God With You

Posted on April 4, 2019 by David Nuottila

genesis-28_15

Genesis 28:10-22

Jacob, having tricked his father Isaac into blessing him over and above his brother Esau, is now on the run. He is in fear for his life as his brother has vowed to kill him for what he had done. Alone and afraid, Jacob travels through the wilderness. He is not seeking an encounter with God, nor is he searching for some deeply religious explanation of his life. Jacob is between places, the place of his father which is his home, and the place to which he is traveling where he hopes to find a new life. Yet, through a dream, God makes his presence known and the gospel, the good news of God’s deliverance comes to Jacob. “Behold, I am with you!”

Jacob’s vision of a ladder reaching from earth into heaven teaches us that the world is not a place absent of God’s presence. Rather, there is intersection between the realm of earthly life and God’s kingdom. Angels, messengers of God, travel to and from bringing tidings of good news and God’s divine protection to those who live within the family of faith. God’s children are not alone; there is someone who walks with us, powerful enough to take on our troubles and wash away our shame. Because God loved the world so much, we have a Savior who says, “Behold, I am with you!”

How often do we wander in the wilderness? When are those instances when we search for God, yet He seems distant? These are the times to become quiet and still, to open our hearts and minds to the presence of our Lord Jesus. For the words of his promise are sure, “Behold, I am with you.”

Prayer: Holy God, guide us by your Holy Spirit and guard us with your angels. Help us to see always, your power and presence in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Seek the things above

Posted on April 3, 2019 by David Nuottila

Colossians 3_2

Colossians 3:1-11

Have you ever noticed how fair weather and sunny skies lift the attitude among people? Smiles seem more prevalent and people seem to have a more positive outlook. Life is cheerful when the skies are clear, but such days don’t last forever. Eventually, dark clouds appear and sunny dispositions turn gloomy. Certainly, there is a preference for the light and warmth of fair weather.

The same can be said for the people of God. As we live in the light of God’s grace, we see the world differently. With our minds fixed on God’s love, Christians cannot help but live in the peace and joy of Christ. Yet, sin causes us to focus our attention away from God’s kingdom above.  Its darkness casts a shadow over us. For this reason, the apostle Paul reminds the people of God to fix their eyes upon heavenly things seeking the love of God, the compassion of Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit.

The dark clouds and threatening skies of earthly life will come, and bring with them the probability of storms. Still, it is the light of Christ that continues to conquer the darkness. Through him we have life. As we seek the things from above where Christ is seated, we continue to live in the joy of his grace.

Heavenly Father, keep me in your Spirit, that I may seek your light and your love. Amen.

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To bear much fruit

Posted on April 2, 2019 by David Nuottila

John 15:1-8

A friend of mine is the keeper of a peach orchard. One thing about peach trees that I have learned is that they must be tended to year round. In these winter months, the beginning of the yearly pruning is about to take place. If the trees are not pruned in the winter, they will become bushy, growing in upon themselves, blocking their blossoms from much needed sunlight. In this instance, the trees won’t produce the high quality fruit expected in summer. The same can be said of disciples following our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus says, “Every branch that does bear fruit [God] prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2. It goes without saying that the trappings of this world often entangle us and cause us to grow in upon ourselves. Without daily repentance, we will certainly become like a bushy vine or tree with tangles and snarls that attempt to rob us of the light of Christ.

As we strive to remain faithful, reading scripture each day, spending time in prayer, and confessing those instances where we have fallen short of God’s expectation, we submit ourselves to the pruner’s shears. These steps toward daily repentance will certainly help us grow in faith and enable us to bear fruit for God’s kingdom. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: O God, shine your light upon us, that we may bear fruit for your kingdom. Amen.

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The truth in us

Posted on April 1, 2019 by David Nuottila

1 John 1:5-10

Early in his first epistle, John states clearly to the Church that, although through Christ our sins are forgiven, no Christian lives without sin. Salvation is not found through moral perfection, but through the sacrifice of God’s only Son. This truth is realized when the children of God strive to walk in the light of Christ.

Sometimes we bear grudges. We remember the sins committed against us and are wary of the sinner lest they repeat the offense. Other times we fail to realize how our actions hurt someone else. John teaches us that people who practice such behavior really do not understand the concept of grace. If we claim forgiveness through Jesus, but cannot forgive others or confess our sin, we are not walking in the light of Christ. The best we can do is stumble in the darkness.

John reminds us who we are, people who have known the Father. Knowing the Father means knowing the Son, through whom we are forgiven. So too are we to forgive as we have been forgiven. This is the truth that is in us.

Prayer: Holy God, help us to live in the light of Christ, forgiving others as you forgive us. Amen.

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Who is greatest

Posted on March 29, 2019 by David Nuottila

Mark 9:30-37

Who is the greatest? Who could even dream of having such a conversation while walking with Jesus? Imagine the topics for discussion among the twelve. “Which one prays the best?” “Who is the most spiritual?” “Who is it that should occupy the seat nearest Jesus while at the table?” Having experienced so much with Jesus, one might think they already knew the answer. None were worthy of the title “greatest of all.”

Still, isn’t that just like life in the world today? Our society practically begs us to think of ourselves above others. Look out for number one. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. It’s my way or the highway. Sound familiar? Worldly attitudes crave the spotlight. But this is not the life Jesus calls us to live.

