"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Wednesday, 28 December 2016 with Scripture Hebrews 2:10-18-------
Hebrews 2:10 For in bringing many sons to glory, it was only fitting that God, the Creator and Preserver of everything, should bring the Initiator of their deliverance to the goal through sufferings. 11 For both Yeshua, who sets people apart for God, and the ones being set apart have a common origin — this is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers 12 when he says,“I will proclaim your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”[Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:23(22)]
13 Also,
“I will put my trust in him, . . .”[Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17]
and then it goes on,
“Here I am, along with the children God has given me.”[Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18 (Septuagint)]
14 Therefore, since the children share a common physical nature as human beings, he became like them and shared that same human nature; so that by his death he might render ineffective the one who had power over death (that is, the Adversary) 15 and thus set free those who had been in bondage all their lives because of their fear of death.
16 Indeed, it is obvious that he does not take hold of angels to help them; on the contrary,
“He takes hold of the seed of Avraham.”[Hebrews 2:16 Isaiah 41:8–9]
17 This is why he had to become like his brothers in every respect — so that he might become a merciful and faithful cohen gadol in the service of God, making a kapparah for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself suffered death when he was put to the test, he is able to help those who are being tested now.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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The reading for today reminds us that faith in Christ is truly a matter of life and death. Jesus became "like us" (vs. 17) to defeat the powers of sin and darkness for all time. Sometimes it seems like we in the church water down the power of the cross and turn faith into a specific set of prescribed behaviors. Yet our faith witnesses that in reality Jesus came to experience our suffering and death so that his triumph could also become ours.
Far more than a beautiful picture on a Christmas card, the nativity story represents an entire reordering of heaven and earth. God does not ignore us in our suffering, but joins us. Salvation is not reserved for the privileged, but is a free gift for everyone, even the lowly. Jesus comes to help us in our suffering. As our reading reminds us (vs. 13), we can put our trust in him.
God of grace, thank you for your presence with us in all things, even in our pain and suffering. We pray for those who are experiencing suffering of body, mind or spirit, for those nearing the end of life, and for those who care for the sick and dying. May we embrace the promise of the resurrection in Christ. Amen.
Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, '07
Associate and Campus Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church and School, Glendale, Calif.
Hebrews 2:10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,
12 saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."
13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me."
14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.
16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.
17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.
18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.[New Revised Standard Version]
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"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 27 December 2016 with Scripture Psalm 148
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Psalm 148:1 Halleluyah!
Praise Adonai from the heavens!
Praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all his armies!
3 Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all shining stars!
4 Praise him, highest heaven,
and waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of Adonai;
for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He established them forever and ever;
he has given a law to which they must conform.
7 Praise Adonai from the earth,
sea monsters and watery depths,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
storm-winds that obey his word,
9 mountains and every hill,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all livestock,
creeping reptiles, flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women alike,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of Adonai,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above both earth and heaven.
14 He has increased the power of his people,
granted praise to all his faithful,
to the descendants of Isra’el,
a people close to him.
Halleluyah![Complete Jewish Bible]
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Embracing God means also being willing to embrace mystery and wonder. We believe that there is much about God that is outside of our understanding and experience. We need only to look to the stars to be reminded of how small and insignificant we are. We need only look as far as our relationships to see the impact we can have on others. All of these truths speak words of praise about the nature of God. God is both transcendent and imminent. God made the heavens and the earth. God also made you and loves you.
To be a part of God's creation is to be a part of the song of praise that is being sung by the entire universe--by the stars, sea monsters, birds, mountains and by you and your life. All of us together are the testimony of the wonder of God, who made all things in the beginning and who is now continuing to make all things new.
Creator God, the heavens and the earth sing out songs of praises to you. May we who love you also sing your praise in our hearts and with our lives. Give us the strength and courage to point to you as the source of all beauty and goodness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, '07
Associate and Campus Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church and School, Glendale, Calif.
Psalm 148:1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord![New Revised Standard Version]
"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 27 December 2016 with Scripture Psalm 148-------
Psalm 148:1 Halleluyah!Praise Adonai from the heavens!
Praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all his armies!
3 Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all shining stars!
4 Praise him, highest heaven,
and waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of Adonai;
for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He established them forever and ever;
he has given a law to which they must conform.
