Asides

April 29
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Uncategorized Aside

“As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return; to go as he came. And he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand.” (Ecclesiastes 5:15, NKJV)

Two things survive us: What we do for others; and what we do for the Lord God.

Ecclesiastes reminds us of the fact that we entered this world with empty hands, and that we shall leave it in the same way. In the interim, much passes through our hands: Money, opportunities to lend assistance to others, occasions to bless with a written word of encouragement, the embraces of forgiveness.

What have we done this week that will survive us?

Today will offer again many opportunities “to store up for ourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt; and where thieves do not break through and steal.” Act boldly for the sake of the kingdom (rule) of God!  – Luther

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April 28
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“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)

As the saying goes: “If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.”

Working faithfully while waiting to be acknowledged is, sometimes, very difficult. Self-promotion is nothing new. People have been burnishing their image, publishing their credentials, and boasting about their strengths since the beginning of time.

However, the wisdom of God encourages us to let our praise come from the mouth of others; from the lips of those who have no hidden interest.  A few words of praise from such people is worth more than thousands of words of self-promotion.

Choose the narrow path.  It is worth the solitude, the work, and the wait.  – Luther 

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April 26
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“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4, NIV)

Today’s reading from the psalms was written by David.

He was a pretty accomplished man: Published poet, renowned musician and composer, heralded warrior, combat hero, king.  Instead of looking at his noteworthy accomplishments, David looked up to the heavens — the same heavens we see today — and remembered his lowly place in the universe.

We, too, can benefit from a gaze toward the night sky.  Hopefully, we will not only sense our cosmic insignificance; but also our remarkable significance to the Creator of it all.

What is mankind that God is mindful of us? Who are we that God would care for us? Ponder these questions today — and rejoice that the Creator of the moon and the stars loves us, and desires our fellowship.  – Luther

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