lutheranorleans

Saturday March 6, 2010                                 Isaiah 5:1-7

What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? (v. 4)

The plaintive lament of the vineyard keeper is in response to the vineyard yielding wild grapes instead of good grapes. I can see the keeper lifting his arms and shrugging his shoulders in frustration as he lamented.

But this is more than a story of grapes. It's a story of a nation that did not know their destiny as God's people. God expected good fruits from them-obedience to God and justice and mercy for all who were in need. Instead of justice there was bloodshed. Instead of mercy and obedience came the outcry.

The destruction of the vineyard is predictable. The people of God brought the destruction of the nation on themselves by their disobedience. This was predicted by the ancient prophets as well.

In Lent, we are reminded to turn ourselves to God. In time, God sends us the Son, who is born in humble circum-

tances and had a three-year ministry. Innocently he was IPut to death. I imagine a grieving God whose Son's arms are outstretched on a cross, saying; "What more was there to do for my people?"

Help me, Gracious God, not to forget who and whose lam.Amen.

Psalm 63:1-8; Luke 6:43-45

Sunday, March 7, 2010                                                                       Luke 13:1-9

Monday, March 8, 20I0                                                                                                   Psalm 39

Remove your stroke from me; I am worn down by the blows of your hand. (v. 10)

More often than not, when the going was tough; especially in recent events, my wife would say, "1 believe that we'are being punished!"

Doubtless the psalmist felt the same way, When bad things happened to a nation or persons in that nation, the Hebrews believed it was a sign of God's judgment. The psalmist withheld his feelings of anger as his dreaded disease progressed, He had no power to heal himself and got no relief, After awhile, his suffering became so intense that he put his feeling into words. A lament came out like a wall of water. He not only felt he was being punished. He felt that God was beating him up.

One of the sure signs of faith is to be able to accept, own, and handle one's feelings of anger, no matter to whom or where the anger is.directed. The steadfast love of God never fails us. This season of Lent could be a time to turn to God and form an honest relationship in your faith life.

Foq~iving God, help me to be honest in my faith and

feel the balm of your love. Amen.

Jeremiah 11:1-17; Romans 2:1-11

Tuesday, March 9,2010                                                                 Romans 2: 12-16

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God's sight, but the doers ... (v. 13)

Status is a part of our lot as humans in community. I know of one community where people who had lived there for twelve years were still considered newcomers. They did not have the credentials that gave them status. Needless to say, this was not a growing community.

In his ministry, Jesus ignored the issue of status.

He served rich and poor, powerful and outcast, Jew and Gentile. He understood that his purpose in this world was to proclaim the kingdom of God, and his disciples were to do the same. He carried that message to an innocent death on the cross so that all may have access to the mercies of God.

Paul wrote to Rome and told the faithful that either Jewish law or Gentile conscience could guide one's life. The Gentiles did not have to carry the burden of learning the law to be a part of the church. AJew could stand or fall by the law; a Gentile, by conscience.

Still, in the end, any status we claim does not come through our own actions. It is attained as righteousness because Jesus died for us.

Lord Jesus, keep me focused on the cross that keeps me righteous. Amen.

Psalm 39; Ezekiel 17:1-10

Wednesday, March 10, 2010                                                                    Numbers 13:17-27

We came to the land to which you sent us; it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. (v. 27)

How well can you keep a promise? Sometimes it is not easy. Circumstances in life change. We are not as good as we want to be, and I speak for myself as well. I have been known to break a promise without realizing that I did it. However, as I learned in Navy boot camp, I didn't know is no excuse.

The Hebrews were about to conclude their journey to the promised land. God spoke to Moses at the very beginning of the exodus and included the promise that their new home would be a land flowing with milk and honey, which signified paradise to semi-nomadic people. The Hebrews sent spies into this land and they confirmed God's promise kept. No matter the Hebrews rebelled against God and broke promises, God was faithful.

In time, God sent the Son. He carried the promise of eternal life for all who believe in him. In spite of our own track record of empty promises and falling away from God, we are given the chance to turn back to God and God's promise. Let this Lenten season be a time to do so.

God of promise, keep me from falling away through the merits of the cross of Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 39; Luke 13.18-21

Thursday, March I I, 20I0                                                                             Psalm 32

Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, ... (v. 9)

A rather hilarious picture is a mule going forward pulling a plow with a carrot tied onto the end of a rigging, so that it is always in front of the animal. For the mule, the carrot is a motivation to get work done. No matter how the farmer steers the mule, the carrot stick is leading him forward. There is no doubt that the mule will get his carrot that night and be ready for another one tied onto the rigging the next day.

The psalmist shared a faith that had been tempered with adversity. Understanding comes when one knows the source of healing, forgiveness, and indeed life itself. Understanding is a gift of faith. Faith cultivates that understanding that God shepherds our lives so that we are not left alone to pursue miracle cures or reliance on things that seem to have value but really do not.

Mules may always need to be bridled in order to be controlled. The mule will have the carrot on the stick yet one more day to motivate.

Because of what Jesus did on the cross for us, we need not be controlled or enslaved. But we have the gift of an understanding faith that motivates us to praise and serve our God.

