he chose out of obedience to the Father and love of mankind.

What sort of actions, then, does radical love display in the life of a Christian?  It will certainly look different from one to another but it will always be radical.  It might be radical in how much one gives to the poor, or where one chooses to live, or how much time and energy one sacrifices for children, or the boldness with which one speaks against the moral depravity of 21^st century America.  Certainly, the life of a Christian in our hurting world will look nothing like the pursuit of the American dream, for the American dream is contrary to the holiness of Christ.  Indeed the natural reaction of the world to the radical love of Christ will be to persecute the Christian and view him or her as someone strange and different.  Peter identified this reality in his first epistle when he referred to the friends to whom he was writing as “aliens and strangers in the world” (1 Peter 2:11).  The life of a Christian, therefore, is on track and appropriate when he or she completely identifies with Christ and self-describes as an alien and stranger in the world.  This is the natural outcome of the radical love of Christ.

When the life of a Christian is full with a glorious and inexpressible joy, is increasingly holy, and responds to the world with an exhausting, radical Christian love, the Christian life -- like the life of Christ himself -- will be drawn toward and indeed will depend on times of solitude and prayer.  We note in Christ’s life, how in response to the beheading of John, the feeding of the five thousand, the fear of the disciples, the faithfulness and subsequent faithlessness of Peter, and the healing of the sick, that on more than one occasion, Jesus “went up on a mountainside by himself to pray” (Matthew 14).  So engaged is the Christian worker in the life and activities of Christ, that he or she will, by both desire and need, find himself or herself in regular solitude and prayer.  Just as Jesus needed this time to connect with the Father, so the Christian worker needs this time to connect with Christ and the heavenly Father.  The Christian life is not just praying in church or at bedtime.  The Christian will, in the words of Paul, “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).  Regular times of solitude and prayer will be a mark of the Christian life in the central city.

The Gospels and the books of the New Testament paint a wonderful picture of the life of Christ, the lives of the earliest church workers, and provide a clear road map for modern day Christians.  In a city with so much hurt, so much divisiveness, so much ungodly behavior, it is easy for Christians to retreat to their homes and churches and disengage from the world.  But we must not.  Instead, we stride forward and exhibit the glorious joy that comes through our justification by way of the cross, the holiness that comes through sanctification, the radical, engaging love of Christ, and constant times of prayer and solitude that fill us up and draw us ever closer to oneness with Christ.  This is the life of a Christian in Milwaukee’s central city.

Comfort from 2nd Corinthians

by Michael Loescher

Paul’s second inspired letter to the Christians at Corinth begins with these words:  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

As an assignment connected to reading 2nd Corinthians, I ask students to select verses from 2nd Corinthians that they find particularly comforting or reassuring and offer comment and prayer.  Here’s a sample of such “Comfort from 2nd Corinthians.”

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·         2 Corinthians 1:3,4 - “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

o   As human beings we are bombarded by new situations and consequences every day bringing about new troubles, and it’s nice having reassurance and comfort from God. It’s a nice thing to lean back on, because at the end of the day, a person can always say it’s going to be okay. If I was an unbeliever I don’t know how I would cope with troubles – possible in very bad ways. Since it’s so reassuring to have God’s promise, I can see how it could be very refreshing to suddenly come to know his promise in a world with no hope otherwise. And that is where we come in to share the message.

·         2 Corinthians 2:14 – “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

o   God always leads us in triumphal procession?  it struck me that we might say Christians are not triumphant in any way. We don’t lead parades through our hometowns on Christmas day as a victorious football team after the Super Bowl. So what is this triumphant procession? It is the power of God shown through our faith in daily life, which is always evident and is never conquered by evil. We can be persecuted, but on the last day it will be clear, to all our triumph.

·         2 Corinthians 4:16 – “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

o   Our human bodies are so fragile physically, mentally, and emotionally. I expect to have a hip replacement sometime in my adulthood, and past years have been an interesting and challenging experience trying to do my best in sports. My hip is just one of a few injured areas I have granted myself, very possibly more or worse instances to come. But put aside all earthly troubles and consequences whatever they may be; being thankful and treasuring God’s grace can lay those to rest and make us stronger, as we look forward to our salvation.

