Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "A Right Faith" for Tuesday, August 15, 2017
1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.Faith is a strange thing.
Indeed, I am always amazed at the things people find in which they are willing to place their trust. A case in point comes from Minnesota. The story began when Deputy Mark Vai, who works for the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, pulled a man over in a normal traffic stop. It didn't take too long before the deputy found the man had to be arrested on a controlled-substance warrant.
Now, when an officer has to tell a person he is going to be arrested, all kinds of things can happen, and one of them are very good. For example, the perpetrator might turn violent, or become incredibly uncooperative, or attempt to get away. At the very least, the person who is going to be arrested has a worried look on his face.
Amazingly, none of those ideas applied to the man whom Vai arrested.
The most noticeable facial feature shown by the man was a smirk, a smirk which stretched across the fellow's face. It took but a second for the smirker to explain why he was so cool. He asked Deputy Vai to reach into his front shirt pocket. That, too, is a dangerous thing for an officer to do since pockets can easily hide infected hypodermic needles.
To Deputy Vai's surprise, all that was in the pocket was a card: a card taken from the Parker Brothers' board game: Monopoly. The card read "Get out of Jail Free."
When the curious deputy asked his prisoner to explain the card, the man said, "I've been carrying it on me ever since I found out there was a warrant, just in case." Deputy Vai took a picture of the Monopoly card, gave the card back to the man, and then the deputy hauled the fellow in to the hoosegow. It goes without saying: the man had put his faith in the wrong thing.
I'm afraid that mistake of believing in the wrong thing is pretty commonplace.
* This is especially when it comes to faith. In the last months I've met people who put their faith in themselves and their own ability to confront anything or anyone that might come their way.
* There are those who put their faith in their intellect and have rationalized away any concept of a final judgment.
* Of course, there are those who procrastinate and put their faith in themselves and their belief they will be able to take any necessary steps when the Lord returns, that is, if He returns.
My friends, I give thanks that you already know there is only one way to get out of the "jail" of hell. That one way is Jesus Christ. Only Jesus has the perfect credentials to free us. Only Jesus did all that was necessary to win forgiveness for all who are brought to faith. Only Jesus is telling the truth when He said, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I know what Jesus has done to win my salvation. Now may I do all I can to make Him and His blood-bought message of salvation available to those who are still in ignorance and darkness. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Jenn Gidman for Newser on June 30, 2017. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://www.newser.com/story/245063/man-tries-to-use-monopoly-card-to-avoid-arrest.html
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: 1 Chronicles 13-15; 1 Corinthians 9
1 Chronicles 13:1 David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds — with every leader. 2 Then David said to the entire assembly of Isra’el, “If it seems good to you, and if it is the will of Adonai our God, let’s send messengers to the rest of our kinsmen in the land of Isra’el, and also to the cohanim and L’vi’im in their cities with surrounding open land, asking them to join us; 3 and let’s bring back the ark of our God to ourselves, since we didn’t go after it when Sha’ul was king.” 4 The whole assembly said they would do this, for in the view of all the people it seemed right.
5 So David summoned all Isra’el to come together, from Shichor in Egypt all the way to the entrance of Hamat, to bring the ark of God from Kiryat-Ye‘arim. 6 David went up with all Isra’el to Ba‘alah, that is, Kiryat-Ye‘arim, which belonged to Y’hudah, to bring up from there the ark of God, Adonai, who is enthroned above the k’ruvim, bearing the Name. 7 They set the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Avinadav, with ‘Uza and Achyo, the sons of Avinadav, driving the cart. 8 David and all Isra’el celebrated in the presence of God with all their strength, with songs, lyres, lutes, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
9 When they arrived at Kidon’s threshing-floor, the oxen stumbled; and ‘Uza put out his hand to steady the ark. 10 But Adonai’s anger blazed up against ‘Uza, and he struck him down, because he had put out his hand and touched the ark, so that he died there before God. 11 It upset David that Adonai had broken out against ‘Uza; that place has been called Peretz-‘Uza [breaking-out of ‘Uza] ever since. 12 That day, God frightened David; he asked, “How can I bring the ark of God to me?” 13 So David didn’t bring the ark into the City of David; rather, David carried it aside into the house of ‘Oved-’Edom the Gitti. 14 The ark of God stayed with the family of ‘Oved-’Edom the Gitti in his house for three months; and Adonai blessed the household of ‘Oved-’Edom and all he had.
14:1 Huram king of Tzor sent envoys to David with cedar logs, and with them stonemasons and carpenters, to build him a palace. 2 David then knew that Adonai had set him up as king over Isra’el; because, for the sake of his people Isra’el, his royal power had been greatly increased.
3 David took more concubines and wives in Yerushalayim, and David became father of more sons and daughters. 4 Here are the names of the children born to him in Yerushalayim: Shamua, Shovav, Natan, Shlomo, 5 Yivchar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nefeg, Yafia, 7 Elishama, Be‘elyada and Elifelet.
8 When the P’lishtim heard that David had been anointed king over all Isra’el, all the P’lishtim went up in search of David. On hearing of it, David went to attack them. 9 Now the P’lishtim came and made a raid in the Refa’im Valley. 10 David consulted God, asking, “Should I attack the P’lishtim? Will you hand them over to me?” Adonai answered David, “Attack; I will hand them over to you.” 11 So they went up to Ba‘al-P’ratzim, and David defeated them there. David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my power like a river breaking through its banks.” This is why they called the place Ba‘al-P’ratzim [Lord of breaking through]. 12 The P’lishtim had left their gods there, so David gave an order, and they were burned up completely.
13 The P’lishtim came up again and raided the valley. 14 David consulted God again, but God told him, “Don’t attack them! Turn away from them, and engage them opposite the balsam trees. 15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out, and attack; because God has gone out ahead of you to defeat the army of the P’lishtim.” 16 David did as God had ordered him to do and pursued his attack on the army of the P’lishtim from Giv‘on to Gezer.
17 So David’s reputation spread to all countries, and Adonai brought the fear of him on all nations.
15:1 David erected buildings for himself in the City of David, prepared a place for the ark of God, and set up a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one but the L’vi’im should carry the ark of God, because Adonai chose them to carry the ark of Adonai and to serve him forever.”
3 David assembled all Isra’el in Yerushalayim to bring the ark of Adonai up to its place, which he had prepared for it. 4 David gathered together the descendants of Aharon and the L’vi’im: 5 from the descendants of K’hat: Uri’el the chief, and 120 of his kinsmen; 6 from the descendants of M’rari: ‘Asayah the chief, and 220 of his kinsmen; 7 from the descendants of Gershom: Yo’el the chief, and 130 of his kinsmen; 8 from the descendants of Elitzafan: Sh’ma‘yah the chief, and 200 of his kinsmen; 9 from the descendants of Hevron: Eli’el the chief, and eighty of his kinsmen; 10 and from the descendants of ‘Uzi’el: ‘Amminadav the chief, and 112 of his kinsmen.
11 David called for Tzadok and Evyatar the cohanim and for the L’vi’im — Uri’el, ‘Asayah, Yo’el, Sh’ma‘yah, Eli’el and ‘Amminadav — 12 and said to them, “You are the clan leaders of the L’vi’im. Consecrate yourselves, both you and your kinsmen, to bring the ark of Adonai the God of Isra’el up to the place I have prepared for it. 13 It’s because you weren’t there the first time that Adonai our God broke out against us. We didn’t seek him out according to the rule.” 14 So the cohanim and L’vi’im consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of Adonai the God of Isra’el; 15 and the L’vi’im carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles on it, as Moshe had ordered, according to what Adonai had said.
16 David spoke to the chief of the L’vi’im to appoint their kinsmen to be singers making use of musical instruments — lutes, lyres and cymbals — to play loudly and raise sounds of joy. 17 So the L’vi’im appointed Heman the son of Yo’el; of his kinsmen, Asaf the son of Berekhyahu; of the descendants of M’rari their kinsmen, Eitan the son of Kushayahu; 18 and with them their second-degree kinsmen Z’kharyahu, Ben, Ya‘azi’el, Sh’miramot, Yechi’el, ‘Uni, Eli’av, B’nayahu, Ma‘aseiyahu, Mattityahu, Elif’lehu, Mikneyahu, with ‘Oved-Edom and Ye‘i’el the gatekeepers. 19 The singers Heman, Asaf and Eitan were appointed to sound the bronze cymbals. 20 Z’kharyahu, ‘Azi’el, Sh’miramot, Yechi’el, ‘Uni, Eli’av, Ma‘aseiyahu and B’nayahu were to play the lutes for ‘alamot [high-pitched music?]. 21 Mattityahu, Elif’lehu, Mikneyahu, ’Oved-Edom, Ye‘i’el and ‘Azazyahu were to play lyres to lead the sh’minit [low-pitched music?]. 22 K’nanyahu, chief of the L’vi’im, was in charge of the singing; he was put in charge of the singing because he was skillful at it. 23 Berekhyahu and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark. 24 Sh’vanyahu, Yoshafat, N’tan’el, ‘Amasai, Z’kharyahu, B’nayahu and Eli‘ezer the cohanim blew the trumpets in front of the ark of God. ‘Oved-Edom and Yechiyah were gatekeepers for the ark.
25 So David, the leaders of Isra’el and the commanders over thousands went to bring up the ark for the covenant of Adonai out from the house of ‘Oved-Edom with joy. 26 Since God was helping the L’vi’im who were carrying the ark for the covenant of Adonai, they sacrificed seven young bulls and seven rams. 27 David, all the L’vi’im bearing the ark, the singers and K’nanyah the music leader for the singers were all wearing linen cloaks; and David was also wearing a linen ritual vest. 28 So all Isra’el brought up the ark for the covenant of Adonai with shouting; blowing on shofars and trumpets; and cymbals sounding with lutes and lyres. 29 As the ark for the covenant of Adonai entered the City of David, Mikhal the daughter of Sha’ul, watching from the window, saw King David dancing and celebrating; and she was filled with contempt for him.
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not a free man? Am I not an emissary of the Messiah? Haven’t I seen Yeshua our Lord? And aren’t you yourselves the result of my work for the Lord? 2 Even if to others I am not an emissary, at least I am to you; for you are living proof that I am the Lord’s emissary. 3 That is my defense when people put me under examination.
4 Don’t we have the right to be given food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take along with us a believing wife, as do the other emissaries, also the Lord’s brothers and Kefa? 6 Or are Bar-Nabba and I the only ones required to go on working for our living? 7 Did you ever hear of a soldier paying his own expenses? or of a farmer planting a vineyard without eating its grapes? Who shepherds a flock without drinking some of the milk? 8 What I am saying is not based merely on human authority, because the Torah says the same thing — 9 for in the Torah of Moshe it is written, “You are not to put a muzzle on an ox when it is treading out the grain.”[1 Corinthians 9:9 Deuteronomy 25:4] If God is concerned about cattle, 10 all the more does he say this for our sakes. Yes, it was written for us, meaning that he who plows and he who threshes should work expecting to get a share of the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others are sharing in this right to be supported by you, don’t we have a greater claim to it?
But we don’t make use of this right. Rather, we put up with all kinds of things so as not to impede in any way the Good News about the Messiah. 13 Don’t you know that those who work in the Temple get their food from the Temple, and those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrifices offered there? 14 In the same way, the Lord directed that those who proclaim the Good News should get their living from the Good News.
15 But I have not made use of any of these rights. Nor am I writing now to secure them for myself, for I would rather die than be deprived of my ground for boasting! 16 For I can’t boast merely because I proclaim the Good News — this I do from inner compulsion: woe is me if I don’t proclaim the Good News! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if I do it unwillingly, I still do it, simply because I’ve been entrusted with a job. 18 So then, what is my reward? Just this: that in proclaiming the Good News I can make it available free of charge, without making use of the rights to which it entitles me.
19 For although I am a free man, not bound to do anyone’s bidding, I have made myself a slave to all in order to win as many people as possible. 20 That is, with Jews, what I did was put myself in the position of a Jew, in order to win Jews. With people in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah, I put myself in the position of someone under such legalism, in order to win those under this legalism, even though I myself am not in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah. 21 With those who live outside the framework of Torah, I put myself in the position of someone outside the Torah in order to win those outside the Torah — although I myself am not outside the framework of God’s Torah but within the framework of Torah as upheld by the Messiah. 22 With the “weak” I became “weak,” in order to win the “weak.” With all kinds of people I have become all kinds of things, so that in all kinds of circumstances I might save at least some of them.
23 But I do it all because of the rewards promised by the Good News, so that I may share in them along with the others who come to trust. 24 Don’t you know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one wins the prize? So then, run to win! 25 Now every athlete in training submits himself to strict discipline, and he does it just to win a laurel wreath that will soon wither away. But we do it to win a crown that will last forever. 26 Accordingly, I don’t run aimlessly but straight for the finish line; I don’t shadow-box but try to make every punch count. 27 I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that, after proclaiming the Good News to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
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Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
CHANGE THEIR WORLD. CHANGE YOURS.
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING.
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