Pentecost Season Devotion, June 30

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39

Jesus often speaks truth in irony. The apparent irony here is resolved when we see that Jesus uses the word "life" alternately for the bodily life and for eternal life and salvation.

How much of our time is spent on finding “the good life?” The pursuit of wealth, pleasure, parties and power justify all sorts of immoral and hurtful behavior.

Have you ever known anyone in the church who seems pious and joyful on Sundays but ruthless and shamefully malicious in his pursuit of business Monday through Saturday? I have known such people. They justify their behavior in totally unjustifiable ways. Jesus calls such people out in today’s verse.

Jesus gave us His entire life from His birth to His terrible death on the cross. Our response to Him is a 24/7/365 commitment to the life of faith. There are no exceptions for “business!”

If we are called upon to suffer unjustly or give graciously for the sake of others, we are losing our lives for Christ’s sake. But the gift that Christ’s gives us is greater than any temporal gain we may ever receive from unjust, immoral, and corrupt behavior.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of life.  Take my life and let it be always, only, all for Thee. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Devotion for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 29

Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38

Summer is a time for the beach and water parks. Many water parks have water slides that are very steep and frightening.  It takes a bit of courage to climb the steps and launch your body over the precipice.

On the other hand, water parks may also have an area called “The Lazy River.” Older adults and small children enjoy just relaxing on a tube and floating away in lazy, languid, lethargic peace.

Some people mistakenly believe that the Christian life should be like “The Lazy River,” a carefree float through life without any major hiccups or problems. When difficulties come their way, it is a shock. They may start blaming God for not doing His job. Some will fall away from the faith because they simply expect merriment and frivolity to be the most energetic part of Christian living.

Of course this attitude is quickly dashed when people take the time to actually read scripture. The cross is a central feature of Jesus’ life and message. Jesus carries His own cross to Golgotha. He dies upon it there for your salvation.

In response, our lives are to be lived in faithfulness to His. Since we live in a sinful world that is opposed to Jesus, it is only natural that many crosses will be placed upon those who are faithful. Ridicule and persecution have been hallmarks of the Church since earliest times. Self-sacrifice and commitment are not components of a “Lazy River.”

Still, in spite of difficulties in life, we have peace. This peace surpasses understanding because it is based upon God’s grace in Christ. Life may be difficult but its outcome is certain. Christ’s cross has opened heaven for you.

Prayer: Almighty God, in the midst of difficult times, grant me the grace to take up my cross and follow you. Thank you for giving me peace in knowing that Your love for me in Christ has opened the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, June 28

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 10:32-33

Christianity begins and ends with Jesus! Without Jesus, Christianity simply cannot exist.

The present reality in our nation is that many sadly misbelieve that Jesus is simply one option among many in a quest to be religious, spiritual and know something about God or a “Higher Power.”

As the 4th of July celebrations approach, we will proudly sing or hear performed “God Bless America.” We will buy hot dogs and hamburgers with money that proudly declares “In God We Trust.” But which god do we trust? Whose blessings are we seeking?

Ancient Romans wanted god to bless their empire.  They could easily say, “In gods we trust.” Yet the earliest Christians recognized the danger of this muddled thinking about God apart from Jesus. The Greek word “martyr” literally means “witness.” However, early in the history of the Church it came to indicate those who would sacrifice their lives rather than deny Jesus. This commitment to Jesus was a “witness” to the true faith as opposed to the false religion of the pagan gods.

Jesus is the one who gave His life so that we could live eternally. Without His life, death and resurrection, God is simply a judge who will rightly condemn us. May we never be content to be religious or spiritual without Jesus, Our “Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man!”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant that I may always confess your holy name and never be guilty of denying you. When I have failed to confess your name, grant me forgiveness. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, June 27

The one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22

Do the names Frank, Joe, Fenton, Aunt Gertrude and Chet sound familiar to you? They are fictional characters who appear in the mystery series, The Hardy Boys. When my children were little I would read to them from this series.

Frank and Joe are the Hardy brothers and would be introduced at the beginning of each book.  Our children knew that before long they would meet Chet Morton, a rather stout fellow. In each story Chet would have another hobby. He would immerse himself in it for the duration of the adventure but then it would be forgotten.

Unfortunately, over the years I have known many people who are like Chet. Christianity seems to be just their latest hobby. They become deeply engaged in Christianity. For a time they seem to be wonderful examples of the Christian faith. Then, either suddenly or over time, they fall away. They quit attending church. They go about their lives as though Christ doesn’t mean anything.

Jesus warns against this.  He knew that either under persecution or simply a lack of perseverance, some people would abandon the faith. If you were to compare Christianity to an athletic event, it is more of a marathon than a sprint.

