Advent, Christmas and Politics

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus t

hat all the world should be registered. 

Luke 2:1

And the angel said to them, 

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

Luke 2:10-11

“It was the best of times; It was the worst of times,” declares Charles Dickens at the opening of A Tale of Two Cities. I suppose this could be said of many times and places.

Some seem to have understood the recent elections in this way. Approximately half of our population is exuberant at an unexpected victory by their candidate and approximately half of our nation is in despair at what they consider to be the disastrous defeat of their chosen candidate.

I don’t know if you prefer the evening news or the morning news, the internet or newspapers. Whatever your choice for news all the headlines imply the same message: “The future of America depends on our political leaders.” You may have been persuaded by such a message but Advent and Christmas show the folly of such thinking.

The second chapter of Luke begins with these words, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.”  If you were Herod the Great or one of the super-rich of the day, you may have considered it to be the best of all times. The Roman Emperor was in control. Trade and commerce were abundant. Roman immorality was accepted in all parts of the Empire.

If you were a religious Jew at the time, as Mary and Joseph undoubtedly were, you may have considered this to be the worst of all times. Pagan temples dotted most of the historic homeland of the Jews. Only Jerusalem was safe from idolatry.  Herod had displaced most of the legitimate religious leaders, even installing his own High Priest. The wealthy lived in the lap of luxury on the backs of the poor and their taxes.

Nevertheless, things were not as they seemed.  Although Caesar Augustus was on the throne in Rome, God was still in charge.  He directed the secular authorities to do His bidding.

Unknown to Caesar, his quest for a more thorough form of taxation was just a tool that God used to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the City of David.  There the savior of the world would be born in fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies. And so began an Advent that no one can forget. The long awaited Messiah came just as promised.

Among those who had every right to be unhappy were the shepherds. According to ancient sources, shepherds were among the poor and despised of the day. They were suspected of dishonesty.  A third-century rabbi expresses surprise at the fact that David can compare God with a shepherd (Concordia Self-study Commentary).

Yet these poor, despised shepherds would be the first to celebrate Christmas. They learned what was hidden from the influential, rich and powerful. They heard God’s own messenger declare: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”

For Christians, it is the best of times!  God is still God.  He often works in mysterious and hidden ways.  He saved you from sin, death and the devil with the despised and rejected Savior who died on the cross.

Now is not the time to put your faith in politics or to despair.  Advent and Christmas put things back in perspective for us.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Pastor Quardokus 

Worship and Children

It is fascinating for me to observe my son and daughter-in-law raise my grandson and granddaughter. They are loving and caring parents but they are also very focused on setting proper boundaries and rules. As a grandfather, I am more focused on spoiling him and being overly flexible.

They are particularly interested in teaching my grandson and granddaughter right and wrong as well as proper manners in a variety of social settings (at the dinner table, in church, etc.). I have to admit that I am proud that my son takes his parenting role so seriously.  He makes sure that my grandson and granddaughter eat healthy foods and get a proper balance of play time and sleep.  My grandson and granddaughter have a good supply of books including Bible stories.  They are learning to pray at bed time and meal time.

A very important part of parenting is helping our children learn about worship.  We need to model for them the value of worshiping every Sunday and being reverent in church.  It is also important the children learn the great hymns and liturgies of the Church.  These are great treasures that must be passed down from age to age.

Each generation has the opportunity to add their best and their finest works of creativity and devotion to the worship treasures of the Church. Jesus says in Matthew 13:52, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

May we help our children embrace the treasures of the Church from every generation so that our children’s children will clearly learn of Christ and His cross.

Pastor Quardokus

Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot, And Never Brought to Mind?

Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot,

And Never Brought to Mind?

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Luke 21:33

Once you cut through all of the partying and football, New Year’s Eve/Day is an awkward bittersweet holiday. In one sense it can be a time of rejoicing over the accomplishments and blessing that have come our way over the past year. It can also be a time of relief that a particularly bad year is over.  It can be a time of sadness when we look back at things that once were but will be no more.  It can be a time of anticipation for good things to come.  It can be a time of dread and the fearing of worse calamities to come in the future.  It can be a time of rebirth and renewal or can be a time of anxiety and doubt.

2014 will be a year to remember in my household.  Many positive things happened in the lives of my children. It is important to look back on these blessings with thankfulness in our hearts for God’s good gifts as St. Paul says, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4–5).