·         2 Corinthians 6:17-18 – “’Therefore come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.’”

o   How powerful and comforting it can be though if you really think about it, that God the creator of the universe wants to be our Father and love us as such!

·         2 Corinthians 12:9,10 – “’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

o   God’s grace is perfect for us. In weakness, we humans can make rash decisions and fret over not being good enough at this or that. But as Christians we can live at peace, doing our best and when worse comes to worst and we find out we are nothing, we still know that we have a Savior who loves us and created us as unique, destined to fulfill many purposes, even if we don’t see it at the moment.

Dear Lord, author and creator of the universe. I am sorry for the sins that I consistently commit. My thoughts go places where they shouldn’t, I seek useless or even unhealthy earthly treasures. I am capable of great wrongdoings. Thank you, Lord, for granting me forgiveness for my foolish acts, and help me to seek first your kingdom and to treasure most of all your love and promise, before all earthly pleasures. Help me also, Lord, to power through troubles and temptations in this world and in the end be strengthened and overjoyed by your grace of salvation. Give me comfort in the fact that you are my loving Father in all your power and might, and when the last day comes and we have run the race you marked out for us, lead us in our triumphal procession to eternal bliss in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Why I go to church

by Rebecca Hinderman

Someone she knows (who who doesn’t attend church) asked Rebecca why she goes to church.

Rebecca wrote this wonderful letter in response to the question. 

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When you asked me, “Why do you go to church?” so many thoughts were racing through my head.  I apologize for the short, incomplete answer I gave you.  I am writing this letter to share fully what it means to be a Christian and why I go to church.

Starting with the word “church.” It’s not just a building or a group; it’s a family of fellow believers in Jesus Christ. We gather to worship and praise our Savior for what he has done for us – not because we have to but because we want to. We learn about Jesus, our need for salvation, sin, the power of the devil, forgiveness, love, the grace of God, and so much more.  All this we find in the Bible, our instruction manual for life.  Christians believe the Bible is God’s word.  Even though there are many authors throughout the Bible, it is the true word of God;  God-breathed, so to speak.

God’s word shows us how we are all sinful from birth.  “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5). We are all sinful not just by our actions, but also by our thoughts and words.

Our sinful nature was inherited from Adam and Eve who committed the first sin. Because of sin and our human inability to earn forgiveness, we are all condemned to death and hell.  I know this is a strong, powerful statement.  This truth should rattle us to the core.  But there is a way to be right and sinless before God.  God, through his love and grace, sent his Son Jesus to suffer and die the death we all deserve.  Jesus was our substitute and saved us from our sins. “Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  We now appear to God as perfect and sinless as Jesus was.

The gift of salvation through Jesus is the gift of God’s great love for us.  This great love--this grace-- goes beyond our human understanding. The love and forgiveness God has given me is why I go to church.  I want to thank him and praise his name for the gift of salvation given through Jesus.  Knowing the truth of his love has moved me to share that truth with you and others.  Attending church services gives me strength and support, a time to rest my soul and focus on what is truly important.

Without this renewed strength and focus, I can become easy prey for the devil.  The Bible says, “Be self-controlled and alert for your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We are all weak and vulnerable to the devil’s deceitful ways and can get sucked into situations and relationships that are harmful to our souls. Slowly, so subtly, we can be moved away from Christ and the saving gift of grace.  It can be a battle both external and internal.  What weapons do we have to ward off this attack? The answer again is God’s word – the Bible.  God’s Holy Spirit will work in our hearts and minds to strengthen us and create faith as we read the Bible.  Even a little each day, a short chapter, gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to work its work in us.  Knowing this gives me such peace and comfort as well as the boldness to talk about the truths of God’s word.

The first disciples, by the power of the Holy Spirit, began preaching and teaching the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.  What unshakable faith they had! They endured much suffering and persecution as well as being put to death for their beliefs.  Rejection of the salvation message was as commonplace then as it is today.    

Still, I will speak up and risk your rejection of me and God’s word. Why would I still do this? You are too important.  You are God’s creation.  He desires you as his dear child. I pray through me you will feel his love for you, understand his word and believe in Jesus as your Savior from sin.

