“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.”  (Psalm 68:19-20)

We think it is our work that does all that is needed.  The farmer plants the seed, but God causes it to grow.  Look beyond and see that the Lord causes all things to thrive, grow and live.  It is the Lord who daily carries the burden; and we are given the opportunity to praise Him.  God offers deliverance to all who come to Him that they may live, prosper and have their being.  Come to the Lord.

Lord, I am busy with what I do, and think that I am the one who builds, creates and does these things.  Remove far from me the thinking that depends upon myself that I would look to You who carries the burden that we all may live.  You are the God who causes all things to be and creates the possibility for life and all prosperity.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way into the true life which You have created.  Guide me in the way of life that is eternal and help me walk in Your ways.  Keep me from the arrogance of self-sufficiency that I may know that it is You who causes all things to work the way they do, knowing that all things will work together for good for those who love You.  Lead me today, O Lord.  Amen.

“The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host: “Kings of armies flee, they flee, and she who remains at home will divide the spoil!”  (Psalm 68:11-12)

The Lord is in control.  The Lord will not be thwarted.  For a time, the enemies of the Lord may seem to prevail, but their days are numbered.  The Lord creates all days, they are His and He will bless whom He will bless.  The one who remains in the House of the Lord will be forever blessed.  Come then into the Lord’s protection and rest in the One who is Lord and King.

Lord, this world is in constant turmoil.  I see so many things and hear so many more about this and that.  The world tries to convince me that You have no power.  For a time they seem to prevail, but I know their day is coming with wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Help me, O Lord, to remain in Your house and hold true to what You have taught me.  Guide me, Lord, in the way I should go today and every day.

Lord Jesus, you are the King who has come and conquered death.  I am the woman who divides the spoil.  Your enemies flee before You.  In this world I do not see this as Your enemies rail all around.  Bring my eyes to see and my ears to hear the simple truth that You are King of kings and that all things are in Your hands, including me.  Lead me today, O Lord, to follow where You lead.  Amen.

“O God, when You went forth before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness.  The earth quaked; the heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.”  (Psalm 68:7-8)

As it was then it still is now.  The Lord goes before His people.  The Lord provides what is needed.  As it was then it is still now.  There are times of adversity and times when things are not going as we would like.  The Lord still goes before us, for all that is needed is provided.  Walk then in the way of the Lord and be content, for the Lord your God goes before you.

Lord, I have bought into the soft soap about things going well if You love me.  Lead me to the place where I know, at all times and in all places, You are there with me, in front of me and preparing the way before me.  Guide me in the way of goodness that I would now and always abide in the way You have set before me knowing that all You do ends to the good.

Lord Jesus, You had the way prepared before You prepared the way before me.  Guide me in the goodness and grace You provide that I would walk according to the way You have established.  Lead me in the righteousness You give that in You, and only in You, would I walk this day and every day.  You are the Lord of my salvation and the only One that knows what is needed.  Amen.

“The body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” (1 Corinthians 6:13)

Perhaps you have heard the first part (“not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord”), but how frequently have you heard the second part (“the Lord for the body”)?  Your body, that two-legged thing that you are, with all its wobbly bits—the Lord is for it.  He is intended for it, you might say.

It’s the promise that the Church may not make frequently enough.  God sent our Lord Jesus for a specific purpose: to become flesh (John 1:14), that He might bring about “the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23). These bodies, headed towards the grave—God wants them.  He wants you, flesh and bone, both for your sake and for His glory, that His creation might experience the joy for which He created, namely, His Son.

Thus He sent His Son to cancel the power of sin, death, and the devil and to reveal God’s redemption in His own flesh.  This flesh He now bestows on the Church, His new creation, by joining believers to Himself in the Spirit and promising them a share in His resurrection (what else is Holy Communion?).  Your body (you!) has a Lord, a groom and a guardian, and therefore, it has a future (a happy one!).  And so, as St. Paul writes, glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:20).

LET US PRAY:  O God, who created our father, Adam, from the dust of the earth, and fashioned our mother, Eve, from his side: we praise You for Your new Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, sent into our flesh that our flesh might rise in His Spirit.  Grant us grace to glorify You in our bodies, living for You, even as You live for us; through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau     

“He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot; there let us rejoice in Him!  He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; let not the rebellious exalt themselves.”  (Psalm 66:6-7)

There are those who are unwilling to believe these simple things.  God led the Israelites out of bondage and into the promised  land.  God can dry up the water.  God keeps His eyes upon the nations.  The rebellious will speak what they wish but God has spoken what is true.  You and I are called to witness what has been reported.  What is true?  Let not the rebellious be exalted.

O Lord, how majestic are the works of Your hands.  All around is the evidence of Your handiwork, but the rebellious rail against You and dream up their own ideas of reality.  Lead me away from the rebellion and into the simple truth which I see all around me.  Guide me according to Your precepts that I would walk in the ways You have established.  Lead me, O Lord, now and always.

