Seeking the kingdom

Posted on February 19, 2020 by David Nuottila

Matthew 6:25-34

So many of us get caught up on our hopes and dreams. When we are young, we become fixated on the future and the possibilities of what might be. Steps felt necessary are taken to make lofty goals become reality. Sometimes risk is involved as focus is placed on a single endeavor; achieving our life’s ambition. Anything short of that is failure.

The world is filled with people who worry their dreams may never materialize. The life we chase after can soon consume our every thought. The more we miss the mark, the harder we try and the more committed we become. Before long, the life we hope for, the things we desire, push everything aside, including our relationship with the one who is provider of all.

“Why are you anxious?” asks Jesus? Why worry about earthly things that can bring only fleeting pleasures? God has a beautiful life waiting for you. He will provide all you need. Look around. Even the birds of the air and flowers of the field have all they need. And you are even more precious to God than they. Seek God’s kingdom first. Live each day within the sure and certain hope of Christ. And all these things, the true blessings you desire, will be added unto you.

Prayer: Gracious God, how can I want for anything? You are all I need. Thank you. Amen.

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Encourage one another

Posted on February 18, 2020 by David Nuottila

1 Thessalonians 5:1-22

Young or old, rich or poor, we all face difficulties in life. Everyone, no matter their status or station in life, experiences days when things don’t go according to plan. Everything we do turns out wrong; everything we say falls upon offended or angry ears, and the road to ruin seems to be paved with our own good intentions. On days like these, it seems we would be better off if we simply stayed in bed.

None of these difficulties compare with that which challenged the Thessalonian church. Poverty, oppression and persecution brought with them harsh circumstances. Yet, the apostle Paul compelled them, as he compels us, to encourage one another. He exhorts us to pray for one another, always giving thanks and rejoicing in Christ our Lord. We are to give thanks in all circumstances, for even in our greatest difficulty, God can use them for the purposes of good.

This is God’s will for you, that you would realize his presence each and every day, that you would give thanks for his mercy and grace, and that in the certainty of God’s love for you, you would encourage your neighbor in the same spirit of faith. From day to day, troubles will come. But God is with you. He cares for you and loves you. Rejoice! Be glad, for you do not bear your struggles alone.

Prayer: Compassionate God, keep me near, that I may feel the power of your love. Amen.

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Authority, source, norm

Posted on February 17, 2020 by David Nuottila

Mark 11:27-33

As Jesus taught in the temple, many heard his words and were amazed. Some Pharisees, however, were not so pleased with Jesus’ teaching. They often found themselves to be the subjects of his lessons which pointed out to them their failure to live up to God’s expectations. Instead of hearing the prophetic voice calling them to repentance, these Pharisees took exception and tried to trap Jesus with their trick questions.

Jesus’ teaching continues to confound those who live as the world lives. It seems we no longer live in an age when authority is not socially recognized, but questioned. Even within the community of believers, biblical authority is often called into question. The Holy Scriptures, however, remain God’s authoritative source and norm for faith and life.

The Pharisees who questioned Jesus did so because their hearts were hardened to the truth of God’s Word. Those who question the authority of scripture today, do so with hearts turned toward human understanding. Yet, Jesus is the one who calls us all to repentance. His is the authority handed over to him by the Father. Through him only is there forgiveness and eternal life.

Prayer: Open my heart to your Word, O Lord, that I may receive your grace. Amen.

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God’s never failing word

Posted on February 16, 2020 by David Nuottila

Psalm 119_105

John 21:20-25, Psalm 119:105-112

The number of gadgets we have to make life simpler is amazing. The gadgets on my desk alone connect me to a world of information and allow me to speak to and see people all over the world. It truly is amazing when you think about it. But at some point, these gadgets will either fail or become obsolete.

On my desk there is also a Bible. Yes, we can all access the Bible on our computers or phones, but the book with its pages bound together is the only means among these that will not fail. It will not become obsolete, it does not need to be connected to an external power source and its battery will not run down.

Reading Holy Scripture does not make our earthly problems vanish, nor does it always make our lives simpler. Scripture does, however, help the faithful put life in its proper perspective. Instead of applying the instructions of our advanced society, the Bible helps us follow God’s expectations.

The apostles gave witness to the saving act of God through Christ Jesus. These were written so that we may believe. The only instructions we need to follow are to pray, open the book and then read. Doing such, we remain connected with God, the apostles and all the saints in the mystical body of Christ. Certainly the world and all of its innovations can be used for the purposes of good. But it is God’s Word remains a lamp to our feet and light to our path. Really, it’s just that simple.

Guide me by your Word, O God, that I may learn your ways. Amen.

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Walk in the Spirit

Posted on February 15, 2020 by David Nuottila

Galatians 5:13-25

“We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.” Many people wrestle with this confessional phrase. On one hand, we know we are sinners. On the other hand, we are freed from the consequence of sin through Jesus Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. But the truth remains, we have not loved God with all our heart, nor have we loved our neighbors as ourselves.

Paul teaches that freedom comes only through Jesus’ death on the cross. Without the gift of God’s mercy and forgiveness through Christ, we have no hope. We cannot free ourselves from the grip of sin. No matter how hard we try, we will fall short. Instead of showing love for our neighbor, we turn inward in selfishness, for our human nature is in bondage to sin.

