Kerry – Page 266 – St. John's Evangelical

The Why Question – June 27, 2018

June 27, 2018 Kerry

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: … “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
Job 38:1,4-7

The Why Question

Daily Devotion – June 27, 2018

Devotion based on Job 38:1,4-7

See series: Devotions

“Why, daddy?” “Mommy, why?” Can you hear the three-year-old asking questions over and over and over again? “Why is the sky blue?” “Why does ice cream taste so good?” “Why do you get to stay up and I have to go to bed?” “Why do cars go fast?” “Why do light bulbs make light?” And over and over again. For the adult, it can be challenging to remain patient, to continue to answer, or sometimes to even know how to answer. And we can become frustrated.

Is it possible that what frustrates us about three-year-old children is the way we sometimes approach God? “Why do some people have so many talents and I have so few?” “Why do my attempts to get ahead financially seem to fail, while others seem to do very well?” “Why didn’t I make that team, get that promotion, or get that guy or girl?” “Why did this struggle come to me and my family?”

Job was asking the “why” question. He had faced enormous difficulties in his life and became frustrated. In his mind, it wasn’t fair; he’d been a faithful believer, yet his life was in shambles. “Why!” (Read the book of Job, chapters 1 & 2.)

In the last five chapters of the book, God answers, but he doesn’t answer the “why” question. Instead, he focuses our attention from “why” to “who.” Who spoke to Job? The Lord spoke to Job. The Lord, who is the powerful, independent God; who is also the faithful God, showing love and mercy to us humans. That’s who spoke to Job.

And how much power does the Lord have? He laid down the earth’s foundations; he marked off its dimensions. The Lord has amazing powers which go oh-so-far beyond our understanding. He can do anything and everything!

And most importantly, how does the Lord feel about you and me? He loves us! He proved it by faithfully sending Jesus to this earth to live, die, and rise in our place. He loves you and me with an everlasting love which is bigger and better than any love which any human being can have for us. That’s “who” our Lord is!

Is it okay to ask “why?” Sure. But it’s often far better to ask, “Who?” “Who is in control?” The all-powerful God who loves you dearly. That’s who!

Prayer:
Focus me on you, O Lord, that I may be filled with peace during every up and down of life. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

How do you see them? – June 26, 2018

June 26, 2018 Kerry

Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. … We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:14-16,20

How do you see them?

Daily Devotion – June 26, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:14-16,20

See series: Devotions

How do you see your coworkers? How about the server at the restaurant where you last went out for food? How do you see your teachers in class? How do you see the neighbor who lives across the street? How about leaders in the government?

Do you view some mostly in relation to how they can serve you, be of use to you, and make your life better? It’s easy to see the people we meet and with whom we interact as means for our personal fulfillment.

Christ’s love compels us to see people differently, because he did not see us this way. He did not see what you could do for him, how you could serve him, or how you could make his life more comfortable.

This is how Christ saw you: separated and distant from God, under his sentence of eternal judgment. He saw you as someone he could serve, someone he could love, and someone whose life he could make incomparably better, because he knew he could reconcile you to God. He could overcome the distance, but he knew it would take selfless service. He needed to become your sin. He needed to assume the guilt that separated you from God. He needed to die for you, and he did.

If you want to live for him who died for you, see others differently. See them as Christ saw them. See them as those whom you can serve, love, and whose life you can make incomparably better. Make God’s appeal to them on Christ’s behalf. Share how he saw them and how it moved him to die. Speak of the reconciliation they have with God through Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for seeing me as one whom you could serve and save. Move me to see how I can speak of your love to others and tell them of the reconciliation that is theirs. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Silencing the Storm – June 25, 2018

June 25, 2018 Kerry

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Mark 4:38-39

Silencing the Storm

Daily Devotion – June 25, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 4:38-39

See series: Devotions

“Let us go over to the other side,” Jesus said. As they were getting into their boat, Jesus’ disciples didn’t expect to be soon staring down a storm that would have them scared for their lives. With Jesus along, no doubt they expected smooth sailing.

That’s like us. We expect our lives to be smooth sailing, especially since we are living our lives under Jesus’ direction. But when the dark clouds of depression form over us, when our relationships are racked by the winds of life, when the waves of sickness have us swamped, we can feel that in the storms of life we are staring down death. Is Jesus asleep when those storms rise up? With rattled souls we cry out to him, “Don’t you care?”

Jesus replies, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Faith always holds on to something. For it to really matter, faith needs to rely on power greater than ourselves. Go outside, you mere mortal, and call on the winds to cease. They won’t listen. Strive against the storms in your own life and they won’t stop. You need someone who has a greater power than wind and storm.

After the disciples woke Jesus up, he said to the wind as if it were a naughty child, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind stopped. The waves were stilled. There was instant silence, serenity, and a glassy sea. The wind and the waves could not prevail against his power. If Jesus has power greater than a storm, then he is the source of real safety for your life.

Of course, he has power, but doesn’t he care when life’s storms strike at us? He cares more than we could ever fully know. He stared down death and won. The storm of sin he silenced. The wind and wave of guilt he put to an end. He threw himself into the swirling storm of sin, guilt, and punishment. He went to the cross and instead of crying out, “Be still!” he cried out, “It is finished!” Sin was silenced. Guilt was over.

Jesus suffered that storm on the cross because he cared about you personally. He wanted that final storm to be done and you to live in peace with him. Jesus cares. If he went to his cross for you, he will certainly not leave you to face the storms in your life by yourself.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for silencing our sin. Use the storms in our lives to strengthen our faith in you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

BULLETIN-JUNE 24, 2018 THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

June 24, 2018 Kerry

EMMANUEL and ST. JOHN’S

Evangelical Lutheran Churches

Mecan and Montello, WI

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

JUNE 24, 2018

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH! We extend a warm welcome to everyone today, especially our visitors. In the bulletin you’ll find an outline of today’s service, a calendar of events and other bits of information. In the red hymn book you’ll find the songs we sing and the order of service that we follow. If you would like a large print hymnal or bulletin please ask one of our ushers and they will gladly assist you. Restrooms and nursery area are located the parish hall at Emmanuel and in the lower level and “link-way” at St. John’s. It’s nice to have you visit today. May God bless our worship together!

A PERSONAL PRAYER FOR THOSE GATHERED FOR WORSHIP

The fact that we belong to Christ and the fact that he lives for us and with us through the gospel is no guarantee against apparent disasters in life. The best of Christians may be tempted to give God advice in the day of trouble. They may even use their prayers as the means for instructing God on how things ought to be and prescribing to God the best methods for fixing the mess he has allowed. In point of fact God, does not need our advice. The Christian attitude in the day of distress is to listen to the Word of the Lord. It is there that Christians will learn God’s ways are incomparably superior to anything we could imagine or advise. All we have is the Word of promise, and that’s all we need.

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Trust God’s Word; He Stilled the Worst Storms – The world is a confusing place. We often feel it does not deal fairly with us. We go through anger, even terror, when we don’t understand the turmoil around us. But in Word and sacrament Jesus reminds us of his presence. He forgives our foolish self-centeredness because of his holy book. He opens our eyes to the rescue he has won for us. Thus, he gives life in this trouble-filled world new hope and new purpose.

ORDER OF SERVICE–LITURGY

The Common Service (hymnal page 15)

PASTOR’S GREETING

OPENING HYMN 384 “By Grace I’m Saved” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

LITURGY (hymnal page 15, read & sung responsively)

(Please stand)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

(Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings)

THEME FOR TODAY’S SERVICE

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: God Governs Creation

FIRST LESSON Job 38:1-11

God’s wisdom over creation

Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

“Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?

PSALM 46 (hymnal page 84, all read verses and sing refrains)

EPISTLE LESSON 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 (today’s sermon text)

God’s reconciling love forms a new creation

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

VERSE OF THE DAY Alleluia. Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Alleluia. (Galatians 4:6)

LITURGY (hymnal page 18, all sing)

“Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

(Please stand)

After the announcement of the Gospel, all sing:

“Glory be to you, O Lord!”

