Shade Tree Wisdom 1/18/16

          In all the ups and downs in life, we can always trust our God, my ‘Rock’. “But the Lord has Become my stronghold, And my God, The Rock of my refuge.” In all that we endure in our life, we can always trust that God, the Lord, will be in our corner, “Our Stronghold.” And what’s more, “The Rock of my refuge”.

          What else need be said?

GPD 1/18/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/17/16

          The Lord is always there, keeping us, watching over us, always providing leadership for that time in our lives.

          “You led Your people Like a flock, By the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Psalm 77,20.

           That’s always a thing we can count on, for we are His children whom He loved so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to the cross to die for our sins. In return, we should always be eager to tell of His love.

GPD 1/17/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/16/16

          As usual, St. Paul is ready with a word of advice, thus: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, For whatever one sows. That will he also reap.”

          This bit of advice is something we’ve all experienced, haven’t we? If we spend time quarreling, we find ourselves enmeshed with quarrels. On the other hand, when we show loving care and concern, we will find that also being given to us.

GPD 1/16/16

Sade Tree Wisdom 1/15/16

          As usual, just in time, God did what He promised to Adam and Eve ages ago. St. Paul tells us. “But when the fullness of time Had come, God sent forth His Son Born of woman Born under the law”. Galatians 4,4.

          The purpose? ‘to redeem those who were under the law’, that is, all sinful human beings. And that includes us, sinners all, for “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

          And that is the good news we are eager to share with our fellow human beings, sinners all.

GPD 1/15/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/14/16

          All we need to do is just observe. “The heavens declare the glory of God, And the sky above Proclaims His handiwork… There is no speech, Nor language, where Their voice is not heard” Psalm 19,1.3.

          St. Paul repeated that advice in Romans chapter l, and his conclusion was “they are without excuse”. That’s pretty sad, there’s no excuse for being ignorant of God and His works, namely sending His Son to pay for our sins.

          So, now you know.

GPD 1/14/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/13/16

          The President’s speech to the nation reminded me of these words from LSB 797,2: “Trust not in rulers, They are but mortal; Earthborn they are and soon decay. Vain are their counsels at life’s Last portal, When the dark grave engulfs its prey. Since mortals can no help afford, Place all your trust in Christ, our Lord. care for him.” LSB 797,2.

          Also brings to mind the words of Psalm 8,4: “What is man, that You are mindful of him, and the son of man, that You care for him?”

          Some food for thought.

GPD l/13/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/11/16

          During the Christmas season the phrase “Jesus is the reason for season” often popped up here and there. Listen to the ancient prophet Ezekiel for the reason. “For I have no Pleasure in the death Of anyone. Declares the Lord God; So turn and live.” Ezekiel 18,32

          There, in that simple declaration, is the only reason Jesus was born, took on the sins we daily commit. Himself human flesh, lived, suffered, and died, rose again to glory, just to pay for the sins we daily commit.

 GPD 1/11/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/10/16

          Here’s St. Paul’s goal in his Christian walk. “forgetting what lies behind, And straining forward to What lies ahead, I press on toward The goal for the prize Of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3, 13b.14.

          So the goal is in growing in faith, a stronger, firmer faith in His saving Lord Jesus. In His life, he needed it, because he brought the saving Gospel to a heathen land, and often that Gospel aroused strong opposition.

          So St. Paul simply is praying that his faith grow in strength. That is a good prayer to take along on our own journey.

GPD 1/10/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/9/16

          Do you ponder something?

          “And the mother Treasured up all these Things in her heart.” Luke 2,51b. It is talking about the early events when Jesus visited the temple at age 12. His mother plainly did what mothers do, remembered things that happened to her boy. And when she treasured them, it meant she sought a deeper meaning, she pondered.

          It’s really a good habit to develop, to try to see what is really meant, a deeper insightful understanding, to gain a sharper and clearer understanding of events. Do you have such a habit? Try to develop it, for it brings more meaning to our understanding of events.

