Words of Inspiration and Encouragement
11-30-22
Yesterday I read a BBC news story about a small Buddhist temple in Thailand whose monks failed a drug test. The monks were sent to a health clinic to undergo drug rehabilitation and that means that the temple is now empty of monks. Apparently the villagers are very concerned about this situation. Not because the monks were taking drugs or because of the lack of monks to perform religious rites, but rather because the temple is now empty and the villagers can't do any "merit-making". Merit-making is an important Buddhist practice where worshipers gain a protective force through good deeds - in this case by giving food to monks. The BBC reported that the local monastic chief has promised to assign some new monks to the temple in order to address the concerns of the villagers.
According to the book, "Why We Make Merit", by a Thai Buddhist, the majority of Buddhists who make merit are hoping to gain happiness in the present life. Namely, they want to have happiness and prosperity, good luck, success in their job responsibilities, and people who are faithful to them. Of secondary importance is a...contented feeling that this merit will have good effects on your next life"
Merit-making isn't just for the Buddhists. There is a belief in this world that our good deeds will bring good things for us both in this life and the next. It is through our personal efforts that we gain merit and salvation.
This is in direct contrast to Christianity. As we are in the Christmas season I am reminded of God's love. God sent Jesus down to this earth not because humans did enough merit-making to warrant his love. 1 John 4:19 says that "We love because he first loved us." And Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is very clear that we've done nothing to earn God's favor or love. God loves us because his very nature is love and he is a gracious, compassionate, and merciful God.
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Yesterday I read a BBC news story about a small Buddhist temple in Thailand whose monks failed a drug test. The monks were sent to a health clinic to undergo drug rehabilitation and that means that the temple is now empty of monks. Apparently the villagers are very concerned about this situation. Not because the monks were taking drugs or because of the lack of monks to perform religious rites, but rather because the temple is now empty and the villagers can't do any "merit-making". Merit-making is an important Buddhist practice where worshipers gain a protective force through good deeds - in this case by giving food to monks. The BBC reported that the local monastic chief has promised to assign some new monks to the temple in order to address the concerns of the villagers.
According to the book, "Why We Make Merit", by a Thai Buddhist, the majority of Buddhists who make merit are hoping to gain happiness in the present life. Namely, they want to have happiness and prosperity, good luck, success in their job responsibilities, and people who are faithful to them. Of secondary importance is a...contented feeling that this merit will have good effects on your next life"
Merit-making isn't just for the Buddhists. There is a belief in this world that our good deeds will bring good things for us both in this life and the next. It is through our personal efforts that we gain merit and salvation.
This is in direct contrast to Christianity. As we are in the Christmas season I am reminded of God's love. God sent Jesus down to this earth not because humans did enough merit-making to warrant his love. 1 John 4:19 says that "We love because he first loved us." And Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is very clear that we've done nothing to earn God's favor or love. God loves us because his very nature is love and he is a gracious, compassionate, and merciful God.
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11-18-22
Scriptures to meditate on:
Matthew 5:1-12
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
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Scriptures to meditate on:
Matthew 5:1-12
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
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11-11-22
Scripture to meditate on
Psalm 57:1-3 (NLT)
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until the danger passes by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me,
disgracing those who hound me.
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.
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Scripture to meditate on
Psalm 57:1-3 (NLT)
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until the danger passes by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me,
disgracing those who hound me.
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.
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11-4-22
Scripture to meditate on
Jeremiah 17:7-8 -
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit."
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Scripture to meditate on
Jeremiah 17:7-8 -
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit."
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10-28-22
Scripture to meditate on
Romans 8:1-4 - So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Pray for the Lunde family. Nathan and Marybeth (parents of David) are currently in Durango where they are cleaning out David's apartment. They specifically asked prayers for seeing opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those they come into contact with.
Pray for those affected by flooding in west and central Africa. So far over 3.4 million people have been displaced including people from areas where there are Lutheran Brethren churches in Cameroon and Chad. Many crops and stored food have been destroyed and there are food shortages across the region. Pray that people will be able to have enough to eat.
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Scripture to meditate on
Romans 8:1-4 - So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Pray for the Lunde family. Nathan and Marybeth (parents of David) are currently in Durango where they are cleaning out David's apartment. They specifically asked prayers for seeing opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those they come into contact with.
Pray for those affected by flooding in west and central Africa. So far over 3.4 million people have been displaced including people from areas where there are Lutheran Brethren churches in Cameroon and Chad. Many crops and stored food have been destroyed and there are food shortages across the region. Pray that people will be able to have enough to eat.
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10-13-22
Colossians 1:11-14 (NLT
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
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Colossians 1:11-14 (NLT
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
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10-7-22
This has been a hard week as my thoughts constantly keep going to the Lunde family. Last Sunday I got a text from Nathan Lunde asking me to pray for his son, David, to be found after going missing in the mountains in Colorado on Saturday. As of Friday afternoon David is still missing. Search and rescue has shifted their focus from a rescue mission to a recovery mission...
It's hard to know what to say or do in times like this. This morning I shared Psalm 77 with Nathan and Marybeth and want to share some of those verses with you as well.
Psalm 77
1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[b]
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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This has been a hard week as my thoughts constantly keep going to the Lunde family. Last Sunday I got a text from Nathan Lunde asking me to pray for his son, David, to be found after going missing in the mountains in Colorado on Saturday. As of Friday afternoon David is still missing. Search and rescue has shifted their focus from a rescue mission to a recovery mission...
It's hard to know what to say or do in times like this. This morning I shared Psalm 77 with Nathan and Marybeth and want to share some of those verses with you as well.
Psalm 77
1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[b]
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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9-28-22
There are many temptations in life. Temptations to drive through a stop sign, to eat a second bowl of ice cream, to speed on the highway, to cheat on a test, to look where we shouldn't be looking... It is very clear in James that God doesn't tempt us to sin. Temptations to sin can come from within and from others, but never God. Many times we are tempted to worship created things rather than the Creator. We are to resist and stand firm against temptation. How do we do that? By focusing on the gift God has given us...his true word (James 1:18) and remembering that we are God's prized possessions. Being rooted in God's Word and focused on Christ will keep us from giving into temptation.
James 1:12-18 (NLT)
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
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There are many temptations in life. Temptations to drive through a stop sign, to eat a second bowl of ice cream, to speed on the highway, to cheat on a test, to look where we shouldn't be looking... It is very clear in James that God doesn't tempt us to sin. Temptations to sin can come from within and from others, but never God. Many times we are tempted to worship created things rather than the Creator. We are to resist and stand firm against temptation. How do we do that? By focusing on the gift God has given us...his true word (James 1:18) and remembering that we are God's prized possessions. Being rooted in God's Word and focused on Christ will keep us from giving into temptation.
James 1:12-18 (NLT)
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
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