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Watching Attentively for Christ’s Return

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DEVOTION – ADVENT

Do you ever read to the bottom of a page and then double back to the top after realizing you didn’t absorb any of it? Or have you ever been at the wheel of a car and encountered the unsettling realization that you’ve been rather inattentive while driving? If so, then you are familiar with the phenomenon known as “zoning out.” It’s a frequent occurrence for many of us. The trouble with zoning out is that you can easily miss important information.
We often think of Advent as the season of preparation for the Messiah’s birth, but adjacent to this is another important Advent theme: watching for Christ’s return. Jesus Himself describes this watching, “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning.” (Mark 13:34-35) His point is obvious, isn’t it? Our Master, Jesus, is coming back. His return could easily come tomorrow, or even later today! Watching Attentively for Christ’s Return

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS NOvember 2019

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TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date / Hymns / Reading Comments
Nov 1 TLH 490 Deuteronomy 18:1-8 The Levites were to devote themselves to the work of the Lord and that was a full time job supported through the people’s offerings.
Nov 2 TLH 32 (LSB 689) 2 Peter 1:1-11 Remembering how you have been cleansed of your sins, follow your Savior diligently in a life of self-control and brotherly love.
Nov 4 TLH 290 2 Peter 1:16-21 The Bible is the sure and certain Word of God—every word just as He intended it to be written for our learning.
Nov 5 TLH 287 (LSB 581) Deuteronomy 27:1-10 The Lord’s Word was to stand in a place of prominence over the people when they entered the promised land.
Nov 6 TLH 263 (LSB 666) 2 Peter 2:4-11 Do not be afraid, the Lord knows how to deliver you from temptation and from the ungodly.
Nov 7 TLH 265 2 Peter 2:12-22 Be on your guard because false teachers are very deceptive and tempting to follow.“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS NOvember 2019

God’s “Two-Minute Warning”

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DEVOTION – END TIMES

“Dad, it’s time for supper!”

said a little girl who was sent to the basement by her mom. “Tell her I’ll be right there,” he said, “there are only two minutes left in this football game.” But with one team making every effort to stop the clock, the coaches using every available time out, and frequent commercial breaks, it’s amazing how two minutes can stretch into twenty. More amazing still is the level of intensity, effort, and focus on the part of the players when they know that the game is on the line, with the clock running out. Every coach must wonder, from time to time, how to get that level of play from his team during every minute of the game!
Both Scripture and our own observations make it plain that we are, right now, in the final minutes of an epic contest. It isn’t a sporting event, but rather the consummation of all history, just prior to the return of the Lord Jesus on the Last Day. The tell-tale signs of the last times are upon us—wars, rumors of wars, love growing cold, increasing wickedness, disregard for God’s Word, and false teachers abounding (see, for example, Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 4). God’s “Two-Minute Warning”

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS October 2019

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TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date Hymns Reading Comments
Oct 1 TLH 34; LSB 820 Deuteronomy 6:1-12 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord!
Oct 2 TLH 432; LSB 754 1 Peter 5:5-7 Instead of depending on yourselves, you can cast your anxiety on the Lord! This is true humility.
Oct 3 TLH 357; LSB 529 Hebrews 1:3-9 Jesus is above the angels. In fact, He is equal to the Father, the “exact representation” of His being.
Oct 4 WS 715; LSB 369 Hebrews 2:5-15 Everything is subject to Jesus, and yet He joins our human family and becomes our Brother so that we might be saved!
Oct 5 TLH 396 Hebrews 3:12-19 We are reminded how important it is to encourage one another to remain in the faith.“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS October 2019

MISSIONS: Possible

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DEVOTION – MISSIONS

We are often told that some things in this life are just impossible. “Can’t be done,” “Won’t work,” and “You’re not qualified,” are a few of the phrases we hear. The sad reality is that these phrases often prove true. There are plenty of situations and opportunities in our lives that are simply beyond our reach. If you want to stir up angst in young people, ask them what they want to pursue for a living. College students worry they won’t be able to handle their class load, and even if they are able, what about the debt? Many wonder whether they will qualify for the positions they desire. Others may worry about whether jobs will even be available in the fields of their choice.MISSIONS: Possible

