Devotion

Poured Out for Our Blessing

On My menservants and on My maid servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

Acts 2:18

Martin Luther began his explanation of the work of the Holy Spirit by saying, “I believe that I cannot believe.” What? Actually, Luther wrote: “I believe that cannot by my own reasoning or strength, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord nor come to Him.” We are simply unable to believe in Jesus or come to Him without some outside force or power acting upon our hearts to create faith. That outside force is the work of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel. “But the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified, and kept me in true faith.” [Luther’s Small Catechism]

The same working of the Holy Spirit was what changed the apostles from fearful followers of Jesus to bold proclaimers of His name. The same working of the Holy Spirit is what enabled the apostles to speak Gods’ Word in many different languages on Pentecost. The working of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was foretold by the prophet Joel. In prophesy, God declared that He would pour out His Spirit and Peter told the people who heard him preach on Pentecost that what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.

The Holy Spirit continues to be poured out upon us for our blessing. If not for that outpouring we could not and would not believe in Jesus our Savior. “No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost fulfilled prophecy and confirmed God’s Word as being true. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit equipped and emboldened the apostles to share the Gospel with many people who in turn returned home from Jerusalem and shared the same “wonderful works of God” (cf. Acts 2:11). Through the words of the Apostles, and through the ongoing work of the Gospel in Word and Sacraments, the Holy Spirit continues to be poured out for our blessing.

This year, Pentecost is on Sunday, May 27th — Our Sunday worship will celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit for our blessing. Oh, come, let us worship the Lord!

— Pastor Wayne C. Eichstadt

In the News

Global Warming

During the past several months, global warming has taken center stage. Scientists have been talking about global warming for several years, but more recently it has become a subject—directly or indirectly—in almost every newscast on radio and/or television. Much of what we hear about global warming is a matter of politics and media. There is disagreement in the scientific community as to the legitimacy of the alarmist concerns surrounding global warming. In the midst of ongoing news coverage that tends toward an alarmist view of global warming and which could easily give rise to great fear and uncertainty, God’s Word provides insight and confidence that allows us to approach the issue of global warming from a biblical perspective. We do well to turn the light of God’s Word regarding this issue in the news and be illuminated with God’s truth, lest we be pulled into a worldly frenzy.

Take Account of the Scientific Worldview

As you listen to reports and concerns about global warming, remember that the scientists (and others) who are declaring that the earth is in great danger are the same scientists who scoff at the truth of a six day creation. This is worthy of note, not because these scientists are in error regardless of what they say, but because as they approach science and the environment around us they do so without understanding God’s role in them.

Approaching the earth and its well-being from an evolutionary point of view denies that the almighty God who made heaven and earth is also preserving it with His power. It does not acknowledge or accept that the earth and all of its systems are upheld by the power and will of God. Evolutionary “science” believes that the universe came into existence by random chance, that random chance set everything in motion, and that for the earth to continue it must do so by random chance and exactly as it does now. If something (like global temperature) changes from a set pattern this is very disturbing to the evolutionist because he depends upon the earth’s constancy to maintain itself. A child of God looks heavenward and rejoices to know that God who created all things is also sustaining all things and will do as He pleases according to His will.

God’s Light

Hebrews 1:2-3

“…through [Jesus] also [God] made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power…”

Psalm 36:6

O Lord, you preserve man and beast.

Understand the Limits of Human Beings

Thirty years ago scientists warned about global cooling and a new ice age in much the same way as they warn about global warming now. Clearly human knowledge is limited. Many of the scientists who warn against global warming are the same ones who appear on radio and television each day trying to guess tomorrow’s weather. If they don’t have the knowledge and skill to accurately predict the weather within several hours, why would we suppose they can predict what will happen climatologically in the next five years much less 50 or 500? Modern weather data doesn’t go back much further than 100 years. The trends scientists are noting are being determined from a relatively short period of time. There is no way for limited human beings to know or understand the patterns and cycles that God has placed in our climate, or what His will is for climate change. God very dramatically changed the climate of the earth at the time of the flood to accomplish His judgment. He may have reasons to change the earth’s overall climate again for a shorter or longer period of time.

