Listen, Understand, and Respond

My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.  Matthew 26:38

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked his disciples for support and comfort. Unfortunately, they did not understand and went to sleep. When they awoke, Judas had arrived, and it was too late.

Many times in our life, our family and friends ask for our support and understanding. We should always be careful to hear those requests, and act upon them when possible. Pleas for help and understanding are not always 100 percent clear, and it may take some reading between the lines to hear and understand what our friends or loved ones are trying to tell us. In short, we need to listen, understand and attempt to help before it is too late. 

Prayer: Lord, help us be responsive to the needs of those around us.  Amen. 

Andrew Loudon (reprinted from Daily Devotional Book, November 2008)

Loving Others by Listening

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Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:7-21

"I care for you. I respect your uniqueness. How you feel and what you say matters to me. And in order to make this clear, I'm willing to set aside my own concerns, give you space to share yourself and offer you my focused attention. I want to try to understand the inexhaustible mystery of your inner world."

This is the way that the author of our current Wednesday morning bible study suggests viewing listening in order to remind ourselves to be present and truly listen to others.

In our most recent chapter, titled "Loving Those Closest to Us", Trevor Hudson says that there are three things we can do to be loving Christ-followers:

Confession

Listening

Conscious loving actions (compassion)

Focusing on "Listening" for this devotion, the things that stood out to me in the chapter include being aware that listening is one of the "most precious gifts we can give to someone we love". Also, that "consciously making the effort to listen well involves three basic ground rules: respectful silence, total attention, and appropriate response". 

Make an "appointment" with a loved one in your life, and practice listening!

Donna Gustafson

Every Good and Perfect Gift

 

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. James 1:1-18

Words from Ephesians

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Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:2-5; 14-16

Words from the book of Mark

 

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:35-38

Walk with Thee

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” Psalm 86:11a 

The traditional gospel song, “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” is one of my favorite hymns.  When I researched its origin, I was surprised to learn that the author of the words is unknown and the music is anonymous.  Circumstantial evidence suggests it dates back to southern African-American churches of the 19th century.  It became better known nationally in the 1930s when African-American churches held huge musical conventions.  

Recordings of  “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” began in the early 1940s.  Well-known artists who recorded it include Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Elvis, Johnny Cash and Randy Travis. 

In 1997 when I was selected as Nebraska Mother of the Year, I planned an ecumenical worship service.  Music shared included our two daughters and spouses singing as a quartet, “Just a Closer Walk With Thee.”  They began singing the first verse, in a slow tempo: 

“I am weak, but Thou art strong;

Jesus, keep me from all wrong;

I’ll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.”

 

As the refrain began, the tempo accelerated:

 

“Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.”

 

An African-American chorus, scheduled later as part of the service, joined in. What a memorable moment! The blending of joyous voices reminded us that we can all walk together close to Thee.

 

Prayer: O Lord, teach me your way, that I may walk in your truth. Amen.
 
Lois Poppe (reprinted from November 2017, in memory of Lois)

Come Close to God

 

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.  Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.  There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:1-15

Words from the book of James

 

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. James 2:8

Peace

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” -  Isaiah 26:3

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” - John 14:27

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." - James 3:17

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." - 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” -  Philippians 4:6-7

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52:7

"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” - Numbers 6:24-26

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." - Hebrews 12:14

 

Thy love has broken every barrier down

"....and the one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out..."-John 6:37

Just As I Am, Thy love unknown

has broken every barrier down... 

One of my favorite sermons Pastor Melodie preached was during my first few weeks my family and I came to Eastridge. She preached earnestly about falling in love with Jesus again and caring most about "the least of these" meaning the children in our church family and community. 

I was reminded of this last night when we joyously had a choir rehearsal that Brian put together. Each person who came in the room, new or old choir friends, children of choir members, people who had sung in choir many years or those who it was their first time, each person was greeted by Brian and by other choir friends. The smiles on their faces as we sang hymns filled my heart with such joy.  When we got to the verse of Just As I Am about love breaking down every barrier and then sang Jesus Loves Me, I couldn't but help feel tears in my eyes. After the choir rehearsal, my kids ran down the hall and were greeted so enthusiastically by choir members. I was reminded once again of the amazing way a church choir lives out the gospel of Jesus Christ! Breaking down those barriers in love, from a hug, or a smile, or helping someone learn their notes. A church choir is such an amazing thing! People from the congregation gathering to prepare for worship!

Brian always lets us know about something happening on Sunday. What the sermon is about, or if there is a baptism, or helps us think about the text of a hymn or anthem. What a blessing it is to prepare our hearts for what God has laid on the hearts of Pastor Melodie or Pastor Thomas to share. What a blessing it is to enter that sanctuary on Sunday to hear the Word, to celebrate the sacraments, and to see a group of our congregation at the front helping, not only to lead us in worship, but remind us that ALL are welcome. To remind us that God, who is LOVE, has broken every barrier down! 

Thanks be to God.

