Isaiah 44:6-8. No other God??? 20/7/08

{6) "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. {7}Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come-- yes, let him foretell what will come. {8}Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

Sit back and take careful note. God in these three verses has a great deal to say to our present day world. This generation that is so smug in its thinking that it can be accepting and tolerant of many different gods and religions, believing that they all have the truth and the spirit, even if more or less. Or which thinks it can say there is some sort of god out there, but we don’t need to take him all that seriously. ‘Surely if he is god, and a loving one at that; then he will accept us all no matter what; after all we are good-living folk.’

At the same time there is also an important message in this for those who are struggling and searching for hope and genuine answers. In the face of hopelessness and a bleak future, we have here a turning point; a bright light which gives a real hope and a certainty to everything that lies before us. In the face of a myriad of points of view and appeals for openness and tolerance and all kinds of liberalism we have a clear word that silences them all to meaningless chatter.

This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty. Here we have the Lord Almighty himself speaking: not some pompous, self-righteous person full of his own self-importance. Not some philosophy that has been pandered about by those wanting to erase any thinking of God from the face of the earth. No here we have the one and only God who is Lord over all things: both, ruler and King of all, as well as Saviour and Redeemer: The Almighty one who is over all and through all and in all: The one and only true God.

That being the case; listen carefully! This Almighty Lord says:
I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come-- yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

Here remember that these words were spoken to an Israelite nation that had become so slack as God’s people that he allowed them to be taken over by a foreign nation and taken into exile as slaves.

In many ways they had become the same in their thinking as we in this nation have become. Though God had richly blessed them over the years, they became complacent in their attitude toward him; and justice and mercy was no longer a part of their thinking. Yes they still acknowledged the Lord, but they tolerated and even took part in the other religions that they had allowed to creep into their nation. Their worship had become far removed from that which the Lord had set before them and they refused to listen and change their ways when it was called for.

From the very beginning God had set down before them the way that they should live and act in their relationship to him and the people around about them. He also told them very clearly over and over again, that if they failed to heed these commands, then he would bring them down. They however became so arrogant and apathetic in this regard; even when God sent his prophets to warn them, they ignore them and persecuted them. They believed that they had it all under control and that they would be OK.

So the Lord, true to his word, sent in the Babylonian to destroy them as a people. Now here the remnant of them that survived, sit as slaves in a foreign land. Again God comes to them and tells them that he is the Lord Almighty, and all that has happened to them, happened because of their disobedience. But he also reminds them that as the Lord Almighty he has promised that if they once again return to him and take him seriously, then he will again restore them as his people and as a nation.

The Lord said to them: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come-- yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

Now to us here, let us hear these words as his words to us also. And don’t be as arrogant as the people of Israel and think that God will act any different toward us. If you do then I would suggest that you tremble and be afraid, for his foretelling of what is before us is just as clearly written for us to know that we cannot play games with God and think that we will come out OK. His proclamation is quite clear that there will be a falling away in the last times, by many; and we can see that happening all around us; as well, we are told that there will be many who will follow after that which their itching ears long to hear. In other words they will follow after what makes them feel good, rather than on the clear word of God.

Here, let us be quite clear that there are no other gods beside our Lord. All others are nothing but thieves and robbers. They are not, as many proclaim today, as different roads leading to the same end. Any other proclamation that does not centre on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, is not of the Lord Almighty. There on the cross we find our King and our Redeemer. The Lord Almighty himself says: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

If that is the case, how can we dare to think that we can dabble here and dabble there, with all kinds of ideologies and odd worships that focus us on things other than Jesus Christ and him alone. How dare we think that we do not need to heed what he has to say with regard to all kinds of things: but instead to twist and change it all to suit our own way of thinking. God has very clearly stated what is going to happen to those people. So beware. He is the Lord Almighty and he is true to his word.

That of course also means that he promises grace and blessing to all who do turn to him and look to him as their Lord and Redeemer. Because he has always been true to his word throughout history, we can therefore trust that as we look to him and what he has done for us through Jesus Christ, we can take him seriously and know that salvation and eternal life is there in him for us.

It also means that we can continue to trust his word alone, even as the world around us; changes and ignores it to suit themselves. We can hold firmly to what he says in the Bible, knowing full well that this is the Word of the Lord Almighty himself, in its entirety. We don’t have to scratch our heads wondering what we must listen to and what we can discard: it is all God’s Word to us all, even today.

That also means that we can hold him up as our Lord and boss as we live out our lives every day. In the midst of a world that ignores and mostly has discarded him, we can know that he is for real, and he is important for our daily lives as well. That of course means that we will regularly come into his house here, in order that he can strengthen and encourage us through Word and Sacrament so that we can remain strong in the midst of the wayward pressures of the world around us.