Jesus endured to the end for you. From the time of His temptation in the wilderness to His agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus chose to continue to the cross. He never swerved from His commitment to save you from sin and death. May the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen you for your challenges today and every day. If you have allowed your faith to diminish, may the Holy Spirit restore your commitment to Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for enduring the cross for me.  Grant me the strength to face the temptations of the day and the courage to continue in my faith until the end. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, June 26

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Have you ever noticed how much human interaction concerns our perception of fairness? From our youngest age we worry that a sibling or friend may have gotten a bigger slice of pie or a bigger scoop of ice cream. Back in the day when wealth wasn’t so wide spread, kids had to share candy bars. Do you remember being taught this little scenario? One child cuts the candy bar and the other one chooses.

Things don’t get better as we age. We chafe at the idea that one or the other student might be “teacher’s pet.” Athletes with obviously lesser ability get more playing time on the team. Every time a young person is slighted, we hear the cry, “That’s not fair!”

Adults don’t seem to handle life any better. We moan and groan at income inequality. Those on the left complain that executives and investment gurus make too much money and pay too little in taxes. Those on the right protest that there are too many handouts to people who choose not to be productive. A large percentage of network news and internet stories are dedicated to examples of people being treated unfairly.

For all of our focus on fairness, it may come as a surprise to discover that our human perception of fairness is totally warped. The Bible puts us back on track. Total and complete fairness demands that all die.  Since all have sinned and the wage of sin is death, all must die.  Thanks be to God that when comes to salvation, He has opted for grace rather than fairness. You and I deserve to die but instead we receive eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is the most awesome free gift and violation of fairness.  Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your amazing grace! Grant me the faith to believe that this gift in Christ is for me. Amen.

Lady Justice

Statue at Shelby County Courthouse, located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Photo by Einar Einarsson Kvaran

Lady Justice depicts justice as equipped with three symbols: a sword symbolizing the court's coercive power; a human scale weighing competing claims in each hand; and a blindfold indicating impartiality.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, June 25

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

We live in a time when everyone is smarter than God! We expect this of atheists and agnostics. It is a sad day when those who are in authority in the church lead the charge in attacking the truth of God’s word.

Yesterday a name from my past emerged that reminded me of the trying times at Concordia Seminary in the early 70’s.  This was a time when many teachers and leaders in our synod were challenging the veracity of Holy Scripture. I won’t rehearse here everything that happened but ultimately The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod chose to remain faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

The attack on God’s word by those who believe that their intellect is above scripture continues today but it is nothing new. More than a century ago the Church of England was already engaged in this debate. A priest by the name of Samuel John Stone became upset by these attacks from Bible critics and was moved to write a most touching hymn, The Church’s One Foundation!

As he saw unorthodox teaching emerging in the church he wrote:

Though with a scornful wonder
    The world sees her oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
    By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping;
    Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
    Shall be the morn of song.

May nothing but Christ ever be our foundation, not intellect, not emotion, only the Christ of Scripture!

Take a moment and meditate on this moving hymn:

The Church's One Foundation

The Church’s one foundation
    Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is His new creation
    By water and the Word.
From heav’n He came and sought her
    To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
    And for her life He died.

Elect from ev’ry nation,
    Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation:
    One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
    Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses
    With ev’ry grace endued.

Though with a scornful wonder
    The world sees her oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
    By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping;
    Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
    Shall be the morn of song.

Through toil and tribulation
    And tumult of her war
She waits the consummation
    Of peace forevermore
Till with the vision glorious
    Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
    Shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth has union
    With God, the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
    With those whose rest is won.
O blessèd heav’nly chorus!
    Lord, save us by Your grace
That we, like saints before us,
    May see You face to face.

Public domain – Lutheran Service Book 644

The southern facade of Notre-Dame de Paris

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, June 24

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Romans 6:12

iPhone or Android?  iPad or Galaxy?  Cable or Satellite?  Apple or Windows? Wow! So many technology choices! We certainly are the most clever and smartest generation ever!

Or are we? In spite of the technology that we can buy, we may be one of the most uninformed generations when it comes to spirituality and morality. The Bible warns us over and over again about sin. Yet today many voices want you to believe that sin is an old fashioned idea.  It has no place in our trendy, edgy world. But sin is real!  Not only is it real, it wants to control our lives.

One of the lies of “modern thinking” that Satan uses is the idea that human passions cannot and should not be controlled. The general theme of modern media morality is “Go ahead and sin, but do it ‘safely.’”

One truth that we should have learned over the last couple of millennia is that what makes us human and civilized is the ability to control our passions. Examples abound. In many sporting competitions, one opponent will try to force the other into letting their emotions get the better of them. When this happens, tennis players, basketball players, hockey players, etc. make mistakes that lead to loosing points and games.

 Likewise sales staff will push for a quick, poorly thought out decision based on an emotion and passion. Modern spiritual hucksters will try to manipulate our passions to hide the truth of God’s word.

Every parent knows that maturity is learning to control the emotional outbursts of childhood. Parents worry about teens that have mature bodies but are easily tempted by uncontrolled passion.

