St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Written by Christine Eid

As the warmer temperatures start this week, with sunshine and melting snow, I begin to feel the urges of spring.  I know it is a long way off, but I begin to think about my gardens for the spring and summer, and what needs to be done in preparation.  I love gardening and working with all the plants and seeing the fruit from the different plants. 

Today’s reading is John 11:47-16:33.  In John 15:1-17, Jesus talkes about the vine and the branches and bearing fruit.  As I read these verses again, I am struck with the first two verses, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

When I first read these words, I think that it’s a bit harsh.  Cutting off the branches that bear no fruit!  How can God do this?  Yet, isn’t that what we do in gradening?  If something isn’t bearing fruit, whether flowers or literal fruit, do we keep them in our gardens?  No.  We pull them up, or cut them off, to allow room for those plants that are producing fruit to have more room.

And pruning, ouch!  I don’t want to be pruned!  But again, isn’t that what we do to plants?  In the spring, I prune bushes and trees, so that they grow fuller and stronger.

If Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches, God, the Father who is the gardener, does these same things to us.  We are to bear fruit, yet to do so, sometimes we need to be pruned.  Pruning may come in different ways and at different times.  Anything that happens in our lives to help us grow in faith is pruning.  It may be joyful experiences, but often it may be a difficult time.

And what is the fruit that we are to bear?  Starting with John 15:9, we see that the fruit is LOVE.  As we grow in our faith in our Lord through the pruning in our lives, we learn how to love God more.  And in loving God, we also learn to love and serve those around us.  That is the fruit that we bear.

What Biblical truths does God show us in these verses?

As difficult as it might be, God ‘prunes’ His followers so that they might bear more fruit, loving those around them.

Since God tells us in the book of James to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers, how can I apply these Biblical truths to my life?

In joyful experiences, it is easy to see God’s presence, but during difficult times, it is easy to reflect on the negative impact of those experiences.  In all circumstances, I will look to see how these times are ways that God is helping me grow so that I may share His love in new ways.

April 15, 2007 at Murzyn Hall

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Todays readings are John 8:1-11:46

Mud. I am seeing a lot of that. With the snow melting so quickly over the past few days, there is a lot of mud. It is in places it is not supposed to be–like my kitchen floor. It has never occurred to me to try to find a use for that mud. I just want to get rid of it.

That brings us to the section of the readings I want to comment on today, John 9:1-7, particularly verse 6:

“Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.”

Jesus used mud to make a blind man see. I don’t know why Jesus used mud this time instead of a touch or just His word, but He did. He spit on the ground, made some mud, put it on the blind man’s eyes, told him to go wash it off in the pool of Siloam, and the blind man was blind no more. Maybe it was because the blind man couldn’t see what Jesus was doing, so Jesus let him hear and feel what He was doing.

Whatever Jesus’ reason for doing it, I find a spiritual truth here. Jesus uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary. He uses ordinary mud to heal blindness. Other times we will see Him use ordinary people to do extraordinary things–like carry His life-giving message to the ends of the earth. Know this, people of God. The One who uses mud to do His will can use us also!

What Biblical truths does God show me in these verses?
Jesus uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.

Because God tells us in the book of James to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers, how can I apply these Biblical truths to my life?
Today, I will actively look and listen for ways in which God can use me to do extraordinary things.

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Hi all. This is actually Saturday’s post… Somehow, in posting this weekend, my devotion disappeared – so I’ve reposted it today.

Today’s reading is from John 5:1-7:52. In today’s reading, I noticed a series of stories where people had certain expectations of Jesus and Jesus went over and above those expectations to provide for the people he loves.

Our reading for today begins with the story of a man being healed – and in a way he would have never expected. At the time this story took place, the pool of Bethseda was a place that legend said if you were in need of healing, you could climb into the pool when the water was stirred and be healed. John 5:7 reads “‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’” This verse gives us a glimpse of what the man was expecting. Jesus does heal the man – but without the water – Jesus did it with simple words – “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

Later in our reading, we come across the familiar story of the 5000 men being fed with only 2 loaves of bread and 5 fish (likely there were women and children there too – making the miracle even bigger than our usual thoughts). Here, Jesus exceeded the expectations of even the disciples by providing food for a very large crowd when it appeared there was none.

Still later, the disciples wanted a miraculous sign so they could “see it and believe.” They referenced God providing manna from heaven to feed the people of the Old Testament. Jesus replies not by doing another miracle, but by teaching them about himself. He points out that although, he CAN and does provide bread to eat, that really what is important is the bread of life – bread that can feed faith and the soul, sustaining them until we are taken to heaven to live with God. When asked about providing food to help thier hunger, Jesus provided food that could help them with eternal life. He again exceeded thier expectations. We see in John 6:53-58, that Jesus has done the same for us – by providing us with his body and blood in our celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

While there are many other significant points in today’s readings, I continue to be struck by how completely and perfectly God provides for his people – and in most cases, completely exceeds thier (and our) expectations.

What Biblical truths does God show me in these verses?

