Author: Kerry

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
2 Timothy 2:8,9

God’s Word Unchained

Joseph. Samson. Jeremiah. John the Baptist. Peter and John. Paul and Silas. What do all these figures from the Bible have in common?

Answer: they were all imprisoned at some point. This seems to be a recurring theme in the Bible. God’s people keep ending up behind bars, chained up. By the time the apostle Paul wrote this letter, he’d been in prison numerous times. But Paul isn’t worried about his chains. Yes, the gospel message of Jesus’ resurrection had put him in chains. But the gospel freedom he had in Christ was greater than his chains. Paul knew that even though he was chained up, God’s Word was not chained. And it never would be.

Followers of Christ can be imprisoned and chained up. But God’s gracious promises can’t be snuffed out or chained up. His Word will never pass away. In fact, God’s Word has always tended to spread even faster when his followers were persecuted.

Imprisonment of God’s people may be a recurring theme in the Bible but so is the theme of freeing the captives. Jesus spoke these words from Isaiah chapter 61 in Nazareth, “the Lord has anointed me…to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Freeing prisoners and breaking chains are the Savior’s specialty. It’s what he came for. The world will never be able to chain up his Word of the gospel.

So, no matter what you’re facing right now or what situations leave you feeling imprisoned by sin or despair; remember that God’s Word is not chained. And the gospel of Jesus has the power to break you free of your chains too.

Prayer:
Chain-breaking Lord, I thank for proclaiming freedom for me and releasing me from the dungeon of darkness and sin by your Word of grace. Amen.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.
2 Timothy 2:8,9

A Pastor’s Death Row Wish

If your pastor knew he could only say one more thing to you from his deathbed, what do you think he would say?

When the apostle Paul wrote the book of 2 Timothy, he knew he would soon be put to death. Paul longed to see Timothy one more time. But he wrote as if he knew his time was too short for that to happen. Of all the final advice and encouragement Paul gave to Timothy, perhaps none of it is simpler and more important than this one phrase: “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.” He was saying, “Timothy, always remember what Jesus has done for you and who he is.”

This was the message that had put Paul in chains. But he wouldn’t have traded that gospel message for the world. Paul’s death-row wish for Timothy was that he would always remember Jesus, the Son of David, risen from the dead for him, too. This was the one thing that mattered most. If Timothy held to faith in the risen Christ, then he and Paul would certainly meet again in heaven.

I’ll bet your pastor would like to say the same thing to you if he only had one sentence left to give you. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David.” Your Savior’s identity as the chosen Messiah and his work of rising from the dead for you has set you free from sin and death. Because of that, one day, you’ll be able to say it with the same confidence as Paul, “I have finished the race…Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.”

Prayer:
Dear risen Savior, Son of David, go with me as I run my race and take me to life everlasting with you. Amen.

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3

Be a Fellow Suffering Soldier

“Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.” That’s the first line of a hymn written in the 1800s. In that hymn, God’s Church on earth is compared with an army. Not an army bent on conquest and destruction, but an army bent on breaking down the gates of hell and freeing souls with the message of Jesus’ cross. God’s Church has a mission to advance with the gospel to every corner of the earth.

The apostle Paul also briefly takes on the imagery of an army and soldiers in today’s Bible reading from the book of 2 Timothy. He urges Timothy to join him as a fellow suffering soldier for Christ. Soldiers follow orders. Soldiers leave their quiet lives as a citizens behind to go on a mission. Soldiers on active duty may have to go hungry and sleepless as they engage the enemy.

This reminds us that our time as God’s people on earth isn’t a cakewalk. As followers of Christ, we take on this calling to be suffering soldiers for Christ. It’s not supposed to be easy if we’re following behind our commander, Jesus. He’s going to bring us into the places that are hardest hit by sin and despair. He puts us on the front lines in our communities, planting us among people who need hope and forgiveness. Taking on the ministry of God’s Church in the world will take a toll on us. It will likely leave us feeling like a discouraged soldier pinned down under enemy fire at times.

But God doesn’t leave us to be suffering soldiers alone. We have a commander who has gotten down into the front lines with his troops. God, in Jesus, made himself a fellow suffering soldier in our war against sin, death, and Satan. Jesus, God-in-the-flesh, fought on the front lines, led the charge, and took all the enemy fire away from us by going to the cross in our place.

The next line in that old hymn says, “Christ, the royal master, leads against the foe; forward into battle, see his banners go!” So now we can join in as suffering soldiers in God’s army along with Paul and Timothy and our leader, Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me bear up under suffering as I follow your mission to bring good news to the world. Amen.

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1

Be Strong in Grace

Be strong in your faith. Be strong in your convictions. Be strong in times of hardship. Those are phrases you’d expect to hear if someone were trying to offer you life encouragement. But the apostle Paul had an even better phrase to share with his young friend and fellow pastor, Timothy. He said to Timothy, “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

Paul wrote the book of 2 Timothy near the end of his life. These words were Paul’s last will and testament for Timothy. You’d expect Paul to tell Timothy to be strong in holding to the truth and strong and bold in his proclamation of the gospel. Paul does tell Timothy to be strong in those ways, but more importantly, he tells Timothy, “Be strong in the grace of Jesus.”