Brent Shaw

 

Words from Psalms

 

Devote Yourselves to Prayer

 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4: 2-6

The Armor of God

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6: 10-20

Sheltered by God

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,   my God, in whom I trust.”  He will cover you with his feathers,    and under his wings you will find refuge;  You will only observe with your eyes    and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”    and you make the Most High your dwelling,  no harm will overtake you,    no disaster will come near your tent. Psalm 91: 1-2, 4, 8-9, 10 

The sermon by Pastor Melodie on Sunday seemed to say the truth about God in my life. I have seen wicked fall and found His shelter. Through the most difficult times in my life He has been there for me. He has provided lessons in many ways and protected me through difficulties. 

We took a 2600- mile car trip to see our kids in Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Colorado and Wyoming. We prayed for safety and gave our trust to him before we left. Even when the stabilitrak in our transmission caused the car to stop as we crossed from Colorado to Wyoming on the highway, we felt God’s presence. The cars just went around us and as I pushed the gas pedal there was enough forward power to get us to a gas station. We checked the automobile book and called our dealer. Just turning off the car solved the problem until we could get home and have the transmission fixed. 

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for protecting and sheltering us throughout our long lives. We will continually put our trust in You. Amen. 

Sandra Hilsabeck

Small Acts of Kindness

“And the King will answer, I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40

I was reading my copy of the newly arrived July/August, 2021 “Midwest Living”. In it is a story about Ferial Pearson, an Omaha high school teacher. When the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School happened in 2012, Ferial was afraid for her own children, her students and colleagues, and herself. She talked with her own children, and they shared bullying that they had received at school. She began to wonder if the shooter had been shown some kindness, would it have changed what happened.

She began to discuss this with a group of her students enrolled in a special program designed to help them overcome personal obstacles. She asked,  “what would happen if we started secretly delivering small acts of kindness to other students?  Could it change someone’s life?” The students got behind the idea and began to implement small acts of kindness. They found it became addictive, from picking up trash to sitting with someone alone at the lunch table. Since then, Ferial has written a book, Secret Kindness Agents: How Small Acts of Kindness Really Can Change the World, also available in a teacher's addition. 

Having listened to the sermons on kindness during June, I was really struck by this story. How many people do we meet in our daily lives that we can show that small act of kindness to make their day a bit brighter?  We can wear our bracelets – Won’t you choose kindness? – to help us remember.  It’s usually easy to be kind to a good friend, but much harder to step outside our comfort zone to offer kindness to someone we don’t know. Let’s continue our emphasis on kindness throughout this year. Who knows what can happen?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to never forget those that need a kind word, a helping hand up, or just a smile to encourage or change a life, even for a short time. Help us to be your sheep, not your goats. Amen. 

Carolyn Brandle

The Serenity Prayer

Be still and know that I am God, Psalm 46:10

                                         Serenity Prayer

   God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

   Courage to change the things I can;

   and Wisdom to know the difference.

   Living one day at a time;

   Enjoying one moment at a time;

   Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

   Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

   Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;

   that I may be reasonably Happy in this life and supremely happy with

   Him Forever in the next. Amen

I found this prayer on a bookmark and it made me think and relate the words to me in my life. This prayer was written by Reinhold Niebuhr about 1934. He used it in his sermons. It was adopted and popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous and other groups. The prayer has appeared in many versions through the years. Serenity means calm and cheerful. The prayer asks God to grant us Serenity-calmness in dealing with different aspects of our life. Read through the prayer many times and relate it to yourself.  Read it other times and come back and read it again.  It has a way of sticking with me and facing life with God. I hope you come back to it many times.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Help us with Serenity, Courage, Wisdom, Living, Enjoying, Accepting, Taking, Trusting, Happy, and Forever.  Amen.

 

Susan Taylor (reprinted from 2017)

Happy Independence Day!

 

Sorrow in America

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelations 21:4

How many times in the last few months have you asked yourself "will this violence and pain for America ever stop?" When is the next tragedy and will it be in my hometown or to someone I love? Unfortunately emotional and spiritual pain is very prevalent in our society. During these times we see no hope in sight for our country and ourselves. But we are promised that our suffering will end, that all tears will be wiped away and there will be no more death. 

During these times of tragedy we can only rely on God and his word for strength. One thing that has always helped me is that I have Bible verses memorized and I will chant them over and over in my head when I am in desperate need of inner strength. His message is embedded within my heart when I have no other words. God is our hope, continue to pray! 

Have a courageous day!

Becky Rankin (reprinted from 2017)

Love Your Neighbor

When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19: 33-34  

Immigration laws are a hot political topic. Should citizens of other countries who enter the United States illegally be entitled to public benefits such as health care and food stamps? Should there be a path to citizenship for undocumented workers? Should certain immigrant students be allowed to have driver’s licenses, and should they be charged in-state college tuition rates? What should be done about the thousands of unaccompanied children arriving from Central American countries? 

As Christians, in struggling to answer these complicated questions, we must certainly consider God’s law as it was imparted to the Jewish people through Moses long ago.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of living in a safe and secure environment with access to food and shelter and health care. We know that we have brothers and sisters for whom these basic needs are not easily met. We ask that You guide us in making fair and just decisions that will improve the quality of their lives and bring Your Kingdom nearer for all of us.  Amen.

Judith Keller  (reprinted from September 2014)