Long-winded Moses

Deuteronomy 11

One of the most invaluable lessons for ministry that I learned at Wartburg Seminary was taught by  Prof. Sam Giere in homilitics - to keep the sermons to a reasonable length :) I cut mine almost in half and still am able to say what the Spirit leads me to say.  Moses is beginning to tire me out.  It appears he's saying the same thing over and over again.  Not that what he says isn't worth hearing, it's just that I'm having a hard time finding anything new in the chapters.

Moses is again reminding the Israelites of what God has done for them.  He reminds them of God's promises to those who love Him, keep his charge, his statutes and his commandments.  He reminds them and us again to teach all these things to our children.  Well, then I guess, Moses was right in continually repeating himself.  Seems to me we haven't listened too well! 

Or maybe we have chosen to forget where we come from, how lost we would be if it were not for God; maybe we've chosen to forget that God has saved us from ourselves!  When I worked at the youth correctional facility, it always amazed me that people "on the outside" would make comments that inferred the youth in the facility were really "bad" kids and that they, themselves, were not.  I knew where they came from.  I knew a bit about their lifestyle.  Simply put, I knew them.  The only difference between those in the correctional facility and those on the outside (in most cases) is that those on the inside had been caught and those on the outside had not.  The youth "on the inside" had opportunity to change as they remembered where they came from, why they were there.  Instead of facing our sinful natures and repenting so that we might receive forgiveness, often I think Christians, prefer to pretend that we are without sin and we get stuck wondering why God has not blessed us, wondering why we "good people" aren't enjoying the fruits of the good land that we live in.  When we "good people" turn our backs on the LORD our God who saved us and follow after other gods, then we will receive the blessing of the other gods - gods who are worthless and have no blessings to give.  Do we really expect a blessing from a rock or a piece of wood or paper with a president's face on it or coins?

So, even if Moses is beginning to wear me out by repeating himself, we probably need to read it and hear it over and over again so that his words may be laid up in our hearts and in our souls so that our days and the days of our children may be blessed. 

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and soul that it may be well with you and your children and that you might live long upon the land that He has given you.

P.S.  I apologize for being so long-winded myself in some of these blogs...

Love the Lord

Deuteronomy 10

Fear the LORD, walk in his ways, to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul... (vs 12)  Ring a bell?  The first and greatest commandment according to Jesus.  And if you are reading chapter 10 of Deuteronomy you will also see the second greatest commandment, according to Jesus.  "You shall also love the stranger; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."  (vs 19 NRSV)

Moses is recounting the time that he received the ten commandments for the second time.  We are reminded that the law is (among other things) about love:  loving God and loving others.  I wish that Les, one of God's servants here at Zion, were writing this.  He so eloquently tells how it is that we can love our neighbor or the stranger.  In a nutshell:  When we realize God's great love for us, we love Him in return.  We place the LORD first in our lives and then we are more fully empowered to more fully love our neighbor, the stranger, even our enemy.  The ten "words" of the law are placed in a very specific order.  The first table (3 or 4 commandments depending on how you divide them) are about fearing, loving, honoring God.  The second table is about how we are to show love for our neighbors.  When we place God in our lives first, then loving the rest is much easier, because God is with us, loving them through us.  Sure, our sinful natures will still try to override the power of God, causing us a bit of shakiness in the area of love.  But, we will know a love for our neighbors that cannot exist without the love of God.

Love the LORD, your God, there is nothing more pleasant than being in relationship with Him and as you walk with Him in His way, you will love your neighbor as yourself.  That's about it. 

May the love of God overwhelm and empower you to love your neighbor, the stranger, your enemy, as yourself this day.

God Still Gets The Glory

Deuteronomy 9

You stiffnecked people... You turned away from God...  You did not follow Him... You really got under His skin...  He was about to destroy you all... Many times, I saved you by interceding with God for you.  The jist I'm getting from this chapter is that Moses is ranting or bragging about how much he had to put up with and do for the people.  He had to keep going back to God to beg for mercy for them and ya'll know how dangerous that can be. 

Yesterday, I wrote about how God, not any man, gets the glory and I'm afraid it sounds a little like Moses is grabbing at a bit of glory today.  I stand by yesterday's statements.  Moses may have prayed for the people, but God didn't have to give the Israelites the promised land.  He could have destroyed them at any point.  God gets the glory for leading the people out of Egypt and into the promised land.  God is about to lead them into the land of the great and mighty Anakims so that they might take possession of it.  But, He's not doing it because they are so good.  He's doing it because He chooses to.  And, yes, it is probably a good thing that Moses was there to intercede for them when God was about to destroy the people.