Our Lord Jesus says, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Those living such a life seldom seek the spotlight. In fact, the opposite is true. Disciples of Jesus share their faith. They tend to the needs of others. And disciples strive to follow the example humility set by Christ himself. Only in humility and weakness can we claim greatness and strength through Christ the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, make me to be your servant, that I may shine the light of your love. Amen.

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Be healed

Posted on March 28, 2019 by David Nuottila

John 5:1-9

We have all heard of home remedies that may or may not actually work. One such remedy is chicken soup used to cure the common cold. Dark chocolate is thought to be a good remedy for a persistent cough. Whether they work or not, chicken soup and dark chocolate are delicious methods for treatment. Some home remedies do work, others not so much. Some say it is all in the mind.

In our text, John introduces us to a man lying at the Pool of Bethesda. It is said angels stir up the waters and the first to get in will be healed of their affliction. This man has been there for thirty-eight years. One would think that by now he would have succeeded in getting to the pool first. Jesus’ question gets right to the point, “Do you want to be healed?”

Old or young, man or woman, all people are sinners. Our age-old rebellion stifles faithful and healthy lifestyles. Given the opportunity to turn away from sin, we make excuses. Like the man at the pool, we can usually manage to place blame elsewhere. Do we really want to be healed, forgiven, blessed? All it takes is a word and a command from Christ for sinners to be saved. Get up. Walk in the way of the Lord.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, save me from the affliction of my sin. Amen.

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Speaking of prophets

Posted on March 27, 2019 by David Nuottila

Matthew 11:7-15

Have you ever met a prophet? Chances are, if you had he wasn’t dressed in camel hair and eating locusts. Chances are also that, if you have encountered a prophet sent by God, you more than likely didn’t care for what he had to say. In biblical times, prophets often preached a word from God that stood in conflict with the way the people of God were living.

When the people of God would wander from the law, the prophet would often appear and deliver a message of God’s displeasure. With the word would also come words of correction and encouragement. Prophets also announced the onset of God’s intervention and activity in the world. Because John the Baptist came as the forerunner to the Messiah, Jesus called John the greatest prophet of all.

Today, Christians are still called to speak the message of salvation and spread the good news of Christ Jesus. God invites all people to come into his presence through faith in the one foretold by John. We may not be prophets like him, but our message, like John’s, points others to Christ the Lord.

Prayer: O lord, give me a voice that speaks your Word today, so that others may come into your kingdom through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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Tempted

Posted on March 26, 2019 by David Nuottila

Genesis 3:1-15, Luke 4:1-11

“The serpent was more crafty than any other creature.” Reading this, we can safely assume something is going to happen, and it won’t be good. The devil is out to destroy that which God created, and he is going to start by raising doubts concerning God’s Word for Adam and Eve. “Did God actually say you shall not eat of any tree in the garden?” It’s a simple question, but it got Eve’s attention.

Satan manipulates people, tricking them by misusing scripture and raising doubt. When that doesn’t work, the devil whittles away at our faith by appealing to our “desires of the flesh.” We all face temptation, and all too often we choose evil over good. Thankfully, we have hope in Christ.

When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness he was famished, weak and alone. Satan saw this as his opportunity. His scheme? It was the same trick he used against Adam and Eve, misuse scripture to create doubt. Yet in each instance, Jesus stood on the authority of God’s word. In this, Christ is our example. He is our strength. He is our hope. And when we fail to resist temptation, he forgives freely and completely.

Prayer: Strengthen me, O God, that I may be true to your word. Amen.

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Boasting in Christ

Posted on March 25, 2019 by David Nuottila

1 Corinthians 1_31

1 Corinthians 1:10-31

There’s a cliché in sports that says, “It’s not bragging if you can back it up.” This is a favorite among gifted athletes who continually make the morning highlight reels. Given their accomplishments, why should they not toot their own horn? Their fat paychecks and multiple trophies are a testament to their ability to “back it up.” And what if they cannot accomplish what they claim? Well, then that is just bragging.

It was not long before divisions arose within the early church. Some claimed special status because of their wisdom, others their wealth, and still others claimed superiority because of who taught them or baptized them. Whatever the issue, word reached Paul that the church was in conflict.

Paul reminded the Corinthians, as he reminds us, that the wisdom we have, the wealth at our disposal and the spiritual gifts we employ are all given by God through Christ Jesus. We are able to accomplish nothing on our own. It is Christ at work within us through the Holy Spirit. Christians must know that as one member of the church succeeds in proclaiming the gospel, the whole church rejoices and it is God who is glorified.

Holy God, equip and empower your church to accomplish the work of the Gospel, giving you glory in everything we do. Amen.

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No secrets hid

Posted on March 23, 2019 by David Nuottila

Matthew 23:23-39

How often have parents entered a child’s tidy and organized room only to encounter an avalanche of stuff upon opening of the closet door? On the surface the parent is initially delighted, but upon closer inspection such delight turns to disappointment. Such a mess cannot be hidden by simply closing the door. Sadly, many Christians attempt to conceal their sinful mess from God and one another in the closets of their minds while living each day according to earthly values.

In our Reading, Jesus warns the Scribes and Pharisees that even as they present themselves as righteous before others, God knows they do not practice what they preach. These teachers of the law cared only for their ideals and traditions, while lacking in faith and love. Christians who live in such a way as to present themselves as righteous before others, yet fail to live the life of faith in private, face the same rebuke from Christ.

We cannot hide our mess from God. Believe it or not, others see through our charade as well. Thankfully, through Christ we are able to repent, receiving God’s mercy and forgiveness as we strive to follow the path toward righteousness.

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.

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