All I have said are God’s truths. I am not forcing any expectations on you nor am I putting myself above you. We have all messed up, sinned, knowingly or unknowingly. One person is no better than the next.

I invite you to join me anytime to attend church services and learn more for yourself. We also have a Bible study time. During this time we look at certain sections of Bible or specific topics and read what God says about such things. It’s a time to ask questions and learn in a non-judgmental small setting.

I will continue to pray for you and value your friendship. Thank you for your question and I hope my answers have aroused some curiosity and move you to come and learn about Jesus!

Go and Tell in Love

by Kayli Pesch

            With the recent Supreme Court ruling, allowing same-sex marriage in all states, there is a lot of debate among Christians over how to treat homosexuality. The truth is, simply because the government has decided to allow same-sex marriage, it does not change how God views homosexuality, nor does it change how Christians should react toward it.  It is worth taking some time, then, to examine what God says about homosexuality and how we, as Christians should deal with it. Notice, I am speaking to Christians who believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. If you do not believe that, you will most likely find many errors in my arguments. Belief in the Bible as the Word of God is a separate argument completely.

I have heard many people, even life-long Christians, question whether or not God condemns homosexuality as a sin. I have heard some  also say  that maybe it was only an Old Testament law that was fulfilled in Christ which no longer needs to be followed , similar to ‘clean eating’(Heb. 8:13) or circumcision (Gal 2:3). Contrary to both thoughts, God does clearly speak about homosexuality as a sin in multiple areas throughout the Old Testament (Lev 18:22, Lev 20:13) and the New Testament (1Cor. 6:9-11, Romans 1:26-28, 1 Tim 1:10). While the Lord points this sin out specifically in many instances, he also points out sins such as drunkenness (Eph. 5:18), hate (1John 3:15), lying (Acts 5:3), and even thinking lustfully about someone other than your spouse (Mat. 5:27-28). In fact, God states that everyone is guilty of sinning (Rom3:10) and that all sins are equal – “for whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). Now you may be thinking, “What?! All sins are equal? You mean to tell me that when I copied that worksheet of a classmates in Comm 101 and turned it in as my own because ‘she doesn’t really grade them anyway’, it was as much a sin as being gay?” The answer is: YES!

Since we are all in the same boat as far as sin goes, the real question is, how should we treat the sins of or brothers and sisters? Well, how does God treat us when we sin? This is the most beautiful part about being a Christian:  grace.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). That’s right; God chose to love even me, a wretched sinful being. He did this not because I had done something to earn it, but despite everything I have done against him. What is more is that he not only shows this love to me, he shows this love to all people. We have all learned the ‘gospel in a nutshell’ -- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This means that Jesus not only died to pay for your sins and mine, but for the sins of homosexuals as well. He wants all people to love him and to turn away from their sins (2 Peter 3:9). It is our purpose to go and tell this beautiful message so that everyone can believe and be saved (Mark 16:15).

Often, when we point out the sins of others, we are accused of being judgmental. I have even seen some quote the Bible saying, “There is only one Law-giver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you, who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:12). Yes, we have already established that we are all sinful. If I am sinful too, then what gives me the authority to pass judgment on others for their sins? Really, you should not be passing judgement, but showing others their sinful ways in love so that they can turn from them (Prov. 27:5, Gal. 6:1). God instructs us to “...save others by snatching them out of the fire...” (Jude 1:23). The key is to always approach in love. Ask yourself why you are pointing out others’ sin. Is it for your own gain; to make yourself feel better about your own sins? Or is it truly out of love, so that they might turn from their sins and be forgiven? Always act in love. Let God work in the hearts of sinners.  

As sinners whose only hope is in Christ, we strive to love sinners as God has loved us.

Jesus has built a home for us

Note of upcoming course:

THE8113 Connecting Young Adults to the Church  (1 credit): A study and discussion of issues regarding young adults' involvement in churches and member ministry. ... July 15 - July 26 Online ...  Register via MLC Continuing Education

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The following devotion was written in connection with Devotional Writing course offered through  MLC Continuing Education.

A House Built for Us

by Monica Sletten

      It’s nice to have a house to call our home.   We all live in structures built by someone – houses, apartments, mobile homes.   Every sort of house was built by a carpenter or other types of builders.  After the builders do their job and build a house, people like you and me live in them.  Once the house is finished, people move their stuff into their new home.