When we pray for someone and the prayer is answered, do we get the credit?  Do we get the glory?  I hope not!  I have had names of some people on my prayer list for decades.  Some of those prayers have been answered in big ways.  And I will tell you, everytime I see them, I am thanking God in a big way!  Others, I still pray for and I know that when I see, with my own eyes, the answer to those prayers, I will be celebrating with all the hosts of heaven for the ones who were lost, but now found.  I will most definitely be giving thanks and glory to God! 

St. Paul wrote in various letters asking the people to pray for him.  He asked them to intercede for him and for all the Lord's people. In Ephesians 6:18-20, we read: 

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."  

 We are called and directed to pray for one another.  Yet, Paul tells us to pray in the Spirit.  And in Romans 8:26-30 (read all of Romans 8 - it is awesome!):

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

So from all this I glean, that it is not we who interecede (it is not our good work), but, God, the Holy Spirit, who intercedes through us and it is God, Himself, who answers the prayers.  God gets the glory (even for glorifying those whom He calls)! 

Lot's going through my head with this lesson this morning - but - it is a blog - not suppose to be a sermon :)  And... for those of you who noticed (and I know at least a couple of you have) both Deuteronomy 9 and Romans 8 would be good places to start a conversation regarding predestination.  But, I think maybe we should wait 'till we get to Romans for that... 

All Glory Belongs to God

Deuteronomy 8


Do not say...  I worked hard for this.  By mine own hand I have earned it.  Rather, "remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today."  (vs 18 NRSV)


And... some may wonder why I talk so much about giving honor and glory to God.  Some may wonder why I talk so much about caring for and using the good gifts that God has given us so that we might honor and glorify Him.  It is because it is written in the scriptures, over and over again.


There is never a day that I don't thank God for all that He has given me.  I know that I would not have my family, my home, my past experiences, my congregration; I would have none of them except for the hand of God.  I can look back, I remember where I have been and I can see clearly how His hand was at work in all areas of my life. 


As I read the warnings to Israel, I am reminded that these warning could well be for those of us who live in the U.S. as well.  We have been tremendously blessed in this country.  Unfortunately, with all the blessings, also comes the tendency to give ourselves, rather then God, the credit, the honor, glory.  So often the will of God is no longer heard, but only the desires of our own sinful hearts.  And...  I wonder how long it will be before God says "this is enough" and takes it all from us. 


There is always a lot of lip service given to how this land was founded on Christian principles and how important that is to us.  However, there seems to me to be more lip service than actual service to God.  I am not even sure if the majority of Christians even knows what being a Christian actually is, according to scriptures (this probably applies to a whole lot more countries than the U.S.)  Very few read their Bibles.  If you do not, how would you even know what it means to be a Christian? Because someone else who never reads or hears the Word of God told you?  Christianity has become enmashed with new age teachings in order to empower us, in order to make us feel better about ourselves.  For some reason it is easier and more appealing to read New Age or self-help material rather than the Holy Scriptures.  When we apply "New Age" teachings to what little we have gleaned from the Scriptures, it is no longer Christianity.  You are worshipping a false god.  If this land being founded on Christian principles were really as important to us as we claim, would we not immerse ourselves in studying Christian principles by reading our Bibles, would we not be more faithful in attending Worship to hear the Word of God, to receive Christ into our very beings through the Sacrament of Holy Communion?


God has given us these things (Word and Sacrament), not for His sake, but for ours; so that it may be well with us.  Do not say that I am a self-made man or woman.  All that I have is mine, I have worked hard for it.  It is God who has made you.  It is God who allows you to live well upon the earth.  It is God who gives you the opportunity to worship and serve Him.  All honor and glory belongs to God, not humankind.


When my sons were in their rebellious teen years, I remember on a few occasions when I would be about totally exasperated with their shenanigans and remind them:  "God gave you life, God can take it away."  I've mellowed since then.  Well, maybe not too much...  Remembering our scriptures (2 Peter 3:9-13 NRSV) from last Sunday: 

     "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
     Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire?  But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home."


May God help you to remember to give God the glory for all that He accomplishes through you this day.  May you be blessed with the knowledge that there is only one God and empowered to worship and serve only Him.     

God is God

Deuteronomy 7

God is God and only He shall you worship.  Have nothing to do with false gods.  Rid the land of them and their altars and all the items that are used for worshipping false gods.  Do not covet the gold or the silver of the false altars so that you do not become ensnared by it.  Do not allow anythng to do with false gods into your home because they are abhorrent to the LORD your God. 

In this season just prior to Christmas, how to impress upon people just how sneaky those false gods are.  We claim that the reason for the season is Jesus.  Yet, the glitz and glitter of the commercialized season attempt (very strongly) to draw us in.  Yesterday morning at and after Worship, I was watching our children from the Sunday School and Confirmation class, closely as usual.  They have been busy practicing various parts and music to put on a skit as they lead Worship at our mid-week service on December 14th.  They have given up many hours to work on this.  Other things have not drawn them away from this opportunity to glorify God - to honor Jesus. 