During this Pentecost season, we again thank God that sinful decisions made in a moment of passion were paid for by Christ on the cross.  We also pray that the Holy Spirit would strengthen us so that we are not controlled by our sinful passions but seek to please God in all we say, do, or think.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the forgiveness that I have in Jesus. Grant that I may grow in faith today to resist being controlled by sinful passions. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, June 23

Sing to the LORD;
   praise the LORD!
For he has delivered the life of the needy
   from the hand of evildoers. Jeremiah 20:12

Poor Jeremiah! In the Old Testament lesson this week (Jeremiah 20:7–13) he pours out his heart at the distress he feels. People are mocking him. He has become a laughingstock all the day. No wonder Jeremiah has been called “The Weeping Prophet.”

Have you ever felt like Jeremiah? Has it ever happened that you have been mocked and belittled because you are trying to be faithful to God?

We all need food, water, clothing, and shelter. But these are not the things that people crave the most.  No matter how financially blessed we may be, none of these things seem important when we are betrayed and deceived by people we thought were our friends.

Our deepest hurts and longings involve relationships. You may be hungry for a burger or crave pizza for a few moments a day, but the hurt of a lost friendship or love never goes away.

This is why it is so amazing that Jeremiah can pour out his heart at the hurts he feels because of the people around him and then in the next breath declare: “Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD!  For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.”

When your hopes are dashed, when friends abandon you, the reality of sin in the world becomes all too clear.  It is at this time that Jeremiah reminds us that the only solution to these hurts is the love of God.  He delivers your life from unkind and insensitive people. In Christ you have a friend that will never leave or forsake you.  He is the one who will bring you to be with Him in the mansions of heaven. Therefore, we join Jeremiah in singing and praising the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, you know I live in a hurtful world. Grant me the comfort and peace that comes from above. Let me never stop singing and praising you for the gift of a Savior. Amen.

Jeremiah, 

as depicted by Michelangelo from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel 

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Devotion for The Second Sunday after Pentecost, June 22

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Matthew 10:29

I have bird feeders in my back yard. This past week several times I noticed two small woodpeckers on a feeder at the same time. This was unusual. Normally, woodpeckers and larger birds will feed only one at a time, so I watched these two more closely.

Pretty soon I saw something even stranger. One of the woodpeckers would get a small piece of nut in its beak and then give it to the other woodpecker.  Very interesting indeed! This happened over and over.

I told my wife and she suggested that maybe this was a parent and child. I’m not an ornithologist but that did seem reasonable.

This was a very touching scene, one small creature helping another. It is easy to become so self-absorbed that we forget about the needs of people and creatures around us. But God never forgets.  He cares for all, even sparrows. But He cares for you more!  Not only does He provide the tidbits that we eat, He provides all that we have.  But more than that He provides the Savior! He cares for you so much that He sent His only-begotten Son to set you free from sin, death and the devil.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for caring for me and giving me all that I need to support my body and life. Even more than that, thank you for the gift of my Savior, Jesus.  Grant that I may learn to care for others.

Canadian Birds in my Garden

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Holy Trinity Devotion, June 21

Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

After months of anticipation, a mother and father tenderly hold their newborn child. They may have never felt closer to each other than at this very moment.  Soon reality sets in. The joy and beauty of this moment cannot last forever. Soon this dear daughter or son will grow and go to school. Soon this child’s teacher and friends will influence him more and more. College and wedding bells cannot be far away.

Today we travel more than ever before. An afternoon drive can take you hundreds of miles. An airline ticket can take you around the world. Children grow and move to faraway places. Families are sometimes scattered around the globe.

Soon mom and dad bring their little one to the House of God. They sing of God’s love for little lambs. They realize that adults must learn to have the faith and trust of children. Their sweet baby is marked with the sign of the cross. They are reminded that Jesus died and rose again for this precious child. They pray the Prayer of the Family of God and join in confessing the faith passed down through the ages using the words of the Apostles’ Creed. They watch the pastor three times bring water to this sweet head declaring, “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” They hear the water splash as it mixes with their tears of joy. Jesus will be with their dearest, beloved baby wherever life may lead. And they will spend eternity together with all the family of God because Jesus came to be the Savior.

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for promising to be with me always. Grant that I will remember your promise to be with my loved ones even when they are far away. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Holy Trinity Devotion, June 20

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:20

We live in strange times. It doesn’t take a scholar to notice that throughout most of the history of western culture, the Church has been responsible for establishing schools and universities. Western learning survived the Dark Ages because the Church maintained learning in the monasteries.

Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher learning in America, originally trained clergy and is named for its first benefactor, John Harvard—a minister! The second oldest is the College of William & Mary. It was established to prepare young men for ordination in the Church of England. Yale, the third oldest, finds its origin in 17th-century clergymen who sought to establish a college to train clergy.

What is strange is that so many contemporary American Christians believe that academics and study is foreign to the faith and completely unnecessary. No one would expect that an 8th grade education in math, science, literature, social studies, etc. would be sufficient in the 21st century. Yet there are many who are satisfied with an 8th grade theological education. And in many churches that do not have the practice of Confirmation, theological education ends with Vacation Bible School.  Even more startling is the fact that the pastor of one of our nation’s largest mega churches is proud that he never graduated from a seminary!

