WHY SUNDAY MEDITATIONS?

If it seems as if my selections for my Sunday Meditation & Theological Thursday posts are meant to be directed toward others, that would be a "no." I usually include thoughts that strike close to home for me, then maybe strike close to home for others. Far be it for me to be judgmental toward others & presume to know what they need to hear. These thoughts are usually what I need to hear.

THE GOOD NEWS

"For me, the good news is that the Great One who is totally other & past finding out has humbled Himself & presented Himself to us not in power but in love." Tony Campolo, Men's Devotional Bible

LIFT UP YOUR HEADS!

"Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory!" Psalm 24:9-10

PAINFUL REMINDERS

"God is absolutely just. He loves, & He forgives, but He does not comprise His righteousness. God deals with us uniquely. He draws upon our experiences to teach us about Himself. God will forgive us of our sin, but He may provide stark reminders of the ugliness of sin. Let us thank God that He loves us enough to remind us of the destructive consequences of sin in our lives." Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day 

ONE OF THE GREATEST TEMPTATIONS

"Both the Scriptures & experience prove to us that money is one of the very greatest temptations that come to God's people. Avarice is the hidden virus which quietly but surely destroys the life in God for many a child of the Heavenly Father. Jesus speaks not only of avarice, but also especially of covetousness. Are these not the same sins? Yes, essentially they are. But they manifest themselves in ways that differ to such a degree that many think they have been delivered from covetousness when they have only been set free from avarice.

"The difference is this:  the avaricious person desires money in order to accumulate it, while the covetous person desires money in order to use it. Common to both of them is greed for money, the worship of mammon. To Jesus our attitude of heart is the important thing. It is for this reason that He would destroy our inner dependance on money." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today 

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN

Luke 23:43  "And He said to Him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise." Jesus promised this to the repentant thief on the cross. This was a promise made to one man that comforts us all in the face of death & tells us all what happens when we die in Christ. We shall be with Jesus immediately upon death, to await the blessed resurrection. How we 'wait' for the resurrection, our souls in eternity with Christ & our bodies in time disintegrating, burned to ashes, dispersed at sea & so on, is a mystery." Rev. Matthew Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

TODAY'S PRAYER

"Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor & authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

TODAY'S HYMN

Praise the Almighty, LSB #797, Sts. 2-3

Comment:  Isn't it a mark of our culture that we look to political leaders for guidance, for solutions, maybe even for a sort of salvation? This is true of both sides of the political spectrum. It's certainly true altogether too often for me. That's why I chose today's hymn.

Trust not in rulers; they are but mortal; Earth-born they are & soon decay. Vain are their counsels at life's last portal, When the dark grave engulfs its prey. Since mortals can no help afford, Place all your trust in Christ our Lord. Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed, oh, blessed are they forever Whose help is in the Lord Most High, Whom from salvation can nothing sever, And who in hope to Christ draw nigh. To all who trust in Him our Lord Will aid & counsel now afford. Alleluia, alleluia!