For many people 2014 will be a year to remember for the loss of a job or an illness or a death or the loss of a friendship. These are hard crosses to bear but they too can remind us of the fleeting nature of our earthly existence and help us look forward to the salvation that is ours in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:18–25).

2015 may call for patience and endurance.  It will have its own share of difficulties and joys.  However, what is important for each of us to remember is that we do not go alone into this new year.  We go with Jesus at our side.  God has promised that he “will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I pray that you will have a wonderful New Year’s celebration.  I enjoy New Year’s Day because it is one of the very few holidays of the year when I don’t have to work (wink). But more than the celebration of New Years, we as Christians can celebrate every day the new life that is ours in Christ. Newness is a characteristic of life with God.  We look forward to a new heaven and a new earth because God makes all things new in Christ.

Happy New Year!

Pastor Quardokus

Shepherds, Wise Men, and Advent

Shepherds, Wise Men, and Advent

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, 

keeping watch over their flock by night Luke 2:8

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, 

behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem Matthew 2:1

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be “the odd man out”?  The only single at a party full of couples; a lone student at the table in the lunch room; the only man without a suit; or the only woman without a dress; are just a few examples.

Yet sometimes being unique isn’t so disheartening. Having a winning ticket; getting a promotion at work; sinking the winning basket in the championship game; being the only grandparent who remembered to bring pictures of the grandchildren; or the only one in your neighborhood able to get the snow blower started; are examples of times it can be a joy to be odd.

You may have wondered what shepherds and wise men have to do with Advent.  After all, aren’t they more closely tied to Christmas and Epiphany? Indeed they are. But they are also all three “Blessedly Odd!”

It is hard to know exactly how many shepherds lived in and around Bethlehem. There would have been shepherds a plenty. It may be like asking, “How many fast food servers are in Berrien County?” It was a lowly profession with many practitioners.

Out of the vast number of potential people to hear the message of the angels only a few odd shepherds abiding in the field saw the awe of the angels and hastened to find Mary, and Joseph, and the babe. How blessedly odd they were!

Every nation is proud of its scholars, academics, advisers and wise men. Certainly Judea must have had more than a few learned individuals who were worthy of seeing the star announcing the birth of the king. Yet miles and miles to the east across deserts and dunes, mountains and valleys a few odd wise men packed up gold, frankincense and myrrh to kneel in joy before the new born King, the infant Savior. How blessedly odd they were!

While shoppers seek sales and grandma avoids reindeer; while atheists moan about nativities and cashiers mouth, “Happy Holidays;” while Scrooges declare “humbug” and   commentators complain about countless commercials; there will be a few who are blessedly odd!  These odd few will join a long train of faithful who will step out of the crowd.

They will light Advent wreaths and have family devotions.  They will read scriptures and teach children. They will bundle up on Wednesday nights and join other blessedly odd faithful believers in worship at midweek Advent services. They will delight in Emmanuel, who comes to ransom captive Israel.  They will worship the Rod of Jesse and the Dayspring, from on high.

To these few blessedly odd, The Key of David will open wide their heavenly home. The Wisdom from on high will grant them the wisdom of the Wise Men and with shepherds they will rejoice to see the promise of Emmanuel fulfilled.

Your Advent and Christmas season will in many ways be typical. It will reflect the busyness of your neighbors and the bustle of the season. Yet I also pray that your Advent will be “blessedly odd.”  I pray that you will be able to step away from the crowds and for the briefest of moments see what no one around you sees and hear what Isaiah long ago declared:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Pastor Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 26

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. What jumps out at you from these verses?

At the beginning of this chapter, immediately preceding these words, St. Paul writes, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3).

Living in a broken world, you and I are called to be menders. Since God is one, since there is only one faith, only one baptism, only one Spirit, he calls upon us to be eager in maintaining the bond of peace and the unity of the spirit in the body of Christ. How can such a noble task be accomplished? Here are the ingredients: humility, gentleness, patience and love.

Are there any broken relationships around you?  Do you want them to be restored? Take Paul’s fourfold prescription. Start with humility. Often broken relationships result from stubbornness and pride. Recognize that others are hurting as well and treat them with gentleness and kindness. Pray for a generous dose of patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Surround the whole process in love. Learn to love even when love isn’t returned.

