“For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11-12)

How many times has something not happened because you were being protected? How many calamities did not come your way? We often think in terms of what happened, but do not realize that the Lord is watching over us and there are many things that did not happen because He is watching over us. Give thanks to the Lord in all circumstances, knowing that He cares for His own.

Lord, give me an eye to see more clearly those times when Your protection was over me. Let me have a heart that is thankful in every circumstance, knowing that You are watching over me. Lead me to know that Your promises are forever and that You have provided for our every need. May I grow in thankfulness and steadfastness in faith, knowing that You are watching over all that I do.

Savior of the world, You have given Your Holy Spirit to lead each one of us every step of the way. Your holy angels have charge over us to keep us from evil and lead us in the way of salvation. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may now and always walk according to Your never-failing love. Lift me up to give You praise in thanksgiving. Amen.

“You also turn back the edge of his sword and have not made him stand in battle. You have made his splendor to cease and cast his throne to the ground.” (Psalm 89:43-44)

Those who go against the Lord will come to an inglorious end. No one stands against the Lord and thrives forever. Their gain is fleeting. Those who are in the Lord may experience the trials and travails this world brings, but nothing happens that does not bring about goodness for those who love the Lord. Come into the Lord’s presence and know the blessings He gives to those who love Him.

Lord, each day You are there to guide me. Whether I listen or not, that is another matter. Clear my ears and open my eyes to see this age simply as it is. There are those who will follow You and those who will not. I do not know who they are, but You do. Keep me to the tasks You give me that I would serve You knowing that You are working all things together for good for those who love You.

Holy Spirit, in those times where my mind is conflicted, bring Your comfort. When I am in doubt, bring me to the place where I see Your hand and remember Your provision for all the faithful. Guide me in the way of truth that I may walk the path You have before me in faith and hope, knowing that I am being conformed to the image of Jesus. Lead me this day that I may be faithful. Amen.

You Yourself crushed Rahab like one who is slain; You scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm. The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all it contains, You have founded them.” (Psalm 89:10-11)

The times and seasons are in the Lord’s hands. He holds the ages in His mind and all things will come to pass as the Lord has determined. Why do you worry about the events that happen around you? Are they not in the Lord’s hands? Why do you make your faith conditional? Will not the Lord bring to pass all the He has spoken? Come to the Lord and live in the hope of His Word.

Lord, I do fret over the circumstances of this world. I see so many things and there are so many that are conditional. Teach me to simply come to You knowing that all things are now and always have been in Your hands. Guide me in the way of faith that I would trust You above all things. Lead me, O Lord, and I will be led into the promises You have given for all throughout the ages.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your goodness and grace which You have purchased for all who believe. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for the guidance You give moment by moment. Lead me in the way I should go so that in all I do the Father may be glorified. Keep my mind and heart close to You that what happens around me is seen as only the unfolding of events that You knew would happen. Amen.

“Forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, and they are cut off from Your hand. You have put me in the lowest pit, in dark places, in the depths.” (Psalm 88:5-6)

The wicked shall go to the dust and their deeds be remembered no more. Why then pursue the way of the wicked? Who wants to remember evil? Do we not applaud the deeds of those who do good? Even history proclaims the truth of the deeds of those who do good. Be remembered by the Lord and stand in His presence, having done what is pleasing in His sight. Know the Lord and learn the good.

Lord, You call to all who will listen in every generation. There are those who hear Your voice and respond to Your call. Count me among those who hear You and teach me to walk in Your ways. Guide me according to Your goodness that I would now and forever live according to Your Word of truth which has been spoken from the beginning. Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should go.

Holy Spirit, I need Your ministry in my life. I need what You alone can do. Guide me this day according to the will of the Father to walk in the way You would have me go. Lead me according to Your goodness to see those things which are right to do and then guide my feet to do them. Help me now and always to live according to the promises You have spoken that I may be amongst those You remember. Amen.