God’s Light

James 4:13

Come now, you who say, ‘today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.

Scientists would do well to read Job chapters 38-41. For a time, Job too thought he knew more than God and knew better what should be done. To this God responded to Job:

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone...? Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place…? Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion? Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder? … [selected verses from Job 38-39]

After hearing the words of God, Job said:

I know you can do everything…I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know (Job 42:1,3).

How refreshing such an attitude would be on the nightly news!

Viewing Natural Disasters in a Different Light

A recent news story on global warming issued a distress call because of a recent report that said due to global warming we could expect more floods, storms, famines, droughts, and other natural disasters. Because the evolutionary view depends upon earth and its random continuation and not a God who is control, there is no concept in the news that these things are a result of the world being under the effect of sin and an almighty God who uses them for His purposes.

The wind and the sea obey Jesus (cf. Matthew 8:23ff) so we don’t need to be afraid thinking that the storms and natural disasters are out of control. God is controlling them for His purpose and they will be with us until Judgment Day. When natural disaster strikes, we are able to view them as reminders from God concerning our frailty, our need for His keeping, and that our true treasure is not in the frailty of the earth.

God’s Light

Romans 8:22

…we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Matthew 24:7-8

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

We are stewards of the earth

An evolutionary view toward the earth also leads to the conclusion that plants, animals, and human beings are equal and "in this together." God’s Word instructs us differently. God created mankind in His image and set human beings apart from the rest of His creation. Mankind is the crowning work of God’s creation and the resources of the earth are given for human beings to use. As with every other gift God gives us, we are to be stewards of the earth and all that is in it. As the crown of God’s creation we have been gifted with the earth for our use — we do not need to be fearful in using what God has given us. As stewards of that gift we have a responsibility to use the earth’s resources wisely and in a God pleasing manner — we ought not be careless or disregarding of God’s amazing gift.

As wise stewards we will certainly look for ways to be careful in our use of the earth and seek to maintain it to the glory of God and for our blessing as well. This is not a stewardship that comes from fear as if we were the ones who uphold the earth, but rather a stewardship that is serves the Lord our God.

God’s Light

Genesis 1:27-28

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Understand the end of the earth

An evolutionary viewpoint looks for the earth to continue indefinitely for millions of years into the future even as it has supposedly developed for millions of years in the past. This we know is not the case. The days of this earth are numbered and the earth will one day—Judgment Day—be destroyed.

God’s Light

2 Peter 3:7

But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Scientific Conclusions

True science does not lead to the same catastrophic supposedly confirmed, conclusions that we most typically hear. The following comes from by Larry Vardiman, Ph.D.,the chairman of the Astro/geophysics department of tne Institute for Creation Research.

“So, what can we conclude? I believe it is safe to say that:

• Global warming appears to have been occurring for the last 30-50 years.

• This warming may only be a short-term fluctuation but could be a longer-term trend.

• Evidence is still inconclusive whether man is causing the warming.

• No "natural" causes for global warming have been confirmed.

• One possible new theory is that galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) modulated by solar activity affects low-level cloud cover and is causing the warming.

Global warming may affect some parts of our society negatively but would likely benefit others. In fact, the current warming trend may be returning our global climate closer to that prevalent in the Garden of Eden. Compared to climate changes which have occurred in earth history, a temperature rise of a few degrees is a small fluctuation which will not lead to a complete melting of the polar caps or another ice age. Earth has a stable environmental system with many built-in feedback systems to maintain a uniform climate. It was designed by God and has only been dramatically upset by catastrophic events like the Genesis Flood.”

Conclusion for the Child of God

As children of God and stewards of the earth we do well to take into account true science and seek to be responsible in our use of the earth’s resources. At the same time we do not need to fear as if there is no God in heaven controlling and sustaining all things. We do not need to fear as if the earth will deteriorate and cease to exist or uphold life, because only God will destroy the earth and that will be on Judgment Day. We are able to go forward with God’s sure promises:

God’s Light

Genesis 8:22

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.

—Pastor Wayne C. Eichstadt

Servants for Christ to spread the WORD!

