"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them", says Jesus, "and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand."[John 10:27-28]
There seems to be many things to be fearful about in our world today, wouldn't you agree? In my ministry in New York, we had Bible studies on Wall Street down by the Twin Towers. When the planes flew into the buildings on 9/11, it was a neighborhood tragedy, as well as a national tragedy, for many people I loved and cared for. It seems like those kinds of fears are becoming more and more commonplace today too. With other recent attacks in France and in Belgium, with people gleefully celebrating the death of innocent people, life in this world seems to be cheaper than ever, doesn't it? And with that kind of disregard for others, violence and fear seem to be inevitable.
Terror, tragedy and fear have always been a part of human life to one degree or another. The Bible clearly says that such things are a result of human sinfulness and rebellion against God (the Bible says the wages of sin is death). When Jesus was confronted with a tragedy in His day, He got right to the heart of the matter with the people who were questioning Him. He warned those who gathered not to speculate about why this happened to the people who died. But, instead, He calls all people to personal repentance and faith so that the reality of this world's terror, sin and fear might not overwhelm them as well.
In our sermon yesterday, we talked about the truth that Jesus is the "Good Shepherd." It's an image of the love of God in action for you. The Shepherd protects His sheep, leads them out of trouble, brings them to life-giving pastures. He does all that is needed for their life, their health, their safety, with a voice the sheep themselves trust -- no matter what else is going on all around them.
All this shepherd/sheep talk is really about God ... for you talk. It's a metaphor of His love amidst the fearful realities of the day. It's an image of God in action for you when you feel like you are in the valley of the shadow of death itself. Actually, it's not merely a metaphor, it's a promise Jesus makes to all who put their faith in Him.
Listen again then to the voice of Jesus today:
* Jesus says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them!" You and I matter to Him always!
* Jesus says, "I give My sheep eternal life, and they will never perish!" Jesus Himself is the Source, then, of our abundant life, to face whatever we're facing at the moment!
* And, when it comes to facing the fears and terrors of this world, our Lord and Savior makes an eternal promise to His people: "No one will snatch them out of My hand." Real security for life; count on it.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, there are fears -- real fears in this world. But you are a real Savior that calls for real faith that can overcome all those fears. Give us that kind of faith today, not only to trust You, indeed, so that we might do what is right, but to do all things in faith without fear. Amen.
There seems to be many things to be fearful about in our world today, wouldn't you agree? In my ministry in New York, we had Bible studies on Wall Street down by the Twin Towers. When the planes flew into the buildings on 9/11, it was a neighborhood tragedy, as well as a national tragedy, for many people I loved and cared for. It seems like those kinds of fears are becoming more and more commonplace today too. With other recent attacks in France and in Belgium, with people gleefully celebrating the death of innocent people, life in this world seems to be cheaper than ever, doesn't it? And with that kind of disregard for others, violence and fear seem to be inevitable.
Terror, tragedy and fear have always been a part of human life to one degree or another. The Bible clearly says that such things are a result of human sinfulness and rebellion against God (the Bible says the wages of sin is death). When Jesus was confronted with a tragedy in His day, He got right to the heart of the matter with the people who were questioning Him. He warned those who gathered not to speculate about why this happened to the people who died. But, instead, He calls all people to personal repentance and faith so that the reality of this world's terror, sin and fear might not overwhelm them as well.
In our sermon yesterday, we talked about the truth that Jesus is the "Good Shepherd." It's an image of the love of God in action for you. The Shepherd protects His sheep, leads them out of trouble, brings them to life-giving pastures. He does all that is needed for their life, their health, their safety, with a voice the sheep themselves trust -- no matter what else is going on all around them.
All this shepherd/sheep talk is really about God ... for you talk. It's a metaphor of His love amidst the fearful realities of the day. It's an image of God in action for you when you feel like you are in the valley of the shadow of death itself. Actually, it's not merely a metaphor, it's a promise Jesus makes to all who put their faith in Him.
Listen again then to the voice of Jesus today:
* Jesus says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them!" You and I matter to Him always!
* Jesus says, "I give My sheep eternal life, and they will never perish!" Jesus Himself is the Source, then, of our abundant life, to face whatever we're facing at the moment!
* And, when it comes to facing the fears and terrors of this world, our Lord and Savior makes an eternal promise to His people: "No one will snatch them out of My hand." Real security for life; count on it.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, there are fears -- real fears in this world. But you are a real Savior that calls for real faith that can overcome all those fears. Give us that kind of faith today, not only to trust You, indeed, so that we might do what is right, but to do all things in faith without fear. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Judges 11:1 Now Yiftach, a brave soldier from Gil‘ad, was the son of a prostitute. His father, Gil‘ad, 2 had other sons by his wife; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Yiftach away and told him, “You will not inherit from our father, because you are another woman’s son.” 3 Then Yiftach fled from his brothers and lived in the territory of Tov, where he enlisted a gang of rowdies who would go out raiding with him.
