Please be patient with me today . . .

walking in the truth

I'm feeling a little "abstract-random" as I sit down to write this devotional--also struggling a little more than usual w/my OCD, so I'm going to offer some "snippets;" also let others way more astute than myself do the "heavy lifting." I'm pretty sure--in fact I am CERTAIN--that you will be the better for it today.

Today's Truth from Scripture

"See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it." Deuteronomy 30:15-16

A devotional thought from me

If you know your Old Testament history [& even if you don't, in which case you'll have to trust me], you know that God's OT people continued a pattern begun soon after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt:  fall away, suffer really, really bad consequences, plead to God for help, be restored by a God who is ultimately a God of mercy . . . but also a God who allows us to suffer the consequences of our bad choices. The history of God's OT people--lest we be judgmental--could rightfully be many of our own personal, spiritual histories. Amen?

Another Truth from Scripture

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead." Colossians 2:8-12

Another devotional thought from me

Do I understand much of that passage from the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Colossians [as well as his letter to us]? Of course not, because I lack the omniscient mind of the Holy Spirit who inspired St. Paul to write those words. I also lack St. Paul's infinitely greater wisdom than my own. Here's what I do know. We can over-think Scripture & let today's culture & our own intellect lead us away from the inerrant Truth of Scripture. 

More devotional truths & Truths from Scripture

"Not only has God placed a yearning for our true home in our hearts, God has also promised to clothe the perishable with the imperishable & the mortal w/immortality through Christ's own death (1 Cor. 15:54). In the meantime, the light of the gospel shines an eternal perspective upon our service to God & humanity, fusing all of our activities with significance." SOURCE:  "The Last Enemy," RZIM Slice of Infinity devotional, by J.M. Njorogoge (9/15).

"There Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6) . . . "Therefore Christ not only was crucified & died, but by divine love sin was laid upon Him. When sin was laid upon Him, the Law came & said, 'Let every sinner die! And therefore, Christ, if You want to reply that You are guilty & that You bear the punishment, You must bear the sin & the curse as well.' Therefore Paul correctly applies to Christ this general Law from Moses: 'Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree.' Christ hung on a tree; therefore Christ is a curse of God. And this is our highest comfort, to clothe & wrap Christ this way in my sins, your sins, & the sins of the entire world, & in this way to behold Him bearing all our sins." SOURCE:  Martin Luther Day by Day, (Concordia Publishing House), Sept. 15.

Today's Prayer Thoughts

Ask the Holy Spirit to grant you someone with far more wisdom & insight than me to guide you, as you read & meditate on the inspired Word of Holy Scripture.

Missionary News

Lois & I have "adopted" two missionaries:  Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese, who are preparing to serve in Ghana & West Africa, probably beginning soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes traveling to spread the word about the mission work in Africa & raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese