Devotion for Reformation Day - October 31

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith, as it is written, 

"The one who is righteous will live by faith" (Romans 1: 16-17)

The "mainstream media" is at it again.  They continue to propagate one narrative clearly over another. And I am tired of it!  I must call out the "mainstream media" for their clearly biased journalism!

Today, October 31, the "mainstream media" will overwhelmingly, if not exclusively, refer to this day as Halloween. The TV stations will show kids in creative outfits,  carved pumpkins and tell scary stories and show scary movies.  

However, the "mainstream media" is not telling the WHOLE TRUTH!  

Jesus says in the Gospel of John, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free!" (John 8:32). Let me help to set you free my friends!

Before it was known as Halloween, October 31 was known as REFORMATION DAY! 

And the "mainstream media" isn't telling you this.

Here is the REAL TRUTH!

On Sunday, October 31, 1517 a young monk in Germany, Dr. Martin Luther posted 95 Theses on the church door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.  His theses sought to reform the church of his day.

He sought to challenge the "pay for play" theology of the time (i.e. if you paid money to the church, you could receive an indulgence to get yourself or a family member out of purgatory and into heaven).  

Instead, Dr. Luther professed that all we need is faith in Christ alone! 

Instead of putting trust in our "works" to get into Heaven, Dr. Luther faithfully espoused that all we need to "do" is put our trust purely and solely in the gracious mercy of Jesus. 

This event in a small backwater town of the northeast Germany ignited a spark that led to the greatest change in the religious life of western society over the past 500 years. The Protestant Reformation was born this day, 499 years ago.  And the "mainstream media" will not tell you this TRUTH.   

But I am here today to be "fair and balanced" and let you know that there is another TRUTH that needs to be shared today, that almost half a century ago, one man changed the world.

And his name was Martin Luther!  

Happy Reformation Day 2016!

A Vacation Week: Some Fun Scriptures to Read

Friends, I will be gone this week at my sister-in-law's wedding in Mexico.  I encourage you to read the following scriptures during the week for a daily devotion.

Monday - John 3:17 (everyone knows the previous verse, but this verse is pretty awesome too)

Tuesday - Psalm 22 (you may recognize the beginning of this psalm)

Wednesday - Genesis 2: 4-25 (the second creation story was written before the first one)

Thursday - Read Numbers 22. The entire chapter is very interesting especially if you are a Shrek fan.

Friday - Read Philippians 4:11-12.  Philippians 4:13 is very well known ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me").  What leads to him writing these words? 

Devotion for Friday, October 14 (Pop Songs with a Message)

Our final song for the week is maybe one you haven't heard.  But it is one that I like as a fan of the blues and classic rock. Written by ZZ Top and covered by numerous artists, read the following about this song.

The Deep South is noted for its Christian roots, and in spite of the hostile reception rock 'n' roll received from the Bible Belt when it first reared its head, many contemporary musicians began their musical careers in or around the church. The most famous white rock 'n' roller from the Deep South to combine the two was of course Elvis Presley, who recorded the odd religious song.

Although "Jesus Just Left Chicago" isn't exactly a hymn, it does have a spiritual dimension, and is written more in the style of Black Christian music, adhering to a strict blues format. Enjoy!

Jesus Just Left Chicago

ZZ Top

Listen Here

Jesus just left Chicago and he's bound for New Orleans.

Well now, Jesus just left Chicago and he's bound for New Orleans.

Yeah, yeah.

Workin' from one end to the other and all points in between.

Took a jump through Mississippi, well, muddy water turned to wine.

Took a jump through Mississippi, muddy water turned to wine.

Yeah, yeah.

Then out to California through the forests and the pines.

Ah, take me with you, Jesus.

You might not see him in person but he'll see you just the same.

You might not see him in person but he'll see you just the same.

Yeah, yeah.

You don't have to worry 'cause takin' care of business is his name.

Written by Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, BMG Rights Management US, LLC

Devotion for Thursday, October 13 (Pop Songs with a Message)

An oldie but goodie.  You may be familiar with the epic opening of this song and the driving guitar. It is a staple on classic rock stations nationwide.  The song reminds us that amidst our waywardness and brokenness, as we glimpse God's grace, we find that there is hope and promise. Thank you Jesus! 

Carry on Wayward Son

Kansas

Carry on my wayward son

There'll be peace when you are done

Lay your weary head to rest

Don't you cry no more

Once I rose above the noise and confusion

Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion

I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high

Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man

Though my mind could think I still was a mad man

I hear the voices when I'm dreaming,

I can hear them say

Carry on my wayward son,

There'll be peace when you are done

Lay your weary head to rest

Don't you cry no more

Masquerading as a man with a reason

My charade is the event of the season

And if I claim to be a wise man,

Well, it surely means that I don't know

On a stormy sea of moving emotion

Tossed about, I'm like a ship on the ocean

I set a course for winds of fortune,

But I hear the voices say

Carry on my wayward son

There'll be peace when you are done

Lay your weary head to rest

Don't you cry no more no!

Carry on,

You will always remember

Carry on,

Nothing equals the splendor

Now your life's no longer empty

Surely heaven waits for you

Carry on my wayward son

There'll be peace when you are done

Lay your weary head to rest

Don't you cry,

Don't you cry no more.

Devotion for Wednesday, October 12 (Pop Songs with a Message Week)

Unanswered Prayers

Garth Brooks

Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered

Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Devotion for Tuesday, October 11 (Pop Songs with a Message Week)

I mentioned this song several weeks ago in my sermon. It is a great song that reminds us that while we may feel like we are "free" we often are beholden to things outside of our control, i.e. our financial realities, our professional realities, our personal uncertainties.  I believe that Bob Dylan gets right to the point in this song by reminding us that each day, each moment even, is an opportunity to answer the question, "Who will you serve?"

May God help us to serve Him alone, even as we know that often we will fail. Still, by grace, each day, each moment even, we can instead seek to serve God in word and deed.

Gotta Serve Somebody

Bob Dylan

You may be an ambassador to England or France

You may like to gamble, you might like to dance

You may be the heavyweight champion of the world

You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

Indeed you're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You might be a rock 'n' roll addict prancing on the stage

You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage

You may be a business man or some high-degree thief

They may call you doctor or they may call you chief

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes you are

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You may be a state trooper, you might be a young Turk

You may be the head of some big TV network

You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame

You may be living in another country under another name

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes you are

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You may be a construction worker working on a home

You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome

You might own guns and you might even own tanks

You might be somebody's landlord, you might even own banks

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride

You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side

You may be workin' in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair

You may be somebody's mistress, may be somebody's heir

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk

Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk

You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread

You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

Indeed you're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy

You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy

You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray

You may call me anything but no matter what you say

Still, you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

Devotion for Monday, October 10 (Pop Songs with a Message Week)

Back by popular demand! Many of you have said that you enjoyed using popular music lyrics for devotional purposes.  So, this week I will give another shot at finding lyrics that do indeed mean something to me and hopefully to you.  May God bless you this week!

You Raise Me Up 

Josh Groban

When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

There is no life, no life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But then you come, and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up to more than I can be

Devotion for Friday, October 7 (Short Religious Poem Week)

GOD'S LOVE

We do not see the wind, We only hear it sigh; It makes the grasses bend whenever it goes by. We do not see God's love, But in our hearts we know He watches over us Wherever we may go. We do not have to see To know the wind is here; We do not have to see To know God's love is near. (Elizabeth Cushing Taylor)

Devotion for Thursday, October 6 (Short Religious Poem Week)

A CROSS IN MY POCKET

I carry a cross in my pocket A simple reminder to me Of the fact that I am a Christian No matter where I may be. This little cross is not magic, Nor is it a good luck charm It isn't meant to protect me From every physical harm. It's not for identification For all the world to see It's simply an understanding Between my Savior and me. When I put my hand in my pocket To bring out a coin or a key The cross is there to remind me Of the price He paid for me. It reminds me, too, to be thankful For my blessings day by day And to strive to serve Him better In all that I do and say. It's also a daily reminder Of the peace and comfort I share With all who know my Master And give themselves to His care. So, I carry a cross in my pocket Reminding no one but me That Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life If only I'll let Him be. (Verna Mae Thomas)

Devotion for Wednesday, October 5 (Short Religious Poem Week)

SERMONS WE SEE

I'd rather see a sermon

than hear one any day,

I'd rather one would walk with me

than merely tell the way;

The eye's a better pupil

and more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing,

but example's always clear;

The best of all the preachers

are the ones who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action

is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it,

if you'll let me see it done,

I can watch your hands in action,

your tongue too fast may run;

The message you deliver

may be very wise and true,

But I'd rather get my lessons

by observing what you do;

I may not understand

the high advice you give,

But there's no misunderstanding

how you act and how you live.

(Edgar A. Guest)

Devotion for Tuesday, October 4 (Short Religious Poem Week)

GOD WILL

God will

Be your friend

When you’re feeling sad and low

God will dry your eyes

And softly remind you

That he loves you so

God will

Carry you along

When your burden seems too heavy

To carry all alone

He’ll lift your load just enough

To get you through your journey

God will

 

(from thepoetrypad.com)

Devotion for Monday, October 3 (Short Religious Poem Week)

This week, I will be sharing short religious poems for your prayerful engagement. May they be meaningful and life-giving for your week.

LOOK TO GOD

When your heart is tired

And your soul is weak

Look to God

He’ll help you see

That life has reason

And life has rhyme

Though we don’t see it

All of the time

Trust in God

Hold on to faith

He’ll take your hand

And guide the way

To calmer waters

And brighter days

Your heart will heal

The pain will fade

Look to God

Trust in him too

He’s always there

To look after you

(from the poetrypad.com)