GOSPEL LESSON Mark 4:35-41

Jesus power over creation

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

After the reading of the Gospel, all sing:

“Praise be to you, O Christ”

THE APOSTLES’ CREED (sung to the tune of Hymn 486 “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us”)

(Please be seated)

SERMON HYMN 401 “Your Works, Not Mine, O Christ”

(printed in hymnal, all sing)

SERMON 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

“The Old Has Gone-The New Has Come”

1. New Status

2. New Life

3. New Work

(Please stand after the sermon)

LITURGY (hymnal page 20, all sing)

(Please be seated)

OFFERING, WORSHIPER GREETINGS & FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS

OFFERING PRAYER

PRAYER FOR BLESSINGS ON THE CHURCH (read by pastor)

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: George Alexander, Gale “Blackie” Boyd, Alexandria Buehrens (Bob & Carolyn’s great granddaughter), Bob & Carolyn Buehrens, George Chapman, Gene & Sharon Crook, Harley & Liola Crown, Agnes Dassow, Caleb & Emery Degenstein (Mark Emond’s friends), Elaine Emond (Mark’s mother), Marjorie Fabian, Mike Farrell, Donna Gatzke, Kellen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Brian & Bonnie Harmon (Linda Lou Wacholtz’ sister & brother-in-law), Brody Henke, Ardis Henning, Geri Kerl (Sue Brown’s mother), Bob Klapper (Sandy’s husband), Doris Klawitter, Aspen Raelynn Lefeber (Barb Hoffman’s greatgrandaughter), Anna Madigan, Kerry & Lily Mann, Ruthie Marcelain (Dawn’s granddaughter), Sherry Miller (Candace Sonnenberg’s sister), Steve Parrish, Wayne Riemer, Wilma Rudolph, Frankie Russell, Bob Schrank, Bill Schroeder (Ashley’s father-in-law), Jane Torres (Stacie Starke’s mother), Donny Weber (Betty’s son), Paul Weldon, Raymond Zacharias (Marilyn Riemer’s brother) – (added this week: )

– For the family of Carol Smith, Kenon’s mother, called home on 6/19

– For Tim Hemling who received the Lord’s Call to teach middle school English at Divine Savior Academy in Doral, Florida

– For Kinsley Brenda Barker, the daughter of Logan Barker and Deandra Kendall, who will be baptized today (6/24 at 12:30pm) at St. John’s

– For Marriage

LORD’S PRAYER (hymnal page 20, all read)

*NOTE: AT EMMANUEL…

LITURGY (hymnal page 25)

HYMN 441:1-4 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING (hymnal page 25b)

(Please be seated)

CLOSING HYMN 441:5-6 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

*NOTE: AT ST. JOHN’S…

(Please stand)

HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY (hymnal page 21, read and sung responsively)

(Please be seated for the distribution)

Welcome! We are pleased that you have joined us for worship today,

If you are visiting today we ask you to speak to the pastor before communing. Here at St. John’s and Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Churches we follow the historic and scriptural practice of closed Communion (sometimes called member Communion).

Holy Communion expresses our oneness in faith and confession. To commune with us is the same as declaring, “I believe everything this church teaches.” Before communing together we need to study God’s Word together to ensure that we are united in belief and confession. Therefore, we respectfully ask other Christians to receive instruction before communing with us. We welcome to the Lord’s Table those who confess unity in faith with us by their membership in another congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). If you have any questions about our practice please speak to the pastor after the service.

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS 388 “Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven”, 441:1-4 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

(Please stand)

SONG OF SIMEON, CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING (hymnal page 24-25)

CLOSING HYMN 441:5-6 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (printed in hymnal, all sing)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THEME FOR NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2018

Independence Day Service: “Let Freedom Ring”

Note: Please give your completed friendship register page to an usher or pastor as you leave today’s service.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK JUNE 24-JUNE 30
Sun.	8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship
	10:00 A.M.		St. John’s Worship with communion
	11:15 A.M.		St. John’s Voters meeting
	12:30 P.M.		Kinsley Barker private baptism at St. John’s
Mon.
Tues.-Fri.			WELS International Youth Rally at Bowling Green, KY
Wed.	6:30 P.M.		St. John’s Worship with communion
Thurs.	10:00 A.M.		Montello Care Center devotion with communion
Fri.
Sat.
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2018 Independence Day Service: “Let Freedom Ring”
8:00 A.M.		Emmanuel Worship with communion
10:00 A.M.		St. John’s Worship

THIS YEAR’S HIGHSCHOOL GRADUATION Abel Bain (Martin Luther Preparatory), Seryna Jungenberg, Corey Kaul (WLA), Jonathan Lambrecht, Jasmine Lange (Montello), Morgan Marceau (Portage), Adam Myers, Leah Wachholz (Montello) (Please give the church office a call with any updates.)

