Published on Monday, 27 Feb 2012
Published on Monday, 27 February 2012 16:50 Hits: 5
Sacrifice – For You – and – To the Lord
Greetings to you in this Lenten Season:
I am writing about one particular word that is a vitally important word in the Bible. It is the word “Sacrifice.” One of the definitions of “Sacrifice” is that someone gives up something they highly value for the sake of something else. Isn’t that what Jesus did? He offered up everything for the sake of us sinful people. He sacrificed His dignity, His body, His blood, indeed, His very life. He sacrificed Himself to pain, torture, shame, indignity, suffering, agony, humiliation, disgrace, and even death on the cross. He did this for us, for our sake, for our life, indeed for our salvation. Our Lord Jesus Christ did this for the sake of the whole world, no exceptions, all people of all ages. Through Him, all sin is paid for. But then, we also need to look at Christ’s Sacrifice as being “for me!” His sacrifice comes to us in a very individual, personal way. Every one of us can proudly proclaim “Christ died for Me!” W e also speak of “Self Sacrifice,” or “Self- Denial.” This concept means that each of us on an individual basis give up something for a nobler purpose than our own personal wishes and desires. That is the concept behind the practice of giving something up for Lent. Quite often people think in terms of giving up candy, certain foods, television programs, or some other item of luxury or pleasure. All of the members of our congregation have been given an Individual Lenten Self Denial Coin Folder . We are asking all of you to deny yourself something not for your own benefit, but for the sake of others, just as Jesus Christ did. The coin folder requires you to deny yourself a few cents each day during Lent. On Easter Sunday, we are asking you to bring back your filled coin folders. What are we going to do with the money that comes in? As I said before Self Sacrifice or Denial is best when it is done for someone or something else. As a congregation, we are giving all the proceeds from the coin folders to Voice of Care ministries. Voice of Care ministers to individuals who are developmentally challenged or impaired, and their families. People who are developmentally challenged are God’s precious people as well. The Lord places them in the category of folks we are to love and care for. Under God, they are our brothers and sisters. We need to do all we can for them. That is the whole focus of Voice of Care Ministries. Do something this Lent to help care for them. Return your coin folders full on Easter morning. Jesus said that if we do these things for the least of all people, we have done it to Him. Blessings! Pastor Wahl
– For You – and –
To the Lord
Published on Monday, 16 Jan 2012
Published on Monday, 16 January 2012 16:15 Hits: 6
Dear Friends in Christ:
As I write this, one word comes to mind, the word, FIRST. In a few days, it will be January 1, 2012, the First day of the First month of a new year. Add to that the fact that this year, January 1 is also the First Sunday of the year as well. Many of you will be reading this article, also on the First.
This all brings to my mind the need each of us has to set priorities in our personal lives. In other words, put First things First! I immediately think of God’s priorities in things. The Bible verse of 1 John 4:19 comes to mind. It simply states: “We love because he first loved us.” That passage explains that our ability to love God, love others, even love ourselves is possible only because God loved us First. In fact, our ability to do anything at all is because of that basic fact of life. God loved us First!
Because He loved us First – He sent Jesus into our world. He sent Jesus to bear our sins. He sent Jesus to suffer and die for us. He sent Jesus to give us peace, love, and joy. That love comes to each of us in a very real, personal, individual way. It is a real, genuine love that comes to us First.
As we enter into a New Year, we go once again with the love of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. With that love shown to us First, we can put things in the right priority, First things First. Specifically, that is in our individual lives, to love Him First, serve Him First, and worship Him First.
Blessings to you in this new Year, as you put First things First!
Pastor Wahl
Some Observatons
Published on Saturday, 30 April 2011 10:44 Hits: 20
Dear Friends in Christ:
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Observation # 1 - Over the years, I have met very few people who claim that they really do not want to have eternal life in heaven. In fact, I could probably count them on one hand. It seems as though everyone wants to go to heaven.
Observation # 2 - On the other hand, I have encountered countless numbers of people who do not attend the church's worship services with any degree of regularity. Some absolutely refuse to attend worship. Some attend only on Christmas or Easter. Some continually find excuse after excuse as to why they cannot attend. Believe me, I have heard it all.
Observation # 3 - I love the descriptions given in Revelation about those who will be in heaven. They will be before the throne of God continually giving Him thanks and praise, honor and glory for all that he has done. They will sing His praises in loud accord. They will rejoice in the joy, happiness, and bliss that is present everywhere in heaven. What a glorious place it will be.
