Natural rights. These rights were defined by men like John Locke and Thomas Hobbes before the founding of the United States but they were cited by Thomas Jefferson in the "Declaration of Independence." These were a logical step to remove the authority of the king who held his authority was "divine right." Divine right had been the custom for centuries, but the thinkers like Hobbes and Locke asserted that people had lived with natural rights which Jefferson, then, took the added step to say these had been "endowed by our creator." As you remember in your civics classes, these "unalienable" rights (cannot be taken from the crown or government) were "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Christ rides into Jerusalem. It was he who had a divine right, assigned by the Father, to be the sacrificial lamb. The crowd thought they saw the next David riding into the city on the back of a donkey. He was certainly there to deliver them from Rome. Christ knew differently. He was a deliverer, but his divine right was to deliver us from ourselves, our sinful nature.
Due to our sinful nature, we have no rights from God our Father. Our guarantees were clearly spelled out at the fall - toil the land and death (Gen 3). Christ comes to earth and suffers on our behalf to make us whole in the sight of God. Our sinful nature is now clothed in righteousness through faith in Christ.
"This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[ through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith." (Romans 3:22-24)
We think about the ultimate sacrifice from God the Father of his Son. We think about the weight of this sacrifice on Christ as he took on the sins of the world. We thank God for our righteousness we gain with faith in Christ and the suffering and resurrection that gave us this righteousness.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Devotion 3.29.15
"If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country - Victory or Death."
- Col. William Travis, Alamo
What makes someone knowingly go into his or her own death? That question is usually one we ask ourselves when we consider the Battle of the Alamo or some Civil War battle. It is expressed in Travis's letter when he says he will "sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier."
So it is with this week. Christ enters the city of Jerusalem in triumph on Sunday (the day after the Jewish Sabbath) and by week's end, he finds himself crucified. How? He knew of his death because he foretold of it on many occasions with his disciples. What were his thoughts as he rode into the city with the crowd who loved him? Did he know it was about to come to an end? Certainly the main thing we know is he was fulfilling the Father's will. We know it from his prayer in the garden, "Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." (Matthew 26:42)
Paul writes, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient t the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8).
Christ's sins? Ours. Christ's guilt? Ours. Christ's mission? Reconciliation for us with his Father through his suffering, death and resurrection. This is our focus throughout the week. We pray for forgiveness and thankfulness for this reconciliation.
Hope Men's Ministry
- Col. William Travis, Alamo
What makes someone knowingly go into his or her own death? That question is usually one we ask ourselves when we consider the Battle of the Alamo or some Civil War battle. It is expressed in Travis's letter when he says he will "sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier."
So it is with this week. Christ enters the city of Jerusalem in triumph on Sunday (the day after the Jewish Sabbath) and by week's end, he finds himself crucified. How? He knew of his death because he foretold of it on many occasions with his disciples. What were his thoughts as he rode into the city with the crowd who loved him? Did he know it was about to come to an end? Certainly the main thing we know is he was fulfilling the Father's will. We know it from his prayer in the garden, "Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." (Matthew 26:42)
Paul writes, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient t the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8).
Christ's sins? Ours. Christ's guilt? Ours. Christ's mission? Reconciliation for us with his Father through his suffering, death and resurrection. This is our focus throughout the week. We pray for forgiveness and thankfulness for this reconciliation.
Hope Men's Ministry
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Devotion 3.25.15
From Tom Allen, member of Hope Lutheran.
One of my favorite passages is Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." This verse to me sums up our Christian life. We should be thankful in all circumstances, regardless of what we're going through. We need to be patient when we go through difficult times as
they will not last forever but will make us stronger in the process.
Finally we need to be faithful in our prayer life. Peace!
Amen.
Hope Men's Ministry
One of my favorite passages is Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." This verse to me sums up our Christian life. We should be thankful in all circumstances, regardless of what we're going through. We need to be patient when we go through difficult times as
they will not last forever but will make us stronger in the process.
Finally we need to be faithful in our prayer life. Peace!
Amen.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, March 23, 2015
Devotion 3.24.15
From Jeff Hill, member of Hope Lutheran.
The one passage that I always come back to is Psalms 23. I know that it is used a lot, but when I was old enough to start reading the Bible that Psalm has stuck with me. I know that no matter what is going on I am not ever alone. There have been times when I was teaching that it seemed I was alone, but I always knew in the back of my mind that whatever happened God had my back. It made some situations better knowing that.
We thank God for his presence, his having our back, in times of need.
Hope Men's Ministry
The one passage that I always come back to is Psalms 23. I know that it is used a lot, but when I was old enough to start reading the Bible that Psalm has stuck with me. I know that no matter what is going on I am not ever alone. There have been times when I was teaching that it seemed I was alone, but I always knew in the back of my mind that whatever happened God had my back. It made some situations better knowing that.
We thank God for his presence, his having our back, in times of need.
Hope Men's Ministry
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Devotion 3.23.15
From Jon Ulmer, member of Hope Lutheran
Ephesians 6:10-20 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 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. 19 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, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
Even though Paul is telling us how important the Word is, I struggle to spend time in it. This passage puts a whole new light on what the Word is "armor". It is words on our mouths when we need it. It should also be a reminder that this is a war for souls, mine own included.