Jesus used these four ingredients in His work of salvation for us.  He humbled Himself to be born of a virgin and live in the world as one of us. He treats us with gentleness and kindness as we struggle through life’s difficulties. He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. His love is the key.  It led Him to the cross on our behalf.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your humility, gentleness, patience and love. Grant me an eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 25

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure!!! How can this be true when church is so boring?  How can this be true when someone at church hurt my feelings?  How can this be true when ...?

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure---hidden!!!! Some people expect church to be like the latest block buster movie or rock star or comedian or five star restaurant or ...  If that's the kind of church you are looking for you will never find the kingdom of heaven.  The kingdom of heaven is hidden behind imperfect pastors, crying children, hard pews, unfamiliar music, sinful people ....

The kingdom of heaven is not found in flashy programs or comfortable venues.  The kingdom of heaven is found in the cross of Christ.  The Kingdom of Heaven is found where the Gospel is proclaimed and the Sacraments are properly administered.  The Kingdom of Heaven is found where there is forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. If you are looking for something else in a church, the Kingdom of Heaven will forever remain hidden from you.

But when you find these things in your church, you have found a treasure that is worth more than any earthly possession.  If you could buy it, nothing could hold you back. But almost unbelievably, this treasure is free!  You receive by grace through faith.

Prayer: Lord thank you for the greatest treasure of all, the gift of your Son, Jesus. Grant that I may always see that hidden treasure in my church. Amen.

Treasure of Villena

 The second biggest prehistoric gold finding in Europe.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 24

The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. Matthew 13: 24, 25

The Hippie Movement and peace protests populate the memory of my high school and college years. John Lennon wrote and sang, “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” Flower power and peace symbols decorated VW microbuses.

We all long for peace. My father was fighting in some of the fiercest battles of the Korean War when I was born. I lived through the time of the Vietnam War and saw a friend and a cousin killed there. My children’s lives have been affected by two Gulf wars and a war in Afghanistan. The horrible attack of 9/11 on the twin towers is a living memory for them.

We all long for peace. Unfortunately, peaceful people cannot create peace. We are forced to contend with an enemy who has no desire for peace. Satan’s army is in the world and unfortunately he also has agents in the visible church on earth.

Jesus won the victory of sin, death and the devil on the cross but we must still content with the weeds in amongst the wheat. Jesus will allow this to continue until the harvest at the close of the age. Then the weeds will be gathered and destroyed. Until then we are called upon to have patience to await that day.

Don’t be surprised when those inside the church are faithless, angry, hurtful or mean. There are weeds among the wheat. Don’t be surprised when evil happens. There are weeds among the wheat. Don’t be surprised when peace is beyond our grasp. There are weeds among the wheat.

May God grant you the patience and perseverance to live in peace when there are weeds among the wheat.

Prayer:  Lord thank you for granting to me the peace that passes all understanding. Grant me the faith and peace in knowing that you have won the victory on the cross and when this earthly life is ended, I will rest in the peace you have waiting for me in eternity. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 23

“The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matthew 13:43

I’m not sure who the first person was who became a famous celebrity for no other reason than knowing how to manipulate the media but a few come to mind. (I won’t name them, I’m sure you can think of some.) Being a celebrity and making a big splash in the world is the dream of many. Our days are filled with reports of the activities of the rich and famous.  When a well known person dies everyone is sad. When one of them marries or has a child, everyone celebrates. (Or so it seems.)

In fact the real celebrities in life are the righteous. They are the ones who live in the Father’s kingdom, doing what the Father requests.

Have you ever thought that when you pray, “Thy kingdom come” that you were praying to be a representative of God’s kingdom in your daily activities. People will be blessed by your presence in their lives. In their eyes your activities will shine like the sun.

Yesterday, I was in a retail establishment just before closing time. I was sorry that we were there so late but family matters prevented us from getting there any sooner.  I was concerned as I saw the staff hurry to serve the remaining customers.  I knew that they were anxious to be calling it a day and returning to their homes and loved ones.

A young woman came to help my mother. I had seen her wait on the previous customer but didn’t pay close attention but now she was interacting with my mother. I was delighted to see how pleasant and kind she was at the end of the day when I know she was tired and wanted to be home. How pleasant to see someone be kind and compassionate. She shone like the sun in my eyes.