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St. Louis, Missouri 63141, United States
1-800-876-9880
www.lhm.org
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Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Judges 11:1 Now Yiftach, a brave soldier from Gil‘ad, was the son of a prostitute. His father, Gil‘ad, 2 had other sons by his wife; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Yiftach away and told him, “You will not inherit from our father, because you are another woman’s son.” 3 Then Yiftach fled from his brothers and lived in the territory of Tov, where he enlisted a gang of rowdies who would go out raiding with him.
4 After a while the people of ‘Amon made war against Isra’el. 5 When the army of ‘Amon attacked Isra’el, the leaders of Gil‘ad went to fetch Yiftach from the territory of Tov 6 and said to him, “Come and be our chief, so that we can fight the army of ‘Amon.” 7 Yiftach answered the leaders of Gil‘ad, “Didn’t you hate me so much that you forced me out of my father’s house? Why are you coming to me now, when you’re in trouble?” 8 The leaders of Gil‘ad replied, “Here is why we’ve come back to you now: if you lead us in war with the people of ‘Amon, you will be head over everyone living in Gil‘ad.” 9 Yiftach answered them, “If you bring me back home to fight the army of ‘Amon, and Adonai defeats them for me, I will be your head.” 10 The leaders of Gil‘ad said to Yiftach, “Adonai is witness that we promise to do what you have said.” 11 Then Yiftach went with the leaders of Gil‘ad, and the people made him head and chief over them. Yiftach repeated all these conditions at Mitzpah in the presence of Adonai.
12 Yiftach sent messengers to the king of the people of ‘Amon to say, “What’s your problem with us? Why are you invading our territory?” 13 The king of ‘Amon answered the messengers of Yiftach, “Because Isra’el took away my territory when they came up from Egypt. They took everything from the Arnon to the Yabok and the Yarden. Now, restore it peacefully.” 14 Yiftach sent messengers again to the king of the people of ‘Amon 15 with this response, “Here is what Yiftach has to say: ‘Isra’el captured neither the territory of Mo’av nor the territory of the people of ‘Amon. 16 But when Isra’el came up from Egypt, walked through the desert to the Red Sea and arrived at Kadesh, 17 then Isra’el sent messengers to the king of Edom, to say, “Please let us pass through your land.” But the king of Edom wouldn’t let them. He sent a similar message to the king of Mo’av, but neither would he, so Isra’el stayed at Kadesh. 18 Then they walked through the desert, around the territory of Edom and the territory of Mo’av, past the east border of the territory of Mo’av, and pitched camp on the other side of the Arnon; but they did not cross the border into Mo’av, for the Arnon was the border of Mo’av. 19 Isra’el sent messengers to Sichon king of the Emori and king of Heshbon with this message, “Please let us pass through your land to our own place.” 20 But Sichon did not trust that Isra’el would only pass through his land, so he gathered all his people together, pitched camp in Yahatz and fought against Isra’el. 21 Adonai the God of Isra’el handed Sichon and all his people over to Isra’el, and they killed them. Thus Isra’el possessed all the territory of the Emori who lived there. 22 They took possession of all the territory of the Emori from the Arnon to the Yabok and from the desert to the Yarden. 23 So now that Adonai the God of Isra’el has expelled the Emori before his people Isra’el, do you think that you will expel us? 24 You should just keep the territory your god K’mosh has given you; while we, for our part, will hold onto whatever Adonai our God has given us of the lands that belonged to others before us. 25 Really, are you better than Balak the son of Tzippor, king of Mo’av? Did he ever pick a quarrel with Isra’el or fight with us? 26 Isra’el lived in Heshbon and its villages, in ‘Aro‘er and its villages and in all the cities on the banks of the Arnon for three hundred years. Why didn’t you take them back during that time? 27 No, I have done you no wrong. But you are doing me wrong to war against me. May Adonai the Judge be judge today between the people of Isra’el and the people of ‘Amon.’” 28 But the king of the people of ‘Amon paid no attention to the message Yiftach sent him.