          That is especially useful in this election year.

GPD 1/916

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/8/16

          At the new year we resolve to do certain things. One example is the ancient prophet Daniel. Here is his resolution. But Daniel resolved that He would not defile Himself with the king’s Food, or with the wine That he drank.” Daniel 1,6. That resolve was really costly, and he offered this challenge. If you find us less healthy on this diet, we’ll try yours. But the steward found them more healthy than the other men in that class. So Daniel prevailed.

          Well, are we making costly resolutions, some that cost us in comfort or in being well liked and accepted? Or in being popular? Take the plunge; make a statement; take the dare. Find yourself developing greater stature among your fellows.

GPD 1/8/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/7/16

          A new year often brings out a spate of resolutions. We’ve all made some, and broken them.

          Here is an example from the ancient book of Daniel, a captive of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. “But Daniel resolved That he would not Defile himself With the king’s food, Or the wine That he drank”. Daniel l,8. Now that took a great deal of courage to resist an order from the king. But he looked on it as a personal thing, and so he asked for a different diet altogether. And he got it, and was blessed in the doing of it.

          Isn’t that the secret of success in the Christian life, to have a goal to reach for. One such as in Bible reading, so many chapters each day or some such a blessing.

          That sort of resolution we all ought to make, and keep as well. Try it.

GPD 1/7/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/6/16

          It is not known how many miles the wise men traveled before they reached Herod’s palace. Why the palace? They were looking for the one called king of the Jews, and what more natural place to look for a King than a palace?

          “Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, ‘Where is He who was born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose, and have come to worship Him.’ Matthew 2,2. Their plan was good, but they were looking in the wrong place. When they were re-directed, they ‘fell down and worshiped Him’, then gave him gifts.

          Our offering is such a gift. None of us have to travel many miles, but often we do not even take time to go to a place for worship. Indeed, one of the most neglected words from the Bible is this one: “Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.”

          And that is so sad. One misses the blessing of worship. And the Sunday one is absent is the day an answer to a prayer was given, we missed it.!

GPD 1/6/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/5/16

          We don’t do this as often as we might. “and call upon Me in the Day of trouble, I will deliver you, And you shall Glorify Me.” Psalm 50,15

          Yes! Pray as often as we really need to, for life offers us many difficulties; difficulties that are so easily solved by our God. Then, and then only, will we feel the glory of God in our life.

GPD 1/5/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/4/16

          Here is a bit of advice as one marching order for the new year, “Fear not I am with you O be not dismayed, For I am your God And will still give you aid; I’ll strengthen you, help you, And cause you to stand, Up held by My righteous, omnipotent hand.” LSB 728,2

          As I said, part of our marching order for the new year, and so, accompanied by God’s omnipotent hand, we need fear not the future facing us.

GPD 1/4/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/3/16

          Here is some good advice to carry into the new year. “Then David said to the Philistine. . . I come to you in the name of the Lord God of hosts,.” David’s secret weapon? He comes in the name of the living God.

          We might do no better than follow his advice and go always in the name of our God. Therein lies the blessing for our walk and our way.

          Let’s try it for this year.

          By the way. How many of your new year resolutions are you still keeping? That many? Really?

GPD 1/3/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/2/16

          Here is a thought to carry into the new year. “Just as I am without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidds’t me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come. I come. LSB 570,1

          May your new year be rich in blessing for you, is my with for you.

GPD 1/2/16

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/1/16

          The hymn, let it be our new year prayer, the hymn is LSB 407,1. “To Jordan came the Christ, our Lord To do His Father’s pleasure. Baptized by John the Father’s Word Was given us to treasure. This heaven’ly washing now shall be A cleansing from transgression. And by His blood and agony Release from death’s oppression. A new life now awaits us.” LSB 401.1

          Happy and Blessed New Year, and may your new year be rich with good.

GPD 1/1/16