THE SECOND PRIME OF LIFE

Devotional for December 31, 2017 based upon Luke 2: 22-40

Something I really enjoy watching or listening to is someone totally using their best gifts in the prime of their life.  Whether it is in music or sports, or the chance to hear really great preaching, or whatever, I enjoy seeing, hearing, or watching someone function when they are at their absolute best.

But then there are others who will say, “I am past my prime.  My best days are over.  The best days have all come and gone.”  I wonder if Simeon and Anna ever felt like that.

By the time we meet them, Simeon is an old man.  When he was younger, Luke tells us, “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.”  Can you imagine what that would be like?  To be told that you would not die until something really great had happened.   

And there must have been a time when Anna dreamed of a glorious life.  But Luke tells us that her husband died just “seven years after her marriage.”  Things had not turned out like she had planned.  Anna was now eighty-four years old.  You get the picture of an older widow and an older single man now spending most of their time hanging around church.  Luke tells us, Anna “never left the temple,” but worshipped there day and night.  Most people would say that their best days were over.  The best had come and gone.  They were long past their prime.

But the world defines “the prime of life” in a way that is very different from the way in which God defines it.  The world sees the prime of life as that season when we are most physically strong and mentally alert.  God sees the prime of life as the season when we are the most spiritually strong and spiritually alert.  Exactly what Simeon and Anna’s first prime of life looked like – to what extent it corresponded to the worldly version of youth, health, wealth, and influence – that we really do not know.  But we do know that these two people had clearly come into the second prime of life.

For one thing, they were truly FAITHFUL PEOPLE.  The Bible says that Simeon was “righteous and devout.”  Which does not mean that he was perfect.  But it does mean that he stayed close to God.  Luke tells us how Anna maintained her intimacy with God.  She was in the temple day and night.  She had established a daily rhythm of worship, prayer, and fasting that built up her spirit even when her body was breaking down.

Second, they were PERSEVERING PEOPLE.  For eighty years Simeon and Anna had kept trusting God.  Through tragedies like the early death of Anna’s husband, and through the long wait between God’s original promise to Simeon and its fulfillment on that first Christmas, these two people persevered in trusting God.

And third, Simeon and Anna were SPIRIT-LED PEOPLE.  Anna was a prophetess.  Which means that she was someone who expected to hear from God, and she was someone who dared to speak for God.  And the Gospel writer Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit rested on Simeon.

Which means that Simeon went places and did things as he sensed the Spirit was directing him.

It is hard to overstate just how much faithfulness, perseverance, and being responsive to the Spirit count with God.  But in this story we see that at a time when the world probably would have regarded them primarily as candidates for senior housing, God chose Simeon and Anna to do one of the most important tasks ever performed in all of human history.  They declared the true identity of Jesus.  They helped Jesus’ parents prepare for what lay ahead.  Simeon said to Mary, “A sword will pierce your soul also.”  And they passed on a blessing, which eventually was passed on to us.

So what about you?  No matter how young or how old you are today, you might be like Simeon and Anna were earlier that day – about to do the greatest and most important thing that you do in life.  Are you in your prime – your first prime?  Are you just coming into your first prime?  Are you in your second prime?  Or do you feel that you are past your prime?

Are you FAITHFUL like Simeon and Anna?  Are you practicing the spiritual disciplines of worship, prayer, and fasting?  Are you nurturing what Luke said Simeon had – a “righteous and devout” spirit?

Are you PERSEVERING like Simeon and Anna?  In spite of all your setbacks, doubts, and questions, are you still waiting for the one who is the hope of us all?  Are you helping others trust in the promises and the good plans of God?

Are you SPIRIT-LED like Simeon and Anna?  Do you have a good word from God that others need to hear?  Are you willing to go where God tells you to go?  Is God calling you, like He called Simeon and Anna, to declare the true identity of Jesus, to help others prepare for what lies ahead, and/or to pass on a word of blessing?

Whether you are just coming into your prime, in your prime, or in your second prime, never see yourself as past your prime.  Rather be like Simeon and Anna.  Faithful, persevering and following the lead of the Spirit wherever you may be in life.  