 This all seems quite contrary to Jesus’ final words “teach them—ALL!” Rigorous study of God’s word should be the lifelong pursuit of every Christian. The depth of wisdom in Holy Scripture could never be totally plumbed in a lifetime. Jesus wants us to continually learn more about Him and God’s plan of salvation. He wants us to see God’s awesome love for us in Christ. He wants us to know more and more about who He is and what He does for us. As we study God’s word the Holy Spirit brings us a deeper understanding of faith accompanied by peace and Joy.

May Christians never abandon the world of academics. May all Christian schools prosper. May we listen to Jesus and not seek to do the minimum but the maximum in our faithfulness to His direction to teach.

Prayer: Lord of Wisdom and Knowledge, grant that I may be faithful in the lifelong study of you Holy Word. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Holy Trinity Devotion, June 19

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:3

In Isaiah’s vision of the Lord the first words he hears are the seraphim declaring the threefold holiness of God. I suspect that these words of the angels would be just as startling today as they were to Isaiah. We live in a time where the concept of holiness and sacredness seem to have been forgotten by many and never learned by others.

The sense of decorum and propriety that society once fostered has fallen on the altar of casualness and personal preference. It may have started a generation ago with pop stars like Madonna.  It didn’t stop with her. Lady Gaga, late night television, raunchy comedians and vulgar public figures are informing our youth. There once was a time when I observed that the irreligious did not know how to act in church. Today it seems that large numbers of self-proclaimed church leaders no longer know how to act in church.

Has God changed?  Is He no longer holy? Does God simply smile at our crude jokes? I think not. If someone were to be transported to God’s throne in heaven, the reaction would be the same as Isaiah’s when he exclaimed, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5).

Indeed it is not only the “edgy” comedians who have unclean lips. We all have become numbed to the falleness of our language. The exclamation, “OMG” flows freely from the lips of pious youth and adults. Elders in the church use language once reserved for smoke filled venues.

What is to be done? Recognize your sinfulness and repent as Isaiah did. God did not leave Isaiah in his sinfulness. The Bible records: Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah 6:6, 7.

Our sin has been atoned for on the altar of the cross. Jesus has redeemed us from sinful words, thoughts and actions. May the Holy Spirit move us to live as those redeemed by Christ the crucified in what we say, think and do.

Prayer: O Holy Spirit, grant that I may have a longing for holiness in my life. Thank you for the forgiveness that I have under the cross. Amen.

The Calling of Isaiah

Giovan Battista Tiepolo 1696 – 1770

fresco (200 × 250 cm) — 1726 - 1729

Palazzo Patriarcale, Udine

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/469.html

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Holy Trinity Devotion, June 18

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

So God created man in His own image! Hmmm! That’s interesting!

This is one of those passages where ignorance can go a long way.  Over the years of my ministry I have seen this passage used by believers and unbelievers alike.  Usually neither of them seems to have a clue to what the Bible is talking about.

One of the false notions about the image of God is that we look like God.  That we have two eyes, a nose, a mouth, two arms and two legs because God has these same things. This way of thinking totally ignores John 4:24 where Jesus says, “God is spirit.”

Another false notion about the image of God is that it has something to do with the dominion over creation that God grants in Genesis 1. Unbelievers sometimes use this as an indictment against Christians, blaming the Bible for environmental catastrophes. They speculate that Christians believe that they can play God with our planet. Humankind has been guilty of poor stewardship of creation but this has nothing to do with the image of God and Genesis 1.

So how do we discover what is meant by the image of God? Look in the Bible, there are other passages that explain this concept. By reading Colossians 3:10 and Ephesians 4:24 we can see that the image of God is not a physical likeness but rather it is the perfect knowledge of God and His holiness and righteousness.

Unfortunately, we lost that image of God with the fall into sin. Now by nature no one knows God or is holy and righteous. We all live in ignorance of the true God and captivity to sin until the day God frees us.  In baptism this image of God is partially restored.  Through His holy word we begin again to know the true God and by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives we begin to do holy and righteous things.

One day when paradise is restored and we have risen from the dead, we will once again have the full image of God. We will know God perfectly and we will live perfectly.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for creating me and recreating me in Christ. Amen.

Paradise

Lucas Cranach the Elder 1472 – 1553

oil on panel (81 × 114 cm) — 1530

Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/506.html

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Holy Trinity Devotion, June 17

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

There may be no better known and much debated verse in the Bible. Everyone wonders about the beginning.  We ask how did this or that come to be.  At some point many children will ask, “Where did I come from, Mommy?”

Part of asking this question is knowing the right person to ask.  A child instinctively knows that a mother is the right person to ask. Not only does she have a close relationship with the child, she was there at the beginning so she knows the answer.

Humans have been curious about their origins throughout history. God graciously provides the answer to our question, “Where did I come from?” We have a close relationship with Him and He was there at the beginning, so He is the right One to ask.

Of course those who do not know Him seek their answers somewhere else. They peer into telescopes, examine rocks and do chemical tests all to answer the question, “Where do I come from?”  Without God in their lives they only can conclude that since the universe we observe is lifeless, our origins must be the result of some fortunate accident. As a society we have spent billions of dollars on the hope that some other fortunate accidents have happened in the universe and there may be life somewhere else.

Thank God we know that you and I are not fortunate accidents. We are God’s special creation. He has cared for us so much that even in our rebellion, He sent His only-begotten Son to return us to His family. He has sent the Holy Spirit into our lives to grant us true wisdom so that we need not wonder about whether or not we are loved.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for making me your own through my Savior, Jesus. Amen.

The Creation of Adam

Michelangelo 1475 – 1564

fresco (480 × 230 cm) — 1508-1512

Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/66.html

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Holy Trinity Devotion, June 16

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Acts 2:36

It is very difficult to admit that I made a mistake. I think this is true for everyone. The more time, energy and money we invest in a poor choice, the harder it is to stop and change directions.

Some years ago Tom Hanks and Shelly Long stared in a movie titled “The Money Pit.” In this film their characters are convinced by a con artist to buy a hopelessly dilapidated house. As this movie progresses their lack of judgment in purchasing this home becomes more and more apparent as the stairs collapse and the bathtub falls through the floor. Even their attempts at renovation are catastrophic.

This story line makes for an interesting and humorous movie. But in real life it becomes a disaster. On the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter told the gathered crowd that they have made a horrible mistake by crucifying Jesus. They have been so blinded by their own foolish pride that they could not see Jesus for who He is—Lord and Christ.

It may be that in life we too have found ourselves committed to a life style and plan of action that is totally opposed to God. It is so hard to admit a mistake that we continue to make one bad decision after another. In “The Money Pit” Tom Hanks and Shelly Long throw their money away because of a bad decision. When it comes to our religious decisions (or lack thereof), it may be that we are throwing our lives away because of a stubborn opposition to God.

It is never too late to admit our mistakes and bad decisions in life. On the day of Pentecost 3,000 repented and were baptized. Jesus, who is Christ and Lord, died for your failures and mistakes. Leave behind your old disastrous mistakes and come home to His welcoming arms.

 Prayer: Lord, thank you for always being there for me. Grant that I may never stubbornly cling to my sinful and faulty decisions. Amen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ury_House_Aberdeenshire.jpg

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Holy Trinity - Devotion, June 15

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19

I was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Joseph, Michigan. At a young age we moved and my family began attending Trinity Lutheran Church in Sawyer, Michigan.  As I got a little older I learned that many of my relatives attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

It soon became clear to me that the true and best church was Trinity Church. Now that I’m older I realize that as a small child I was right but not in the way I thought.  The only true Church is Trinity Church, that is, since the only true God is the Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the only True Church is the one that worships the true God.

It is often difficult for some people to accept the fact that not every truth is comprehensible. When it comes to God, this is certainly true.  How God can be three persons but only one God is incomprehensible but true because that is how God has revealed Himself to us.

Some people don’t like the fact that Trinity and Triune God are terms not used in the Bible. What they don’t realize is that we use these terms as a short hand way of referring to the God of Holy Scripture remaining true to everything that God says about Himself.

On Trinity Sunday we rejoice that God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has worked for our salvation. God the Father chose us from all eternity to be His.  Throughout the Old Testament, He promised that a savior would come.  When the time was right, He sent the Savior.  Jesus, God the Son, came to be our Savior, to live and die and rise again for our forgiveness, life and salvation. God—The Father and God—The Son sends the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts and brings to us the gifts that Jesus won on the Cross.

Prayer:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Reginald Heber wrote this hymn for Trinity Sunday while he was Vicar of Hodnet, Shropshire, England.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Devotions – June 14

No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 NKJV

How is your elbow? Have you ever been around people who like to take credit for everything? You might imagine that they may often strain an elbow patting themselves on the back.

Complements and commendations are certainly appropriate in life. It is proper to applaud accomplishments and achievements. People work hard to succeed and it is good to recognize this effort.

Still no one in heaven will have a strained elbow from patting themselves on the back for their faith in Christ. No one in heaven will look at God and say, “You are fortunate to have me here.” No one “decides to follow Jesus” or “accepts Jesus as their personal savior.” There is no place for this self congratulation when it comes to faith. Faith is strictly the work of the Holy Spirit.  You and I can take no credit for it.  After all we were “dead in the trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Dead people can take no actions on their own behalf.

Rather the Holy Spirit deserves all credit for your faith. He has worked in your heart through the Gospel and sacraments so that you came to faith and continue to believe in Jesus as your savior. When I claim even a small amount of credit for my faith, I deprive the Holy Spirit of the honor that is due only to Him.

I know modern English speaking people do not like long sentences but here is one long sentence written by the Apostle Paul that makes this all very clear: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:4-9).

