A perfect life

Posted on March 12, 2019 by David Nuottila

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live a perfect life? Imagine, a life with no worries, no sickness and no pain. Instead, there is nothing but happiness, peace and serenity. In this perfect life there would be no reason to look over your shoulder, no reason to second guessed whether or not you made the right decision. Your life would be perfect, and the outcome would be well, perfect.

Now snap back to reality. According to the world’s standards, no one lives a perfect life. This is especially true when we consider living according to God’s expectation. Since the beginning, sin has permeated every human life. We can’t even begin to imagine a perfect life because no one has ever lived without facing the consequences of our disobedience. Yet, people of faith in Christ Jesus have assurance of life in God’s kingdom.

The apostle Paul writes to the Christians at Corinth, and therefore, to us also, that through faith in Christ Jesus, worldly afflictions have no power over the people of God. In all instances, the surpassing power to deliver people from earthly woes belongs to God. Although our lives may be far from perfect, through Christ, we may realize the joy of God’s saving grace forever.

Prayer: Walk with me in this life, O Christ, that I may live forever with you. Amen.

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Word of truth

Posted on March 11, 2019 by David Nuottila

Genesis 3:1-15

The serpent was more crafty than any other beast. From the very beginning of this lesson we are made aware that something is going to happen, and it isn’t going to be good. The devil is out to destroy that which God created, and he is going to start by raising doubts about God’s Word for Adam and Eve. It’s no secret, the devil knows the Word of God. His mission is to use lies to lead people away from the truth.

We have heard the story plenty of times. Each person has lived through it time and again. Through temptation, the devil exploits our weakness. He tries to convince us to chase after what we feel is desirable, rather than seek God’s will. But as I said, the devil also knows the Word of God. He knows that God has a plan to save his people. Jesus of Nazareth is that plan.

God’s own Son came into the world, dwelled among God’s people and lived a life absent of sin. Facing the same temptations, Christ stood on the truth of God’s word and remained obedient. Then, through his innocent suffering and death, Christ made atonement for the sin of the world. Jesus is the Word of truth, the Word that saves. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, strengthen us through your Word, that we would resist temptation and live for you alone. Amen.

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Ever present

Posted on March 10, 2019 by David Nuottila

Psalm 16

O God, I need you today. For some reason, life today seems a little harder. The burdens I carry seem a little heavier. And the place where I am? Well, that seems just a bit colder, lonelier and foreboding. Like I said, God, I need you today.

At one time or another, words such as these are spoken by everyone, everyone that is who calls upon the Lord. From the greatest to the least, all people, at some point in life, feel weak, alone, lost, or abandoned. It’s a natural byproduct of living in a fallen and broken world. Yet, as we call out to God, he is there, always.

King David knew that even though he faced many hardships, challenges and threats, God was always with him. Even in the darkest hours, David could praise God with joy and thanksgiving because he trusted the power of God’s steadfast love. The same is true for Christians today.

God’s love is never failing. He is ever-present in the lives of his people and his mercy endures forever. In those days when everything seems amiss, God is present. In times of trial, God promises to walk with you. And when you are feeling lost or lonely, it is God who will wrap you in his loving arms and make you feel secure.  Call upon God.  He is there, always.

Prayer: O God, I need you today. Thank you for your presence. Amen.

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At the Feet of Jesus

Posted on March 9, 2019 by David Nuottila

Luke 7:36-50

What makes you long to be near Jesus? Do you desire this nearness when you are ashamed of your sins, or when you feel isolation and loneliness? How about when you feel angry at someone, or you feel hurt or betrayed? What would it take for us to fall at the feet of Jesus? The season of Lent brings Christians opportunity for such contemplation. No matter how broken, no matter how shameful, there is nothing that the love of God in Christ Jesus cannot forgive.

The great difficulty with forgiveness lies with the sinner who can’t find their way to Christ. The proud Pharisee in the text above thought more of his status than that of the woman who bore her sins to Christ and sought God’s grace. The truth is, we all depend on God’s mercy, and we all are in need of his grace. Our sin is no less shameful than that of another yet, we are so quick to decry our neighbor’s behavior. Perhaps doing so relieves us from the burden of admitting our own fault

Still, the fact remains that we need Christ as much as the woman who cried at Jesus’ feet. She showed great love for Jesus and Jesus forgave her completely. Where are we in this story? What is our place at the table? What does it take for us to fall at Jesus’ feet?