Dennis D. Nelson

President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Devotion

“For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name.  You will prolong the king’s life; His years will be as many generations.”  (Psalm 61:5-6)

We look to our God in our desires and want from Him those things we think we need.  God provides for everyone and everything.  Will you trust in the Lord’s provision and see that all things are now and always have been in His hands.  He who made you knows what You need even before you ask.  He will lead you if you will follow.  He will guide you in all of your ways.

Lord, I often do not even know what to ask for, but You are always providing.  Turn my heart to You to see all the good things You give knowing that only in You is there hope and a future.  Lead me according to Your goodness to walk humbly in Your ways, knowing that in You alone is there hope for all.  Guide me to go deeper into Your presence and Your ways now and always, knowing that You are the giver of life, faith and hope.

Lord Jesus, I need what You alone have done.  I need Your salvation and in You alone is the hope for eternity.  Guide me through the Holy Spirit to walk humbly with You wherever You lead, doing what You give me to do.  Lead me, O Lord, that I would act according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

Saturday, December 9, 2017 Devotion

“Moab is My washbowl; over Edom I shall throw My shoe; shout loud, O Philistia, because of Me!”  Who will bring me into the besieged city?  Who will lead me to Edom?”  (Psalm 60:8-9)

Who is able to counsel the Lord?  Who can speak to Him words He does not already know?  What secrets are there that are hidden?  The Lord knows the days of us all and has planned for all that shall come about.  Do not worry about what tomorrow will bring, but come into the counsel of the Lord and walk in His ways.  Learn from the One who made all things and grow in wisdom.

Lord, Creator and Sustainer of all things, You know, yet You allow for the wicked ones to rail against You.  Help me, O Lord, to see through the darkness of this world and be as one who is Yours.  You have come to lead me through the ups and downs of this world and to walk humbly with You my Maker.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may have Your praise upon my lips all the day long.

Lord Jesus, You have called as many as believe to walk with You now and always.  Lead me, O Lord, to humbly submit and learn to listen as the Holy Spirit speaks.  Guide me in the eternal ways already established and form them in me.  Master, walk with me this day, leading me into the eternal wisdom You have brought for those who turn to You. Teach me Your ways.  Amen.

“The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.  And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth!”  (Psalm 58:10-11)

In a world filled with wickedness, it is hard to distinguish where justice lies.  The Lord knows, but we do not see His hand of justice at work.  The Lord is patient, but we, in our limited lifetimes want revenge now.  The Lord will judge and He will judge righteously.  Just trust in the Lord in all of His ways and know that He will lead all who turn to Him into the ways of righteousness.

Lord, I am easily led in so many directions by all of the wickedness in this world.  Guide the thoughts of my mind and the attitude of my heart that I would hold fast to the truth You have revealed.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should go and then help me walk in this way.  Grant that I would see Your hand upon this world and know that You are working all things together for good to those who love You.

Lord Jesus, in great love You have come to lead as many as would follow You in the way of truth.  The world is already judged and You have come for those who will come through You into light and life.  Guide my heart this day, O Lord, that I would look to You and Your ways and follow in them as You direct and lead.  By Your Holy Spirit, lead me this day.  Amen.

“In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”  (Psalm 56:10-11)

What can anyone do to you in the face of Almighty God who holds all things in His hand.  Yes, there are storms in this world, but learn from Jesus to be calm in the midst of every storm.  Though they kill you, yet will you live.  Trouble is for a time, but being in the truth of the Lord is forever.  Do not be swayed by temporary things, but live in the eternal truth of the Lord.

Lord, You know the times and seasons.  You know all that is needed.  Guide me according to Your never-changing Word to abide in You and You in me that I would walk humbly in all of Your ways.  Help me now and always to seek Your will in all things and know that You alone are to be thanked, praised and worshiped.  Guide me now and always in Your Holy Spirit.

Lord and Savior of all, You have come to lead the way for as many as would follow You.  Help me now and always to seek the Father’s will and walk humbly where You lead.  You have made clear the way I should go and You have given the direction – to hold Your hand – so I need not worry about what any day will bring.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may follow where You lead.  Amen.

