Why do we eat?  I mean, why do we really eat breakfast, lunch and supper?  Why do we eat such expensive foods, at restaurants and at our homes?
     Many of us will answer that question, "because we love our..... (and you fill in your favorite foods).
     But of course, there is more than just the taste of favorite foods that gets us to eat.  Food is necessary for keeping us alive (at least some of what we eat).  And meals are also the times when we have some good conversations, as families, congregations, friends, business partners, etc.
     So I'm thinking that when Jesus says he is the bread of life, he is talking about more than just the best bread that any of us have ever tasted.  As he says, he is the bread of life.  The sustenance for life.  And not just physical, temporal life.  But spiritual and eternal life!
     A freshly baked loaf of bread may provide for a family for a short time.  But Jesus provides us with spiritual and eternal life!   And as God and Lord of all creation, He also provides us with the resources and ability to grow, prepare and eat all the foods of this world.
     Maybe it's a bit like the saying, "give a person a fish, and he has food for one meal.  Teach a person how to fish, and he'll have food for every meal" 
     This reminds me of a time when I went to hear a presentation by an expert fishing guide.  And lots of people were gathered.  We all had a good meal.  And then the popular and successful fishing guide got up to speak.  And he began with words something like this:  "Here's the best advice that I can give you for how to be a successful fisherman.  Ready?  You need to go fishing where the fish are!"
    Of course, it was said somewhat as a joke; yet, we can all see the truth in it.  If a person wants to catch fish, he needs to be where there are fish.  If we want other kinds of food, we need to have the resources and be in the places where food is served.
    If we want the kind of food, the nourishment that sustains all of life, now and forever, then we need to look to Jesus, Savior and Lord of all.  And he isn't hard to find (like it may be to find where the big walleyes are).  For Jesus comes to us in Word and Sacrament.  He dwells with us every day.  And he gives us the faith and life we can have in Him!


Blessings,
Pastor Steve

​     I wonder why those words of this Sunday's Scripture readings stood out for me?
Could it be because I'm going on a vacation tomorrow?!  My wife and I are looking forward to spending some time traveling to see three of my siblings, and then a few days at Lake Geneva :)
     The places we're going will not really be "a deserted place".  I'm sure I'll be talking and listening a lot as we share updates with our relatives.  And I haven't been to Lake Geneva yet, but from what I hear, no one is describing it as "a deserted place".  
     Nevertheless, I know that Sandra and I will have plenty of time with just each other, as we take walks together around the lake, and enjoy some good food and drinks,  read some good books, and celebrate 40 years of marriage (almost...8/12/84)
     We all need times of rest and recreation.  Whether it is a vacation, weekend, a day off, or even a good night's sleep....our bodies, minds and souls, need to occasionally rest and be restored.
     The Scriptures teach us this important lesson:  from the creation account that ends with "God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done" (Genesis 2:2), to the Sabbath day that God sets up for us in Exodus 20, to the Lord as our Shepherd, restoring our souls, and leading his disciples to a quiet place for rest, to Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and i will give you rest."
    Did you catch a common denominator in those readings of Scripture?  God is present and active in all of them.  And so God is the source of our rest and restoration.  
    Be assured:  I won't leave God when I go on this vacation.  (And neither will you when you take any time off).  For our Lord and Savior will be with us always!  With His grace and love and comfort and hope and peace that He will always be giving.
(I just won't be preparing blogs, devotions, book studies, sermons, etc. for a few days :)

God's peace,

Pastor Steve

     If Jesus had "powers at work in Him", then why didn't he use those powers to keep John the Baptizer from being killed by Herod?  Oh, but we can ask all kinds of similar questions:  why did God allow all the violence and murders of men, women, and children all down through history, including the history recorded in the Scriptures?  Why does God allow children to be harmed?  Why does God not stop so many people from being exploited, and killed by those who commit heinous crimes against all kinds of people?  Why doesn't he immediately answer my prayers for those who are ill or injured or grieving?

     It seems to contradict what we are told, that God is love and mercy and all-powerful!  So how do we answer these questions?
     
     Let's start by quoting Scripture:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways highter than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts"  (Isaiah 55:8-9)
​
     And so just as a young child doesn't know why a parent does all that they do, so we cannot begin to understand all of God's ways.

    Here's another way of answering these difficult questions.  God does not approve of all that happens, including in the accounts of Scripture.  He obviously allows it, but he certainly doesn't want anyone to sin or to harm others or themselves.  Yet God does have a plan that answers all the pain and grief that comes upon people and our world.  

    Jesus is God's plan for solving all the world's problems and violence and suffering and grief.  First, Jesus answers all our pain and suffering by walking with us through whatever we face in this life.  For He too suffered and died and faced all the sin and suffering and death that is in this world.  And most importantly, in Jesus' life, death and resurrection, we all are given eternal salvation!  Meaning we have comfort and hope in all that we face in life.

    I realize that that may not help you in the immediate situation that you find yourself in.  None of us wants to experience pain and suffering and death.  But may each of us draw comfort and hope in knowing that we are not alone.  Our Savior, and His Church will be with us through whatever we experience.  And there always will be a reason for hope, as we know that at the end of every tunnel is the smiling face and warm welcome of our Savior.  (In fact, He's with us right now and always).

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

​     Jesus spoke these words about the people from his hometown.  They were questioning, doubting, and taking offense at Jesus' teachings and actions.  They didn't believe in Him.  They didn't believe Jesus had the authority to teach and perform miracles by God's power.  And so we hear these words that we never want to hear about ourselves:  "He was amazed at their unbelief".
     Faith.  Belief.  Trust.  These words can be defined as a three-part process:
a. receiving information
b. acknowledging the information as truth
c. relying on that truth
 
   For example, a child is told that the piece of furniture in their house is a chair.  She/he learns and sees that the chair is strong enough to hold people when they sit on the chair.  And the child trusts this enough to sit on the chair.
 
    Here's the thing about faith.  It is the way that each of us receives information and truth.  It doesn't change the reality of what we trust in.  I mean, that chair is there whether a child believes it or not.  
    So with God.  He is Creator, Savior and Lord, whether anyone believes it or not.
    I think of faith in this way:  suppose a friend decides to give you a gift.  He may surprise you and just give it to you without any prior knowledge.  Or, he may tell you, "I have a gift for you.  And next week I will come to your house and give it to you."
    Faith is knowing about the gift ahead of time.  Some people like to know of a gift ahead of time.  Others like surprises.  So consider the advantages of knowing about a gift ahead of time.  You may enjoy the anticipation of wondering what the gift will be.  You may want to prepare for the gift, especially if you know something about it (like when your friend says, "you will really enjoy this gift on your next vacation!"  And you consider what it may be:  a new fishing rod, a reservation at a favorite restaurant, etc.). So you will be happy and tell others about this gift that you are expecting from your friend.
   Or think of faith in this way:  as a child asks for lunch, or for a bandage when hurt, or for a hug when sad, etc.  Yet the parent will do all
Of those things anyway, because the parent loves and will care for their child. 
   So faith is asking, as God already has and will
Continue to give and bless us. 
    So you and I know that God loves us.  That he has wonderful plans for us, as we have God with us always.  And he promises to equip us with all we need to follow Him.  He even promises us eternal life with him!  So we tell our family and friends and neighbors.  And we look forward to all that God promises to give!
    Keep in mind:  God loves ALL people.  He loves you even if you don't know or believe it.  He will be watching over you and caring for you and with you always, no matter what!
    But it sure is good to know this.  So let's tell the world!  About God's gift of salvation!!
 
God Bless,
 
Pastor Steve