So let us always remember these words from the LORD: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come-- yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
To him then, be glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Romans 8:1-11. Living the Life??? 13/7/08

{1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, {2} because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, {4} in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. {5} Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. {6} The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; {7} the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. {8} Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. {9} You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. {10} But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. {11} And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Fred had listened carefully to the sermons of the last weeks; but the more he thought about it, the more it disturbed him greatly. He couldn’t get past thinking, that he is called to act quite differently to what he knew in his heart he was like. He understood in a deeper way that it was important that he lived this Christian life that was called for from him. But that concerned him greatly, because he found that he was really struggling to be able to live up to what was expected of him.

Despite his best efforts he kept failing to do what he knew was required of him. Even though he tried hard to allow Christ’s light to shine in his life, all he could see was his faults and his failings. But then at other times he found that he was trying to excuse himself and shrug it off as if it were no big deal; after all God loves him and forgives him so it doesn’t matter if he lives completely opposite to what he knows is right.
This self-righteous attitude was not sitting comfortable with him either.

So Fred could identify with Paul’s words in last weeks lesson, when he stated: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Rom 7:15) and When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. (Rom 7:21) He now knew what the right thing was for him to do, but he just couldn’t get it right. This was now playing on his mind and causing him much turmoil.

Over and over again he kept thinking that he was a failure at being a Christian; so how could God love and accept him. Doubts crept in to the point the he began to think that he was just fooling himself about his being a Christian. What is he to do? Where does he turn? Perhaps he should just give up.

So to the Fred's and others with similar thoughts, listen carefully to what God has to say to you here in this reading. To those who are smug in their own self- righteousness, you can switch off and have a sleep. To the rest of you, listen also, for there is a message for you also. Romans 8 is a wonderful chapter for all who are going through a rough time in life and their faith.

Paul here begins by saying that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Despite your doubts, and failures have no fear for through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. In other words, because of Jesus' death on the cross, you are assured that nothing in all creation can separate you from God's love. Nothing! Not even your doubts and failings. Jesus has died for you and through your baptism has joined you to himself.

Since you are unable to live up to God's standards because of your sinful nature and so cannot make yourself acceptable to God; God sent his Son to do everything necessary for your forgiveness and salvation. The soul that sins shall die; but Jesus joined himself to us and died in our place, so that we might have life.
So you can know that because you are still sinful while you live on this earth, your body is still subject to failure and death. You will constantly have that battle within you between what you know is right and good and your ability to do it. Just as it was for Paul, there will also be many times when you and I will fail to live the righteous life, even though we know what the right thing is. We are as Luther once said, 'saint and sinner at the same time'. But that does not mean that we are not loved and accepted by God and that we are not really Christian. And it doesn't mean that we are not to strive to live as God' would have us. We cannot excuse ourselves.

Remember however that; 'Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.'

'You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.' Here remember that you do have God's Spirit living in you. You were baptised. There he promised that his Spirit would live in you to help you: he also is now in you. Yes God is at work in your life every day, seeking to control what happens in your life; to give you life and peace.

But even more than that; take note of what he says next. 'But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.' Did you hear that? When Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin. Your life; your getting your own way; your living the way you want; is dead: it is not important. The things that the world out there sees as important are nothing; they are no longer what now makes for life for us as Christians. We are a part of something infinitely greater.

Christ and his life is what now makes for true living. With him in you, you have that which already has made you righteous and which will help you to live with peace and certainty, despite your struggles. You are now free to be what Christ would have you be. Now you can be children of light; striving to do what is in accord with one who is called a child of God. You can strive now to do what the Spirit would have you do, knowing that you already have that which makes for life.

Here remember also what Paul went on to say in this connection: 'And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.' Did Jesus really raise Jesus from the dead? Yes! Then he also has promised that he gives life to you also; guaranteed.

So you can now go forward with confidence, knowing that you have that which is important working in your life. There is no condemnation toward you, while you allow that Spirit to work life in you. It is only when you become smug in your own abilities and righteousness that you are in trouble. When you look here [yourselves and your rights and all the rest] you will struggle and only find death. But with the Sprit working in you, as you listen to and mediate on his Word and as you participate in the Lord's Supper, you will receive all that you need for this life and the next

So as you go forward in life look to Jesus Christ and know that his Spirit is working in you, to help you live with your struggles to be the person you know that you should be. They will always be there, but as you look to Jesus and all that he has made possible for you and you will find the strength and life that you need. Then you will also find that more and more glory will go to whom it belongs; to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For to him alone belongs all glory now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Romans 8:1-11. Living the Life??? 13/7/08

{1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, {2} because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, {4} in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. {5} Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. {6} The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; {7} the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. {8} Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. {9} You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. {10} But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. {11} And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Fred had listened carefully to the sermons of the last weeks; but the more he thought about it, the more it disturbed him greatly. He couldn’t get past thinking, that he is called to act quite differently to what he knew in his heart he was like. He understood in a deeper way that it was important that he lived this Christian life that was called for from him. But that concerned him greatly, because he found that he was really struggling to be able to live up to what was expected of him.