Prayer: Have mercy on me, O Lord. Fill me with your grace. Amen.

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He will love you

Posted on March 8, 2019 by David Nuottila

Deuteronomy 7:12-13

Oh, that we would be obedient to the will of God. Oh, that we could keep his commandments and live a life free of sin. Yet, even as Adam and Eve gave into temptation and ate of the forbidden fruit, so too are we in bondage to original sin. Our sin is the same as theirs. We turn our attention away from God’s commandments, yes, even away from his love, only to chase after fulfillment of our own earthly desires. And to what end? A return to the dust from which we were made.

Yet, God continues to love those whom he has called his own. In great love for our fallen humanity, God gave his only Son so that we might live despite our sinfulness. Through the innocent suffering and death of his only Son Jesus Christ, God pours out mercy and grace upon those who call out to Christ as Lord and Savior. Through baptism, we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection and made inheritors of the kingdom of heaven.

The blessings and wonders spoken of in our text from Deuteronomy would seem well beyond our earthly reach. In fact, they are, for we do not keep God’s commands. But his love is steadfast and sure. Through Christ, the kingdom of God awaits those whom God saves. Blessed are those who call upon the name of the Lord, for his goodness and mercy endure forever.

Prayer: Lord God of heaven and earth, we thank you for your mercy and grace. Fill us with your goodness. Guide us in your ways and keep us in your love through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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A Cry for Mercy

Posted on March 7, 2019 by David Nuottila

It often seems it takes a crisis before we are willing to consider the notion that our desires do not match God’s desires. As we consider the times we have failed to love God and one another, we must realize that, on our own we cannot redeem that which was lost. Holy Scripture teaches us that the wages of our sin is death. Taking a serious look at our sin means acknowledging the reality of death. That is what the season of Lent is all about.

We have to acknowledge the great divide between God and humanity. Because of our sin, therefore, crying out to God for mercy is the same as asking God to raise the dead. And so, we make our journey to the cross of Christ where sin is put to death forever.

Psalm 51 is David’s cry for mercy. His greatest sins, the taking of Uriah’s wife Bathsheba into his bed, his plot cover up her pregnancy and his scheme to have Uriah killed on the battlefield lest his sin become known…all of these come to bear as the prophet Nathan exposes David’s sin to the light of God’s truth and judgment. David writes: “Have mercy on me. Wash me through and through. Indeed, I have been wicked. Purge me from my sin.” This is the cry of a sinful man, a king who has fallen from grace, a man who has grieved the heart of God. It’s the cry of every sinner. Looking closely at our sin and considering our disobedience, we soon find ourselves in the same predicament as David. Facing a crisis, we realize our need for God’s redeeming grace. Thankfully, the promise of God is sure. Those who believe in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior will be saved.

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

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Beginning the Forty Days of Lent

Posted on March 6, 2019 by David Nuottila

“Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

These are the words of Ash Wednesday. They are the words said over us as we receive the ashes reminding us of our mortality. We are reminded that we are not eternal creatures. Shaped and molded by God’s hands from the dust of the ground, it is our Creator and Father who breathes into our lungs and fills us with life.

In the beginning, God did not intend for Adam and Eve to return to dust; God did not intend for humans to die. God placed Adam and Eve into his garden and gave them dominion over all he had created. Yet, it seems this was not enough, Adam and Eve faced the power of temptation and fell into death’s grasp by following the powers that defy God. Giving in to the power of temptation and evil, they ate from the forbidden tree and brought sin into the world. God’s words, that they shall not eat of this tree lest they die, became a reality and eventually to dust they did return.

Since this time in the garden, all humans are born into sin and we cannot escape the penalty of death on our own. We will return to the dust from which we were so wonderfully made. God, however, does not leave his people abandoned; he saves his children from the power of death through the sacrifice of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Yes, we shall return to dust, but through Christ God raises us to new and eternal life in his kingdom of glory.

