Forgiving and forgetting

Posted on May 14, 2018 by David Nuottila

Hebrews 10:12-18, Matthew 18:21-34

Does forgiving mean forgetting? How difficult is it to truly forgive someone an offense against you if you are not willing to forget it? As the situation remains stuck in the far reaches of your memory, it is bound to pop up from time to time. With that, certainly there is opportunity for the pain and anger to return. If and when it does, is the forgiveness you’ve extended real?

Jesus had compassion for sinners; he had love for those who spoke out against him. Even as sinners came to be with Jesus, he never held anything against them. Yes, he pointed out their sin, and he taught them a better way. Jesus had compassion for those who recognized their need for mercy, those who knew him as Lord, and then repented. He forgave them their sins, empowering them to go and sin no more. What’s more, Jesus even had compassion for those lost in their sin. We see this so vividly at the cross when Jesus prays for those crucifying him; “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Today it is our turn. Following the example of Christ Jesus, we too are to forgive. Even as we hold one another accountable, we cannot forget that we too are sinners in need of God’s grace. Forgiving and forgetting means that as we forgive those who do us wrong, we cannot forget that we too have done wrong towards others. It’s certainly not easy to forgive. It’s even harder to forget. Remember, even as we ought to forget those sins against us, we also hope others forget the sins we commit against them.

Prayer: Holy God, forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us, that we may remember their sin no more. Amen.

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Living together in faith

Posted on May 13, 2018 by David Nuottila

2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11

Nothing gives the devil more pleasure than to drive a wedge between God and his people. Second on Satan’s list is to set the brothers and sisters in Christ against one another. All too often, Satan uses trickery and false promises to cause the faithful to raise suspicion, cast doubt, and make false accusations against their neighbor. Pride, ego, confidence and self-righteousness are among the evil one’s favorite weapons. Yet, no matter how clever, cunning, or deceitful the devils’ attempts, they are no match for the power of God’s love.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses the division within the church by exhorting the Christians in Corinth to reaffirm their love and trust in God. Through the power of God’s grace through Christ Jesus, forgiveness is made available; relationships may be restored and people reconciled to one another.

The same is said for the church today. Even as Satan attempts to pull one away from another, the relationship we have in Christ is stronger. Paul teaches us that as we forgive, we are forgiven. As we build one another up in the presence of Christ, we are empowered to withstand the pokes and prods of those powers that defy God’s goodness and grace.

In these steps of our journey toward the cross of Christ, the people of God live together in trust and hope. As Paul points to our need to reaffirm our faith in the one true God who forgives sin, we also reaffirm the relationships God has established among his people. Living together for the sake of Christ, the church remains strong against any power that would attempt to drive a wedge between us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: God our strength, give us the power to withstand temptation, that we may live together in faith and love. Amen.

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The evidence of love

Posted on May 12, 2018 by David Nuottila

John 10:19-42

There is an old saying that suggests actions speak louder than words. When people say “I love you,” the evidence is not in their spoken words, but their acts of kindness. Absent of any display of affection or selfless deeds saying “I love you” is simply an empty exchange of words.

As Jesus lived among God’s people, he proclaimed the fullness of God’s love. However, it is through his many signs and wonders that our Lord makes the Father’s love known in real and visible ways. Foretold by the prophets of long ago, Jesus’ teaching and his miraculous works point to him as God’s Messiah. Still, the Pharisees and scribes would have none of this.

“How long will you keep us in suspense?” “Why do you not tell us plainly?” Jesus had already given the answer, but they refused to believe, even as they’ve seen the evidence with their own eyes. Such hardened hearts are not capable of belief because they do not understand love.

Our works contribute nothing towards our salvation. Yet, as believers in Christ Jesus, our works do bear witness to the love God has for his people. Jesus calls us to a life of love for God and neighbor. When one says “I love God” or “I love my neighbor” he can only be believed when his actions match his words. Without such works, saying “I love God and neighbor” is yet one more empty exchange.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, make our actions towards others match our words of love, that all may come to see your goodness and mercy. Amen.

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Power of prayer

Posted on May 11, 2018 by David Nuottila

James 5:13-18

Most Christians, at one time or another, have asked someone to pray for them. There is little doubt that as you read this, you also remember a time when you asked someone to pray for you. Praying for someone is an act of faith and love. Asking God to give someone strength, provide peace, give comfort, and heal sickness is a good and proper thing to do. But even as you offer to pray for someone, or ask someone to pray for you, have you ever wondered about the power of prayer?

In the fifth chapter of James, the evangelist writes; “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Prayer helps to grow faith. It brings us closer to one another. Prayer deepens and strengthens our relationship with God.

Our God is a compassionate God who hears and answers the prayers of his people. God is the one who forgives sins, brings peace and comfort while also restoring health and wholeness. If it were not so, Jesus would not have taught us to pray to the Father, he would not have given the people of God a model for prayer.

The prayer of a righteous person does indeed have great power, for we know our righteousness comes through the death and resurrection of Christ our Lord. I continue to pray for you, the reader of these words, that you may grow in your relationship with our Lord Jesus. I ask that you pray for me as well, as I too depend on the grace of God.

Prayer: O God, you know our hearts, our minds and our desires. Most of all you know our needs. All of these we bring to you in prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Have faith

Posted on May 10, 2018 by David Nuottila

Mark 7:24-30

Do you have enough faith, enough faith to pray even when it seems God is not listening? It is not always easy to maintain faithfulness, especially when it seems God is silent to our pleas for help. The Psalmist wrote; “O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest…” (Psalm 22:2). Many feel they experience silence from God.

We have all experienced this perceived silence of God. We pray for something and the opposite seems to happen. We pray for healing yet still suffer. We pray for companionship yet we remain lonely. This is where faith enters. We are not able to understand God’s ways, yet through faith, we are enabled to believe that God’s mercy endures. Even as we don’t always seem to get what we want, the Holy Spirit leads us through faith to realize God provides what we need.

In our text, the Syrophoenician woman pleads for her daughter’s healing; she believes the crumbs from the Master’s table have the power to save. It is all she needs. Even as we plead, “Lord have mercy” Christ reaches out and fills our empty hands with this same bread from heaven. Christ is the only source for forgiveness of our sin and the promise of eternal life. Through faith in him we are saved.

Do you have enough faith? What do you think? Do you believe that God’s blessings are for you even if you are an outsider? Having faith is not hoping we will get what we want; it is knowing Jesus is Lord. Having faith is believing that no matter what chaos threatens us, we are not alone in the storm. Having faith means knowing Christ is our Lord and our God, and through him only is the way to eternal life.

Prayer: O Lord God, keep us in faith. Amen.

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Have compassion

Posted on May 9, 2018 by David Nuottila

Matthew 15:29-39

They come from of nowhere; the lost and hungry, the forgotten and homeless. They appear on street corners, holding signs, asking for a hand out, begging for change. Others are drawn to churches, pleading for assistance with a utility bill or back rent. They seem to have so little, but their need seems so great. Small change given from the cup holder of your car won’t be enough to help, and the handful of one dollar bills will only go so far.

As Jesus walked the wilderness of Galilee, he encountered a similar situation. Crowds followed him everywhere he went, bringing with them their sick, their burdens and the unfortunate reality of living without means to satisfy all their needs. They came and fell at his feet, and Jesus had compassion for them. Jesus showed love and mercy then he promised the impossible. In that desolate place, Jesus declared to his disciples all should be fed. Impossible! Yet, once the resources were identified and brought to Jesus, there was more than enough. The creator of all blessed that which was presented to him, so that all would be satisfied.

The same holds true for God’s people today. God blesses us with loaves and fishes sufficient enough for us to care for those in need. Faithfully identifying the loaves and offering them generously is a disciple’s joy. The task may seem daunting, perhaps impossible but, in his compassion, God blesses that which is presented to him so that all will be satisfied.

Prayer:  Gracious Lord, make us instruments of your grace, so that we may strive to meet the needs of our neighbor. Amen.

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Sin no more

Posted on May 8, 2018 by David Nuottila

John 7:53-8:11

“Go and sin no more.” Did Jesus really say that to the woman standing before him? Did he expect that she was able to live such a life? Remember, she was just brought to Jesus by a group of angry men who had already passed judgment. She was guilty’ they caught her in the act.

As we read this passage this morning, where do we find ourselves in the story? It goes without saying that all people are sinners and have fallen short of God’s glory. We know how to choose right from wrong, yet all too often we join the mob by pointing out the sins of others, lest we admit our own disobedience. We must acknowledge our sin for it is the only thing we truly own. As the woman is dragged before Jesus, the court of public opinion has already decided her fate. Little did they understand, they too were on trial before God.

