For the People of Ukraine

For all the people of Ukraine who are experiencing military aggression, that they might be kept from harm, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine, that their hearts might find rest and comfort in Christ, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For government leaders everywhere but especially in Russia, that they might be inclined to walk in the ways of righteousness and peace and cease military hostilities, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

Our Father who art in heaven...

Amen.

Fruitful

On February 23 the church remembers St. Polycarp.

He was a disciple of John, he was the bishop of Smyrna (in today's Turkey), and he was martyred in the year 155 or 156.

We have a letter he wrote to the Christians in Philippi, and we have an authentic first-hand account of his death.  The latter is only thirteen pages long and should be required Christian reading.  Read it devotionally and it will strengthen you.  For me the lessons learned are: Be brave, be loving, and be faithful - all things we need today, and all things God will work in us!

But the standout thing for me is the meaning of the name Polycarp.  It is Greek and means "much fruit" or "fruitful."  Very interestingly (remember that John was Polycarp's teacher) the name Polycarp may be found in the Gospel of John.  John 12:24 reads, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

The witness of Polycarp has encouraged countless Christians, and all these years later he is still bearing fruit.  God is living him up to his name - Fruitful!

For Polycarp we praise You,
Who did not fear the flame
But filled with joy and courage
Confessed Your holy name.
Lord, give Your Holy Spirit
To our timidity
That filled with joy and courage
We too may fruitful be!

John's First and Last Loves

This Valentine's Day, may God's love for the world, and for you, lead to your love for others.

The Gospel of John has more occurrences of the word "love" than Matthew, Mark, and Luke put together.  "Love" is used in one form or another over fifty times.  For a devotion, a person could read through the Gospel of John and carefully mark each time the word "love" is used.  But simply looking at the first and last times offers an important lesson.

The first time is John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

The last time is John 21:20: "Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them...."

The lesson is this: God loves the whole world and all people to the point of freely sacrificing His only Son.  But this cosmic, worldwide love is at the same time a personal love felt deeply by the one who believes in Jesus.

Make the Gospel of John your own.  Believe that "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) knows, loves, and forgives you personally.