SEPTEMBER ~ Daily Devotion

[EZMONEY]

"Vindication"

September 30, 2009



Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! Psalm 43:1



Have you ever found yourself going down a one-way street in the wrong direction?

If so, you understand what many Christian young men and women feel when they attend some of our nation's more progressive state schools. Professorial and public opinion soon lets them know that by believing in the Bible they are going the wrong direction on a one-way street.

As a result, these young folks often decide to remain silent in regard to any expression of their faith. They cooperate and they graduate.

Laying low in the weeds was not an option given to Chad Farnan, a student at a school in California's Capistrano Unified School District. Almost from the first day of class his history professor made fun of Chad's belief in creationism. "Superstitious nonsense" is what the teacher called it.

Almost every day thereafter, the teacher continued his tirades against Chad's faith. Finally Chad had enough. Armed with his tape recordings, Chad took the teacher to court -- and won.

Like the Psalmist says, Chad had been vindicated. These cases usually are brought against Christian teachers who have shared their faith, or prayed with a student. This is the first time this law has been used to protect a Christian's faith in the classroom.

Mr. Robert Tyler, a lawyer with the group representing Chad, has said, "this ruling will set a precedent for other cases involving students who are ridiculed for their faith by government-employed teachers."

This is just another way of saying the street may not be so one-way after all.

I pray this is true. At the same time we need to pray for all our young people who are entering a world that has grown bold in its attack upon Christianity and increasingly antagonistic in its loathing of our crucified and risen Savior.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, be with those who are young. Keep them safe, strong, and believing. Further, we pray they may find their faith vindicated when they take a stand for You. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

[EZMONEY]

"No, I Didn't Know"

October 1, 2009



For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23



The wages of sin is death.

Over the years I have run into many people who felt God's judgment was a bit harsh. They felt the same way about His warning to Adam and Eve. You remember what He said to them, "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die" (Genesis 3:3b).

What do you think? Too strong?

If so, this might help. Recently, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission started pushing its program, which they call "Resale Round-up." It's a plan that halts the sale of any item that fails the government's standard on lead.

Do you wonder what that has to do with you? If so, let me ask you this: have you ever had a garage sale, a yard sale, or donated stuff for somebody else to have one? Did the items you sell and the items you gave away meet the government's rules about lead?

What? You don't know? That's sad. There is a 24-page book that tells you what is banned.
There is a Web site that tells you what is illegal. And, if you get caught selling something on that list, you can be fined.

"How big a fine?" you might ask. It can be up to $100,000 per infraction. As Inez Tenenbaum, the CPSC chairman says, "Those who resell recalled children's products are not only breaking the law, they are putting children's lives at risk."

You see, it's a big deal, and the government isn't letting people off. They don't want your money; they want you to do what is right.

That's just like the Lord. The Lord didn't want Adam and Eve to sin. He just wanted them to be thankful to Him for what He had done. He wanted them to do what was right.

They didn't. You know the rest of their story. I also hope you know the Savior's story. After death entered the world things seemed dark. They were dark -- so dark that the Lord had mercy on His helpless, hopeless children. That mercy was personified in Jesus, His Son.

So that we might have the gift of God, the Father allowed Jesus to be born, saw Him suffer, die, and rise. This Jesus did for us, so we might be forgiven and saved. That's God's grace in action -- and it is the absolute opposite of harsh.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that Jesus has paid for my errors. I regret those sins and transgressions, but I also give thanks Jesus has paid for them. May I be less judgmental and more appreciative of Your mercy and grace. In His Name. Amen.


In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries