The people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people?”
(Exodus 17:2-4 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Well, there you have it! An old account about Moses and the Hebrews newly released from Egyptian slavery – it is a historic parable of humankind living life after the fall of Adam and Eve. Ever since that fall of humankind, all people can be found to behave like that. They blame others – a leader, a family member, somebody else for their being unhappy. People do not easily take responsibility for their own unhappiness, and they seldom “take it to the Lord in prayer.” Instead, people feel themselves unhappy as the result of someone else’s carelessness. That poor unfortunate soul, whether by deliberate action or by accident, is blamed for the less-than-fulfilled life of somebody who can see no other reason for their frustration.
That’s the thanks that Moses got. Earlier in life, he had saved a fellow Hebrew and had to flee for his life. Forty years later he was called by God to go lead the whole Hebrew nation out of slavery. At great risk to his own life, Moses stares down Pharaoh repeatedly. And now that they are free, at the first sign of trouble, his fellow Hebrews are accusing him of trying to kill them. Ouch!
But the sin of the people is worse than the insult to Moses. It is an insult to God to not trust Him – not to take one’s needs and requests to Him – not to trust Him to have one’s best interests at heart. Sadly, that’s not only the sin of an ancient people – It is the sin of us all. Oh, shame on us!
That is why we needed a Saviour. That is why God gave us a Saviour. And thank God that He didn’t wait for us to ask. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 ESV)
And that is why all the fuss about Lent. We get so busy about things that seem important to us in the moment – things to repair, work to be done, obligations to other people, etc. But where will it all be a hundred years from now? And where will you be a hundred years from now? Know that God cares about that reality more than you do and He wants us to care about it, too.
Worship the Lord this Lenten season – Sundays, Wednesdays, every day (via daily Lenten devotional).
The Lord be with you!
Coming Up at Prince of Peace this weekend…
Sunday, March 19
9:00 Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
9:00 Holy Communion
10:30 Holy Communion
Sermon: “Thy Kingdom Come”
This Wednesday (March 22) here at Prince of Peace…
7:00p Lenten Service
Sermon: “Were You There When He Was Condemned?”
Lenten Devotions
What is Lent? Click here for video.
“From the Cradle to the Empty Grave” I hope you are following this Lenten devotional courtesy of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Read or hear how Jesus fulfills His destiny, making His way to the cross and empty tomb. Copies are still available on the table in the lobby. It is also available to read online or as a podcast. In addition, From the Cradle to the Empty Grave can also be received as an e-mail subscription throughout the Lenten season.
PoP News …
This Saturday is Ladies Bible Study Breakfast. Come, join us as we look to God’s word for hope and joy. Breakfast begins at 9 o’clock.
Christ in the Passover Seder and Dinner: Christ Our King Lutheran Church hosts Andrew Barron of Jews for Jesus – Canada, as he guides those gathered on Saturday, March 25th, at 6:00 p.m., through the Jewish Passover Seder and reveals its connection to the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Come and hear the very words spoken by Jesus in the upper room come alive as the significance of each Hebraic element is carefully explained. Tickets for this full dinner and presentation are $20 for adults and $10 for children. To purchase tickets, or for more information, please contact Pastor Christi at (437) 993-4121 or pastorchristi@christourking.ca.
Congregational Statistics: LCC has released its 2015 statistics. Congregations are reminded that statistics for the 2016 year are due by March 31, 2017.
37 Decisions on the Restructuring of LCC: The CCMS has released a new document which outlines the proposed new structure of Lutheran Church–Canada in detail. READ MORE
The Lenten Season 2017 …
There are two series running simultaneously this Lenten season.
- The Sundays feature a look at the Lord’s Prayer. It’s a simple prayer taught by our Lord Jesus but it also teaches us a great deal about prayer itself.
- Then on the Wednesdays of Lent we are looking at the Passion of our Lord through the lens of that familiar hymn, “Were You There.”
“Come to Calvary’s holy mountain, sinners ruined by the fall. …”
Reformation 500 News …
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the Wittenberg church doors inviting scholars to debate the practice of selling indulgences which ultimately led to a more clearly proclaimed Gospel of forgiveness through the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Luther Documentary: A new documentary on Martin Luther, directed by Emmy-nominated Lutheran filmmakers Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein, is now available to watch. READ MORE
Reformation2017.ca Find additional information and congregational resources related to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation at www.reformation2017.ca.
Reformation 2017 Artwork: The 95 Theses: LCC artist Kelly Klages is preparing six pieces of artwork to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. See her first piece on The 95 Theses, and download a printable poster to display in your congregation. READ MORE
Reformation 2017: It’s still all about Jesus!
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those under medical care
- LCC President Robert Bugbee recovering from surgery (Click here for story)
- Those undergoing chemotherapy
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