St. Paul teachers us that our salvation, even faith itself, is a gift of God. When it comes to faith and salvation—no boasting is allowed.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for the gift of faith. Keep me in the faith. Draw me to church tomorrow so that I may once again hear Your powerful word of salvation that works faith in my heart. Amen.

The Ghent altarpiece: Adoration of the Lamb

Jan van Eyck 1390 – 1441

oil on panel (138 × 242 cm) — 1432

Museum Saint Bavo Cathedral, Ghent

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/187.html

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Devotions – June 13

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

It doesn’t take much effort to scan the internet and discover the wide variety of opinions and confusion about worship. I recently observed a video with young people jumping up and down at a rock concert with an outstanding laser show and fireworks. This event was promoted as worship! While this activity may stretch the definition of worship to the breaking point, the promoters of this concert tour are not alone in their confusion. St. Paul gives us some important insight into “spiritual worship.”

The first element he mentions here is presenting our bodies to God. This spiritual worship entails more than an hour on Sunday or a few hours at a concert. Christian worship is a 24/7/365 activity of presenting our bodies to God as a living sacrifice. What we do to and with our bodies is an indication of our faithfulness to God.  St. Paul wants our bodies to be holy and acceptable to God. Our use of food, drugs, alcohol, sexual activity, exercise, rest, etc. is all part of worship or the lack thereof.

The second element of worship is to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed.” One of the biggest challenges for American Christianity is to remember that the world does not have all the answers. We must never look to polls and marketing to determine our worship and teaching. We certainly are on shaky ground when we believe that conforming to pop culture is the salvation of the church.

How is it that we can accomplish these difficult tasks? It is only by the working of the Holy Spirit that we can begin to offer our bodies as spiritual worship and to be transformed in our mind. Our natural tendencies are to join the world in its faulty thinking.

Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate presenting of His body as a sacrifice for sins. In His sacrifice He has redeemed our bodies from sin. No matter how you may have abused your body in the past, Jesus had redeemed it and made it holy and acceptable in God’s sight. For this reason the Holy Spirit moves us to continue to live pure and holy lives.

May we learn spiritual worship from the Holy Spirit that our lives will be pleasing and acceptable to God.  May we live under God’s grace knowing His wonderful forgiveness is there for us 24/7/365.

Prayer: O Holy Spirit, grant that my life will be transformed by the Gospel of Christ in such a way that I live according to your holy will. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Devotions – June 12

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

As the saying goes, “I’ve been around the block a few times.”  Yet I’ve never met people who complained that they have too much “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” in their lives.

In fact these are things that we all crave. We seek friendship, marriage, family, church, and work relationships that offer us the opportunities to experience them. Sadly we are often disappointed. “Best Friends Forever” let us down. Marriages fail. Families bicker. Churches quarrel. Work becomes painful. What is to be done?

It is in our nature to long for these things but it is not in our nature to produce them.  They are the fruit of the Holy Spirit working in us through word and sacrament.

It hurts when friendships turn out not to be genuine. It hurts when marriage vows are broken and families fight. It hurts when God’s people are unkind in the Church. It’s depressing to get up every day and go to a workplace where you are unappreciated and belittled.

What can change is you. The people around you are also craving “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  By the work of the Holy Spirit in your life you can and do produce these wonderful fruit. It is not in our human nature to love those who have rejected and hurt us. But that is exactly what Jesus did. Only by the work of the Spirit in our lives can we live this Christ-like life of loving when love isn’t returned; having joy in the midst of sorrow; experiencing peace when the world is crumbling around us; showing patience when people are frustrating; being kind in a cruel world; displaying goodness in a society where evil and violence are glorified; being faithful when your friends are faithless; exhibiting gentleness when you’re getting hammered by the people around you; and having patience to let God work in your life and the lives of others.

Prayer: O Holy Spirit, grant that my life may produce the fruit that comes from Your gracious work. Amen.

Stained glass window at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, depicting the Fruit of the Holy Spirit along with role models representing them, i.e. the Good Shepherd representing love, an angel holding a scroll of Gloria in excelsis Deo representing joy and peace, Job representing longsuffering, Jonathan faith, Ruth gentleness and goodness, Moses meekness, and John the Baptist temperance. Executed by Hardman & Co. in the 1870s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dublin_Christ_Church_Cathedral_Passage_to_Synod_Hall_Window_Fruit_of_the_Spirit_2012_09_26.jpg



God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Devotions – June 11

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16, 17

You may have noticed that the Bible refers to God the Father in many ways, Father, Creator, Almighty, etc. Jesus, God the Son, also is referred to by many names: Lamb of God, Good Shepherd, Prince of Peace, etc. You may not have realized that God, the Holy Spirit, is also referred to with a variety of names.  In this verse there are two: Spirit of Truth and Helper.

Helper in Greek is parakletos from which we take our English word, paraclete. A paraclete is someone who is called to your side. It indicates someone who consoles or comforts, who encourages and uplifts; someone who refreshes.  A paraclete is someone who stands at your side and intercedes for you as an advocate in court.