That God does provide what his people need – especially evident in His death and resurrection. God provided a payment for the things we do wrong – our sin – so that we can live with him forever.

Since God tells us in the book of James to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers, how can I apply these Biblical truths to my life?

By recognizing that God has provided for our greatest need so we can trust him to provide for all our needs. May God provide the faith, by His Spirit, to make this trust real in our lives!

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Posted by Susie Jones

Today’s reading is John 1:1-4:54

The Gospel of John is unlike any of the other gospels as he talks about things that are completely different from Matthew, Mark and Luke. We learn in Chapter 1 some deep truths about the Word. We learn that the word (commonly referred to as the Bible) was in existence from the beginning of time. We learn that this Word was God and was always with God, as we see in Genesis 1:26 “Let us make humans in our image and in our likeness.” We see that not one thing was made without the Word. Then we are told that God’s Word became human and lived among us. God’s Word is Jesus and Jesus is the final authority on the Word. No wonder they call it the “Living Word”.

In Chapter 2 we read about Jesus’ first miracle. It correlates with an Old Testament story. We see that Moses’ first miracle was turning water into blood (exodus 7:20) and the beginning of Christ’s miracles was turning water into wine; which reminds us of the difference between the law of Moses and the gospel of Christ. The law was given to show we couldn’t keep it thus the need for Christ – only through him is it fulfilled. He becomes the law and is able to keep it for us through His death and resurrection.

Chapter 3 is all-important as well. Nicodemus asks the burning question of how one becomes saved. Jesus explains our carnal birth is shaped in sin, therefore we must, be made new through another birth. This birth is spiritual. It involves one leaving behind their former ways and beginning to search out Christ. Christ is received by faith alone and through the power of the Holy Spirit one can be transformed or “born again.” He that believes on Christ shall not perish and is not condemned. A renewed heart bids sin farewell, welcomes the light of the Word and through this we change the way we think and act and start believing the good news of the gospel.

Chapter 4 is AWESOME! Here we are introduced to God’s willingness to heal. The Bible is chalked full of these stores but in this one lies the true reality of healing. The official in the story first heard what Jesus had done (he heard the good news of the gospel) then he sought after Jesus (went before Him and asked Him) to heal his son. The official then believed (had faith) what Jesus told Him (he believed his words). On the way home he is met by his servants and told the boy is alive. When he asks at what time it happened he realizes it was the same time that Jesus had told him “your son will live”. That’s how healing happens, it happens at the exact moment you ask – you just may not see it in the physical realm right away as was the case with the official, the healing came immediately he just had not seen it yet.

So how does healing come according to the Word?
First we hear the Word
Then we ask to be healed
Then we believe it is already done and go on our way.
We continue to have faith whether we can see it right away or not.

What Biblical truths does God show us in these verses?
We see that God’s word is so important and so powerful that it was given life in the person of Christ. We also see there is only one-way to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ His Son. Finally, healing is so important it was the second miracle Jesus performed. He would eventually heal all who had diseases or sicknesses that He came in contact with.

How can I apply these Biblical truths to my life?
We can realize that the only hindrance to knowledge, mercy, healing and salvation is the weakness of our own faith. We can press into the good news of the gospel and have it become a part of our very being by studying God’s Word daily (the Bible) and spending time talking with him. We can plead our case before him, ask him and believe his Word is true and that we will have life, health, healing and salvation at the exact moment our faith is exercised.

Todays readings bring us to Luke 20:41-24:53, and for the third time in two weeks, we are witnessing the passion of Christ. Someone mentioned to me last night how interesting it was to read the Gospel accounts back to back like this. I agree.

My thoughts today center on something that only Luke mentions. It is found in Luke 23:8-9.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.

Herod wanted to see Jesus because he hoped to see Him perform some miracle. Herod wanted to be entertained. Herod wanted his own personal David Copperfield or Harry Houdini for the evening.

Herod had the Lord of all Glory standing in front of him and all he wanted was a show. That is quite a price to pay for entertainment.

And it makes me think of the role of entertainment our lives. Entertainment is a good thing. It is a blessing from God. But like all of God’s blessings it has the potential in our hands to be misused and become a curse instead of a blessing. Entertainment stops being entertaining when we put our need for entertainment above our need for Jesus. That is what Herod did.

And that is what we do when we choose entertainment over time that needs to be spent in worship, or entertainment over time that needs to be spent in the Word, or entertainment over time that needs to be spent in service, or entertainment over time that needs to be spent with our family.

And we make those choices. We make them often. We make entertainment a god. That causes a problem. It means me needs something more than entertainment. We need forgiveness.

So the Jesus whose arms hung limp before Herod when Herod wanted a miracle puts those arms into action for us. He stretches those arms out on a cross and dies to assure forgiveness for us. And that Jesus who stood silent before Herod is not silent for us. He comes to us continually through His Word to enrich our lives and make them abundant.

What Biblical truths does God show me in these verses?
Jesus wants us to have full and abundant lives. He wants to be the source of that fullness and abundance. When something else, like entertainment, becomes what we turn to for abundant and full lives, we fall short of what God wants.