29 Then the spirit of Adonai came upon Yiftach; and he passed through Gil‘ad and M’nasheh, on through Mitzpeh of Gil‘ad, and from there over to the people of ‘Amon. 30 Yiftach made a vow to Adonai: “If you will hand the people of ‘Amon over to me, 31 then whatever comes out the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the people of ‘Amon will belong to Adonai; I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” 32 So Yiftach crossed over to fight the people of ‘Amon, and Adonai handed them over to him. 33 He killed them from ‘Aro‘er until you reach Minnit, twenty cities, all the way to Avel-K’ramim; it was a massacre. So the people of ‘Amon were defeated before the people of Isra’el.
34 As Yiftach was returning to his house in Mitzpah, his daughter came dancing out to meet him with tambourines. She was his only child; he had no other son or daughter. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “Oh, no, my daughter! You’re breaking my heart! Why must you be the cause of such pain to me? I made a vow to Adonai, and I can’t go back on my word.” 36 She said to him, “Father, you made a vow to Adonai; so do whatever you said you would do to me; because Adonai did take vengeance on your enemies the people of ‘Amon.” 37 Then she said to her father, “Just do this one thing for me — let me be alone for two months. I’ll go away into the mountains with my friends and mourn, because I will die without getting married.” 38 “You may go,” he answered, and he sent her away for two months. She left, she and her friends, and mourned in the mountains that she would die unmarried. 39 After two months she returned to her father, and he did with her what he had vowed; she had remained a virgin. So it became a law in Isra’el 40 that the women of Isra’el would go every year for four days to lament the daughter of Yiftach from Gil‘ad.
12:1 The men of Efrayim assembled, crossed into Tzafon and said to Yiftach, “Why didn’t you call us to go with you when you went over to fight the people of ‘Amon? We’re ready to burn down your house with you in it!” 2 Yiftach answered, “When my people and I were in a serious dispute with the people of ‘Amon, I called you; and you didn’t rescue me from their power. 3 When I saw that you weren’t rescuing me, I put my life in my own hands and went over to attack the people of ‘Amon; and Adonai gave them over into my power. So why have you come up today to fight me?” 4 Then Yiftach gathered together all the men of Gil‘ad and fought with Efrayim, and the men of Gil‘ad defeated Efrayim; because they were saying, “You Gil‘ad men who live in Efrayim and M’nasheh have deserted Efrayim!” 5 The men of Gil‘ad cut off Efrayim from the crossings over the Yarden, and whenever anyone from Efrayim tried to escape and said, “Let me go across,” the men of Gil‘ad would ask him, “Are you from Efrayim?” and if he said, “No,” 6 they would tell him to say “Shibbolet.” If he said, “Sibbolet,” because he could not make his mouth pronounce it right, they took hold of him and killed him on the spot at the Yarden crossing; at that time 42,000 men of Efrayim died.
7 Yiftach judged Isra’el for six years. Then Yiftach from Gil‘ad died, and he was buried in one of the cities of Gil‘ad.
8 After him Ibtzan of Beit-Lechem judged Isra’el. 9 He had thirty sons, and he had thirty daughters whom he sent abroad; he brought thirty women from abroad in to marry his sons. He judged Isra’el for seven years. 10 Then Ibtzan died and was buried at Beit-Lechem.
11 After him Elon from Z’vulun judged Isra’el; he judged Isra’el for ten years. 12 Then Elon from Z’vulun died and was buried at Ayalon, in the territory of Z’vulun.
13 After him Avdon the son of Hillel from Pir‘aton judged Isra’el. 14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy young donkeys. He judged Isra’el for eight years. 15 Then Avdon the son of Hillel from Pir‘aton died and was buried at Pir‘aton in the territory of Efrayim, in the ‘Amalek hills.
Luke 14:25 Large crowds were traveling along with Yeshua. Turning, he said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father, his mother, his wife, his children, his brothers and his sisters, yes, and his own life besides, he cannot be my talmid. 27 Whoever does not carry his own execution-stake and come after me cannot be my talmid.
28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Don’t you sit down and estimate the cost, to see if you have enough capital to complete it? 29 If you don’t, then when you have laid the foundation but can’t finish, all the onlookers start making fun of you 30 and say, ‘This is the man who began to build, but couldn’t finish!’
31 “Or again, suppose one king is going out to wage war with another king. Doesn’t he first sit down and consider whether he, with his ten thousand troops, has enough strength to meet the other one, who is coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he hasn’t, then while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation to inquire about terms for peace.
33 “So every one of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has cannot be my talmid. 34 Salt is excellent. But if even the salt becomes tasteless, what can be used to season it? 35 It is fit for neither soil nor manure — people throw it out. Those who have ears that can hear, let them hear!”
The Lutheran Hour660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63141, United States
1-800-876-9880
www.lhm.org
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