Unfortunately, we seldom act in righteous and totally caring ways. Selfishness dominates our sinful condition. We are often short with people who do not fit our agenda. Rudeness and discourtesy rule among us.

We know that in this life, no one is truly righteous. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  For this reason, Jesus became righteous for us. His active obedience of God’s holy law never faltered once. And in baptism that righteousness is given to us and we receive it by faith.

You and I, together with all the Christian people, shine like the sun in the kingdom because Jesus is our righteousness. As God’s children we now cannot help but live in the way that pleases God. Of course through weakness we still fall but in Christ those sins are forgiven. On the day of the resurrection our righteousness will be total and complete. Then Jesus' prophesy will be ultimately fulfilled. “The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for giving me Christ’s righteousness. Grant that my life will be one that brings joy and peace to those around me. Amen.


God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 22

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

"Such Sufferin'"

What a life it is

The hardships, the tears

The desperate years

Such sufferin'

Gimme a Bufferin!

So writes Maurice Sendak and so sings Carole King on her Really Rosie album. (It’s also now a musical by the same name.)

In spite of Rosie’s imagined success, she still suffers. O Rosie, there is a little of you in each of us.

Since the fall into sin, there is no life that is lived without hardships and suffering. True, some suffer more than others. Sadly some suffer in seemingly unbearable ways.

It breaks my heart to hear preachers of the so called “Prosperity Gospel” declare that if you have enough faith, God’s blessings will shower wealth and health on you.  If you don’t have those things, there is something wrong with your faith.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact sometimes those who have faith experience more persecution as we see in the life of St. Paul.

So what are we to do? We can have Paul’s attitude.

Indeed we suffer.  Everyone does. But for Christian people, we know that our future is incomparably bright. So much so, that what we suffer today isn’t even worth comparing to the riches of salvation that Christ has in store for us.

His cross was the ultimate suffering for sin.  Since Jesus died there and declared, “It is finished,” we need not worry about our eternity. We will not suffer for our sins.

All that happens here and now is temporary and fleeting.  What God has done for us in Christ lasts forever. In the resurrection of the dead, all pain, suffering and tears will be gone.

Thank God that He does often grant relief to our sufferin’. It may be that He has provided Bufferin or some other medicine. He gives us support from other believers when we suffer grief or sadness. Also remember not to waste any of our hardships. Learn and grow through each of them.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that Jesus suffered for my sins upon the cross. Grant me strength and patience to bear any hardships that come my way.  Allow me to support others in their times of need. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 21

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel

and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:

“I am the first and I am the last;

besides me there is no god.

Isaiah 44:6

Monday, Monday! 

Just the mention of this day brings all sorts of feelings. For some it brings dread, the beginning of another work week of drudgery and disappointment. For others it may mean excitement at the beginning of a new adventure or the start of vacation.

Although we may think of Monday as the first day of the week, in fact Sunday is the first day of the week.  How important is for us to remember that God is there for us first and last!

Mondays and every other day are more bearable when we remember that our Redeemer the Lord and King of Israel is there for us every moment. If we try to go through life without Him by giving other things the priority of God in our lives, we are heading for disaster.

Not only does work become drudgery, all of life becomes meaningless without God’s presence and grace. There may be temporary highs and happiness but eventually the futility of it all becomes apparent.

When our Redeemer, Jesus is present in our lives by faith, our joy becomes truly joyful, our burdens are lightened and life has meaning. Whether Monday brings sunshine or rain, we can pause and experience the pleasure of life in the Lord.

Martin Luther was wise to suggest we start and end every day with God.  He is the first and last of every moment of our lives in time and eternity.

MORNING PRAYER

In the morning when you get up, make the sign of the holy cross and say:
In the name of the Father and of the +  Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may also say this little prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Then go joyfully to your work, singing a hymn, like that of the Ten Commandments, or whatever your devotion may suggest.

EVENING PRAYER

In the evening when you go to bed, make the sign of the holy cross and say:
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may also say this little prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Then go to sleep at once and in good cheer.

Luther’s Small Catechism 

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 19

You visit the earth and water it;

    you greatly enrich it;

the river of God is full of water;

    you provide their grain,

    for so you have prepared it.

You water its furrows abundantly,

    settling its ridges,

softening it with showers,

    and blessing its growth.

You crown the year with your bounty;

    your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.