Lord Jesus You are the strength of those who labor in the fields of this earth.  Many toil away and believe and the few argue away and lead astray many.  Help me to stand firm in the truth I have witnessed that the rebellious ones would have no sway over me.  Lead me to hold fast to the eternal truth You have revealed and the faith You have given me by grace that I may walk with You.  Amen.

Sunday, December 31, 2017 Devotion

There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, O God, And to You the vow will be performed.  O You who hear prayer, To You all men come. Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You forgive them.”  (Psalm 65:1-2)

The Lord knows everything you think.  The Lord knows everything you pray.  Why then do you and I turn to things that do not hear and do not know?  Turn to the One who knows all the days of your life and the plans He has for you.  Be guided by the will of the One who desires that you be with Him now and forever.  Be led by the Spirit of the One who loves you more than you can imagine.

Lord you forgive, and we all need forgiveness.  Lead me past my iniquities that I would see them as You do and flee from them.  Help my heart and mind to be guided by the goodness of Your presence and purpose that I would forever hold fast to the truth You have revealed once for all through Your Word.  Help me through the obstacles that get in the way that I would serve You with a clean and pure heart now and always.  Lead me in Your ways, O Lord.

Lord Jesus, Word of God, speak to me that I may hear the truth of Your Word in my heart and live according to Your never-changing principles.  Let not my iniquities prevail, but live into the righteousness You give through faith.  Guide my heart to be honest before You and others that I may praise You at all times, in all places and through all things that come upon me.  Amen.

Saturday, December 23, 2017 Devotion

“My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.   When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.”  (Psalm 63:5-7)

How much time do you spend with the Lord?  The Psalm reminds us to think on the Lord day and night, when we are waking and ready to sleep.  The Lord is a constant companion, ready and willing to walk with us at all times.  Be in relationship with the Lord, for this is the call of salvation and the hope of all who believe.  Know that the Lord is good and there and waiting.

Lord, I say with my lips one thing and then get busy with another.  Help me, I pray, to see in You the hope of glory that shines throughout the ages.  Guide me according to Your purposes that I would meditate upon You day and night and know the goodness You impart to those who walk with You.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may walk with You throughout the day and all the days of my life.

Jesus, You have come to model the godly life.  You told us to pray without ceasing.  Help me learn from You how to do this that I may truly walk with You all the day long.  Guide the thoughts of my mind, the meditation of my heart and the path I take throughout the day.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may follow You, my Lord and my Savior.  Lead my mouth to be full of Your praise all the day long.  Amen.

Friday, December 22, 2017 Devotion

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You.  So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”  (Psalm 63:3-4)

Do you live for yourself or have you learned that your life belongs to the Lord?  Yes, you want to live, but true life is only in the Lord and His promise that you will live forever.  Though you die, yet shall you live.  To bless the Lord is to live in Him.  Otherwise, it is contention.  Bless the Lord and be blessed by living in His lovingkindness, knowing that in Him is life and liberty.

Lord, I struggle for meaning in life, but here it is right before me.  Living in You is life.  Yet I continue the struggle.  Help me I pray to overcome the obstacles in my life that get in the way of the simplicity of love and faith to which You have called me.  Guide me in Your purpose that I may abide in You now and always.  Lead me to be a blessing to others as You are to me.

Lord Jesus, You who has removed all the obstacles that get in the way of our eternal relationship, lead me ever deeper into the truth You have revealed for us all.  Guide me according to Your purpose that I may live in Your will now and forever.  Help me learn to do what is pleasing to the Father that I may truly be a blessing.  Teach me to listen, learn and do what is right always.  Amen.

“Rejoice always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

“Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!”  We sang that hymn next to a grave yesterday, a bitterly cold wind beating on our backs.  Our sister in the faith had died suddenly, grieving us all, but still we called out the truth: Jesus is on His way, and so, even in grief, we rejoice in Him.  

That’s what St. Paul intends by this command.  He’s not calling for Pollyanna thinking, a way to shield ourselves from feeling the pains of our losses.  No, but having just set forth the promise of Christ’s return, he’s telling the believers in Thessaly to confess that gospel in every situation, happy or sad.  Feel the pain, and then meet it with the promise.

So what do you face today?  What sharp winds of challenge, blessing, disappointment, or fear will pound on your heart?  Approach every situation in this conviction: you are one for whom Christ Jesus came to Bethlehem; with you He still abides; and He is on His way to give you a full share in His victory.  What happens today passes away tomorrow, but rejoice!  Emmanuel, God-with-us, God-with-you, is forever.

LET US PRAY: O Lord, as I, with Your Church, prepare to celebrate the birth of Your Son, grant me Your Holy Spirit, that I may see in His first advent the brilliance of His final appearing in glory; and by the promise of that glory, strengthen me to rest and live in hope each day; through Christ my Lord.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau  

© 2017

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.