Musings of a Recovering Lutheran: January 2016
I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?

Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8 (KJV)

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Today's verse

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Today's verse

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:29 (KJV)

The God who became a Man, who laid aside His power to die upon a cross for my sake. He is the God for you and me!

Friday, January 29, 2016

Today's verse

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV)

Have the courage to reject the world and accept Jesus!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Today's verse

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 (KJV)

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Today's verse

Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: and I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Jeremiah 3:14-15 (KJV)

No matter what you have done wrong (or believe you have done wrong), God is ready to forgive you and welcome you with open arms.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Martin Luther King is not banished...

For now.

Key quote:

Student leaders at the University of Oregon debated removing a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. from its student center, arguing that the quote was not inclusive enough for modern understandings of diversity.

Oregon’s Erb Memorial Union, which is currently under renovation, had the following famous King quote on the wall: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream…”

But as renovation continues, the Oregon Student Union seriously considered replacing that quote. “The quote is not going to change,” reports student paper Oregon Daily Emerald, “but that decision was not made without some hard thought by the Student Union Board.”

Modern academia is turning into a cesspool of toxic identity politics, so it is not exactly surprising the campus lynch mobs are now going after Martin Luther King. All totalitarian movements require kangaroo courts and witch hunts in order to terrorize the proles into submission and maintain power.

The targeting of Martin Luther King is not accidental or random, but purposeful. If someone as revered as King can be purged by our self-anointed moral and intellectual betters then no one is safe.

Here is a thought designed to keep you awake at night. The student leaders behind this failed purge will one day become judges and political leaders with real power over our lives. And as their power grows I suspect their intolerance will grow as well. How would you like to be on the receiving end of their wrath when that happens?

Reading list

The New Science of Learning, by Terry Doyle and Todd Zakrajsek.

Today's verse

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Monday, January 25, 2016

Today's verse

I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

Psalm 142:5 (KJV)

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Today's verse

I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:21-23 (KJV)

If there is one thing the world loves to do, it is to judge people. We have reality shows dedicated to "voting" people off the island, out of the house, etc. If you don't have the media-approved views on politics, sexuality, marriage, and the environment, you are branded a "bigot". If you are not young and/or are overweight, the world looks down on you as being inferior.

God looks beyond the superficial things that the world believes to be of overwhelming importance and can see your heart. The world will judge the outside, but God sees the inside. Open your heart to the One who love you, not the world that demands conformity.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Today's verse

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jerimiah 1:5 (KJV)

Despite what the world is telling you, you are not insignificant. Since before you were born God has known you - and loved you!

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Reading list

Dark Space: The Invisible War, by Jasper Scott.

Today's verse

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:36 (KJV)

"Freedom" as the word defines it is actually slavery to sin and death. Let God take charge! He is the One who truly loves you!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Today's verse

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.

Psalm 116:7 (KJV)

Turn your cares over to God!

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Today's verse

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Monday, January 18, 2016

Today's verse

I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Exodus 20:2-17 (KJV)

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Today's verse

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 (KJV)

The devil and his denizens in Hell have limited imaginations. The same lame calls we hear today for the Church to change and adapt to the world's morality have been going on for thousands of years.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Reading list

The Currents of Space, by Isaac Asimov.

Today's verse

I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

Leviticus 26:12 (KJV)

Friday, January 15, 2016

Reading list

The Alien, by Raymond Jones.

Today's verse

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

Isn't it time to give your troubles and cares to God?

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Today's verse

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Psalm 66:16 (KJV)

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Today's verse

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

Psam 86:8 (KJV)

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Today's verse

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48 (KJV)

Nothing is easier than to love those who love us. Nothing is harder than to love those who hate us. Pray to God for the strength to turn the other cheek and not retaliate in kind when others mock and persecute you.

We are in a spiritual battle that we cannot win on our own strength. We cannot answer a curse with a curse, or a blow with a blow. Instead, the Lord will do battle for us. Let Him take command!

Monday, January 11, 2016

Today's verse

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV)

God has not promised you a pain-free life. God did not spare His own Son from the cross! But God will never forsake you nor turn His back on you. He is the God who stoops to conquer!

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Reading list

Gödel's Proof, by Ernest Nagel and James R. Newman.

Today's verse

He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

Psalm 147:4 (KJV)

No detail is too small - or too large - for God to keep track of!

Saturday, January 09, 2016

Reading list

Tale of the Tigers, by Juliette Akinyi Ochieng.

Today's verse

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)

Friday, January 08, 2016

Today's verse

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalm 34:8 (KJV)

Greater than any earthly treasure is the approval of God. More prized than any worldly pleasure is the love of God. All we need to receive both is to trust in Him.

Thursday, January 07, 2016

Today's verse

While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

Psalm 146:2-3 )KJV)

Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Update on Asia Bibi



Asia Bibi has a message for her tormentors.

That message is: I forgive you.

Christmas is the celebration of God’s mercy. I forgive my persecutors, those who have falsely accused me, and I await their forgiveness. . . . Jesus made this happy day for me and has accepted my prayers. . . . But, although I have been in prison for seven years, I do not hate those who did me wrong. . . . I pray that Jesus Christ will grant peace to the whole world.

Read Asia Bibi's own words.

The online petition calling for mercy for Asia Bibi can still be found here.

For those who do not know who she is, here is the story about Asia Bibi's unjust imprisonment and death sentence for "blasphemy" against the Prophet Muhammad.

Please pray for Asia Bibi and her family. Also, please pray for those who are risking their lives to free her.

Today's verse

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

Habakkuk 2:1 (KJV)

This is the prophet Habakkuk's promise to wait for God to answer his questions. When we ask something of God, we should not demand an answer right away. Sometimes God will want for us to wait until we are ready to receive His answer.

Tuesday, January 05, 2016

Today's verse

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8 (KJV)

God uses people in their weakness, not their strength. Weakness will mean that you will rely on Him rather than your own power. Let God use your weakness and rejoice!

Monday, January 04, 2016

Today's verse

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.

Amos 8:11-12 (KJV)

Sunday, January 03, 2016

Today's verse

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Luke 2:41-52 (KJV)

Saturday, January 02, 2016

Reading list

Ben-Hur; a Tale of the Christ, by Lew Wallace.

Today's verse

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Psalm 111:10 (KJV)

Friday, January 01, 2016

Today's verse

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:1-4 (KJV)