Paul reminds us of the Christian’s war against sin. We are continually tempted to live according to works of the flesh. However, redeemed by Christ, we are free to reject the sinful life, seek God’s forgiveness, and live by the fruit of the Spirit. Once forgiven, once redeemed, love, joy and peace are ours. Patience, kindness and good ness replace the selfishness of sin. Then, finally, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control rule in the hearts of God’s beloved children. Living by the fruit of the Spirit, we are free to love our neighbor.

Prayer: Help us out away our selfishness, O Lord, that we may love our neighbor as you first loved us. Amen.

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The greatest is love

Posted on February 14, 2020 by David Nuottila

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

To love one another, that is the command given by Jesus to his followers. You are to love one another. At times, it is easy to love one another. The things we have in common and the companionship we share help grow our relationships. Certainly there is great strength in the community of God’s people as we share the love of Christ with one another. Difficulty comes when we fail at sharing this love.

One thing we cannot escape is that we are all sinners and fall short of God’s expectations for us. No, we do not always love God with our whole heart, and we certainly do not always love our neighbor as ourselves. Jealousy, impatience, greed, envy, and so many other aspects of selfishness get in the way of love. As we struggle with our differences, the apostle Paul shows us a more excellent way.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast, nor is it arrogant or rude. When we truly love our neighbor, our own needs are surpassed by theirs. Love among God’s people endures through the grace of the one who first loved us. Through the power of Christ, love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus, for your never ending love. Amen.

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Words of Spirit and truth

Posted on February 13, 2020 by David Nuottila

John 6:48-69

How can this man give us his flesh to eat? He must be crazy. Some of the things he is saying are just too hard to believe. Such were the thoughts and comments of those who had been with Jesus as he explained to them that he is the bread of life. The crowd could not open their minds to accept that God indeed sent his Son, this Jesus of Nazareth, into the world to save it. Their earthly desires would not yield to Jesus’ words of Spirit and truth.

Such questions remain today. How can this bread and wine become Jesus’ body and blood? How does this simple eating and drinking bring the forgiveness of sins? Becoming so intertwined with such thought misses the central teaching of the Gospel. Jesus is the bread of life come down from heaven. Unless you eat of the bread of life you have no life in you.

It isn’t the eating and drinking of the bread and wine that gives life. It is the presence of Christ, realized through the gift of faith and done in connection with God’s promise of salvation. Even as the crowd finally gave up on Jesus, the twelve understood and believed. Through faith, God revealed to them that Jesus indeed is the Messiah. It is through this same faith that we come to believe and receive God’s grace.

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, you are the Christ. You have the words of eternal life. Amen.

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The Father’s will

Posted on February 12, 2020 by David Nuottila

John 6:38-47

Who could know the will of God? So often, especially in times of great anticipation or distress, Christians  might pray “please let it be your will.” In times such as these, our wants and our fears get in the way of our being open to God’s will. Instead, we attempt to coerce God into bending his will in our direction.

For a few days now, we have been following the crowds that followed Jesus. Through scripture, we have witnessed God’s faithful acts through the feeding of a great multitude and Jesus calming a stormy sea. To the crowd asking for further proof, Jesus simply reveals the truth. The will of the Father is that all people would be saved through the one whom he has sent. His teaching and miracles bear witness to this.

To know God’s will is to understand his love and desire for you, that you would be saved from the consequences of your sin. God’s will becomes reality for those who hear the Gospel and believe in the one whom the Father has sent. The evidence is in Christ himself. God’s will for you is always the goodness and mercy that comes through Christ the Lord.

Prayer: Not my will, O God, but your will be done. Amen.

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Doing the works of God

Posted on February 11, 2020 by David Nuottila

John 6:28-37

They have received the loaves and fishes. The great multitude ate their fill until all were satisfied. And they have chased Jesus to the other side of the sea wanting more. Even after Jesus exhorted them to spurn the bread that perishes and labor for the bread that endures, their minds remained closed and their hearts hardened. What labors? What works must we do? What are the works of God?

Finally, Jesus makes it plain. “The bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. I am the read of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger. Whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Christ is the one to strive for. He is the one who feeds and nourishes faith and life.

To do the works of God means to believe Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, and that through him only is there forgiveness of sin and the promise of everlasting life. No merit of our own, no amount of Good works, nothing that we can do will earn God’s grace. Only the belief that sinners are saved by grace the faith in Christ. Jesus is the bread from heaven. He is the bread that gives life, always and forever.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Christ, the bread of life, the Savior of the world. Amen.

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The bread that endures

Posted on February 10, 2020 by David Nuottila

John 6:22-27

In the recent past, there is something that has become a standard practice for many as they search for a new church home. Church shopping; that is the name given to the method of searching for one’s new congregation. More than the dynamics of preaching, or the celebration of sacraments, church shoppers weigh the quality of congregations against family programming and activities for their children. Rather than worshipers, church shoppers become consumers of God’s goodness.

Not long after Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five-thousand, the large crowd followed him across the sea and gathered once more. Jesus knew their hearts and minds. He knew they had come, not because his miracle led them to believe he was God’s Messiah but because they wanted more of the food he provided the day before.

Like the crowds following Jesus, Christians are not to be searching for what goods the Lord can provide. Local congregations do not exist to satisfy the wants of consumers. Instead, as we gather for worship, we should seek only that which endures to eternal life; a faithful relationship with Christ the Lord. Salvation is the free gift from God for all who believe in Christ as Lord and Savior. Understanding this, we do not seek our fill; rather, we seek God’s mercy and ways we can assist the church in its mission and ministry.

Prayer: Satisfy my hungry heart, O God, with the bread that endures to eternal life. Amen.

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