Everyone has dark and difficult days. Hopes are crushed. Loved ones hurt. Faith is shaken. In these times our Helper, Comforter, Spirit of Truth comes to strengthen and encourage us. His holy word in the Bible speaks to your heart of God’s love for you in Christ.  You remember His promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you!” (Hebrews 13:5).  By His help you can cast all your cares on Him.

Pentecost is not only a time to celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit growing the Church through word and sacrament.  It is also a time to thank God for the gift and comfort of the Holy Spirit touching your heart.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn the darkness into day.

Let me see my Savior’s face,
Let me all His beauties trace;
Show those glorious truths to me
Which are only known to Thee.

Holy Spirit, pow’r divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
In Thy mercy pity me,
From sin’s bondage set me free.

Holy Spirit, joy divine,
Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Yield a sacred, settled peace,
Let it grow and still increase.

Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down ev’ry idol throne,
Reign supreme, and reign alone.

Public domain
Lutherans Service Book 496

Fresco in Karlskirche, Vienna

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Devotions – June 10

When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground. Psalm 104:30

“Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest,” is a stirring hymn written in the 9th Century by Rabanus Maurus, an archbishop and theologian in Germany. He was a man of such stature that he is also referred to as “The Teacher of Germany.” His hymn ("Veni Creator Spiritus" in Latin.) was used by Gustav Mahler as the first choral of his epic eighth symphony

Take a moment and be refreshed by this great Pentecost hymn:

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,

And make our hearts Your place of rest;

Come with Your grace and heav’nly aid,

And fill the hearts which You have made.

To You, the Counselor, we cry,

To You, the gift of God Most High;

The fount of life, the fire of love,

The soul’s anointing from above.

In You, with graces sevenfold,

We God’s almighty hand behold

While You with tongues of fire proclaim

To all the world His holy name.

Your light to ev’ry thought impart,

And shed Your love in ev’ry heart;

The weakness of our mortal state

With deathless might invigorate.

Drive far away our wily foe,

And Your abiding peace bestow;

With You as our protecting guide,

No evil can with us abide.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,

And You, from both, as Three in One

That we Your name may ever bless

And in our lives the truth confess.

Praise we the Father and the Son

And Holy Spirit, with them One,

And may the Son on us bestow

The gifts that from the Spirit flow! Amen.

Public domain

The Holy Spirit as a Dove

Gian Lorenzo Bernini - Dove of the Holy Spirit 

(ca. 1660, stained glass, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_Spirit_as_Dove_(detail).jpg

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Bonus youtube video!

Mahler: Symphony No. 8 / Bernstein · Vienna Philharmonic 

Pentecost Devotions – June 9

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21

Salvation can be a controversial subject. It was certainly a focal point of the Reformation. Even today the debate continues.

The Beatles' “White Album” features a lyric, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 all good children go to heaven.” This sounds nice in theory. Of course the problems start when you try to define “good.” As a father and now a grandfather, it is painfully obvious that even the most wonderful children in the world (my grandchild) have a side to them that would not be classified as “good.”

Salvation is indeed based on “goodness,” not our goodness but Christ’s goodness. I can never be good enough. That was Martin Luther’s dilemma. He knew his own inner most thoughts and realized that “goodness” had escaped him. He knew that he could never obtain the righteousness required by God’s law.  It changed his life and it changed the world when he discovered the Gospel. Children and adults are saved and go to heaven because Jesus’ paid for their sins on the cross and gives His holiness and righteousness to all believers.

The great truth of Pentecost if found in the words of St. Peter quoting the Prophet Joel, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of the Gospel. Grant that I may never doubt that my salvation depends upon Jesus and His work on my behalf. Amen.

The Beatles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Fabs.JPG

The White Album

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TheBeatles68LP.jpg

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Devotion - THE DAY OF PENTECOST, June 8

How is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Acts 2:8

Today is the Day of Pentecost.  It is a wonderful day in the Church Year because on this day Jesus fulfilled His promise of sending the Holy Spirit to the Church.

Contrary to the Pentecostal movement of the early 20th century and the charismatic movement of the 1970’s, the great miracle of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit here is not the “speaking in tongues.”  Peter and the other Apostles already were believers in Jesus. The great miracle here is unbelievers exclaimed, “How is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?”

The miracle of Pentecost is the Holy Spirit works to make things plain that were beyond our understanding. Without the Holy Spirit no one would believe in Jesus and have faith.  But because the Holy Spirit has worked in your heart through word and sacraments, you have come to faith and have the gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. That was the miracle of Pentecost when 3,000 believed and were baptized on that day.

The miracle of Pentecost was repeated when you came to faith. The miracle of Pentecost continues to happen today, not when people speak in unknown languages, but when God’s word is proclaimed and people believe that Jesus died for them and rose again. The Holy Spirit continues to use the Means of Grace to touch our hearts each time we come to church and hear the word and receive the sacrament. When we absent ourselves from word and sacrament, we are absenting ourselves from the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit given to the Church and to me in my life. Grant that I may be faithful in receiving the Holy Spirit through word and sacrament, today and always. Amen.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Anthony Van Dyck 1599 – 1641

oil on canvas (265 × 221 cm) — 1618-1620

Museum Sanssouci, Potsdam

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/163.html

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – June 7

This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

Today is the final day of the Easter season. Tomorrow is the Day of Pentecost. I can think of nothing more appropriate on this day than to remember these words of Jesus, “This is eternal life!”

