With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
O God, you are the beginning, the middle, and the end. You are all in all. Lead me. Help me. Forgive me. Keep me from wandering and weariness. Keep my love ready and willing to serve You by serving others. Praise and honor be to You, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen.
Confession
O God, how can I believe without your help. I am filled with doubt. “What about . . . ?” “Is it really true?” “How do I really know you’re there? That you’re listening? That you care about me?” I confess with honesty all my fear and disbelief. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. I believe; help my unbelief.
Word: Luke 24:5-7; John 20:31
“And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.’”
“These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ…and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Meditation: It’s All About Jesus
Today’s meditation is written by Pastor Paul Cloeter.
Blame it on my advancing age that I’ve developed a curious fascination for reading obituaries in the local newspaper. Contained in these brief tributes are achievements, activities, people, and events of importance to the deceased. I have to say that, more and more, I’m saddened by what is too often included as most important in these life stories. But maybe moreso, I’m disturbed by what I fail to see included in what are often called “Celebrations of Life.”
A rare exception to this appeared in this morning’s paper. Included in an obituary were these words: “After reflecting on years of hard work and achievements, Thomas recently said, ‘It’s amazing how everything in life loses value without Jesus.’” The obit went on to say, “His faith was paramount and unwavering.”
In his book, The Hammer of God, author Bo Giertz tells the story of a young pastor visiting the deathbed of a church member whose mind was failing. As often happens with delirium, this man was no longer able to filter embarrassing memories of sins from his past. Troubled by these shameful outbursts and wanting the man to focus on more sanctified thoughts in his final moments, the pastor suggested, “Frans, try thinking about Jesus.” To which, in a moment of clarity, the man replied, “I’m not able to, Pastor. I can’t think any longer. But I know Jesus is thinking of me.”
That response proved instructive for the young pastor on the true nature of faith. Since I can recall that story 40 years after reading the book as a young pastor myself, it’s clear that Frans’ reply has also had an impact on me. I’m reminded that saving faith is not my work, something dependent on my ability to articulate, or understand, or even to think. As with the price paid for my salvation, my faith is all about Jesus.
Yes, faith includes knowing; knowing that I am a sinner; spiritually weak and ignorant and unable to think clearly out of this mess. And it means knowing that my Savior Jesus has covered my shameful sin with his blood-bought forgiveness and, even now, is thinking of me. And I don’t have to wait for my deathbed to rest securely in that knowledge. Faith simply trusts what it cannot see; or at times, even think.
Such a faith in Jesus only is what makes for a life well-lived…a life worth celebrating!
Lord Jesus, I believe that the Scriptures, from beginning to end, are all about you. Help me to live my life in the same way, giving testimony that it’s all about you. Amen.
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen. (Rom. 15:13)