Despite his best efforts he kept failing to do what he knew was required of him. Even though he tried hard to allow Christ’s light to shine in his life, all he could see was his faults and his failings. But then at other times he found that he was trying to excuse himself and shrug it off as if it were no big deal; after all God loves him and forgives him so it doesn’t matter if he lives completely opposite to what he knows is right.
This self-righteous attitude was not sitting comfortable with him either.

So Fred could identify with Paul’s words in last weeks lesson, when he stated: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Rom 7:15) and When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. (Rom 7:21) He now knew what the right thing was for him to do, but he just couldn’t get it right. This was now playing on his mind and causing him much turmoil.

Over and over again he kept thinking that he was a failure at being a Christian; so how could God love and accept him. Doubts crept in to the point the he began to think that he was just fooling himself about his being a Christian. What is he to do? Where does he turn? Perhaps he should just give up.

So to the Fred's and others with similar thoughts, listen carefully to what God has to say to you here in this reading. To those who are smug in their own self- righteousness, you can switch off and have a sleep. To the rest of you, listen also, for there is a message for you also. Romans 8 is a wonderful chapter for all who are going through a rough time in life and their faith.

Paul here begins by saying that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Despite your doubts, and failures have no fear for through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. In other words, because of Jesus' death on the cross, you are assured that nothing in all creation can separate you from God's love. Nothing! Not even your doubts and failings. Jesus has died for you and through your baptism has joined you to himself.

Since you are unable to live up to God's standards because of your sinful nature and so cannot make yourself acceptable to God; God sent his Son to do everything necessary for your forgiveness and salvation. The soul that sins shall die; but Jesus joined himself to us and died in our place, so that we might have life.
So you can know that because you are still sinful while you live on this earth, your body is still subject to failure and death. You will constantly have that battle within you between what you know is right and good and your ability to do it. Just as it was for Paul, there will also be many times when you and I will fail to live the righteous life, even though we know what the right thing is. We are as Luther once said, 'saint and sinner at the same time'. But that does not mean that we are not loved and accepted by God and that we are not really Christian. And it doesn't mean that we are not to strive to live as God' would have us. We cannot excuse ourselves.

Remember however that; 'Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.'

'You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.' Here remember that you do have God's Spirit living in you. You were baptised. There he promised that his Spirit would live in you to help you: he also is now in you. Yes God is at work in your life every day, seeking to control what happens in your life; to give you life and peace.

But even more than that; take note of what he says next. 'But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.' Did you hear that? When Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin. Your life; your getting your own way; your living the way you want; is dead: it is not important. The things that the world out there sees as important are nothing; they are no longer what now makes for life for us as Christians. We are a part of something infinitely greater.

Christ and his life is what now makes for true living. With him in you, you have that which already has made you righteous and which will help you to live with peace and certainty, despite your struggles. You are now free to be what Christ would have you be. Now you can be children of light; striving to do what is in accord with one who is called a child of God. You can strive now to do what the Spirit would have you do, knowing that you already have that which makes for life.

Here remember also what Paul went on to say in this connection: 'And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.' Did Jesus really raise Jesus from the dead? Yes! Then he also has promised that he gives life to you also; guaranteed.

So you can now go forward with confidence, knowing that you have that which is important working in your life. There is no condemnation toward you, while you allow that Spirit to work life in you. It is only when you become smug in your own abilities and righteousness that you are in trouble. When you look here [yourselves and your rights and all the rest] you will struggle and only find death. But with the Sprit working in you, as you listen to and mediate on his Word and as you participate in the Lord's Supper, you will receive all that you need for this life and the next

So as you go forward in life look to Jesus Christ and know that his Spirit is working in you, to help you live with your struggles to be the person you know that you should be. They will always be there, but as you look to Jesus and all that he has made possible for you and you will find the strength and life that you need. Then you will also find that more and more glory will go to whom it belongs; to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For to him alone belongs all glory now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Mat 11:16-19; 25-30. Dancing to whose tune?? 6/7/08

{16) "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: {17} "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' {18}For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' {19} The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." 'But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
{25} At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. {26} Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. {27} "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. {28} "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. {29} Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

To what can I compare this generation? It would appear that Jesus could very well have had this generation of ours today, in mind when he spoke these words: For I would suggest that our generation here, including you and I, fit very much into the proverb that he uses here. Sadly the picture he paints of us is not all that flattering, despite the fact that we think we are so clever. Here we have a damning indictment made against us: One that I am not all that sure that we will be able to get out of: For we seem to be so self-centred that we don’t want to change. We don’t want to dance to any other tune, except our own.

Yes, we and our society today are wise and learned people. We know where it is at; and we have our lives under control; or at least we know how things should be for us. Even when it comes to things ‘christian,’ we are so enlightened that we know what is good for us. When the Scriptures don’t line up with what we think then obviously it doesn’t mean what it says for us and our society today; so we change it. And I could give example after example of where this is taking place.
So we fit very well into this little saying that Jesus uses here: They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' In other words he is saying we are playing our little games with God and then wondering why he is not dancing to our tune. We are wanting God to fit in with our way of thinking, rather than the other way around.

As a result, we wonder why life is such a struggle and a battle: We wonder why there is that constant load on our shoulders, that is weighing us down; why it seems such a burden to do that which we think is right and good and to be seen doing so. We wonder why life continually fails to deliver what we believe should be there for us.

Yet here Jesus says to each one of us; "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children..... Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Oh, if only it were so simple! If only we could be like that! If only we could truly get it all together! If only.......!

Yes, if only we would stop playing games. If only we would stop wanting to play our own tune, expecting God to dance as we please. If only we would look to and trust in God, rather than want to fit what he has to say into our own way of thinking. But it seems as if we just don’t want to do that. Instead we want to have control over our own lives; do what we want to do; and expect God to make it all right for us.

So as Jesus said; wisdom is proved right by her actions. The little wisdom saying is true. We want God and everyone else to dance to our tune.

Here then take note of the verses in between what we read. Here Jesus condemns those Jews for not repenting as a result of all the miracles which he had done amongst them. Their rejection of God in their midst meant that they would face God’s judgement. Their religiosity and sincerity was not enough. Their focus on their good achievements was all wrong. So for their unwillingness to look to God and what he had for them, Jesus condemns them. Serious consequences indeed, for us to consider in this context!

Then Jesus went on to say; "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

There he clearly states that, contrary to our way of thinking, God’s ways are infinitely greater and better than anything we could dream up ourselves. He contrasts the wise and learned human being with the Lord of heaven and earth. He thereby reminds us, that who do we really think we are, by setting ourselves up as the knowledgeable and learned ones. After all Jesus’ Father is the Lord over all things in heaven and on earth. He is the one we need to turn to, and look to for all that we need for life. He is the one that we should trust in, with regard to what is right and good.

This understanding is clearly given and revealed in the little children. The babe simply trusts that its being, help and safety comes from beyond themselves. They know that they are cared for and loved, without it being up to them. They don’t play games with God; they trust what is given and said.

That then is what the Lord Almighty longs for in us also. That we too will simply look to him and trust that he has that which is right and good for us. We will simply receive from him that which he has to give, rather than impose our will on him. We surely will understand that we as sinful, selfish human beings, and as such are simply unable to get it even remotely right. We cannot play the game by our own rules; or by changing the rules to suit ourselves, as we go along.
This then has a lot to say to us as we live out our lives as Christians each and every day. It has a lot to say to us and how we react and live together with our fellow believers. And it has a lot to say to our church at this time, as we seek to bring enormous change into what we not only do, but also what our theology is. For much is being said and done today which is no longer in accord with Scripture as it has been passed down to us.

Yes we need to remember that the Lord is God and that he constantly is seeking to renew us and help us to be his witnesses to the world around us. But he is a God who does not change; what he has said is what we need, even today, in order to go forward as his people. Therefore Jesus Christ and his Word and Sacraments are still the very centre and core of the Christian Faith. It is the Holy Spirit working through the Word and Sacraments that creates and sustains faith in Jesus Christ. What God has to give us in worship is far more important than what we can do for him. The Office of the Ministry is as valid today as it always has been; and rightly called and prepared men are still just as necessary as they have been throughout the last two thousand years. These are just some of the many issues that are important for us today.

We are not to impose our wisdom and learning on these issues; playing games with God and his Word. Let us accept what he has given us on these issues in his Word, and which has been passed down throughout the history of the Church, in simple childlike faith.

Hear again what Jesus has to say; "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

By looking to him and trusting what he has given us, not only makes life much easier for us, but it is that then which is being a part of our Lord’s game. It is dancing to his tune. It is not us trying to get God to play our games, but us being a part of that which is given to us, to make life easy for us. But then most importantly all glory goes to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For to him alone belongs all glory, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba