"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 30 August 2016 with Scripture: Psalm 1

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 30 August 2016
with Scripture: Psalm 1
Psalm 1:1 How blessed are those
who reject the advice of the wicked,
don’t stand on the way of sinners
or sit where scoffers sit!
2 Their delight
is in Adonai’s Torah;
on his Torah they meditate
day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams —
they bear their fruit in season,
their leaves never wither,
everything they do succeeds.
4 Not so the wicked,
who are like chaff driven by the wind.
5 For this reason the wicked
won’t stand up to the judgment,
nor will sinners
at the gathering of the righteous.
6 For Adonai watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
is doomed.[Complete Jewish Bible] 
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As a biker preacher, I have had the great privilege of ministering to some of the most notorious outlaw motorcycle clubs. To have the opportunity to pray with, conduct weddings for and bury some of these men has brought many questionable glances my way as well. Our psalm for today says, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked." But how does this apply to those who minister to the imprisoned, the ones who frequent the bars, the ones whom the public has deemed to be gang members or criminals? As servants of Christ, we do this by serving as a Christ-like presence--we set ourselves apart so that our presence may be made known. When I throw my club patch on my back, it has been a tricky tightrope to walk at times for sure, but one that has been my greatest joy--a joy to reflect Christ's light into some of the deepest darkness! 
God of grace, help us all to remember that we are yours. Help us to remember that in this life of ministry and outreach we find ourselves in troubled places at times, but as long as we remember our true identities, we can walk in the confidence of your love and mercy. Amen.
Craig Wexler, '10
Pastor, Lutheran Memorial Church, Pierre, SD
Psalm 1:1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. [New Revised Standard Version]
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