Since God tells us in the book of James to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers, how can I apply these Biblical truths to my life?
Today I will rejoice in the miracles that God has already performed so that I can have an abundant life, particularly the miracle of forgiveness.

Day 13 brings us to Luke 15:1-20:40. 

I spent most of my time today in the first chapter of our readings, specifically the familiar story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32.

Two main truths stuck out for me. The first is that there is a progression to sin. We see it in the son. He moves from rebellion to defilement to bondage. He rebels against his father and asks for his share of the inheritance (essentially saying to his father, “I wish you were dead.”). That leads to the defilement of wild living and squandering all that he had. He then finds himself in bondage, working in the pig yard and wanting to eat pig slop.

This is the way of sin. We begin by rebeling against God and doing something He does not want. By doing so we defile ourselves and eventually wind up in bondage to our sin, eating some form of pig slop somewhere. That is the first thing I see in this reading.

The second is much more encouraging. It picks up where the pig slop leaves off–that is the progression of grace. Grace moves from repentance to forgiveness to acceptance to celebration.

The son recognizes that he has sinned not only against his father, but also against God. This drives him home to His father to repent. His father, with his heart full of forgiveness, runs to meet his son and give him that forgiveness. Notice a couple of things here. The son plans to return and be a slave, not a son, to his father. He figures that is the best he deserves. His father doesn’t want to treat him as he deserves. He wants to treat him as a son. So he not only forgives him; he accepts him back as a son and restores to him the full rights of sonship. Then to heap grace upon grace, he throws a party in honor of his son (but the real thing worth celebrating here is the father’s grace).

The is the way of grace. We are led to repent. The Father isn’t satisfied to wait for us to return but runs (runs all the way to the Cross even) to meet us with His grace. Then He not only forgives, He accepts us as full sons and daughters (every bit as much His children as the One who went to the Cross), then to heap grace upon grace, He throws a celebration.

Before, I close one note about the word “prodigal.” “Prodigal” is often misused to mean one who runs away or one who runs away and returns. Actually, it means “one who spends lavishly, foolishly or recklessly.” The Prodigal Son is considered “prodigal” because of the reckless way in which he spends his inheritance. But the word could also be applied to the father, who was reckless and lavish with his love and forgiveness. And it could also apply to our Heavenly Father who so recklessly and lavishly loves and forgives us.

Normally at this point, we ask two questions. The first is “what Biblical truths does God show me in these verses?” I have answered that one above. The second question asks us what we are going to do with these Biblical truths and so be doers and not just hearers of the Word. Today I want to step back from that and for a day, just be a hearer. It is important that we (we who rebel, defile ourselves and wind up in bondage) hear it again and again. Hear this: We have a loving Father, who because of the perfect life and innocent death of His Child, forgives us, welcomes and accepts us as full children, and celebrates that relationship with an eternal feast.

Hello and Welcome to Day 12! Our Readings today are Luke 9:46-14:35

My favorite part of today’s reading was in Luke 12;22-31. Here Jesus tells his followers, “So I tell you, don’t worry about the food you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body.” He goes on to tell us there is really nothing we should worry about, but how often do we consume too much of our time worrying or being concerned about things that are really out of our control? He goes on to say, “You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. If you cannot do even the little things, then why worry about the big things?” God wants us to remember that HE is in control and that if we place him FIRST in our lives, He will provide all that we need.

As Parish Nurse, one of the special prayers I pray each day is “Dear God, please put me WHERE  you want me,  and WITH WHOM  you want me to be with today, in order to do YOUR will.” This has helped my former worries of “how in the world will I care for ALL the people at St. Matthew that need my caring call or visit?”.  There are many that need a parish nurse call or visit each day, but I can now rely on God to place me with who and where I need to be to carry out His service. I also remind myself that He calls others to do this work as well and that I need not worry that I have to do it all by myself. We are blessed with many caring people at St. Matthew that help carry out the mission, and for that I am so thankful. I need not worry that I won’t get to everyone each day, as God will place me where I need to be and He will place others where they need to be too.

Sometimes another situation that we may also worry, is when things don’t go according to our plans, – we many think that God didn’t hear us or he didn’t answer our prayers according to what we felt we needed. But, we need to remember that sometimes the mishaps or tragedies or challenges are not a reason to bail out and loose trust in God. We need not worry because those are the times we need to sit tight and know that God will get us through that situation. We need to remember to not give up, to be patient and  to let God remind us that HE is in control. He does not want us to waste our time and energy worrying, he wants us to trust in him for ALL things.

What biblical truths does God show us in these verses?

God shows us that we need not worry about the basic necessities in life and that we need to remember HE is in control and will provide our every need, big or small.

Since God tells us in the book of James to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers, how can I apply these Biblical truths to my life?

I will plan and spend my day trusting GOD for His control, rather than relying on my own strength and worrying about how things might turn out. I will be patient to let God help me through the challenges I face each day. I will be thankful that he is always by my side.