We talked about Jesus' birthday and they decided on Christmas morning that we should have a birthday party with a cake for Jesus after Worship.  It is always comforting to me to see the faith of the children.  They know who their God is.  Let us take a lesson from our children.  There is only one God who loves us so much that He was willing to send His only begotten Son to be born among us, to live among us, and to die for us that we might live in His presence eternally. 

Worship God, and no others - nothing else - not silver or gold.  For... He alone is the God who loves you.  Gold and silver cannot love - God loves.  Only Jesus can bring you out of the wilderness and save you.

Impress Them on Your Children

Deuteronomy 6

All three uses of the law (mirror, curb, guide) ring out in the reading this morning. The verse that really stood out for me was seven (NIV):  "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

We had a pizza party in the church basement.  It was not just for children.  Although, some of the things we do with our children are geared for children, we try not to segregate them from the adult membership of the congregation.  If we are a church family, then we should do things as a family.  The Youth/Family Committee feels it important that our children understand that us older people know how to laugh and have fun, as well.  We are trying to dispel the myth that being involved with "church activities" is something we do because of the "curb" in the law.  We can have fun and enjoy being with the children. 

Anyway... We at pizza and salad, decorated crismons, sang songs, and played Bible Bingo.  What struck me was the level of knowledge some of the children had regarding Bible stories.  It was truly surprising and this morning I am thanking God for those parents and grandparents who have taught their children.  I am especially thanking God for Sherrie, our Sunday School Superintendent and for the teachers who work with her to teach our children.  They teach not just the law, but all of scripture.  And, it is shows in that the children use what they learn as a guide.  We don't teach behaviors, we teach the Word of God, and that Word grabs hold and guides them in the way that they should go. 

I am praying that all of you will hear the Word that the Lord gives to you this day.  Hear Him, believe Him, and follow Him.

God's Peace be with you always.  Pr. J.

3rd Use of the Law

Deuteronomy 5

Moses reminds the people that out of the midst of the fire, of the fire, and thick darkness, God had spoken these "ten words" to the assembly at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20).  These "words" were not just for the generation that died in the wilderness, but for their children and their children's children, that they might live well and long in the land. 

I'm remembering the many hours that go into teaching confirmands these "10 words" and what they mean.  I will try to refrain from being so lengthy this morning...  We will see where I end up.

These 10 words or laws were broken down into two or summed up by Jesus as:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.  (Matthew 22:36-40)  I use these words of Jesus to help teach the confirmands how to memorize and learn the commandments.  The first 3 (or 4 depending on your denomination) all pertain to how to live in relationship with God; how to honor Him.  He is first, so we place Him first.  The remaining commandments tell us how to live in relationship with others so that it may be well with us and that we might live long upon the earth.

Briefly here is what I tell my confirmands:
When an adult decides he's going to work day after day without ever taking a Sabbath - a day of rest - what happens?  Answer:  They get tired and cranky and pretty hard for the people around them to live with.  Sometimes people even get hurt because they are so fried they aren't paying attention to what they're doing and accidents happen.  If someone doesn't take the day to rest - some time to hear God's Word and to Worship Him - how will they ever come into closer relationship so that they might know His peace? 

If you kill someone, what happens?  Their friends and family become angry and they want your life in return.  Life doesn't go so well for you and you may end up not so long upon the earth.

How about bearing false witness?  Can gossip kill?  Certainly.  It kills the spirit.  It kills relationships.  And... it some cases it destroys lives.  Gossip can hurt so bad that it might even push someone to taking their own lives.  Bearing false witness kills.  It would be the same as if you murdered someone with your own hands.  That is why it can be said that one sin is not worse than another.  (we'll maybe go there another day.)

How about coveting?  Can coveting kill?  Of course it can.  It kills relationships, it kills our peace, it interferes with our love for God and for our fellow human beings.  In some cases people are really killed because of envy and jealousy over material things.  Life does not go so well and not so long for those who covet the possessions of others.  I will not go through each of the commandments, you get the picture...

I remind my confirmands that God loved them so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for them and ask them if this sounds like a God who would make up a bunch of laws just to keep them out of His kingdom in the first place.

Yes, I hold to the third use of the law - that is as a guide to the way in which we can live in relationship with God and with one another that it may be well with us and we might live long upon the earth.