      Sometimes when we get new things we are very protective of that “stuff” and the houses in which we keep our stuff.   We can become overly worried about what our houses look like, whether our stuff is as nice as our neighbors’ stuff, and other such concerns about things we have in this world.   It is very easy to get so caught up in who has the most toys, the prettiest clothes, the coolest cars, or who had the best carpenters and builders to build their house.  Not all builders do the same quality of work.  Sometimes they forget a nail, use an imperfect piece of wood, or simply don’t make a very attractive style of house.   

      But you know what?  The style of the houses we live in here on earth and the things that fill our houses are not truly the most important things.  There is a carpenter who has built us a house that is perfect, a home that is flawless. There is nothing wrong with the house he has built, and he promises he has a room in this house waiting for each member of his family.  Does anyone know who this carpenter is that I have in mind?  

      Jesus! 

      Jesus was raised as the son of Joseph, a carpenter.  He likely learned how to build things as part of growing up with Joseph and Mary in Nazareth.  But I’m talking about a different sort of house-building that Jesus has done.  Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).  Jesus has made rooms ready in heaven for us by the work that he has done for us.  He has built places in the heavenly Father’s house for each of us by his life and death and resurrection.  Through what Jesus did, we have a place with God, a home for eternity.   All our sins are forgiven and we now have a room waiting for us. We don’t have to do anything to earn this place in God’s perfect house.  We simply trust Jesus, who promises he will take us there to be with him.

      This is truly such a blessing that Jesus has given to us – the gift of an eternal home with God!   With that heavenly home in view, we will stop fussing so much about what sorts of houses or garages or other stuff we have here on earth now.  If someone has a house that is more beautiful and bigger than yours, don’t worry about it.  Jesus promises us that he will take us to live with him in his Father’s house, where he has prepared places just for us.  I can’t wait to experience what that house is like!  

Jesus Came to Save All Sinners

by Sarah Allerding

This devotion was written in connection with the

Devotional Writing course offered through  MLC Continuing Education.

Have you ever felt that either you or someone else did not belong in God's house because of a particular sin? I am going to tell you a story about a pastor, a visitor to the church, and a longtime member of the congregation.

A man comes to the church looking for the pastor after Sunday services. He says he needs help because he is struggling with sin. He tells a member he is struggling with losing his temper and saying mean things to people all the time. The member directs him to the pastor's office. After the man leaves, the member walks into the pastor's office to have a conversation with him.

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• Church member:  “I hope you told that man to get out of here.”
• Pastor:  “Why do you hope that?”
• Church member: “He told me he has a sin problem. We don't want that kind of person here. The church is for the established believers. I don't want him to ruin worship for the rest of us. Tell him to come back when his problem is behind him.”
• Pastor:  “We all have a sin problem. If he should not be in church, then none of us should. We all sin daily. Let’s take a look at Romans 3:10. ‘As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one.’”
• Church member:  “But I am not like that man. His sin is worse than mine. He doesn't deserve to come here until he takes care of his problem.”
• Pastor:  “God says ‘the wages of sin is death’(Romans 6:23). You do not deserve to be here any more than that man does. Neither do I. Because of your sins, you deserve death. I deserve death because of my sins. That is what we all deserve. It is only by the grace of God that any of us are here.”

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The Feast in the House of Levi, Paolo Veronese, 1573, Oil on canvas

Jesus had a problem similar to this one when he went to the house of Matthew for dinner. He was eating with tax collectors and “sinners.” 

      When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
      On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”  (Matthew 9:11-13).

Just like the church member in my story, the Pharisees thought they were better than other sinners. They thought Jesus should not associate with the people they thought were worse sinners than they. Jesus didn't come to earth to make self-satisfied “righteous” people feel good about themselves; he “came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Jesus came to save sinners like you and me. He lived the perfect life we could not live, died the terrible death we deserve, and rose victorious over sin, death, and the devil. Because of what Jesus did for us, our sins are washed away. It is only by his grace that we get to worship him when we gather with fellow forgiven sinners. Let us not turn away those who are struggling with sin. They need to hear the Word of God that tells them about their sin and their Savior who took it away.