OFFICE SUMMER HOURS Mondays 8:00am-4:00pm, Tuesdays 8:00am-4:00pm, and Thursdays 8:00am-12:00pm.

TWO ATTENDING LWMS CONVENTION IN GREEN BAY Kay Maass and Linda Wachholz are worshiping this morning at the closing service of the 55th Annual Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society Convention today in Green Bay. Under the theme, “Speak, O Lord, from the Valley to the World,” the convention began on Thursday, June 21, and concludes today. Watch for a complete report in your next newsletter.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) 2018
St. John’s Vaction Bible School will be August 6-10 from 9:00am-3:00pm and will be available for ages 3K-6^th grade. Camp Phillip will be leading it for us this year! There will be sign-up sheets in the office, St. John’s info room and Emmanuel parish hall. OR you can call/email the office during summer hours to sign your child up. The deadline for sign-up is July 30^th.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We will need as many volunteers (adults and older kids) as we can get to help run our VBS this year. If you want to help, call the office and let Ciara know ASAP!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL DONATIONS NEEDED! St. John’s needs a list of supplies to run VBS efficiently. If you are willing to donate, you may swing by the office during summer hours or drop boxes will be located in Emmanuel parish hall and St. John’s info room.

Here is a list of things needed: glue, glue sticks, onion powder, cardstock paper, ground mustard, yellow mustard, black and red permanent markers, plastic mixing spoons, apple corer, small mixing bowls, baking rack, garlic powder, microwave-safe bowls, box of food coloring, silver glitter, toothpicks, measuring cups, measuring spoons, baby oil, white sand, sea shells red satin ribbon, cross penny, satin nylon cord, heavy duty paper plates, black felt, 18 oz. plastic bottles (BAI), black construction paper, 32 quarters, masing tape, index cards, blindfolds, 40 ping pong balls, long rope, water guns.

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS (from a WELS pastor): “God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.”

WELS NIGHT AT MILLER PARK Friday, August 3 at 7:00pm! Go online to buy your ticket now wels.net/brewers2018

$5 t-shirts are also offered for the 5^th annuel WELS Night. Go online and order today co-store.com/WELSnight

INVITATION Friedens Lutheran Church in Randolph, WI invites you to a special presentation on Medical Ethics Part Two, Christian Decision Making by Rev. Wayne Mueller. Pastor Mueller will be speaking about Sexual Ethics and End of Life Decisions. He will be addressing such questions as: Can there ever be a bad reason for deciding to have more children? What happens to the souls of babies who are aborted? Are some forms of birth control less moral than others? Please join us on Saturday, July 14^th from 1:00-3:15pm. Fellowship and lite refreshments to follow. See sign-up sheet in Emmanuel parish hall and St. John’s info room.

2018 MINISTRATIONS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

– 6/24 11:15am at SJ: Voters’ meeting

– 6/24 12:30pm at SJ: Private infant baptism of Kinsley Brenda Barker, the daughter of Logan Barker and Deandra Kendall

– 6/26-29 at Bowling Green State University: WELS International Youth Rally

– 7/6-7 at Marquette County Fair–Westfield: SJ info booth Fri pm and Sat all day

– 7/8 8am at E: Infant baptism of William David Krueger, son of Jonathan & Emily Krueger

– 7/15 10am at SJ: Rachel Naumann teacher installation/refreshments

– 7/22 8am at E, 10am at SJ: Pastor John Dolan leads services (Zietlow’s in Milwaukee for niece’s wedding)

– 8/3 7:10pm at Miller Park–Milwaukee: WELS night–Brewers vs Rockies

– 8/5 8am at E, 10am at SJ: Pastor Gary Johnson leads services (Zietlow’s at Faith–Anchorage, AK: Pastor Z preaches for 50th anniversary)

– 8/6–10 9am–3pm at SJ: Vacation Bible School led by Camp Philip Staff

– 8/18 12pm at Montello: Father Marquette Days SJ parade float, walkers

– 8/26 8am at E, 10am at SJ: Sunday Mission Festival: Missionary Luke Wolfgramm from Russia to preach and lecture with lunch at SJ

– 9/4 8am at SJS: Classes begin

– 9/9 Sunday & midweek education program resumes

– 9/22 2pm at Wachholz farm: wedding service for Vicky Riendeau & Aaron Wachholz

– 10/16-17 at Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake: Joint Pastoral Conference

– 10/28 8am at E, 10am at SJ: WELS Mission & Ministry Sunday w/ DVD service “To the Ends of the Earth” & C18 prep

– 11/5 9am at Grace–Pickett: Winnebago Pastoral Conference

2019

– Synod Convention at MLC 7/29–8/2 (SJ lay delegate, E alternate)

Usher Schedule

June 24

(with comm)

Dennis Wacholtz; Chief, Matt Borzick, Glen Bubolz, Al Rosenthal, Christopher Smith

Lucas Stelter, Bob Ferber, Brian Ninneman

July 1

(with comm)

Jack Yates; Chief, Calvin Wojtalewicz, Zeb Zuehls, Mark Emond, Kevin Kaul

Don Stelter, Jim Stuempges, Joe Heller, comm. assist. Wayne Stelter

July 8

(with comm)

Don Smith; Chief, Scott Ritz, James Kunde, Ken Borzick, Thomas Wojtalewicz

Brian Ninnemann, Noah Buchholz, Paul Dahlke

*St. John’s Greeter Schedule*
June 24	Ron & Evie Blada
July 1	Delvin & Jean Henke
July 8	Paul & Christa Van Treeck

Attendance

Emmanuel

St. John’s

6-17 6-20

119 4

St. John’s Altar Committee

June 2018

Diane Eisermann

Delores Cotte

Welcome To Our Visitors!

Please Sign Our Guest Register

Visit our website & Facebook link at: www.stjohnsmontello.org

https://www.facebook.com/St-Johns-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-107160252675/

Pastor Peter Zietlow Office (608) 297-2321

Cell & Text (608) 408-7830, E-mail: zietlowpl6@hotmail.com

Teacher Karin Stellick (920) 342-3689

Teacher Sara Borck (858) 731-7919

Parish/School Secretary Ciara Neuhauser (608) 297-2866

Altar Ladies Elaine Kelm (920) 344-0025 &

Carolyn Rosenthal 589-5036

Mail to: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949

OR scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org

Winnebago Lutheran Academy

Principal Mr. David Schroeder/WLA office (920) 921-4930

WLA website: www.wlavikings.org

An Abiding Love – June 24, 2018

June 24, 2018 Kerry

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Mathew 10:29-30

An Abiding Love

Daily Devotion – June 24, 2018

Devotion based on Mathew 10:29-30

See series: Devotions

Does God really love me? Is he really concerned about my problems? Does he really hear my prayers? These questions tend to grow when the seeds of doubt and distress are planted, and when they are fully grown, they produce fear. I’m afraid when sickness comes. I’m afraid when problems arise. I’m even more afraid when death threatens.

The answer to my doubts and fears is clear, but I may not always remember it. This is why I need to listen to God’s promises, to trust his will for my life, and to rely on what God has done for me in Jesus.

A good starting point is when Jesus teaches his disciples about his abiding love. What is amazing is that he uses such a simple picture. Sparrows are plentiful, and they have seemingly little value. Still Jesus uses his Father’s care for these tiny creatures as evidence of his abiding love. Think of it. Not one escapes God’s loving oversight. Not one is uncounted. Not one is uncared for.

Jesus uses this picture to remind me how precious I am to God. He further adds that every hair on my head is numbered and not one falls without his knowledge. This is the intimate assurance I need. There is no doubt Jesus has an abiding love for me, but if any doubt lingers still in my heart, then I go to his cross. There I see an even clearer display of his abiding love.

At the cross I see everything Jesus did for me. My guilt, my sorrow, my punishment—all that was needed to free me from sin, death, and the devil—Jesus endured in my place. In his life, his death and his resurrection as my Substitute, Jesus displays his abiding love. Through faith I see his love is pure, limitless, and mine.

It is because of Jesus’ abiding love that I can trust him and rely on his care. It is also why I don’t have to be afraid.

Prayer:
O blessed Jesus, how great is your mercy. How deep is your compassion. How amazing is your love. By means of your abiding love you rule over all things for my benefit. By the same love you also answer my doubts and remove my fears. I rejoice in you, my Savior. Amen!

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Fire in Our Hearts – June 23, 2018

June 23, 2018 Kerry

I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side! Report him! Let’s report him!” All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him.” But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. O LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
Jeremiah 20:7-13

Fire in Our Hearts

Daily Devotion – June 23, 2018

Devotion based on Jeremiah 20:7-13

See series: Devotions

The question is whether to be silent or to speak. When you see so much immorality and injustice in the world, do you gain anything by speaking up about it? The prophet Jeremiah wondered. The culture of his time was in steep decline. He wondered if he should say anything.

But the word of the Lord was in his heart like a fire, so he risked ridicule and was honest about what was right and wrong. He counted on the Lord to rescue him from the wicked. He counted on the Lord to send the Savior.

We sing and give praise to the Lord our Savior. His word is like a fire in our hearts, and so we speak what the Bible says is right and wrong, calling people to repentance, so that they can hear the wonderful message of forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord God, give me the opportunity and the courage to speak your word so that others can hear about the Savior from me. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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The Holy Spirit has Called me by the Gospel – June 22, 2018

June 22, 2018 Kerry

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

The Holy Spirit has Called me by the Gospel

Daily Devotion – June 22, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

See series: Devotions

There are a number of things about the work of God the Holy Spirit that are difficult, if not impossible, to grasp. In fact, in John chapter 3 Jesus compares the work of the Holy Spirit to the wind. Where does it come from? Where is it going? How exactly does it work? We see evidence of its activity, but there is so much we don’t understand. In the same way, we don’t understand exactly how God saves us through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Although there are things about the Spirit’s work that remain beyond human understanding, there is one thing concerning his work about which God wants you to be crystal clear. God the Holy Spirit works through the truth of the gospel. The fact that you are a brother or sister in faith is not due to your ethnic or social status. It is not the result of a fortunate set of circumstances or an accumulation of admirable accomplishments. You are a brother or sister in faith, you are a child of God, because the Holy Spirit has worked in your heart and life through the truth of the gospel.

This truth has implications for your ongoing sanctification under the influence of the Spirit. If you don’t want your faith to grow; if, in fact, you want your faith to suffer; if you want your faith to weaken and shrivel; if you want your faith to die—then reduce your exposure to or separate yourself from the means the Holy Spirit uses to create and strengthen faith. Separate yourself from the gospel in Word and Sacrament. For as surely as the Holy Spirit works through the truth of the gospel, so surely does your neglect of the gospel cause great harm to your faith.

If, however, you don’t want your faith to shrivel and die; if, in fact, you want your faith to grow; if you want your faith to be strengthened and thrive; if you want your faith to be living and active—then stay in touch with the means the Holy Spirit uses to create and strengthen faith. Seek and seize opportunities to be immersed in and washed over by the gospel. Stay connected to God’s Word. For as surely as the Holy Spirit works through the truth of the gospel, so surely will your engagement with the gospel bring great blessings to your faith.

Indeed, this is why God chose you—that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, even as you have called me to faith through the truth of the gospel, continue to strengthen me by that same gospel, that I might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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He Knows What He’s Doing – June 21, 2018

June 21, 2018 Kerry

He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:27

He Knows What He’s Doing

Daily Devotion – June 21, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 8:27

See series: Devotions

People who don’t have much experience or know-how when it comes to home maintenance issues, occasionally speak, plan, and promise as if they did. While sometimes they figure things out and even do an adequate job, often they end up calling in a professional because they need help from somebody who knows what he is doing.

When it comes to spiritual life, we think we can handle it on our own. We think we can come up with the right answers and the best strategies; and often we are sorely disappointed. We think we can know the mind, heart, and will of God simply because we think he is probably a lot like us. And then we find things not going as we thought they should. Maybe we even find ourselves confused or bitter and angry as a result. When it comes to knowing God and interacting with him, we need somebody who knows what he is doing.

And we have him—the Holy Spirit. He is the one who knows all involved intimately and well. He searches hearts. He knows the mind and will of God. He intercedes for us; he goes as our representative to the very heart of God. He does it in a way that is perfect and deeply interested in our welfare. We don’t always know what is best for us. We don’t always know how or what we should pray. We sometimes lose track of the things that a good and gracious Father says are most important. But the Holy Spirit doesn’t. He knows that our greatest needs and the best free gifts from God are spiritual ones—forgiveness, peace, joy, hope. These he gives to us through Jesus and his Word. He knows our need for spiritual resiliency and strength, which he graciously gives us by connecting us to the truth in Christ. He knows our weaknesses and readily comes to our aid.

The Holy Spirit does his work “in accordance with the will of God.” We will begin to better understand those prayer thoughts when we look for God and his will in his Word. We get a good idea of the Holy Spirit’s interceding as we learn the meaning of and pray for ourselves the Lord’s Prayer. He wants every lasting and gracious spiritual blessing for us in Christ.

If you struggle with your thoughts and prayers, take comfort in knowing that at your side and before the Father’s face is one who knows what he is doing and he does it for you!

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, we thank you for the way you intercede with our Father on our behalf. Help us to find confidence, joy, and peace in knowing that you do this precious work for our welfare. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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God is the Lord, the Faithful One – June 20, 2018

June 20, 2018 Kerry

“I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it!”
Ezekiel 17:24c

God is the Lord, the Faithful One

Daily Devotion – June 20, 2018

Devotion based on Ezekiel 17:24c

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This is the end of a challenging chapter of the Bible. God is speaking in picture language. Even though God explains some of it, it’s still somewhat difficult to understand.

Kind of like life, right? So often things which we think ought to happen, don’t; and things we think should not happen, do. Hard to understand!

Perhaps that is why God ends this segment as he does, with clarity and grace. Ultimately, the ruling of the earth and his own people is HIS job. He has made promises; he will do what he has promised to do.

So, we can rest on this truth: God is the Lord, the Faithful One. He has promised to rule all things for the good of his people. He spoke it; he will do it.

And he will do it whether we understand … or not. Thank God!

Prayer:
Faithful Lord, remind me of the wonderful promises you have made, then remind me that you will keep every one of those promises. In your name I pray. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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This Body is a Tent – June 19, 2018

June 19, 2018 Kerry

For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:4-8

This Body is a Tent

Daily Devotion – June 19, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:4-8

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Today I sit in the monochrome waiting room of the specialist doctor’s office to which I was referred. Last night I went to the funeral home full of bright flower arrangements to attend the visitation for a man loved by many, now departed from this life. Last week I spoke with an adolescent young man who has an appointment scheduled to scan his body for any cancerous cells left following surgery. Tomorrow there is a good chance I will be very sore after my morning workout. If you’ve lived, you have had similar experiences. You know one day your body will give out and give up.

There is a reason you sit in medical building waiting rooms and why your loved ones will one day gather for a visitation when you have passed. The bodies we have are tents for our souls. Tents are temporary dwellings, made from canvass, plastic, or fabric. They are set up for now, but soon they will be taken down. They rip and tear, and we groan through it.

Even if you groan, you can have confidence always. The God who has created you has also created a new dwelling place for you. He has created a heavenly dwelling—a permanent home. It is yours to occupy, because of Jesus.

Our current bodies struggle and fail, because our lives are filled with disobedience to our creator. If we were to stand before his judgment seat on our own, such disobedience would merit his disownment. Yet, God sent his Son, Jesus, to dwell in the earthly tent of a human body for a time. His death came before his body naturally gave out. His death was brought by the cross.

Jesus willingly gave his life up to death to be disowned by God in your place. He did this, so you could one day be at home with the Lord, with a perfect body that will never give out or give up. Trusting in Jesus as your Savior, that is your confidence.

Prayer:
Lord God, when I groan over the temporary nature of my earthly body, remind me that I can have complete confidence in the permanent home you have for me in heaven through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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