But, they ask how about that horrible verse 9, why should they be punished for their parents sins?  Think about family relationships for a minute...  Do we not learn by what we've seen our parents do?  Often (but not always) we follow in their footsteps.  Let's say a parent is a thief or a liar or a murderer or otherwise breaking civil law and their children witness this lifestyle, will they not grow to think that this is a normal way to live?  They will struggle because these sins will keep them from a loving relationship with God the Father and with their neighbors.  This doesn't happen because God wants them out of His life - it's not about punishment.  Their lives become chaotic because they have chosen (and sometimes they don't know any better) to put other "things" before God and neighbor and they themselves have hurt the relationships by not following the guides they've been given to live peaceful lives.  We inherit the sin of our fathers and mothers and consequently we inherit the consequences of the broken relationships caused by those sins as well.

Too often, I think, we consider the law as something that only condemns.  We all indeed fall short and deserve condemnation, but God is not all about condemning...  That wasn't His purpose, after all wasn't He saving Israel from bondage when He gave this laws?  And...  why did He send Jesus?  There must be more to the giving of the law than just setting up some rules to follow and if you don't, well... then... you know what happens!  Children are taught that if they don't follow the law - they will end up in hell.  Truth is... by not following these laws or guides to living in community, it can be like a living hell here on earth for those who do not know how to love or live in relationship with God or one another. 

I am not writing off the other two uses of the law as a curb or mirror, but I think that we might benefit in our relationships if we took another look at the commandments as a guide to how to live life reconciled to God and one another.

I remember a friend from a Bible Study years ago.  She said she never worried about the should not's of the law, only the shoulds...  She said she tried to live her life not worrying about what she couldn't do, but what she could do and focused on that.  That being:  loving the Lord her God with all her heart and soul and mind; and loving her neighbor.  After all, didn't Jesus say that all the law and prophets hang on these two commandments (or words)? 

Time to get ready to go and shop for Toys 4 Tots so I guess I am finished with this morning's blog whether it's finished or not...  May it be well with you and may you live long in the land.

Remember...

Deuteronomy 4

Remember where you have come from, where you have been, and remember who delivered you, who led you to the promised land.

This message is not just one for the Israelites. It is just as good for each of us today.  I doubt that there is one among us this morning that cannot look back and remember the trials that we have endured in your journey.  I doubt that there is one among us that can look back and not remember at least one false god that we have worshipped.  Remember the Lord, for He is God and He has delivered you.  Worship Him and only Him that all may be well with you and your children and your children's children.

Remember too, that God is not a god that is far off.  Our God is near and He does indeed call us to gather together to hear what He would have us hear.  He gathers together often.  I can't imagine one of the Israelites not paying attention when they heard God speaking on the mountain.  As often as He desires to speak to you, will you listen?  Prayer is not just about asking for things, but for hearing as well.  Worship is not just about making your weekly commitment, a weekly pilgrimage to the sanctuary in a building, but for hearing the will of God, for hearing the Word and receiving the Word through the Holy Sacraments.  God does desire good things for you.  Listen - listen to His Word - listen to the promises.  And... know that no matter how upside down life may seem - God is with you in your journey - leading you to the promised land.

Who Does What - Doesn't Matter

Deuteronomy 3

Moses is once again reminded by God that he will not get to cross the river Jordan to enter the promised land.  He can go up Mount Pisgah and look at it.  But, He will not enter it.  He is to encourage Joshua as it will be Joshua who crosses over and takes possession of the land that Moses sees.

Moses has done a lot - he has put up with a lot leading the Israelites through the wilderness.  But, his job is over.  It is now time for Joshua to take over where Moses has ended.  It doesn't really matter who God uses to do His will, His will - will be done.  His will, in this case, is that the children of Israel shall settle in the land that He has promised them. 

St. Paul knew this, as well.  It did not matter who did what - everyone does what God appoints them to do.  And... ultimately, all whom God has called will enter the Kingdom of God as a member of the Body of Christ.  Paul writes in the 1st letter to the Corinthians (3:5-9):
     What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Like Moses, in this life, we may never get to enjoy the fruits of our labor, that is the labor for the Kingdom.  We may never get to see that neighbor whom we witnessed to and prayed for accept Jesus as their Saviour.  And, it does not matter if it doesn't become a reality in our life-times.  We trust that when we are gone another will come and continue the work that we began.  We work for a common purpose and we can be assured that no matter what we do, it is God who makes things grow.  It is God who gives growth to the Body of Christ - to the Church - to His Kingdom.  That is the ultimate goal isn't it - for all God's people to enter into the promised land?  

It is not we, but God who gets the glory as He leads us through the wilderness to the promised land.  May God guide the work of your hands, the thoughts of your heart and mind, every word that you speak, and every step that you take that all that you say and think and do this day will be acceptable in His sight and glorify Him, our Rock and our Redeemer.