God of understanding, help me to know and respond to your great goodness and mercy. Amen.

Joshua 4:1-13; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5

Friday, March 12, 2010                                                                         2 Corinthians 5:6-15

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (v. 7)

In my active ministry, this phrase meant so much to me! First, in the initial phase of gathering a congregation together, it was necessary for me to walk great distances during the day. I went from house to house to survey the community and issue invitations to join the new mission. Like most of my colleagues I wore out two pairs of shoes. There were also days when Heike, my wife, had to say to me, "Don't you have some calling to do?" That got me gomg.

Second, there were people who I counted on for lead· ership that wound up saying, "Gerry, you are a good and faithful pastor. However, we don't see any future in your new church. It'll be a long time to build, and you're not getting much offering. Count us out on signing the charter." Well, they were right about some things, but the church did build five years later. And there were several who took over leadership positions and carried us through.

God does provide. I always remember that when things don't seem so obvious. God is always with us, often in spite of us. God is with us now. God is with us even after this life. I can speak to that through faith, even when in sight it would seem otherwise.

Thank you, God, for guiding me through this journey. Amen.

Psalm 32; Joshua 4:14-24

Saturday, March 13,2010                                                                    Exodus 32:7-14

Sunday, March 14, 20I0                                                                           Luke 15: 1-3, II b-32

Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours." (v. 31)

This parable is a wonderful illustration of God's mercy for sinners. The main character is neither the traditional prodigal son nor the angry older son. It is the father who endured the antics of his younger son who used up the inheritance (which he had no real right to ask for in the first place). It is the father who lavished love on the older son, the loyal one, even after he begrudged his father's generosity.

I find myself being most like the faithful son. I would like to preach about a dignified god who pours wrath on sinners. But I happen to be one of those sinners.

The response of the father to the eldest son, who was indignant over the father's actions, is a good meditation piece from time to time: God is with us always. All that belongs to God belongs to us.

I thank you, gracious God, that I am always with you and what is yours is mine. Amen.

Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Monday, March 15, 20I0                                                                        Psalm 53

When God restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad. (v. 6)

"Are we there yet?" How often I have heard this query from our two children while on the road. I never understood why they seemed bored. We supplied them with puzzle books and played games with them. Then there was the scenery-which made it all worthwhile. But none of these distractions kept away the desire to reach our destination.

There were some in Israel who fought for justice, right living, generosity, and true worship. This remnant knew that the nation behaved the opposite way, and their bad behavior had brought on the exile of Israel. Their plea was for the restoration of the Hebrew ~ation. The journey would be arduous, but worthwhile toward that end. It would bring them from living in rebellious Israel, through the exile and destruction of the nation~ and finally to the hoped-for restoration. The remnant couldn't get there fast enough!

"Are we there yet?" Our journey called life is based on hope, often in the midst of despair. With some churches struggling to make ends meet, others struggling with their mission, it is a tough road. We pray that God will restore our fortunes and refresh our hearts. In the midst of this, we know that God is with us on the journey as well as at the destination.

God of all hopefulness, restore and refresh me to praise and serve you. Amen.

Leviticus 23:26-41; Revelation 19:1-8

Tuesday, March 16, 20I0                                              Revelation 19:9-10

Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. (v. 9)

I love to celebrate marriages, especially with church members. Bringing two people together and invoking the blessing of God provides much satisfaction for me. But receptions I thoroughly enjoy. It's amazing to me how receptions seem to fall into place, while in the wedding itself I can usually count on at least one faux pas.

Jesus apparently enjoyed himself at marriage suppers as well. On at least one occasion, he turned water into wine and saved the banquet by his presence.

The one mentioned in this passage, however, is the ultimate marriage supper. The marriage is between Christ and the church. This supper is eternal; it has no end. Can you imagine eating and drinking in the presence of the risen Christ for all time?

But everything in the Lord is eternal. Life,love, mercy, and forgiveness are all for always. As we are a part of the church, Christ provides the nurture with his body broken and his blood shed. The meal served from the altar is a foretaste of the wedding supper to come. Truly, we are blessed!

Jesus, Lamb of God, in your mercy, may I be a part of the feast to come. Amen.

 Psalm 53; Leviticus 25:1-19

Wednesday, March 1 7, 2010                                                                                   Luke 9:10-17

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them. (v. 16)

During the reception following my mother's memorial service, a very close friend got up in front of the group and recalled that several families would gather at our house following worship services on Sundays. After a spirited conversation, my mom would say, "Now, let's see what's for dinner." If my memory serves me, there was always food for everyone in my home. And it wasn't that we had money to spare, because we didn't. But nobody in our household left the table hungry. The underlying message left to me was that God provides. Itis simply a matter of trust.

The disciples were skeptical that five loaves and two fish would feed five thousand people. But Jesus showed them what to do, and the disciples trusted and obeyed him. And everyone was full, and there was food left over.

God provides! My mom knew that. I learned that. It's a matter of obedient trust that you can visualize God's providing for you and yours.

Nurturing God, feed me from your word and your . bounty. Amen.

 Psalm 53; 2 Kings 4.1-7