Lee Daniel Johnson

Ephesians 1:11-14

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Many items offer a guarantee.  Manufacturers will often advertise that they guarantee that their product will perform as intended. Such a guarantee gives the customer a feeling that they are protected. If something goes wrong with the item they have purchased, the manufacturer will make things right.

Of course, a guarantee is only as good as the company that stands behind it.  You are only as protected as far as the integrity of the company that offers the guarantee.  The main thing to know is that the guarantee is like a guard, protecting you from loss.

In this passage the Holy Spirit is called “the guarantee of our inheritance until will acquire possession of it.”  What is our inheritance?  Our inheritance is the forgiveness and eternal life that Jesus died on the cross and rose again to provide for our salvation.  Through His death our sins are forgiven.  Through His resurrection, we know that we too shall rise with Him on the last day.  Throughout this life, we have the Holy Spirit to carry us through to the day when we will receive this inheritance.

In this way, the Holy Spirit acts as a guarantee, a guard, and our protector.  Daily God the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith.  He protects us and draws us close to our Savior Jesus.  God the Holy Spirit teaches us the meaning of the Holy Scriptures and strengthens us agains the temptations and assaults of the evil one.  

There is no guarantee better than what God Himself provides.  The Holy Spirit is with us to bring us to our eternal possession, the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting.  In God’s faithful protection we can at last find peace and know that our salvation is secure, even in the midst of earthly trials.

Let us pray,

O Lord God, I thank you for your grace in sending your only begotten Son Jesus to provide for my salvation. I also praise you for the gifts of my baptism and the power of the Holy Spirit to guard my faith and guarantee my inheritance.  I give you praise for your mercy and ask for your continued protection for all your saints.  Especially, O Holy Spirit, I pray for all your people suffering physical persecution or spiritual trial. In Jesus name.  Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Ephesians 1:3-10

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

I lead many church camping trips over the years. Planning was always important.  Long lists, printed schedules, and notes for campers consumed time and energy.  The planning was helpful, but only to a point.  When camping, there are many things beyond your control, not the least of which is the weather.  So, while we had a plan, we also had to learn to accept our situation and adapt.  More than that, since we were on a church camp, we learned to trust that God was leading and guiding us in all circumstances.  Both when we were doing what we planned, and when we were facing what only God could plan, God is in control.

The Bible reading from Ephesians 1 is an encouragement when our path in life becomes particularly difficult.  I won’t say that terrible weather and frightening circumstances are fun.  Not to this camper.  But, I do know in the most difficult times, that prayer is fitting and God is caring and God is faithful.  Therefore we can trust that even the things that we can’t understand have a place in His eternal plan of salvation for us in Christ Jesus. 

Jesus never lost sight of the big picture and the big plan of salvation and eternal life.  His disciples struggled, as do we, during the great trials they faced.  But, God carried them through Jesus crucifixion, resurrection and called them to share the Gospel with all nations.  God’s plan is that by confessing our sins and trusting in Jesus as our Savior we will share in Jesus’ resurrection and eternal life.  

In coming through the trials of life, through faith in Jesus, we are brought closer to our Savior and to one another.  We are allowed to experience God’s faithful love and be strengthened by God the Holy Spirit as we trust in God’s plan as it unfolds.  May God grant us the joy of knowing Jesus in all circumstances and remind us of God’s love and our future in Him.  

Let Us Pray,

I thank you heavenly Father for your faithful love that has held me close to you all my life.  Help me to remember my Savior Jesus’ faithfulness throughout HIs trials for my sake.  O Holy Spirit, guard and keep me, and all who face challenges this day. Help us to be strong in faith and bold in witness to the Gospel.  In Jesus Name.  AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Amos 7:7-15

7 This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said,

“Behold, I am setting a plumb line

    in the midst of my people Israel;

    I will never again pass by them;

the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,

    and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,

    and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”

Amos Accused

10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. 11 For thus Amos has said,

“‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,

    and Israel must go into exile

    away from his land.’”

12 And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, 13 but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

14 Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. 15 But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

Are you qualified to speak?  That was the problem that the prophet Amos faced.  He wasn’t a “prophet” or even a “prophet’s son.”  It would seem that He was agreeing that he had no qualification to speak.  Why then was he prophesying?

Amos said, “… the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”  Our calling isn’t grounded simply on our skills, vocational choice, or family background.  Ultimately, it is the Lord Himself who places us in our calling to do His will.  Amos could speak because God placed Him there to prophesy.  He had to speak in obedience to God’s call.

It is good to remember this as we think of our own callings in life.  Our vocational choice is one thing, but our calling as God’s people encompasses everything!  When we were baptized, we were united with Jesus.  His life, death on the cross, and resurrection became ours.  His ministry is seen in our daily lives.  Jesus’ life forms and empowers every part of who we are.  The significance of our lives is found in Jesus.  We rejoice, for through  Jesus, the eternal is made flesh even in us today.  

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for your faithful prophets.  Help me to be faithful to the calling that you have given to me in my baptism.  In your name I pray.  AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Psalm 85:8-13

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;

    but let them not turn back to folly.

