Good Shepherd Lutheran Church    Today's Frontline Devotion      Thursday, August 28, 2003 THE ANSWER

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Frontline Devotion for August 28, 2003 By Penny Risen

 Matthew 16: 13-17:9

"Ready, Miss Penny?" Perched on my lap, the 5-year-old nudged her curly head close to whisper in my ear: "Jesus is always the answer."

What a wonderful conspiracy she wanted to share, I thought, nodding to her.  I hope she keeps spreading this exciting news as she gets bigger. 

Vacation Bible School lessons that week focused on Christ's ministry, and yes, during storytime wrap-up "Jesus" was the answer the leader or pastor was hinting at or asking for.  

What fun to hear a sanctuary crammed with children and adults together shouting Jesus name in loving, joyful response! 

Today's passage in Matthew 16 shares the right answer. "Who do you say I am?" Jesus asks.

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," Peter declares solidly.

What a thrill it must have been for Jesus to hear these words for the first time coming out of His disciple's mouth.  Peter didn't hesitate, he spoke with assurance and confidence.

In Matthew 17 too, God declares from a bright cloud the answer all Earth yearned to hear: "This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"

Is Jesus the answer for you today? If things in your world have gotten too big, too complicated, too scary, or too jumbled up with details of ego and self-concern, let Jesus be the answer.

Let Him answer your needs in prayer; by making space in the day to read His Word in the Bible; or by taking a break for devotional time -- see, you already have this final item covered.

Simply sharing God's Good News with others can be such a healing and blessed experience -- whether it's worshiping in church with fellow Christians; practicing an anthem with a choir; or sitting as an adult VBS servant in a sunny room in summer with a bunch 5-year-olds happily shouting and singing Jesus name.

Thank you for reminding me, Becca -- Jesus is always the answer.  Pass it on.

Prayer for the Day:  Dear Lord, help us to remember that You are always the answer

when we lose our way.  Let Your Word be our guide, not our own egos. Help us to be bold to share this joyful news with others.   Amen.   

To respond to this devotion, write mailto:pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org

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