Live and Keep God’s Word

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, January 15, 2018

Live and Keep God’s Word

“God created us that we might live, [God] reconciled and saved us that we might live.” [1] When I read these words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s, it reminded me of two sermons: the sermon I just preached yesterday, and the sermon for next Sunday.  Both of these sermons had as their theme the calling of God. But—what does God call us for? Or, call us to? We are called—invited—to live for the Lord. Life is indeed God’s purpose for us.

Deal bountifully with Your servant,

That I may live and keep Your word.

I am awestruck (yet again) when I consider that God loves me. The man Jesus came to earth and was born as a baby to reconcile fallen, sinful/sin-filled me to God. Yes, I—we “were haters and despisers of life.” [2] However, as I receive God’s invitation to live and keep God’s Word, I can also thank God for the gift of life. Eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ah. I am getting beyond what this verse is talking about. This verse from Psalm 119 describes life as a beloved servant of God, “life that will be fulfilled through keeping the Word of God.” [3] What a marvelous thing to remember: my life can be right on track as I follow the Lord and live and keep God’s Word.

Dear Lord, this is a straight-forward way of staying close to You. Help us remain close to You, and not stumble off into dark, dangerous places. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Meditating on the Word, Dietrich Bonhöffer, edited by David McI. Gracie. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cowley Publications, 2000, 124.

[2] Ibid, 125.

[3] Ibid.

Meditation, Prayer and Wartime

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, July 2, 2017

Meditation, Prayer and Wartime

The year was 1942, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer found himself in the midst of the war. Of the seminarians he was responsible for training several years before, many of those young men had gone into fighting on the front lines.  And, several had recently died.

World War 2 had indeed indelibly marked so many hearts. In writing to these hurting hearts on the matter that struck everyone so close to home, Bonhoeffer says that “they sleep now with all the brothers who have gone before them, awaiting the great Easter Day of the Resurrection.” [1]

It takes an especially strong faith to be able to hold to that faith in such dismal conditions.  When so many others are in despair, having lost their belief in God, Bonhoeffer’s faith shines all the more brightly. Plus, his simple, hopeful view of God’s heaven relates to just about every person living in those times: “We see the cross and we believe in the Resurrection; see death and we believe in eternal life; we experience sadness and separation but we believe in eternal joy and fellowship.” [2]

Bonhoeffer reflects on the letters he was receiving that month, for it was his birthday. I am assuming not only the seminarians but others of his acquaintance were sending him letters, remembering his birthday. “How shall I respond to such faithfulness? I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Let us remain constant in prayer for one another. Who knows how much protection through God’s grace he owes to the intercession of a brother?” [3]

I gather from these words that few things were as important to Bonhoeffer as being held in prayer by his friends and companions. Just as he did the same, in earnest prayer and meditation, this was an all-important activity of his. Such a simple, blessed view of God and the faithfulness of God’s people! This, to me, shows us a man who practices what he preaches: faithfulness and earnestness in prayer and meditation.

Dear Lord, help me be one of the sincere followers of Bonhoeffer, taking his example to heart. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

 

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Meditating on the Word, Dietrich Bonhöffer, edited by David McI. Gracie. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cowley Publications, 2000), 41.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid, 42.