The pastures of the wilderness overflow,

    the hills gird themselves with joy,

the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,

    the valleys deck themselves with grain,

    they shout and sing together for joy.

Psalm 65:9-13 

It is in our human nature to look for reasons. We all have a little bit of Isaac Newton in us. Finding the cause of things occupies our time from infancy to old age.

Have you ever watched a two year old investigate her world? She will pick things up. Throw them to see what happens.  Look behind and under things to see what is there.  Early on she learns that her mom and dad cause breakfast to happen, nap time to be observed and baths to be fun.

As we get older we learn that swinging hard isn’t as important as striking the ball well. Working smarter is better than working harder. We long to understand ups and downs in the stock market and economy.

At some point illness strikes and we investigate diet and exercise. We wonder about the causes of diabetes and cancer.

Examples abound in the human quest to understand the reality behind what we observe. While Newton's Principia formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, few in our modern age realize he understood that the laws of nature were established by the God of nature.

He wrote extensively on religious topics. If someone would have told him that science and religion are incompatible, he would have stared at them with incredulously.

The Psalm for this week has been Psalm 65:9-13. In these words we learn nature knows that God is the original source of all that is good. Pastures, meadows, and valleys shout and sing together in joy for the goodness of God.

We, too, enjoy the beauty and bounty of nature. Yet we have so much more to thank and praise God for. He has given us His Only-begotten Son. He has given us new life in Christ and grants to us the promise of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Tomorrow on the Lord’s Day, let us come together with the pastures and meadows and valleys and shout and sing together in joy for the goodness of God in our lives.

Prayer: O good and gracious God, thank you for the beauty of nature that surrounds me. Grant that I may never tire of singing your praise for the gift of salvation that is mine in Christ. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 18

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
    or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
    that he might be repaid?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

One of the great joys of childhood is playing in the mud. Next to my childhood home was a corn field. Running and walking down the rows of corn with the warm July mud pushing up between my toes is a cherished memory.

Moms aren’t always so thrilled with mud. However, there is one place where moms are often seen playing in the mud, Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. There you will find moms, dads, and kids sitting and digging in the dirt. Now and then one of them will find a small dirty rock. Upon closer examination, it may turn out to be a rare gemstone. In 1990 the world’s only perfect diamond was found there.

Sometimes little jewels can be overlooked or lost in the vast landscape. The same is true for the liturgy. One little item that attracts almost no attention and is omitted by many worship planners is the gradual. But upon closer examination the gradual turns out to be a gemstone in the panorama of the morning service. Wedged in between the reading of the lessons, it can seem insignificant and quite dispensable.

The gradual is a verse or two of Scripture. It changes throughout the church year according to the seasons. It will often give you insight into the themes of the day or season.

The gradual for this week is one of those treasures that would be a shame to miss:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:33, 36

One question of childhood is “Why?” Small children are known to repeat this word over and over. As our understanding increases, we ask this question less and less. Still there are times when the events of life become so confusing and disappointing that we may look up to God and ask “Why?” with more earnestness than ever before.

God often does things in ways that surpass our understanding. It takes faith to trust that His ways are always the best. Many Christians have experienced a time when they questioned God’s wisdom only to discover days, weeks, months, or years later that God’s plan was infinitely better than any they could have laid out for themselves.

God greatest and most incomprehensible plan is the cross. Why God loved us so much to send His Son, Jesus to be our Savior is beyond human comprehension. But such is the love of God.

May we spend our days trusting the goodness of His holy will in our lives.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love for me in Christ. Grant that I may learn to trust and accept your plans even when they seem to be contrary to mine. Amen.

Digging For Diamonds

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 17

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:2

“Survey says:”

Do you remember Family Feud? (Maybe not as popular as in its glory days with Richard Dawson but it’s still on the air.) This is a TV show where people are surveyed with leading questions and two families face off to guess the top responses.

I can remember enjoying the silly answers that were given by contestants. Mostly this game show is just innocent fun (or maybe no so innocent). But it does remind me of a growing concern I have for our world in general and the Church in particular.

Our lives have become dominated by surveys. (Against my better judgment, I answered a phone survey last night). You may recall that Pilate famously asked Jesus, “What is truth?” in response to Jesus’ statement, “I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:38, 39).

More and more people of the 21st Century seem to believe that truth is determined by majority opinion or consensus science. What is marriage? Let’s ask social media.  What is happening with the climate? Let’s poll the people. To this observer it appears that many in mass media seek to promote a secularization of society based on surveys.