The Lenten journey is one during which God’s people reflect on our need for a savior. We reflect upon the instances when we fall short of God’s calling in our lives, those times when we fail to love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as God loves us. The Lenten journey is a time to seek repentance, turn away from behaviors that distance us from God’s love. It is a time to draw closer to our heavenly Father, to confess our wrong doing and to live into the promise of eternal life.

This year, as I do each and every year, I strongly encourage the people of God to take seriously the journey of Lent. Establish the good habits of faith; weekly worship, daily prayer and reading of Holy Scripture, giving alms, fasting (giving up something), fellowship with God’s people and doing works of love. Remembering that you are dust and to dust you shall return, I invite you all to grow in faith, love, fear and trust in the Lord. And as we make our journeys end, we will witness the victory of our Lord Jesus upon the cross, and look beyond to the promise of the empty tomb at Easter.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Photo – Preparing the ashes in the midst of the saints.

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The Father’s will

Posted on June 21, 2018 by David Nuottila

Matthew 21:23-32

In the parable, Jesus said “A man had two sons.” Both of these sons were given direction to work in their father’s vineyard. One said no, but later went. The other said yes, but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? According to the Pharisees, it was the son who said no, but changed his mind.

Have you ever noticed in this parable, Jesus doesn’t tell them that they are correct? Did the Pharisees get it right? The truth is, both sons at one point fell short of the father’s expectations. Both sons needed a change of heart.

How often have you heard God’s Word and said “No, I will not go” but later went? How many other times have you said, “Yes, I will go” but failed to do so? In each case we fall short of God’s glory and need a change of heart. Thankfully, through Christ we are afforded God’s mercy and grace. All we need to do is ask, and God will provide the will and means necessary to do that which he calls us to do. For the will of the Father is that we believe in his Son.  Today, as in all days, God calls you to work in his vineyard. How will you respond?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, strengthen me in faith, that when you call, I may do your will. Amen.

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Love your neighbor

Posted on June 20, 2018 by David Nuottila

Luke 10:25-37, 1 John 3:14–18

As John writes in his first epistle letter, “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer.” Reading this passage, two things came to mind. First, is that love is the exact opposite of murder. When we fail to love our neighbor, it doesn’t necessarily mean we hate them, it’s worse. It means we do not care at all. We don’t notice them, we don’t show any concern for them; basically, they are transparent to us. We may not cross to the other side as the two did in the parable of the Good Samaritan, but we ignore them nonetheless. Hate at least comes with emotions toward the other, ambivalence has no connection whatsoever.

The second thing that came to mind was Luther’s explanation to the 5th commandment. The commandment states, “You shall not murder.” Luther explains the command from the perspective of love. According to Luther, “we should fear and love God that we may not hurt nor harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need.” When we truly love our neighbor according to Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, we not only show compassion, but we help them in every way possible, even to the point of great personal expense. Such is the example of Christ, who gave his life for the sake of his neighbors, that we might live with God forever.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to truly love my neighbor as you taught, no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Accepting truth

Posted on June 19, 2018 by David Nuottila

Luke 18:31-43

Jesus told them plainly; once they reached Jerusalem, he would be turned over to the Gentiles, be beaten and then killed. Yet on the third day, God would raise him from the grave. Even as we know this to be true, the disciples had difficulty accepting Jesus’ words. The prophets foretold of it; Jesus affirmed it, but the disciples simply couldn’t face the truth that all Jesus said would certainly be accomplished.

Sometimes, when presented with the truth, we have difficulty accepting it. An adverse diagnosis, news of a tragedy, financial woes, or simply owning up to our own failures; each of these can cause us to discount the present reality. Too often, denial leads to disbelief. Even as we know the truth, we are apt to turn a blind eye hoping everything will pass.

As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man called out to him. Those lining the streets tried to stifle his voice, yet he called out all the more. Though blind, he had vision; he knew Jesus was the Christ, the one promised from God, the one who would redeem Israel, the one who had the power to restore his sight. Facing the truth, he called upon the Son of David, and his sight was restored. The truth remains today, Jesus, the Son of David is the one who has mercy and restores the people of God.

Prayer: O Christ, restore our sight, so that we may accept the truth of your grace. Amen.

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