Grow faith in the home

Posted on March 20, 2020 by David Nuottila

Mark 9:13-16

Around the globe, people are living through difficult times as they strive to comply with ever-changing guidelines for staying healthy. The COVID-19 outbreak has closed businesses, schools and even churches, not to mention altered so many other things that we typically take for granted. People everywhere are encouraged to stay home..

One thing Christians can do during this time of so-called social distancing is spend more time gathered together around the Holy Scriptures. It goes without saying that few Christian families share time each day in devotion and prayer. Now is a great time to form a new habit. Now is the perfect opportunity for parents to become faith leaders in the home for their children.

When people began bringing children to Jesus, the disciples tried to stop them so as not to bother the Lord. Jesus rebuked them saying, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them.” Today, with our travel little leagues, soccer matches and the myriad other forms of entertainment offered on Sunday, we hinder the faith of our children, not to mention our own. It is time to return to the Lord, time to grow in relationship with him. It is time to learn from God’s Word and remove the hindrances and obstacles to faith. Come to Lord, bring your children, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, bless us and our children as we come to you. Amen.

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The kingdom awaits

Posted on March 19, 2020 by David Nuottila

Genesis 1:1-31

In just six days, according to the scriptures, our almighty God created the heavens and the earth. With a simple word, light became a reality, the sun, moon and stars were fixed upon the sky and the waters and the dry land emerged. Plants and animals of every kind populated the dry land, while birds and sea creatures filled the seas and skies. Finally, on the sixth day, God created the first human in his image and likeness. All of these that God created, everything he had made, was very good.

It’s is difficult to imagine such a world, one in which everything is as God intended. Because of sin, we can longer say the world is very good. We have contaminated the seas and skies, scarred the dry land, and even polluted the heavens with our greed and grasping for power. And today we find ourselves within a society afraid to make physical contact lest we pass the latest virus from one to another. It sounds hopeless. But remember with Christ there is always hope.

The world is in such a state due to sin. But Christ, with his victory upon the cross, overcame sin, death and the power of the devil. Through him, all things have been reconciled unto God. Though not yet revealed in its fullness, God’s perfect and glorious kingdom awaits all who believe.

Prayer: O God, bring us all into the blessedness of your kingdom. Amen.

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The greatest joy

Posted on March 18, 2020 by David Nuottila

Luke 18:15-17

It seems there is no greater joy than when expectant parents hear the first sounds of their child’s heart beating from within. So much excitement, an overload of anticipation, all wrapped up in the pulsating rhythm announcing the beginning of new life. There is no greater joy, at least until the child is born. It is immeasurable.

There is no greater sorrow, however, when this same heart begins to struggle. When a young life fights against all odds, grief creeps in. Too young, too soon, too brief a visit for parents to accept the reality of the pain of death. Tears of bitter loss snatch the last hints of joy away. What is left when such a heart beats its last? Life!

Our Lord Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them.” Because of Christ’s victory over sin and death, all God’s people, especially the little children, stand in the shadow of the cross ready to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Innocent, childlike faith is able to accept even that which we cannot understand. It overcomes the most painful sorrow and gains for us the greatest joy. Unimaginable, uncontainable, never-ending joy. Such is the promise of faith. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: O Lord, turn our sorrow into joy. Bring us into the gates of your kingdom. Amen.

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Victory through Christ

Posted on March 17, 2020 by David Nuottila

Jonah 2:2-9; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 11:17-44

Ever since humanity’s fall into sin, a battle has raged between evil and the children of God. Our adversary, the devil, fights against goodness and love with powerful weapons. Greed, lust, envy and pride are but a few weapons thrown into the path toward righteousness, causing the faithful to stumble. If those weapons don’t work, then the devil hurls doubt and fear as a second volley. They attack our weakened flesh, attempting to separate us from our faith and trust in the Lord.

Jonah faced several of these weapons on his own, that is until he found himself hopelessly caught up in their trappings. Only then did he acknowledge his fault and call upon the Lord. Mary and Martha stood against one of the devil’s greatest weapons; death, specifically the death of their brother Lazarus. If only Jesus had been there to fight for them.

The truth is, God is ever-present in the lives of his people. The battles waged against us are not skirmishes we are able to win on our own, but they are no match for Christ, who has already won the victory. As we continue our pilgrimage on earth, our Lord supplies us with the whole armor of God. Truth, righteousness, the peace of the gospel and the shield of faith are sure defenses against the flaming darts of the evil one. Calling upon the Lord and living in faith and trust, the victory is ours through Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Be my strength and guide, O Lord, that I may turn from sin and live faithfully according to your Word. Amen.

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Come to the well

Posted on March 16, 2020 by David Nuottila

John 4:1-14

The text this morning tells of an encounter of a Samaritan woman and Jesus. She came in the middle of the day when most would have likely come much earlier. Jesus knew who she was. He knew all about her life, her past, and especially her present. Living as she did, her life would be filled with ridicule, shame and animosity. She came to the well when it was likely no one would be there.

How much are we like her? We all have our secrets we don’t want anyone to know about. We don’t want to confront others who may have something against us. Yet, like the woman at the well, we cannot hide from Christ.

She was a Samaritan; he was a Jew. Still, Jesus didn’t judge her; he didn’t rebuke her. He simply initiated a conversation; “Give me a drink.” How little did she know that the God who brought water from the rock at Horeb is the same God who speaks to her now? Even before she knew it, she was being filled with the living water of the Gospel.

This same Jesus, knows you and me. He knows of our life, our past and especially our present. More importantly, Jesus knows our sin. Still, Christ invites us to the well to receive the living water of his love for our thirsty souls. Come to the well. Jesus is there for you.