With our sin exposed by God’s Law, our guilt is ever before us. Like the woman in our text, we have been caught in the act of disobedience. Thus, our sin is exposed to those who would hold us in judgment, those whom we have hurt by our actions. We also stand in judgment before Christ, yet he speaks a word of mercy. Jesus extends his forgiveness and grace even though we are undeserving. Understanding we are forgiven, a Christian’s response is also to forgive.

Who is left to condemn you? Truly there is only one who has such power and authority. His judgement; however, is clemency. His gift is forgiveness, setting the sinner free from the consequences of sin, for he has paid the price himself.

Prayer: O God, thank you for your mercy and grace; for your pardon and peace, and for the gift of salvation which comes through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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They will know by our love

Posted on May 7, 2018 by David Nuottila

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

As the old camp song says; they will know we are Christians by our love. Who will know? Why, those who have little use for the Church of Jesus Christ, that’s who. They will know we are Christians by the way we love God, by the way we care for the needy within our community, and by the way we love one another within our congregations. Consequently, they will also know that we are behaving less Christian-like by our lack of love. Love is the test of our faith.

The ancient Church in Corinth had a problem with love. Certainly they loved one another just as we do today but, they had difficulty showing such love when conflict arose. Instead of sharing God’s unconditional love, members of the Corinthian Church retreated to a selfish love, caring more for their selves than for their neighbor.

We have all heard the saying, “The Church is filled with hypocrites.” But that goes without saying because the Church is filled with sinners in need of redemption. God pours out his unconditional love, through his Son Jesus Christ, upon all who are baptized into his death and resurrection. His love knows no limits.

Because of sin, human love falls short of God’s glory. But God’s love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. God’s love never ends. And so it is, the Church strives to share the love of God in Christ with a world in desperate need for the gospel truth. As we do, the world will know we are Christians by our love.

Prayer: Fill us with your Spirit, O God, that the world may know, by our love, that we are your people. Amen.

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God answers prayer

Posted on May 6, 2018 by David Nuottila

John 15:9-17

We have heard it said many times before; I prayed but God has not answered my prayer. What is more likely is that following our prayer, we have not taken the time to wait for God’s response, or turned an attentive ear to listen for his answer. Yet, scripture teaches us that it is God’s good pleasure to provide all that is needed for life. We should not doubt that God hears our prayers and answers each one according to his will.

John reminds us that as Jesus gathered with his disciples, he commanded them to love one another. Through love, God saved his people. In the greatest act of love, Jesus laid down his life for the sake of humanity. It is through this one unselfish act that God pours out his mercy and grace upon all who believe. Surely, the God who would go to such lengths to save his people would certainly hear and answer their prayers.

Jesus says that as we abide in the love of God, the Father will provide that which we ask for in Christ’s name. The answer may not come in the fashion we imagine, or in the time we expect it. But trusting in God’s promise frees Christians from earthly worry. We know his promises are true, for such is the power of God’s love.

Prayer: I thank you heavenly Father, that you hear my prayers and answer them in steadfast love. Amen.

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Don’t worry, be happy

Posted on May 5, 2018 by David Nuottila

Philippians 4:1-9

There was a song released in 1988 imploring its hearers to put away the worries of the world and simply enjoy life. Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is certainly a nice little tune that might make us feel better for a while, but in the end simply being happy does nothing to address the true consequences facing humanity. Happiness is fleeting at best; what humans truly need is joy.

Certainly, the reality of our fallen world has much to say about happiness. Everyone faces the issues and concerns pointed out by McFerrin’s lyrics. Economic hardship, sickness, unemployment and failed relationships take their toll on happiness. However, by God’s grace through faith in Christ, Christians have a much different realization.

Paul exhorts God’s people to rejoice in all things, for the Lord is at hand. The sure and certain hope we have in Christ Jesus is cause to spurn the ugliness of a sinful world and live in the joy of God’s promise for salvation. There is joy in knowing that God knows our needs. As we make our requests known, the promise of God’s love in Christ Jesus brings peace to troubled hearts and minds.

Prayer: Lord God, in the midst of worldly concerns, hear our prayers and fill our hearts with your peace. Amen.

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