Ephesians 6:10-20 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 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. 19 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, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
Even though Paul is telling us how important the Word is, I struggle to spend time in it. This passage puts a whole new light on what the Word is "armor". It is words on our mouths when we need it. It should also be a reminder that this is a war for souls, mine own included.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Weekend Devotion 3.20.15
Snakebit. He's been "snakebit." We've been "snakebit." It's not a positive phrase (and yes, for you grammarians out there I realize it should be "bitten by a snake"). It is usually a phrase that is associated with a negative or series of negatives in life.
For all the joy in life, the demise of another team not-my-own is always particularly fun. As a life-long Astros fan, my team's been snakebit. After a rise to the top and outstanding performance of almost a decade, the wheels began to fall off. Owner wants to sell the team. Fire sale of eligible free agents, many of whom almost achieved a World Series championship with the Astros. And then, the sale which had a clause that the Astros go to the American League - almost baseball. Gulp. New vision from the new owner and we have three years of consecutive 100-loss seasons. THAT is snakebit.
Yet there is hope and now the snakebites move north of Houston to Arlington and the Texas Rangers, who managed somehow to: lose former president and managing partner of the Rangers Nolan Ryan (who had a large role in building a championship franchise); lose a major hitter in Nelson Cruz to the steroid bug; lose pitchers and players to higher bidding teams; and this season see the star second baseman that rarely has played out again because he slept wrong on his shoulder that had surgery; and finally, now see star pitcher Yu Darvish leave in need of Tommy John surgery. The snakebit baton has been passed. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, "The torch has been passed to a new generation of snakebit."
In reading Numbers 21, we see a generation of Israelites, freed from captivity out of Egypt, wandering with Moses and not very happy about their conditions. They'd rather be back in slavery, they said to Moses, because at least we ate well. At least they knew their lot and did not have to put up with such conditions (living on the move, eating the bad food God provided). God heard their outcry and responded by sending venomous snakes to eliminate the wicked. Many died as they were bitten. More than a symbolic gesture of growing weary of complaining, the death caused the Israelites to turn to Moses and seek forgiveness. God instructed Moses to place a fiery image of a snake on a pole and have those bitten to turn to the bronze serpent. The site of the serpent would heal them.
The application for us today, beyond our favorite sport franchise, is simple: We have much to be thankful for, yet we can somehow make a hell of our own lives. Much like a solid ship navigating through the ocean called life, we somehow manage to forget God is God and wreck our lives on the rocks of a shore we could have seen had we kept our sites ahead and paid attention. Like the Israelites, we have our image set on a cross for us to see to receive that forgiveness - that of Christ. Christ tells us in John 3 that as Moses set the fiery serpent up in the wilderness for those wounded, so to the Son of Man will suffer. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
We pray that we look at Christ, who forgives us and heals us from our wounds - our ship-wrecked and snakebit lives - and came to us and died for us to save us.
Hope Men's Ministry
For all the joy in life, the demise of another team not-my-own is always particularly fun. As a life-long Astros fan, my team's been snakebit. After a rise to the top and outstanding performance of almost a decade, the wheels began to fall off. Owner wants to sell the team. Fire sale of eligible free agents, many of whom almost achieved a World Series championship with the Astros. And then, the sale which had a clause that the Astros go to the American League - almost baseball. Gulp. New vision from the new owner and we have three years of consecutive 100-loss seasons. THAT is snakebit.
Yet there is hope and now the snakebites move north of Houston to Arlington and the Texas Rangers, who managed somehow to: lose former president and managing partner of the Rangers Nolan Ryan (who had a large role in building a championship franchise); lose a major hitter in Nelson Cruz to the steroid bug; lose pitchers and players to higher bidding teams; and this season see the star second baseman that rarely has played out again because he slept wrong on his shoulder that had surgery; and finally, now see star pitcher Yu Darvish leave in need of Tommy John surgery. The snakebit baton has been passed. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, "The torch has been passed to a new generation of snakebit."
In reading Numbers 21, we see a generation of Israelites, freed from captivity out of Egypt, wandering with Moses and not very happy about their conditions. They'd rather be back in slavery, they said to Moses, because at least we ate well. At least they knew their lot and did not have to put up with such conditions (living on the move, eating the bad food God provided). God heard their outcry and responded by sending venomous snakes to eliminate the wicked. Many died as they were bitten. More than a symbolic gesture of growing weary of complaining, the death caused the Israelites to turn to Moses and seek forgiveness. God instructed Moses to place a fiery image of a snake on a pole and have those bitten to turn to the bronze serpent. The site of the serpent would heal them.
The application for us today, beyond our favorite sport franchise, is simple: We have much to be thankful for, yet we can somehow make a hell of our own lives. Much like a solid ship navigating through the ocean called life, we somehow manage to forget God is God and wreck our lives on the rocks of a shore we could have seen had we kept our sites ahead and paid attention. Like the Israelites, we have our image set on a cross for us to see to receive that forgiveness - that of Christ. Christ tells us in John 3 that as Moses set the fiery serpent up in the wilderness for those wounded, so to the Son of Man will suffer. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
We pray that we look at Christ, who forgives us and heals us from our wounds - our ship-wrecked and snakebit lives - and came to us and died for us to save us.
Hope Men's Ministry
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Devotion 3.19.15
From Todd Anderson, member of Hope Lutheran
Not a verse, just always thought it was a cool beginning and for 40-some years I didn't' get much further into it other than the first page.
"In the beginning God . . . "
We pray that we place God at the beginning of our lives daily.
Hope Men's Ministry
Not a verse, just always thought it was a cool beginning and for 40-some years I didn't' get much further into it other than the first page.
"In the beginning God . . . "
We pray that we place God at the beginning of our lives daily.
Hope Men's Ministry
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