Today is the women’s final of the French Open.  Meijer is having a sale. The weather is beautiful. My lawn need’s mowing. I want to get my tomato plants into the ground. And there is so much more to do.  It is very easy to be overcome with the here and now that I forget about eternal life.

While this is easy to do as an individual, it is particularly sad when it happens to a church. It is just too easy to succumb to the marketing world and design a church with the goal of attracting people for the here and the now. What are the benefits that this church offers? Padded pews? Music with a beat? Social activities? Organizations for youth? Child care? Faithfulness to the Word of God?

On this final day of the Easter season let us pause and consider for a moment that Jesus came into the world for one reason: That you may have eternal life through faith in Him. This is why He was born.  This is why He suffered and died.  This is why He rose from the dead.  This is why He taught and performed miracles.  This is why He sends the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for sending Your only-begotten Son into my world. Grant that I may always believe in Him and receive His gifts of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Amen.

Luther Preaching Christ Crucified

the Weimar Altarpiece

Lucas Cranach

http://lutheranconfessions.blogspot.com/2012/03/visual-reformation-lucas-cranach.html

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – June 6

Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. John 17:11

Today is the 70th anniversary of D-Day.  Although I have heard of D-Day my entire life, have seen movies and have read books about this important event, I know that it would be impossible to tell the complete story of that day. The stories of valor and sacrifice are witnessed to by the rows upon rows of crosses marking the graves of these valiant fallen heroes.

There is another story of D-Day that attracts less attention. It is the massive amount of planning and preparation for this one day and the days that followed. Every detail was attended to, every plan prepared, every soldier trained, all without the aid of computers! How could such an undertaking be accomplished without iPhones and laptops? What made D-Day possible was a unity of purpose that is impossible for us in the 21st century to understand.  We live in a world where personal preference dominates every aspect of our lives. Unity is seldom the goal rather it is individualism and self-focus.

In His High Priestly Prayer in John 17, Jesus prays for the Christian people to be one. Unity among Christians is highly prized. Yet in our time it seems as though there is little chance for this unity. In almost every aspect of our faith, individualism and personal preference seem to dominate. Since I can personalize my smart phone, I should also be able to personalize my worship life. Since I can discover any opinion on the internet, certainly my opinion about faith is as important as any others. I am spiritual but not religious.  Is this what Jesus was praying about?

Sin is as prevalent as ever in our world.  It may have been more obvious 70 years ago as we remember the atrocities of World War II, but the extreme nature of that evil may only give us a false confidence in believing that we aren’t so bad. “Love your neighbor as yourself” is as hard to find today as ever. It continues to affect the Church today as it will until the end of time.

Still in Christ, we are all one! Jesus died for all and those who believe in Him are united in One, Holy, Christian, and Apostolic Church.  As the Day of Pentecost approaches we remember that unity is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It may not be seen in our sinful world but it will be evident on the ultimate D-Day, the day of Christ’s return when He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all who have sacrificed to give me freedom. I especially thank You for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  Grant that I may learn to live and love as He did so that in Christ we may rejoice in the unity of our faith. Amen.

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cimeti%C3%A8re_am%C3%A9ricain_de_Colleville-sur-Mer.JPG


God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – June 5

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9

There are two differing attitudes toward life described in the Bible but both point to the same truth. One of these is Luke 12:13-20, The Parable of the Rich Fool:

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

In contrast to the philosophy of “relax, eat, drink, be merry,” Peter warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful.” Of course Peter is not saying, “Never be happy or joyful” but rather both portions of scripture remind us to keep our eyes on the prize.  We should never let our earthly condition distract us from our eternal joy.  Neither wealth nor poverty, neither distress nor tranquility, neither feast nor famine, should ever be a motivation to leave Christ and His Church.

Satan is only too eager to use your temporary condition in this world to lead you away from the love of God in Christ Jesus. May we ever be watchful for his wiles.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE
An American Folk Song

Paul and Silas, bound in jail
Had no money for to go their bail
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Hold on (hold on), hold on (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
Hold on (hold on), hold on (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Paul and Silas began to shout
Doors popped open, and all walked out
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
Hold on (hold on), hold on (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Well, the only chains we can stand
Are the chains of hand in hand
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Got my hand on the freedom plow
Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Hold on (hold on), hold on (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
Hold on (hold on), hold on (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, darling

Hold on (hold on), hold on (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
Hold on (hold on), hold on (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the eternal riches of heaven and the peace and joy of Christ. Grant that I may never be distracted by earthly blessings or suffering. Amen.

Daniel in the Lions' Den

Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640

oil on canvas (224 × 330 cm) — 1615

National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/133.html

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus