Monthly Archives: December 2020

December 30
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“I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink.  I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.”  (3 John 1:13-14, NIV)

John’s affection for his people (or as he refers to them: his “children”) is obvious in each of his three letters.  As a practical matter, John wrote when he must, but he wanted to visit — “face to face” — when he could.

Since the days of John, we’ve added option upon option to our communications menu: Snail mail, telegraph, telephone, e-mail, Skype/Facetime, text.  But, as John noted in today’s scripture, there is no substitute for physically “being there.”

In the coming New Year, consider who you need to visit, face to face.  Make the plan, and commit the time and the money for its success.  – Luther

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December 29
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“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?  (Psalm 8:3-4, NLT)

The span of the universe is not measured in miles, but in light-years.  The moon and the stars — witnesses to every generation of humanity since Adam — maintain their mysterious magnificence.

The psalmist marvels at the fact that the finite, flawed, foundering beings that we are, nevertheless occupy the thoughts of the Creator of the universe; and, somehow, warrant the condescension and the salvation of the Maker of the moon and the stars.

Do we, like the psalmist, marvel, too?   – Luther

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December 28
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“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”  (Jude 1:3, NIV)

Jude encourages all followers of Jesus — past, present, and future — to “contend for the faith.”

I do not believe it to be accidental that he chose the positive, as in contending for; instead of the negative, as in contending against.  The truth is this: We can go either way, but as it concerns the faith we hold dear let us be forward looking, optimistic, and proactive.

To “contend” means to strive for a particular goal or objective.  We contend for the faith when we make choices that are consistent with our profession, and embrace those choices with confidence and joy.  – Luther

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