Prayer: Lord, refresh us with the living water of your love. Amen.

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Share the good news

Posted on March 15, 2020 by David Nuottila

Acts 4_33

Acts 4:13-33

Considering all of the self-help gurus and the many motivational speakers of our time, it is no secret; people want to hear words of encouragement and prosperity. There is also a public thirst for words of freedom and joy. Yet, when it is the church that proclaims such words as the result of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the world works hard to silence the very message it longs to hear. Why would the world be so opposed to the good news of Jesus Christ? The answer is easily summed up; because of sin, humanity thinks it can save itself. And so in an act of defiance, sin seeks to silence the church.

When Peter and John were ordered by the authorities to cease proclaiming Jesus as the resurrected Lord, those in opposition to the gospel thought they had silenced them. Yet, Peter and John along with the other apostles prayed for courage and boldness. They prayed the Holy Spirit would give them power to proclaim Jesus as the Christ. God answered their prayers and the church grew rapidly.

Today, the world still seeks to silence the church; there seems to be little tolerance for the Christian message of hope and salvation. Yet, emboldened by the same Holy Spirit, the church continues the gospel proclamation. Just as Jesus taught the apostles, so they teach us. Pray for boldness and courage.

Prayer: Come Holy Spirit; fill us with your word and send us to proclaim the gospel.  Amen.

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Receiving our Lord

Posted on March 14, 2020 by David Nuottila

Luke 22_19

Luke 22:14-23

In the hours before Jesus was lifted up upon the cross, he gathered his closest friends around the table and poured out the Spirit of God’s love. In the meal they shared, Christ made himself truly available to them, filling them with the hope of God’s kingdom. The disciples could not yet understand, but Christ’s assurance was there; “This is my body which is given for you.” On the eve of Christ’s victory over sin and the grave, finally, reconciliation between God and man was at hand.

Today, we live as God’s redeemed people; through Christ, sin no longer has power over us. Nowhere is this made more visible than as we share the meal of our faith. The same assurance, the same spirit of love, the same Lord Jesus is present with us as he was present with the twelve.

As we approach God’s table of grace, we bring only that which we can truly call our own. With extended hands, the nakedness and shame of our sin is laid to bear at the foot of Christ’s cross. Yet, our Lord welcomes us to the feast. Our sin stained hands are extended – seeking refreshment, fulfillment, forgiveness. And like the disciples, we receive our Lord as we hear the words of Christ, “This is my body given for you.”

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for this bread and this cup, through which you fill us with your grace. Amen.

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Temptation

Posted on March 13, 2020 by David Nuottila

Matthew 4:1-11

Certainly we all face temptation, but what does it mean to be tempted? At the very least, to be tempted means that we are enticed, lured or even seduced to engage in a behavior we know is contrary to our well-being. Worldly powers are always busy trying to draw us away from living in the light and love of Christ Jesus. It is what the devil and his minions are good at. They won’t stop in their attempt to drive a wedge in between God and his people.

The evil one hurls temptations our way in the hopes that we would give in and disregard God’s words and promises. They come fast and furious, without warning and often disguised in the most attractive ways. The devil would love nothing more than for us to ignore the teaching of Christ and live for ourselves. Yet, through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to resist temptation.

Jesus is our example. Alone in the wilderness for forty days, the Lord faced the full measure of the tempter’s power. Even in his weakest moments, Jesus clung to God’s word of promise. We too can cling to this power from on high. God’s Word is certain, it is true and it is powerful. When you face the tempter’s power, put your trust in God’s Word. Remember God is faithful, he will give you strength.

Prayer: Almighty God, when faced with temptation, give me strength to be true to your Word. Amen.

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Help

Posted on March 12, 2020 by David Nuottila

Psalm 121:1-8

I look to the hills, from where is my help to come? This first line of our psalm has a lot to say about humanity’s response to living in a fallen and broken world. Everyone at some time needs help. Every one faces challenges; everyone one deals with uncertainty. All people need help at some time in their life. Where does it come from? Will it be there when we need it?

A sad fact is that all too often, people look for help in all the wrong places. But the help the psalmist is speaking of is not just help with a problem or other sticky situation. The psalmist is speaking of deliverance from the consequences of sin. Try as we might, we cannot help ourselves. Deliverance must come from the Lord.

The psalmist reminds us that one who watches over his people will not slumber nor sleep. God is ever present in the lives of those who call upon his name. Our protection is made sure through the promise of God’s grace and eternal life. His love is all powerful. Nothing can snatch us from his hand. Indeed, our help comes from the LORD. He will keep your life.

Prayer: On times of trouble, O Lord, keep watch over me. Amen.

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Golden rule

Posted on March 11, 2020 by David Nuottila

Romans 12:9-21

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Such is the golden rule. We strive to follow it and teach it to our children, expecting them to follow it as well. Yet, even as we learn right from wrong at an early age, we do not always treat others as we hope to be treated. All too often, usually without thinking, individuals develop a “me first” philosophy. In our crowded world, patience for others wears thin, old fashioned ideas become offensive and even a misunderstood glance can turn into an altercation.

The apostle Paul addresses Christian behavior in the midst of the Roman culture. He calls God’s people to live according to a higher standard. The apostle instructs Christians that as we are united as one in the mystical body of Christ, we should live according to the loving example of our Lord. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

We cannot exact revenge against those who sin against us, nor are we to repay evil for evil. God alone is judge; in his hands are the means of correction and forgiveness. Our response to Paul’s teaching and to those who taught us the golden rule is to love our enemies, care for their needs and leave judgment to our heavenly Father. Surely, vengeance belongs to God.

Prayer: Give us hearts for love, O Lord, and pour out your love upon us. Amen.

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