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,

    that glory may dwell in our land. 

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;

    righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs up from the ground,

    and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Yes, the Lord will give what is good,

    and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him

    and make his footsteps a way.

In our culture, we don’t normally use a kiss as a form of greeting.  We shake hands.  Yet, we are not unaware of the kiss used as a greeting in other cultures.  A kiss a shows love, trust, and acceptance. A kiss is fitting.  When in this scripture selection we read “righteousness and peace kiss each other” we know what it means!  There could be no better way to express such a joyful meeting.

When Judas betrayed Jesus, He used a kiss.  The nature of the act of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas was highlighted by this kiss.  The use of the kiss even caused Jesus to remark about Judas’s action.  Judas was using his friendship with Jesus to hand Jesus over to the mob.  This well describes sin for what it is, a betrayal of the Lord.

Still Jesus continued after Judas betrayed Him.  He was faithful to His calling and He died for the sins of the world.  Amazing as it is, God came knowing our sinful nature and was willing to offer us salvation through faith in Jesus.  

If you would see the union of righteousness and peace, look no further than the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Then, confessing your sins, know that you have a Savior.  He came for you and brings you back into fellowship with Him in eternal life.

Let us pray,

Help me Lord in the midst of this life to repent of my sins and trust in you.  I thank you for your salvation and confess that in you, righteousness and peace kiss.  May I be found faithful in your forever.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 12: 1-10

I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In the realm of personal improvement, individuals are often counseled to focus on their strengths.  A person gets more benefit from improving a strength area.  Areas of weakness usually remain weaknesses, no matter how much effort is put into them.  In fact, focusing on weaknesses just makes you weaker.

St. Paul struggled with what he called a “thorn in the flesh.”  We can only guess about what that “thorn” was.  He writes clearly about how much he struggled with this weakness and begged God to remove it from him. 

However, God didn’t remove the weakness, but instead, through that “thorn in the flesh” caused St. Paul to focus on his true strength, which was faith in God.  This was so effective that St. Paul talked of boasting in his weakness, confessing “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Jesus in coming into the world took on the weakness of our human flesh.  This reality was brought into sharp focus when He offered Himself on the cross for the life of the world.  Through Jesus weakness, the power of sin, death, and devil are broken.  Through faith in Jesus the power of God is for our salvation.

When you think of your true strength, you may think of various qualities or talents.  But, your true strength is the same as St. Paul’s.  It is your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  And it is true also for you, that when you are weak, then your faith will shine the brightest and reveal that you are, through Christ, truly strong.

Let us pray

Thank you Lord for all that you do to sustain me throughout life.  I especially praise you for your mighty deliverance from sin and all evil.  Help me this day to remain strong in you.  Sustain me in all trials and enable me to serve you faithfully.  In your name I pray.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Ezekiel 2: 1-5

Ezekiel’s Call

2 And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2 And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ 5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.

How do you measure success?  If you are in business, it would be by meeting a sales goal.  In farming, it would be by having an abundant harvest.  You get the idea.  Even in church we do the same thing.  We measure our church as successful if it has many members.  This isn’t a bad thing.  It is good to have many people in church.  But, numbers aren’t the only thing.  

Ezekiel was called to be a prophet, but oddly enough, it seems that numbers were not what God wanted this prophet to be concerned about.  In fact, God said that the people would not likely listen at all!  He was sending this prophet to a ministry that would be marked by failure, if it was judged by the numbers. 

But, that wasn’t God’s point in sending this prophet.  God sent Ezekiel because He is merciful and just.  He sent His prophet to preach God’s Word, to show the people their sin, and to call them to repentance.  At the very least, the people would know that a prophet had been among them.

God’s faithfulness continued and was ultimately fulfilled in His Son.  Jesus’ death on the cross was judged the ultimate failure of His ministry by the world, yet, through that cross God worked victory over sin, death, and devil. God offers this gift freely to all who believe in Jesus.  

At the end, even the roman centurion who was guarding Jesus exclaimed that truly Jesus was the son of God.  May God grant us faith to hold fast to Jesus our Savior, for in Him we see all the preaching of the prophets of God fulfilled. 

Let us pray

I thank you Lord for your mercy in sending your faithful prophets who point us to Jesus.  I also thank you for faithful pastors who continue to preach your word in my congregation.  Help your servants not to be discouraged when it seems no one will listen.  Instead, remind them of their calling to preach faithfully, and grant them perseverance as they trust in you for the outcome of their work.  May people know that you have been among them whenever your word is proclaimed.  In Jesus name.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Psalm 123 

To you I lift up my eyes,

O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

Behold, as the eyes of servants

look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of a maidservant

to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to the Lord our God,

till he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,

for we have had more than enough of contempt.

Our soul has had more than enough

of the scorn of those who are at ease,

of the contempt of the proud.

Being a believer brings with it the contempt of the world.  It is becoming increasingly common to hear ridicule directed towards those who express faith in God and for those who pray.  Here, in Psalm 123, God’s people pray for strength.

This psalm was to be sung as people went to the temple.  They carried with them many concerns and the memory of much abuse for following the Lord faithfully.  But, rather than turning in on themselves, God directs them to turn towards Him. He is the one who is “enthroned in the heavens.”  God is the one who hears our prayers.

God is the one who came in Jesus to deal with all of the opposition of the world, even our own sins, and take them away forever.  Through Jesus we have God’s answer to all conflicts and the evil of mankind.  

If anyone could have said “I’ve had more than enough of this” that one was Jesus. Yet, He faithfully continued in His saving work until not one thing remained undone for our salvation.  This is the Lord who will strengthen us also to accomplish all things He has given us to do.  And in the end, He is the one who will welcome us into His eternal kingdom.

Let us pray,

Help me Lord when the challenges of life as a Christian seem large and oppressive.  You have overcome all things, even death for my salvation.  Grant me your strength to do your will.  In your name I pray, AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Mark 5:21-43

Jesus Heals Jairus’s Daughter

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him…

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Who wouldn’t do anything to help his child.  One of the rulers of the synagogue was such a man.  He even went to Jesus and asked for help, even if others would have thought that such a religious man could have prayed himself.  

So the man went, but it was too late.  His daughter died.  Everyone was in shock and completely broken in grief.  When Jesus said that the girl was only sleeping, they ridiculed Him.  Jesus put them all outside, except for Peter, James, John, and the girl’s parents.  With a simple command Jesus awakened the girl from the dead. Everyone was amazed.

Jesus charged them to tell no one, because this miracle of mercy for a suffering family was an extra blessing from the Lord.  Ultimately, through His death on the cross and resurrection Jesus’ ministry would offer the resurrection of all mankind!  May God grant us faith in Jesus so that confessing our sins and trusting in Him we can look forward to the day when He awakens each of us to eternal life.

Let us pray

Lord help me to trust in you at all times.  Especially be with parents who are concerned for their children.  Help us all to remember your power to save and the gift of life that you will certainly give to all who trust in you.  In your name I pray, Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Lamentations 3:31-33

For the Lord will not

cast off forever,

but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion

according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

for he does not afflict from his heart

or grieve the children of men.

Often, when contemplating our misfortunes, we are faced with the idea that God is actually allowing us to suffer.  This makes sense.  I remember reading a quote that was attributed to Martin Luther, that went something like this, “The law is our daily and familiar companion.”  That means that we are often aware of our faults and live our lives expecting God’s wrath.  Therefore, when we think about it, we kind of expect God will send trouble our way.  We know we deserve it.

This is proper, for we truly are sinners.  In fact, those who have no sense of guilt or deserving God’s wrath “deceive themselves” as the scriptures describe it.  Also, some of the most relationally troubled persons think that everyone else is the problem and they alone are right.  So, what about our misfortune?  What about our suffering?  Is God just tormenting us?

You know the answer is no.  But, it is important not to base our understanding on a false sense of our own righteousness.  We do often cause our own misery and we must admit to that.  The point is, however, that this isn’t where God’s heart is.  The scriptures show us that God is not filled with hatred for us and does not “afflict from the heart.”  Rather, God’s desire is that we repent and turn to Him with all our hearts, and be saved!  

For this very reason God sent His Son, our Lord Jesus, to bear our sins upon the cross.  Rather than leave us in an eternally hopeless condition apart from Him, in Jesus’ victory over death and grave God gives us a solution to all our suffering, worries and pain.  He gives us the resurrection from the dead and the life everlasting.

As difficult as times of misfortune are for us to bear, God is gracious.  Our times of trial will end because God’s heart isn’t to afflict us.  God is love.  In the mean time, God calls us to repent of our sin, believe in Jesus, and turn to Him.  In Jesus, God’s greatest gift is eternal life.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for your great love for me.  Help me during the most difficult times to remember your steadfast love.  If I am struggling with guilt, remind me of my Savior Jesus, His forgiveness of all my sins, and my eternal life in Him.  I thank you for your mercy towards me and ask for faith to sustain me in all trials.  In Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Lamentations 3:22-33

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,

to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord.

Waiting for the salvation of the Lord has a purpose.  While we are waiting, this purpose is hard to perceive.  Especially, if we are waiting in great distress, we can’t imagine any good purpose in waiting.  Yet, since God has allowed waiting throughout the history of God’s people, and God is gracious and merciful, we can trust that God will sustain our faith when we must wait for His salvation. 

One blessing that comes to mind from my experience in waiting is a contemplation on God’s nature.  It is easy to be tempted to doubt the things that we know by faith about God.  How do we deal with this during times of waiting?  God’s Word gives us direction.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

From a contemplation on God’s nature, to a remembrance of God’s gifts, God’s Word directs our thinking.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,

to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord.

And, when it comes to faithful waiting, who would not remember Jesus.  He endured the pain of the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.  After the faithful waiting in the tomb, He rose from the dead.  As Christ is risen, so shall we rise with Him to life everlasting.  It is indeed good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.  For in the Lord is eternal life.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for the faithful witness of your Word.  Help me to remember you, your mercy, grace and love.  May the the perfect life, death, and resurrection of my Savior Jesus sustain me in all trials and point me to your eternal kingdom.  In your name I pray.  AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.