If people around you are confused about truth, don’t be surprised. Pilate was confused about truth as well. Truth has puzzled pagan philosophers for centuries. However, you need not be confused about truth because Jesus has the answer.  In His High Priestly Prayer recorded in John 17, Jesus speaks to His Father in heaven, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

You and I need never wonder about the truth.  God’s word is truth.  It tells us about God’s love for us in Christ. It speaks to us of forgiveness, life and salvation by grace through faith.

When people around you spout off about the latest trend or survey, simply smile knowingly! God has revealed His truth to you in His holy word. Remember that in verse 20 of the same High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays for you, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their WORD.”

Prayer:

Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;

Curb those who by deceit or sword

Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son

And bring to naught all He has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known,

For You are Lord of lords alone;

Defend Your holy Church that we

May sing Your praise eternally.

O Comforter of priceless worth,

Send peace and unity on earth;

Support us in our final strife

And lead us out of death to life.

Martin Luther, Public domain, Lutheran Service Book 655

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 16

He told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. Matthew 13:5

One main focus for our Scripture readings this past week was a celebration of God’s word. In the parable of the sower, Jesus shows that God’s kingdom is produced by His word. In the Old Testament lesson we are reminded that God’s word always produces what He intends.

This should not be surprising to us, since already in the first chapter of Genesis we hear God say, “Let there be light.”  Immediately, there is light!  God’s word always performs the task that He declares.

Since God’s word is active in our lives and the Holy Spirit uses it to create and sustain faith, it is only natural that we will want to have a full measure of His word in our lives. Attending church and hearing God’s word read and proclaimed is the life blood of the Christian faith. There we hear again and again of Jesus love for us and the forgiveness He won on the cross. It is only the deception of Satan that leads some Christians to believe that they can maintain a healthy faith without being immersed in God’s word.

The collect for this week is a time honored prayer that recognizes the importance of God’s holy word in our lives. May we make it a regular prayer in our lives.

Prayer: Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The Gutenberg Bible

The first printed Bible – 1450s

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 15

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
 and do not return there but water the earth,
 making it bring forth and sprout,
 giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
 it shall not return to me empty,
 but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
 and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11

How is your garden?  Are the tomato plants thriving? Are your flowers reaching for the sun?

I love growing tomatoes and mine are very happy. With all the rain we have had this summer they haven’t needed much attention at all. The same thing is true for my lawn.

Isn’t water wonderful? Those who live in the dessert understand how just one spring rain can make the desert burst into bloom. Just add water and it becomes one of the most beautiful places in the world.

God says that His word is like the rain and snow. He sends rain and snow to make the earth green and produce all the plants that we need to support our bodies.  His sends His word into the world to produce Christians.

The Church will never go away.  It will always thrive where God’s word is proclaimed and taught in its truth and purity. The message of salvation through faith in Christ is like a summer shower that makes everything green and lush.

May we always be faithful in the teaching of God’s word for the working of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord for the quenching my thirsting soul with the sweet water of the Gospel. Grant that I may share the life giving water of your word with people in my life. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 14

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15

It is a tried and true saying that we all want to belong. Yet there are certain ways of belonging that we all reject. Slavery is a way of belonging.  It is an absolutely terrible way of belonging.

We all struggle with the temptations of the flesh but today it seems that our culture is enslaved to immorality. It is promoted as normal in everything from news broadcasts to children’s books. What are we to do?

Christians have always been confronted with an immoral world. The ancient Romans were known for their engineering and technological skills. They were also known for tolerating and promoting horrendously immoral life styles. Emperor after emperor flaunted a disregard for even the most basic moral sensibility.

We may be born into an immoral world but we don’t have to live enslaved to it. There is an entirely different way of belonging.  We belong to a family! We belong to Jesus’ family. His Father is our Father.  Through our adoption into Christ we have all the rights and privileges of the family of God. We are no longer slaves!  Through Christ’s cross we have been freed from the chains that connect us to sin and death.

It is a great comfort to be able to call the Almighty God of the universe, Abba! Father! As children in His family we are granted a wonderful inheritance—Eternal life!

Prayer: Dear Father, I thank you that I can come to you as your dear child. Grant that I may not fall back into my sinful ways. If I should fall, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Amen.


God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus