Hope Lutheran Church in Warren, Michigan

 I remember one day when I picked up my daughter Laura from kindergarten, she burst into tears.  I asked what was the matter.  After some composure, she looked at me and bursting intoa nother round of tears said, "They called me a "Lucky Duck!"  I tried to reassure her that when her classmates called her a "Lucky Duck" it was a good thing, but she just wouldn't believe me. 

Indra Tamang is a "Lucky Duck."  Born in Nepal, raised in a mud hut, Indra came to America, and served for 30 years as a butler, cook, and caretaker for Ruth Ford and Zachary Scott, relatively famous actors in the 50s.  When Ford died last year at the age of 98, she left the family fortune to Tamang - more than $8 million.

As I said, Indra Tamang is a "Lucky Duck!".

Of course, we who are redeemed by Christ are far more blessed than Tamang. The book of Titus is quite right when it says those who are justified by the grace of the Christ have become heirs of eternal life.

What does that mean? It means that while Tamang has some money, that money's usefulness has some definite limitations.  It can be lost, it can be spent, and Tamang will die someday.

On the other hand, we who by grace through faith in Christ have inherited eternal life, are given gifts which will last far beyond the end of time.  We will spend eternity in a place where there is no sickness,sorrow, sadness, tears, or pain.  Even if Tamang's fortune were ten thousand times larger than it is, he could not have such an assurance.

OK, Laura, after 20 years, you were right.  Being calleda "Lucky Duck" isn't so great.  All our "Luck"will one day run out, but membership in God's family will bless us forever! 

"How great is the love the Father has lavished onus, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"   I John 3:1

Don't forget there's Homework:

+Ponder- What does Luck matter when you have Jesus? 

+Who else around you today needs more than Luck?  Who around needs Jesus?

Prayer Requests:

+Pray the Lord upholds and buoys us through life, especially those who fight the ongoing battle of cancer - Pete, Nancy and Carl.

+Ask the Lord to give you someone to love in His name.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+