WE ALL HAVE TO GET OUR OWN OIL

Devotional for November 12, 2017 based upon Matthew 25: 1-13

At one point all ten had brightly burning lamps. All ten had oil. But five ran out of oil. So five were not ready when the bridegroom came.

All ten had lights. Which probably were not some kind of small clay vessel with a little wick sticking out. Small clay vessels do not use much oil, but they also would not have been able to put out much light for a wedding party. They probably were torches – long poles with rags soaked in olive oil tied at the top. That kind of a torch produces a lot of light, but it also consumes a lot of oil, so the rags would have to be re-soaked in oil every certain number of minutes.

The oil that enables us to live our Christian lives is abundant. We can all be filled with the Holy Spirit every day. There is no energy shortage in heaven. And the oil is free. It has already all been paid for. But still, if we want our lives to keep on shining, we must receive a daily in-filling of God’s Holy Spirit. And so, in verse 4, “The wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” The wise had reserve oil. The wise enjoyed a deep, personal experience of the grace of Jesus. The wise had a deeper prayer life – a deeper Bible study life. The wise had a depth to their faith – a depth in their relationship with Jesus – that the five foolish bridesmaids did not have.

Verse 5 tells us, “As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.” All ten had thought that the bridegroom would have been there a lot sooner. But he wasn’t there. So they became drowsy and slept. Preparing for a wedding can wear you out. There’s a lot that goes into getting ready for a wedding. Not just the bride – and the bride’s mother – but also the bridesmaids spend hours and hours getting ready for the wedding. No wonder brides and bridesmaids get all stressed out and tired out. Even the five wise bridesmaids were so tired that they fell asleep because of the delay.

Spiritually are you asleep? Are you asleep even though you know that the King of kings is coming? True, there has been a delay. Jesus the Bridegroom has not come yet. And yet the longer the delay, the closer we are to the time of His coming.

Verse 6 tells us, “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out and meet him!’” When did the bridegroom come? At midnight. Jesus will return at the darkest time of the night. Jesus will come to you in your darkest hour. Sometimes I wonder how much darker it could get than it is right now. The bridegroom will come at midnight. In our hour of deepest need – at a time of greatest spiritual darkness – Jesus Christ will come.

Verse 7 – “Then all the bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps.” All ten bridesmaids needed to refill their lamps with oil. But only the wise had brought along spare reserves of oil. What is that extra oil? It is an extra measure of God’s presence and grace in your life. It is the depth and strength of faith that you need to live in those toughest of times.

Christian parents and grandparents may wish that they could just give their faith to their children and grandchildren. And many Christian people wish that they could transfer their Christian faith to their non-believing husband or wife. But each person must go to the source for himself or herself. The Christian faith can neither be transferred nor sold. Each must get the saving oil straight from the source.

No one can be a Christian for you. Your parent or grandparent can’t. Your spouse can’t. Your best friend can’t. And even your pastor can’t. We all have to get our own oil.

In the same way, if you wait until you really need it to get that saving and strengthening relationship with Jesus – if you wait until midnight, you may have waited too long. The Bible says, Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day to restock on oil. Today is the day to make your life right with Jesus. If you wait until midnight, you may have waited too long.

What about you? Is your lamp getting dimmer? Is your light beginning to flicker? Is your walk with Jesus lacking or even non-existent? Are you spiritually asleep? Don’t wait too long.

In verse 13 Jesus concludes this parable by saying, “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” I want to be there and ready. And I want you to be there and ready too. I want all of us to be seated at that table that will spread for miles in God’s great heavenly banquet room. Jesus, our Bridegroom and Host, will be there to welcome us. So what should we do? Before your lamp begins to go out – on a regular basis – stop and get a fresh supply. Daily repent of your sins and receive God’s grace. Daily renew your relationship with Jesus. And always remember – we all have to get our own oil.

Dennis D. Nelson

President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE