LWML Spring Rally 2016 Trinity Lutheran Church
Isle, MN Pr. Mark Maunula Rally Theme: Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Stand up, stand up for Jesus; Stand in His strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you; Ye dare not trust your own. Put on the Gospel armor; Each piece put on with prayer. Where duty calls or danger, Be never wanting there. That hymn is a soul stirring song calling for action-even mighty action. At the very least, we ourselves must stand up to sing it. It's difficult to sing that hymn while sitting down, but it is hard also to sing while you are tired, sore and weary. Today, is the beginning of a new day-a spring rally of the LWML. We are fresh and energetic this morning. But what about tomorrow? Or what happened in your life last week? The challenges and difficulties of life can so easily soak up all our energy. When the bright day has faded, when the emotional highs have collapsed, when the excitement has vanished-where is our strength then? Last Friday, was the third anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. It was marked by times of silence, by the tolling of church bells, by solemn remembrances, by gatherings. A community cleanup of Peabody Square in Dorchester honored one of the victims, Martin Richard. His nine year old sister, who lost a leg in the bombing, worked next to her father. Activity can mark our time when we grieve. Yet, at our lowest points, we may feebly cry out saying, "I have no more to give." In a way, it is true. "I have no more to give." Even while surveying our list of accomplishments, the ongoing demands seem far greater. Time is not geared to give us a rest. So, are you standing up? Or would you rather collapse in a lump on the floor saying, "I have no more to give." There once was a woman who seemed to have collapsed in a lump on the floor. Her sister was a little perturbed by it. There was so much to do. Things to get ready. "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to the work by myself? Tell her to help me." "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Stand up, stand up for Jesus; Stand in His strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you; Ye dare not trust your own. Put on the Gospel armor; Each piece put on with prayer. Where duty calls or danger, Be never wanting there. Sadly, even with this Biblical account and example before us, we can be ever striving in this world to be just like Martha in our lives. She has her list of accomplishments. She has her goals. She has the needs of others in mind. We are sorely tempted to be more like Martha instead of Mary. This struggle is common to all Christians who strive to live a sanctified life in this world. But in wanting to serve and in give to others, we can finally say, "I have nothing more to give." And that is because we have failed to receive what is first given to us. Our problem is not that God has failed to give us enough strength to stand, but that we have been too busy to fall in a lump at His feet and receive what He has to give. We have relied on our strength-not His. We need more time in Christ, rather than less. We have shunned the medicine prescribed by the Divine Physician of our Souls and sought our own home remedies. Our arm of flesh would fail us-but Christ's arm of flesh did not fail Him as He hung there on the cross. Yes, of course, at any moment, He could have pulled Himself down from the cross and revealed who He truly was-the Lord and Creator of the Universe. He could have summoned more than twelve legions of angels to do His bidding to vanquish all who sought His life. But His arm of flesh did not fail Him. His strength is seen in His remaining there for us. If it would have been any of us, if we would have suffered the torture and abuse, the lies and the mocking, the betrayal and injustice, we would want to take that arm of flesh to strike out in anger against someone-anyone, perhaps everyone. Yet, Jesus remained suspended on the tree for us-bearing our sins, receiving our punishment. He remained there till He fell in a lump at the foot of the cross as a couple of friends took Him away for burial. Yet, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! By His death, He destroyed death. His victory is now ours. By His cross, we are redeemed. So sit down, sit down for Jesus. Collapse, even, as a lump at the foot of His cross. In His time, He will raise you up. In His strength, you will arise and stand. Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you. Receive His gifts often! When you have a busy day, take time to pray even more rather than less. Collapse before Him and He will see you through. Remember His Words, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." What Christ gives you will not be taken away. In our relationship with our Lord, "It is more blessed to receive than to give." He gives from His abundance. The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In receiving His gifts, we have something to give to others. So come often and frequently to His house to receive His life giving Word and Sacraments. Come often before Him in daily devotion and prayer. He will not let you down. But rather, He will lift you so that you may indeed stand up! In Jesus' name. Amen.
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