7 Praise Adonai from the earth,
sea monsters and watery depths,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
storm-winds that obey his word,
9 mountains and every hill,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all livestock,
creeping reptiles, flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women alike,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of Adonai,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above both earth and heaven.
14 He has increased the power of his people,
granted praise to all his faithful,
to the descendants of Isra’el,
a people close to him.
Halleluyah![Complete Jewish Bible]
-------
Embracing God means also being willing to embrace mystery and wonder. We believe that there is much about God that is outside of our understanding and experience. We need only to look to the stars to be reminded of how small and insignificant we are. We need only look as far as our relationships to see the impact we can have on others. All of these truths speak words of praise about the nature of God. God is both transcendent and imminent. God made the heavens and the earth. God also made you and loves you.
To be a part of God's creation is to be a part of the song of praise that is being sung by the entire universe--by the stars, sea monsters, birds, mountains and by you and your life. All of us together are the testimony of the wonder of God, who made all things in the beginning and who is now continuing to make all things new.
Creator God, the heavens and the earth sing out songs of praises to you. May we who love you also sing your praise in our hearts and with our lives. Give us the strength and courage to point to you as the source of all beauty and goodness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, '07
Associate and Campus Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church and School, Glendale, Calif.
Psalm 148:1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord![New Revised Standard Version]
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"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 26 December 2016 with Scripture Isaiah 63:7-9
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Isaiah 63:7 I will recall the grace of Adonai
and the praises of Adonai,
because of all that Adonai has granted us
and his great goodness toward the house of Isra’el,
which he bestowed on them in keeping with his mercy,
in keeping with the greatness of his grace.
8 For he said, “They are indeed my people,
children who are not disloyal.”
So he became their Savior.
9 In all their troubles he was troubled;
then the Angel of His Presence saved them;
in his love and pity he redeemed them.
He had lifted them up and carried them
throughout the days of old.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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Even though Christmas is generally a time of great joy, there are many who feel pain around the holidays. For some, this might be the first Christmas they are facing after the death of a loved one. For others, who are living in the midst of broken relationships, Christmas can be hard. In the midst of difficulties we all long to hear the same words of promise: "I am here for you. You are not alone."
These are the same words of promise we hear through the prophet, who reminds us that it was not a messenger or an angel but the very presence of God that saved God's people. This incarnational presence comes to completion in the birth of Jesus who is EmmanuelÖ‚--God with us. Even though we as humanity are broken, the promise of God's presence in all things comes to life through the Christ-child. God is here. We are not alone.
Emmanuel, we pray for your presence to be felt in all corners of the world. May we come to trust once again and believe that nothing can separate us from the love of our savior. In his precious name we pray. Amen.
Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, '07
Associate and Campus Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church and School, Glendale, Calif.
Isaiah 63:7 I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
8 For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely"; and he became their savior
9 in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.[New Revised Standard Version]
"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 26 December 2016 with Scripture Isaiah 63:7-9-------
Isaiah 63:7 I will recall the grace of Adonaiand the praises of Adonai,
because of all that Adonai has granted us
and his great goodness toward the house of Isra’el,
which he bestowed on them in keeping with his mercy,
in keeping with the greatness of his grace.
8 For he said, “They are indeed my people,
children who are not disloyal.”
So he became their Savior.
9 In all their troubles he was troubled;
then the Angel of His Presence saved them;
in his love and pity he redeemed them.
He had lifted them up and carried them
throughout the days of old.[Complete Jewish Bible]
-------
Even though Christmas is generally a time of great joy, there are many who feel pain around the holidays. For some, this might be the first Christmas they are facing after the death of a loved one. For others, who are living in the midst of broken relationships, Christmas can be hard. In the midst of difficulties we all long to hear the same words of promise: "I am here for you. You are not alone."
These are the same words of promise we hear through the prophet, who reminds us that it was not a messenger or an angel but the very presence of God that saved God's people. This incarnational presence comes to completion in the birth of Jesus who is EmmanuelÖ‚--God with us. Even though we as humanity are broken, the promise of God's presence in all things comes to life through the Christ-child. God is here. We are not alone.
Emmanuel, we pray for your presence to be felt in all corners of the world. May we come to trust once again and believe that nothing can separate us from the love of our savior. In his precious name we pray. Amen.
Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, '07
Associate and Campus Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church and School, Glendale, Calif.
Isaiah 63:7 I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
8 For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely"; and he became their savior
9 in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.[New Revised Standard Version]
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