Immanuel congregation is undertaking the role of lead-congregation for three Traveling Vacation Bible School [TVBS] trips this summer. Youth and adult servants for Christ are needed to accomplish this work of spreading the Gospel!

Two groups of TVBS volunteers typically visit a congregation—the first helps by distributing flyers in the community. A few weeks later, the second team assists the congregation by teaching and conducting the Bible School. These mission trips are combined with recreation enroute and/or at the location of the TVBS.

The TVBS trips:

If you are able to assist or may be able to assist, please indicate your interest on the narthex signup sheet, or by phoning the church office, or by speaking to Pastor Eichstadt.

Christian Women’s Retreat

What is the Christian Women’s Retreat? It is a retreat for Christian women sponsored by Immanuel congregation and held each year over a weekend during the spring. This year the retreat was held April 20-22 at the Days Inn Conference Center just off Interstate 90 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Over ninety women were in attendance for the three day event, an increase of over twenty from 2006.

What is the Christian Women’s Retreat? It is an opportunity to study God’s word and apply it in a variety of personal ways with special reference to the lives of women. This year’s retreat focused on St. Paul’s word in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a prince. Therefore honor God with your body.” The retreat began with a Friday evening hour long discussion of what the apostle meant by saying: “You are not your own!” Saturday morning provided an option—four presentations on “Honoring God Outside the Family” or four presentations on “Honoring God Within the Family.” Saturday afternoon featured further options—all participants were asked to choose four of nine possible sessions. The sessions ranged from the serious—“Maintaining Family Purity in the Face of TV and Video Violence, Poker and Pornography” and “Developing a Time Management Strategy for Optimal Goal Realization,” to the practical—“Make a Crocheted Washcloth,” to the hilarious—“He Who Laughs, Lasts!” Saturday evening following a banquet, the assembly was encouraged to “Be Satisfied with What You Have Received from the Lord”—a superbly written essay accompanied by an effective power-point presentation. Sunday morning began with a final discussion: “Honoring God with Your Spiritual Gifts” followed by a closing worship service. The women of the retreat were delighted to welcome to that service the members of Peace With God Lutheran Church, our CLC congregation in Onalaska.

What is the Christian Women’s Retreat? It is a time to laugh and a time to cry; a time for serious discussion and a time for light-hearted conversation; a time for good food for the body and even better food for the soul; a time for a glass of wine and piece of cheese while sitting together on a patio under the night sky; it is a time of reunion and rejuvenation; it is a delightful blessing from God!

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting

A Mother’s Influence

HER CHILDREN RISE UP,
AND CALL HER BLESSED

Proverbs 31:28

Helen Young writes, “There will come a time when there’ll be no more slamming of doors, no more toys to pick up on the stairs, no more childhood quarrels and no more fingerprints on the wallpaper. Then may I look back with joy and not regret. May I have the wisdom to see that today is my day with my children; that there are no unimportant moments in their lives; that no career is more precious, no work more rewarding, and no task more urgent. May I not defer it, nor neglect it, but accept it gladly—and understand that my time is short and my time is now, for my children won’t wait.”

There would be no Samuel without a Hannah; no John Mark without a Mary; and no Timothy without a Eunice. These great men were what they were by God’s grace and His gift through the mothers He gave them.

What was the secret of that winning combination? Mother with child - just that simple. So please, mother, stay with it! Don't ever forget the permanence of your imprint. At times, your children may seem ungrateful and act irresponsibly; they may ignore your reminders and forget your advice, but believe this, they cannot erase your influence—especially when it is an influence connected with God’s Word!

—Adapted

To Keep in your Prayers...

There are many things that are worthy of our prayers on a daily basis. In addition to many others, please keep the following in your prayers:

Pastor Terrel Kesterson as he deliberates the Divine Call to serve the Church of the Lutheran Confession as our second foreign missionary in India.

Mr. Joel Gullerud as he deliberates the Divine Call to serve the Church of the Lutheran Confession as a teacher on the faculty of Immanuel Lutheran College.

Mr. Kyle Ochsner as he deliberates the Divine Call to serve Immanuel Lutheran High School—Mankato as our math and science teacher.