“Service to God consists of this: that you continue in the station into which God has placed you. A husband should remain a husband, a wife should continue to be a wife, an emperor should continue as an emperor, a commoner as an ordinary citizen. Everyone should learn to serve God in his station and in that [place] he should glorify God.”
(Luther, “Holy Christmas Day,” The House Postils 1:148-151)
For more on the doctrine of vocation see this posts:
When you think of idols, what comes to mind? The golden calf? Asherah poles? Baal? In Biblical days, idols were often physical representations of various false gods that were worshipped at the time. Today idols look a little different. Here’s how Tim Keller defines idolatry:
“… anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your imagination more than God, anything that you seek to give you what only God can give. A counterfeit god is anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would hardly be worth living. An idol has such a controlling position in your heart that you can spend most of your passion and energy, your emotional and financial resources on it without another thought.”
So, if you thought that idols were a thing of the past, think again. We’re all still prone to idol-making. In fact, the theologian John Calvin said, “the human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” Idols might be money, sex or power. They may even by good things like our children, our spouse, or our home. So, keep things in the right perspective. Our primary devotion must be to God. We may love others and be grateful for all the good things we experience in life. These things come from God, and we must not make them our gods.
“ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
For more about idols see these posts:
One of the most difficult circumstances any Christian faces is knowing that an adult child, or another family member is unsaved. What can we do? Here’s some advice from the book, Loving Your Adult Children, which I recently reviewed:
“The Christian parent of an unsaved adult child has the same mission He continues to pray and point his adult child to Christ as he is given opportunity. Since none of us know God’s plan for our children’s lives, we can pray, press on, and when weary, lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should not feel like a failure, for none of us know God’s timing in salvation, even when it comes to our kids. His plans and purposes extend far beyond our desires.”
For more about Christian parenting, see these posts:
Modern Parents Vintage Values by Sissy Goff and Melissa Trevathan–Book Review
It’s a new month, and one of my Read It and Reap buddies mentioned that she has been reading and thinking about vocation, because she is about to retire. Sometimes we think of vocation, or calling, as something for a chosen few — pastors, missionaries and the like. Not so! We are all called by God — called to particular churches, called to certain jobs, called to be parents, spouses, friends. The Bible tells us that:
“…we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
What an amazing thought! God doesn’t just know how we will serve Him, He has specific plans for us. Our job is to listen, pray and discern what those plans are. When we align our will with His, when we find those tasks that are meant for us alone, we will feel great joy in accomplishing them.
There’s no better time to start pursuing our calling. Let’s spend some time thinking about that this month!
Surveys have shown that as many as 1 in 4 U.S. adults are estranged from their families. This can happen for many reasons. What’s a broken-hearted parent to do? Author Gaye Clark has some wise insights and suggestions.
There is much, much more, and the author focuses on how the fruit of the Spirit should affect and inform our relationships with our children. She emphasizes the importance of nurturing our own relationship with God, stating:
“When Christ is the source of a parent’s joy, that parent will be able to persevere with a difficult adult child, a disappointing circumstance, or anything else the world, the flesh and the devil may throw at them.”
There are questions for discussion or journaling at the end of each chapter. It would be an excellent choice for a small group study.
VERDICT: 5 STARS.
The Lutheran Ladies received a free copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.
If you would like to purchase this book, follow the link below:
https://www.crossway.org/books/loving-your-adult-children-tpb/
For more book reviews see these posts:
Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman — Book Review
I recently read a true crime story about a serial killer who enticed a couple of young men to participate in his crimes. Since neither seemed likely to have engaged in murder on their own, the author attributed their actions to a phenomenon called brain synchronization. It seems that when people interact, patterns of activity in their brains align. As interaction continues, the timing and location of their brain activity becomes more and more alike. The extent of synchrony indicates the strength of the relationship and brain waves between people who are particularly close match up more and more as time goes on. So, it seems we are strongly influenced by those with whom we choose to associate.
The influence also occurs in marriages. My husband is a pastor, and we have noticed that when he teaches a Bible study, my comments and questions often jump ahead to the very thing he was going to talk about next. When one of us makes a comment, the other often replies, “I was just thinking that!” Guess what, our brains have synchronized!
What’s the point of all this? It occurs to me that if we read the words of Jesus in the Scriptures, talk with Him in prayer, worship Him with others, our brain will synchronize with His. As the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians:16 “... we have the mind of Christ.” Our faith is not an academic exercise, it’s a relationship with a person. When we cultivate that relationship, we’re promised that a radical change will occur. In Romans we read:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Science bears this out! So, choose wisely. Whose thoughts do you want to transform you?
For more about the brain see these posts:
“The point of being kind with those with whom we disagree is not to be respected or befriended. This may never happen. Nor is the point of kindness to avoid either ruffling feathers or feeling awkward, which is cowardly ‘niceness.’ The point of kindness is to represent Jesus. Being kind to those with whom we disagree helps bring Christ to the center of the situation. Being kind is how Jesus acts. When we walk that way, we reflect and honor him, and it opens doors for what we say about him and the gospel.”
Barry Corey, author of Love Kindness
This quote reminded me of another book I read recently, A New and Ancient Evangelism by Judith Paulsen — Book Review. In it the author said every Christian should be a “lived apologetic.” When we are kind, those who are seeking will feel comfortable enough to ask their questions, and our behavior models Christ. As the apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church:
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us….”1 Corinthians 5:20.
So be kind. In today’s world that will make you stand out. And remember, you may be the only Bible some people ever read!
For more about kindness see these posts:
“The good man is not content with giving to the poor, and relieving the wretched, and exhorting the sinner, while he is harsh to his family, and overbearing to his servants, and haughty to his neighbors….The grace of God can dwell in strange places, but it is difficult to conceive how a peevish, passionate man, careless of others’ feelings and comforts, can be a good man, though he may have built a hospital and fed a city with bread.”
George Bethune (18-5-1863), The Fruit of the Spirit
Dr. George Washington Bethune was a pastor in the Reformed church, who wrote extensively on many topics.
Martin Luther would certainly agree with this statement made by Bethune in on of his commentaries! It’s basically saying that we do not become good by doing good things — our good actions flow from our character, our gratitude and acknowledgement of what God has done for us. We are saved for works, not by works.
For more Christian quotes see these posts:
“This is the most dangerous trial of all, when there is no trial and everything goes well; for then a man is tempted to forget God, to become too bold and to misuse times of prosperity.”
― Martin Luther, A Treatise on Good Works
For more Martin Luther quotes see these posts:
My little great-grandson is almost two and he has a favorite word — Wow! If you take a walk with him, he uses this word constantly. Hear a bird chirp — Wow! See a pretty flower — Wow! Find a bench to sit on — Wow! For Easton the world is filled with wonderful and amazing things. He is constantly surprised and grateful for the world and everything in it. But shouldn’t each of us feel the same way?
What if I woke up in the morning thinking, God, you’ve gifted me with a life companion, and we’ve been together for 52 years — Wow! God, thank you for a safe place to live and for meeting my basic needs– Wow! God, I’m so grateful to have a church family and friends who care for me — Wow! Isn’t it wonderful that I am healthy enough to serve You and others — Wow! If I remind myself to cultivate this childlike joy and fascination with the things God has done, my life would be happier and my relationship with God will grow by leaps and bounds.
“To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us — and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.” –Thomas Merton
Wow!
For more posts about gratitude see:
Lutheran Ladies Connection 