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS September 2019

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TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date Hymns Reading Comments
Sept 2 TLH 422 Numbers 13:16-33 Caleb shows us that we can trust the Lord over our own eyes.
Sept 3 TLH 426 Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 We do the work the Lord puts in front of us to do without always worrying how it will end up.
Sept 4 TLH 550; LSB 788 Philippians 1:3-11 Along with Paul, we give thanks for the fellow Christians God has put in our lives.
Sept 5 WS 763; LSB 512 Philippians 2:1-18 Christian humility shines like a light in a dark world, and Jesus, Who humbled Himself for us, helps us to remain humble.
Sept 6 TLH 437; LSB 884 Philippians 3:1-21 We are surrounded by so many spiritual dangers in this life that it is vital to keep pressing on toward our heavenly goal.
Sept 7 TLH 427 (LSB 728) Philippians 4:1-13 We can face anything through Christ Who strengthens us.“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS September 2019

Back to School Joy

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DEVOTION – BACK TO SCHOOL

What do you remember about the first day of school? It’s always exciting, isn’t it? New clothes, new school supplies, possibly a new classroom, a new seating arrangement. If you struggled with your math last year, there’s good news! The new school year brings a fresh start. Even those of you who dreaded school must admit that you felt that certain spark the very first day. Now compare that with what you remember about the one-hundredth day. The feelings just aren’t the same. It’s not long until the excitement wears off, new clothes and supplies become old, frustration with classes builds up, and children begin making excuses to stay home.
I wonder if the disciples shared similar feelings the week after Easter. After Jesus died, confusion and dismay filled the disciples’ hearts. Fear was also present, as we know they had locked themselves in a room, afraid of the Jews. But all those feelings evaporated in an instant when their Lord appeared to them behind locked doors and announced, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19) What peace! What joy! Their teacher Who was dead was now alive! Their lives, which appeared to be ending, had been restored! They were given a fresh start.Back to School Joy

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS August 2019

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TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date Hymns Reading Comments
Aug 1 TLH 512; LSB 839 Romans 11:25-36 In His great wisdom, God sent Jesus to die for all people. So let’s not adopt a condescending attitude toward others whom He wants to save.
Aug 2 TLH 440; LSB 747 Romans 12:9-21 We can’t always stop others from hurting us, but we can overcome their evil with good rather than retaliating.
Aug 3 TLH 417; LSB 857 Romans 13:8-14 If you just don’t know what to do, you can always love!
Aug 5 TLH 46; LSB 921 Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 If your hope and joy is only in this life, you will be disappointed; but if your hope is in the Lord and in the life to come, you will find meaning.
Aug 6 TLH 224; LSB 502 Romans 15:1-13 As you help build up another Christian, you will both benefit from the encouragement of the Scriptures and bring praise to God.
Aug 7 TLH 238; LSB 948 Romans 16:25-27 It is the Lord Who establishes us in the faith through the Gospel of Jesus Christ! All glory to Him!“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS August 2019

Faithful Stewards

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DEVOTION – Stewardship

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)

“Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.” (Genesis 39:6)
It is a strange course on which the Lord led Joseph. At home, he was living the good life. He was his father’s favorite, a dreamer in the coat of many colors. From that high position he found himself at the bottom of a cistern, thrown in there by his jealous brothers. Then he found himself sold into slavery, headed for Egypt.
Life in Egypt certainly had its ups and downs. His first stop was the home of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and a captain of the guard. Joseph was purchased by Potiphar as a slave and put to work. Yet, we don’t find Joseph grumbling about his servitude. Instead, the Lord was with Joseph and he was a faithful worker in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar took note of how faithful Joseph was and entrusted all into Joseph’s hands. Joseph was a steward—a manager of someone else’s home and possessions. And he was a faithful steward.Faithful Stewards

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS July 2019

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TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date Hymns Reading Comments
Jul 1 TLH 191; WS 727 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 Get rid of what is sinful so that it does not corrupt everything around it.
Jul 2 TLH 424; LSB 600 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 Those who continue in sexual immorality without repentance are rejecting the Lord Jesus Who bought them with His own blood.
Jul 3 TLH 246 (LSB 507) Leviticus 10:1-11 The deaths of Nadab and Abihu reminded Israel of the need for holiness before the Lord.
Jul 4 TLH 623; WS 791 1 Corinthians 7:1-14 The apostle Paul reiterates God’s intent for the marriage relationship. God wants husbands and wives to stay together until parted by death.
Jul 5 TLH 418; LSB 847 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Sometimes just being permitted to do something doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to do it.
Jul 6 TLH 415 (LSB 510) 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 The apostle disciplined himself carefully so as not to lead others or himself away from the prize in Christ Jesus.“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS July 2019