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Devotions

The Gospel God’s Grace Comes to Us

DEVOTION – THE MEANS OF GRACE

Ah, summer vacation! Time to get away from the city and enjoy nature around us. There are national and state parks to visit, tents to be pitched, campfires to sit around, and lakes to “get away” to. This time of year it’s not unusual to hear the comment, “I feel closer to God in nature than I do in church.”This doesn’t surprise us too much; after all, nature is God’s handiwork. He is the builder of everything we see around us. It all bears His divine “thumb-print,” if you will. His power is seen in the mighty redwoods of California, the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. On a cloudless night, hints of God’s divine nature can be seen in the belt of the Milky Way and all the starry host. While nature’s grandeur may tell us of the Creator’s great power, wisdom, and eternal nature, it does not bring us His grace or announce His forgiveness. Hiking through the woods will not comfort the troubled conscience with the assurance of sins forgiven. Summiting a mountain will not tell you how to reach that even higher peak, heaven.Read More »The Gospel God’s Grace Comes to Us

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS July 2018

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

Date Verse Reading Comments

Jul 2 TLH 392 Psalm 32 King David contrasts the torment of unrepented sin with the blessed sweetness of forgiveness in Christ.

Jul 3 TLH 4 Leviticus 11:29-30, 41-47 God put these food laws in place for Israel to teach them about being holy before Him and to prepare them for Christ Who gave them His holiness.

Jul 4 TLH 577/LSB 965; 2 Kings 2:1-14 The Lord will continue to provide faithful ministers of the Gospel until He comes again.

Jul 5 TLH 310/LSB 713; Psalm 80 When we fall into sin and see the sad result of our failure, we call upon the Lord to restore us and revive us again.

Jul 6 TLH 366 Proverbs 8:1-21 Want to be wise? Respect God and trust in Him. That is true wisdom.

Jul 7 TLH 605/LSB 513; Luke 17:22-30 When Christ comes again, His return will be quick and without warning, interrupting the daily routine of life on earth.Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS July 2018

Citizens by Birth—and Rebirth

DEVOTION – CHURCH AND STATE

The screaming crowd was ready to riot when the object of their fury was taken into custody by the Roman commander. The commander ordered his centurion to bind the prisoner and stretch him out for a lashing with the Roman scourge, as a quick and dirty means of interrogation. But Paul, who had been testifying of Christ to the people of Jerusalem, still had a significant card to play. He asked, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”  (Acts 22:25)

The officer was skeptical at first, saying “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” Paul, who came from the Roman colony of Tarsus, answered him by saying “But I was born a citizen.”  At this revelation the Romans were alarmed and released him, for citizens of the empire had protections and privileges that others did not have, including the right to a trial before being convicted and punished.Read More »Citizens by Birth—and Rebirth

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS June 2018

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

Date Verse Reading Comments

Jun 2 TLH 393 Jeremiah 51:42-50 Babylon would conquer Judah, but the victory would not last. God would rescue and restore His people.

Jun 3 TLH 396 Luke 8:40-56 Jairus and the the afflicted woman both found that those who depend on Christ are not left disappointed.

Jun 4 TLH 370 Galatians 3:1-11 We do not gain peace with God by human effort such as observing commandments, customs, or traditions, but through faith—just like Abraham.

Jun 5 TLH 42/LSB 721; Exodus 40:34-38 When the tabernacle and its furnishings were finished, the Lord made His presence known and demonstrated that He would lead His people.Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS June 2018

A Positive Outlook for the Convention

CONVENTION PREVIEW

At the conclusion of the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys, he was in the habit of having a series of conventions of sorts. There were several positive points as to why Paul conducted himself in this manner.  Perhaps we may see the same positives in attending our own synodical gatherings.

Typically, when Paul would conclude a mission trip, he would head to a gathering of believers in Antioch, Syria. Here the faithful would be treated to reports of the Holy Spirit’s work, performing miracles and adding to the Church of Christ. Paul and his fellow workers would then usually travel down the coastline, stopping to give reports along the way, until they could meet with the church in Jerusalem.Read More »A Positive Outlook for the Convention

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS May 2018

Date Verse Reading Comments

May 1 TLH 59 2 Samuel 7:1-16 God promised David that his throne would endure forever, a promise that was ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the greatest King of all.

May 2 TLH 524/LSB 691; Psalm 52 The wicked may boast, but in the end those who trust in God’s unfailing love will flourish.

May 3 TLH 602 Jeremiah 29:1-14 Jeremiah comforts the exiles with the good news that they would be delivered. He comforts us with the good news of our eternal deliverance.

May 4 WS 724 Mark 15:21-32 If Jesus had wanted to save Himself, He could have come down from the cross. But He wanted
to save us.

May 5 WS 780 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 We may be weak, but the Word of God we proclaim is certainly not!Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS May 2018

Honoring the Christian Wife and Mother

DEVOTION – MOTHER’S DAY

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them [your wives] with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker
vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of  life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”
(1 Peter 3:7)

Mother’s Day is a big and special day across America. If you’re thinking of having Sunday brunch on Mother’s Day, be prepared for a long wait to get a table. Cards will fly out of the local card shops, and mothers across America will all be told that they are the very best mother of all. Then Monday comes and everything goes back to normal. Mothers will once again be taken for granted, or worse, verbally abused by spouse and children who can’t find the car keys, the homework, or the article of clothing that is needed right at the moment. We hope this doesn’t describe Christian homes, homes that are blessed with the loving presence of the Lord Jesus!Read More »Honoring the Christian Wife and Mother