Strength is usually gained by going to the gym and working out. Strength is gained by doing something, like training and putting in hard work. But here, Paul was telling Timothy to find spiritual strength by simply resting in the strength of Christ. The undeserved love and grace that Jesus had given to Timothy would give him the ability to be strong in all the other ways. Because Timothy was wrapped up in the grace of Christ’s saving work for him, he would also have the strength to hold to his conviction and proclaim the gospel despite rejection and hardship.

These words of life encouragement aren’t just for Timothy. They are for you, too. Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Simply rest in the strength and work of your Savior.

Prayer:
Dear mighty Father, wrap me in the strength of your love for me. Keep me always in Christ, my strong rock and refuge. Amen.

The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’
Ezekiel 2:4

God, Please Talk to Me

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to talk with God? If we could only call him on the phone and hear his voice, or send him an e-mail and get a reply from God@heaven.com. He could give us answers to our questions. He could help us to know what to do and what direction to take in our lives. By hearing his voice, we would be assured he is with us and will help us. Yes, it would be wonderful for God to talk with us.

God is not so far removed from his world that he is out of touch with us. God does talk with his people. In times past, God talked directly to some of them. Ezekiel, a prophet who lived about 580 years before Jesus was born, heard the voice of God. Over a long period of time, God gave this man important messages to speak to the people. He faithfully repeated those messages and assured his audience that, “this is what the Sovereign LORD says.”

There were other prophets and specially chosen men to whom God also spoke in times past. They, too, heard the voice of God, and as they were moved by the power of the Holy Spirit, they wrote down God’s word. Through that written word, recorded in the Bible, God still speaks to us today. As we read it, we can be confident that this is what the Sovereign LORD says.

He’s not available on the phone or accessible with the computer. But you can open up your Bible, and God will talk to you today. He has some important things for you to hear.

Prayer:
God, speak to me through your Word. Assure me that you are my Savior from sin and Lord of my life. Amen.

Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22,23

Every Morning

What’s your morning ritual? When does the blaring of the alarm clock burst your pleasant sleep? What can you “check off” your list before leaving the house for the day? Is receiving compassion one of those things?

You might not notice it, but God has already been busy before your alarm clock stirs you to action. God tells you that his love and compassion protect and greet you every morning.

Why would you and I need God’s love and compassion every morning? God tells us that we are sinners. There are so many times we have done, said, or thought things that God hates. Not only do we commit sins, but God also tells us that we have a sinful nature that hates what God loves and loves what God hates. Because of what we do and who we are by nature, we deserve to “be consumed”—punished by God.

But God promises to treat us differently than we deserve. In love, God decided to treat his Son differently than he deserved, too. Jesus was punished in our place and for all of our sins. He suffered in our place on the cross and died. In love, God let his Son, Jesus, be consumed because of our sins.

Now, God greets you each day with his love and compassion. For the sake of Jesus, God forgives your sins. You produce new sins every day. So, God gives you love and compassion every day—new every morning.

May God bless you with sleep that leaves you feeling “new” every morning. Whether or not your physical rest brings you into the new day feeling refreshed, God faithfully greets you each morning with his love and compassion through Jesus. May God’s great love and unfailing compassion refresh you every morning and propel you through each day.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I daily sin and deserve only your wrath and punishment. Thank you for your love and compassion—new every morning! In the peace and power of forgiveness, lead me to thank you with all that I do. Amen.

When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. . . Some people came from the house . . . “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Mark 5:22-24,35,36

Trust Through the Tears

He lies in the dirt, clutching Jesus’ feet. Tears stream down his cheeks. “Please, Lord. It’s my daughter. I don’t want to lose her.” Jesus takes him by the hand and helps him up. “Let’s go.” But they don’t make it in time. Some of his friends meet them along the way: “It’s too late. She didn’t make it.”

Does your heart break with his? Have you been there? Overcome with pain, desperate for help. With the pain come the questions: Why? Why do I hurt so much? Why do I have to suffer? And where is God in all this?

Notice how Jesus answers that last question here. When this desperate man comes looking for help, Jesus goes with him. There is no “I don’t have time right now.” There is no questioning to see how deserving the man might be or what he has already done to try to help his daughter. Jesus just goes.

We don’t have to wonder where God is in our pain. When we come to Jesus with tears in our eyes and pains in our hearts, he gives us his undivided attention and care every single time. He shares our pain, and he cares deeply.

Now, some might think it’s foolish to ask Jesus for help. Do we sometimes even think that? He’s too busy. It’s no use. He won’t be able to do anything about it.

That’s what the messengers from that father’s house suggest. But Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Don’t fear that I can’t help. Don’t fear that I don’t care. Don’t fear that you’ve wasted your time. Trust me. Rely on me.

And Jesus goes to his house and raises his daughter from the dead. His trust was in the right place—in the only one who saves.