Observation # 4 - While our worship services in this life here on earth are far from perfect, they nonetheless are directed towards Almighty God. They seek to give Him thanks, praise, honor and glory. Truly they give us a "foretaste of the feast to come," as we sing in one of our liturgical responses. Imagine that, a taste of heaven while we are here on earth.
And then I wonder, why do those who seldom attend worship on earth say they want to go to heaven. If they cannot be bothered with worship here and now, do they really want to be bothered with it in eternity. Certainly, there is a disconnect here.
Folks, there is no doubt about it. We are saved by faith and faith alone, not by our works or actions. But as St. John tells us, our love (and faith) are shown by our deeds and actions. Are your actions showing forth your faith, your love of Christ, your desire to be in heaven, your desire to live in everlasting glory? I pray they do.
In Christ's Name,
Pastor Wahl
An Important Question
Published on Tuesday, 01 March 2011 10:50 Hits: 24
How often is often? From time to time, I am asked that question. No, the inquirer is not trying to cute or smart. Nor is it an attempt to be dubious like Bill Clinton questioning "What is is?" When I am asked the question it is an honest attempt to understand what Jesus meant when he stated that we should eat His body and drink His blood often in the Sacrament of the Altar. He simply said to do it often. Granted it would have been great if he would have given a specific number or frequency rate for partaking of the Sacrament. He did not get specific. Therefore Christians through the centuries have struggled with the question, How often is often?
Evidence seems to indicate that the First Century Christians observed the Sacrament at each and every worship service they participated in. At the time of Martin Luther, many Christians observed Communion weekly, some even daily. In fact, the official confessional documents of Lutheranism state that it should be celebrated weekly.
When Lutherans came to America, they began to observe the Sacrament less frequently, for various reasons. In fact many of them went to a 4-times a year frequency for communion. They based this on Martin Luther's opinion that he could not understand how it is that a person could receive the Sacrament less than 4 times a year and still expect to go to heaven were he to die. Those early American Lutherans treated his opinion more as a bare minimum. That is hardly often!
I bring this question up not to engage in deep theological thought, but to get at a much more practical side. Really, I am getting at a much more important question: Are you receiving the Sacrament often? That is what is ultimately most important. Are you following Jesus' command. Are you receiving the Sacrament for the continual forgiveness of your sins and the strengthening of your faith? Are you receiving it to remain in the close personal relationship Jesus wants to have with you.? Are you receiving it for the nourishment of your soul to be able to resist the temptations of the devil? Are you receiving it for the assurance of your eternal home with Jesus in heaven?
As we enter the Lenten Season, I encourage you to reflect on the condition of your soul and the need you have to receive the Sacrament often!
Please give this careful and prayerful consideration. It is the important question. Are you receiving the Sacrament often?
A Blessed Lenten Season to you,
Pastor Wahl
What Will Next Year Be Like?
Published on Monday, 03 January 2011 12:36 Hits: 15
What Will Next Year Be Like?
Dear Friends in Christ:
What will next year be like? As we take down one calendar and put up a calendar for 2011, that is a question on many of our minds. Will it be a "better" year, a "worse" year, or just an average, "so-so" type of year. None of us has the answer to that question. We cannot see into the future and we certainly cannot control the many circumstances of life that will take place.
What will next year be like? Well, your guess is as good as mine. Yet I can most definitely assure you one thing about the new year. That is the fact that our the Lord will be with us throughout the year, no matter what comes along. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) Those are words of comfort each of us can fully rely on as we approach the new year. I am sure each of us can think back on times when life seemed to be difficult or challenging. But then we took comfort in the fact that God was right there all along, to help, guide, strengthen, and comfort us. The good news is that just as He was there in 2010, 2009, 2008, etc. He will be with us in 2011.
What will next year be like? It will be a year with Jesus Christ. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) That is another bit of wisdom for the new year as well. Jesus Christ possesses the quality of "unchangeableness." Just as He has been faithful and forgiving to us repeatedly in the past, we can be assured that He will do the same again in 2011. He will continue to be the light to our path and the very life we live.
What will next year be like? In reality, God is not as concerned with the numbers on the calendar as we seem to be. He is always there to fill the year with His blessings. He has never stopped doing this, and He never will.
What will next year be like? It will be a year filled with the grace, love, peace, and joy of the Lord. Look forward to it and be thankful for it.
Pastor Wahl