When life is filled with tears, trust him. You won’t be disappointed.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, help me to trust you in life and in death. Amen.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed . . . we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
2 Corinthians 4:8,9,14

The Freedom that Brings Life

On July 4, 1776, the American Declaration of Independence was signed. In its prologue were these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

American politics is full of debates and arguments about the best ways to preserve those so-called unalienable rights. But governments and politicians can’t prevent death, nor can they make us truly free or create a path to uninhibited happiness.

Today’s Bible verse describes a life that doesn’t sound very happy: “hard pressed… perplexed… persecuted… struck down.” As he writes about the Christian life, the author doesn’t promise that life will be easy and carefree—exactly the opposite. But he does seem to give some hope. He writes that, even though all those things are true, we aren’t “crushed… in despair… abandoned… destroyed.”

It may sound like a never-say-die attitude. “Don’t give up. Look on the bright side. Make the best of it.” But our confidence doesn’t come from our own determination or efforts to fight back against what threatens us and overthrow our enemies.

It comes from knowing the one who has already done that for us. “The one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus.” Jesus fought for freedom from death itself. He won that fight by overturning the cause of death—mankind’s disobedience of God’s perfect laws. By living a perfect life and dying an innocent death, he paid the price for our sins once and for all. His rising from the dead was proof that death’s claim on us was ended because our guilt was gone.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, so will we. He gives us life that never ends, liberty from guilt and the grave, and perfect happiness that lasts forever.

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for all who fight for human freedoms. But most of all, thank you for fighting to set me free from death. Amen.

We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7

Treasure in Jars of Clay

Clay jars were very common in Bible times. They were also fragile. If they were dropped or knocked over, they would break, chip, or crack. There was no super glue, so the only thing to do with broken pottery was to throw it away.

Today’s Bible verse compares Christians to jars of clay. By ourselves, we are nothing special. We don’t live squeaky-clean lives. We have our faults and weaknesses, just like everyone else. We crack or break under pressure.

When the Bible describes us this way, here’s the point: It’s not about us. It’s not about our strength or success. It’s not about how good we look before other people. It’s what’s in the clay jars that matters, not the jars themselves.

What’s in us is a priceless treasure—the beautiful, powerful message called the gospel, the message of Jesus Christ as Lord, the message of light shattering the darkness of sin and life overcoming death because Jesus died and rose again for us sinners.

That amazing treasure makes clay jars anything but ordinary. The message of God’s forgiveness through Jesus repairs our cracks and chips and retouches our blemishes. In the treasure of Baptism, we are scrubbed clean inside and out. In the treasure of Holy Communion, we are filled with the body and blood of Jesus, along with the forgiveness that God promises that we receive with them. We, jars of clay, now stand perfect and beautiful before the heavenly potter who has formed us, lumps of clay, into works of art for his purposes.

Sometimes, people hide valuable things in plain cardboard boxes because no one would think to look there. But that’s not what God wants to happen with the treasure we have. He poured his precious message of life and love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ into clay pots like us so that we can pour it out into the lives of others. We hold the treasure, but we don’t hide it. We value the treasure, but we don’t keep it to ourselves. As ordinary as we are, we have an extraordinary purpose.

Prayer:
Jesus, pour out the treasure of your grace in me and through me. Amen.

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:26

Worth Waiting For

Waiting is hard. In a world in which everything moves faster and faster, we expect everything to come to us quickly. It is hard to wait. What if you know what you are waiting for is worth the wait? Does that make it easier? That wedding date you’ve had circled on your calendar for over a year. That vacation you’ve planned and saved up for. That visit from loved ones you haven’t seen for a long time.

Israel’s history was a history of waiting. When Adam and Eve sinned, God promised to send his Son to crush the devil’s head. But he wouldn’t come in their lifetime. They had to wait. From Abraham to David to Jeremiah and beyond, for centuries, the people waited and waited.

We live in a time of waiting, too. Waiting for Jesus to come back and be delivered from our sorrows and suffering once and for all. When will that day come? We don’t know. Since the day Jesus ascended into heaven, God’s people have been waiting and praying, “Deliver us from evil.”

But that waiting is hard.

You know how hard it is if your health is failing, your body is weakening, and you simply want to see your Savior. “Lord, deliver me.”

You know how hard it is if you’ve had to spend another night in a hospital bed or another day struggling to make ends meet. “Lord, deliver me.”

You know how hard it is if you’ve been mocked or bullied for confessing Christ at school or work. “Lord, deliver me.”

While we wait for the Lord’s deliverance, we are tempted to grow impatient, discouraged, frustrated, and even angry with him.

But the Bible says, “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” We can come before God in humility, saying, “Lord, I don’t have the answers to life’s problems. You do. I don’t need to be in control because you are. I don’t have to worry because you love me. Lord, forgive my fears and frustration, my impatience and anger. I wait in hope for you. Because you love me and are coming to deliver me, I know you are worth waiting for.”

Prayer:
Lord, help me wait patiently for your deliverance. Amen.