Friday, May 24, 2013

DEVOTION:  They returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:21-22

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour




Today, as in the past, people are living and suffering with different kinds of pain.

You know the list: there is physical, mental and spiritual pain. Pain can make people cry and hurt; it can make them feel sad, exhaust them, and make them angry. No one wants pain, but we cannot escape it. It is part of the sinful human tragedy that we are born in pain, and we shall die in pain.

I must confess I also have pains in my life. Depending on the day and moment I am pained by family, health and finances. Goodness, the list goes on and on. I have noticed when I am in pain, I often go to God and hear myself challenge: "Why did You give this particular pain to me? Are You there when I am in pain? Are You happy to see I am in pain?"

I'm not proud I've asked those questions. I'm not pleased I don't always understand what the Lord is trying to convey. I'm a weak sinner, and I must confess that enough pain can almost make a person lose his mind and, even worse, their trust and faith in God.

Oh, I forgot one thing: when I'm in pain, I never want to blame myself. I always want to place the blame for the problems on others.

At least that's the way it used to be.

Then, one day I was changed. That day I read an article about a girl who was born without the capacity to feel pain. She grew up without knowing pain. She didn't know the things which were bad and dangerous for her. Without pain it was easy for her to seriously cut her hand. Without pain she hardly noticed when boiling water scalded her body. All these incidents left her scarred and led her to contemplate suicide.

At the end of the article the author concluded that pain is a friend. Through pain we learn what is good for us and what is bad.

Spiritually, the same is true. Without pain we cannot know what is eternally dangerous to us. To help us grow and learn, God allows pain to come. It is His way of shielding us from something which could be far worse. As M. Scott Peck said, "Pain is a phenomenon of grace, a gift of God, a message to initiate self-examination and repair."

There's one other thing which must be said: God never leaves us alone in this pain. He always is with us and making sure that pain is constructive and not overwhelming. In this way He teaches us and gives us those blessings that can draw a believing heart closer to Him.

It is my hope you understand what I've been trying to say. I hope you will also, like Job, learn to know all the pains that God allows are blessings to help us endure. They are blessings which, in God's good time, will prove to be beneficial.

And that, my friends, is the promise of 2 Corinthians 12:9, where the Lord says because of My Son's sacrifice, "My grace is sufficient for you."

THE PRAYER: Our Heavenly Father, only through faith can we thank You for pains in our lives. These make us strong, mature us, and increase our trust and faith in You. And, dear Lord, if I doubt, grant me a faith to always believe Your ways are right -- and from a loving Lord. In the Name of Jesus I ask it. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Myo Aundra Maw, who is the program supervisor for Word of Hope, Lutheran Hour Ministries' office in Myanmar. From its ministry center in Yangon, Word of Hope connects with people in this Southeast Asian country of more than 60 million people through radio programs, video and print materials, music and puppet performances, film showings, children's ministries, and more. Using Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) and Equipping the Saints (ETS) resources, the Gospel has gone forth since LHM first established its presence there in 1999.




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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: According to Proverbs what are some kinds of things a fool does?
 
Here's the long and short of it from Pam Bueltmann
I have finished my Bible Study for the day. 
 
A chattering fool comes to ruin;
The mouth of a fool invites ruin
Spreads slander
Pleasure in evil conduct
A fool will be a servant to the wise
The way of a fool seems right to him
A fool shows his annoyance at once
A fool exposes his folly
A fools talk brings a rod to his back
A fool is hotheaded and reckless
The mouth of a fool gushes folly
A fool spurns his father's discipline
The mouth of a fool feeds on folly
Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool
A hundred lashes does not impress a fool
Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly
What use is money in the hand of a fool , since he has no desire to get wisdom?
To have a fool for a son brings grief, there is no joy for the father of a fool.
A fools eyes wander to the end of the earth
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions
A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul
Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury
A fool is quick to quarrel
do not speak to a fool for he will scorn the wisdom of your words
Wisdom is too high for a fool: in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say
Honor is not fitting for a fool
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him         )?
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. ) ?
Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool
Like a thornbush in a drunkards hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool
Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passerby
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly
Do you see a wise man in his own eyes? there is more hope for a fool than for him
Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both
Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him.
He who trusts in himself is a fool
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace
A fool gives full vent to his anger
There is more hope for a fool than a man who speaks in haste
A servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food
If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth!!!!!!!!  
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FRIDAY'S QUIZ: According to Proverbs, what does a sluggard do?
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CALENDAR
Fri- St. John's night at the Rascal's game leave from church at 6pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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RIVER CITY RASCAL'S GAME THIS FRIDAY AT T.R. HUGHES BALLPARK!!!!
 
If you are meeting us there, when you get your tickets, just tell them you are from St. John's Lutheran Church in Warrenton.
 
Don't forget your $25!!
 
Here is who I have going so far:
Taryn Linke
Torre Linke
Jon Statler
another friend of Torre Linke
Brett Nordwald
Amanda Nordwald
Alan Hofeldt
Marvin Hendershot
Molly Hendershot
Kevin and Sarah Smith
Craig and Tabitha Reinhart and 4 others
Pastor
 
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MEN'S BREAKFAST HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 1 AT 8am!!
Come and enjoy a hearty breakfast, fellowship, and Bible Study as we grow together as men in the faith!  We would like to get a good head count of who will be there, so please RSVP by replying to this email!  Thanks!
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BIBLESTICKS FOR SOLDIERS
Make checks payable to St. John's for $25 or more and write "Bible sticks" in the memo line of the check or on the envelope you put the check in. 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:
For KARIN, GUS and CARA as they fly to New York City to visit Karin's cousins with her sister and nephews this weekend.
 
For LIL WINTER who is recovering at home from diverticulitis. .
 
For PAT KING'S COUSIN whose surgery was postponed due to heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat.
 
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH, who will be having surgery June 14 to remove his bladder due to cancer
For RICK SPINIOLAS who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and will be beginning chemotherapy on Monday. 
For NANCY SPINIOLAS, his wife, who is dealing with severe back pain due to many years of using an artificial leg.
For RALPH SPOEDE who is dealing with cancer in both his kidney and in his brain. 
For DOMINIC GENTILE, a friend to many at church and in the community, who is suffering with brain cancer and is recovering from surgery.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, and Pat King's cousin on your prayers today as well. .   
 
PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICEMEN
I have been compiling a list of servicemen who are members of St John's so that we can pray for them.  Below is a list of them and where they are currently stationed.  Please note that their stationing changes quickly, so this may not even be up to date, but it is the last known whereabouts that I have of these guys. 
 
Danny Dreyer-  Army- 2nd Lieutenant- Ranger, Ft. Benning, Georgia.
 
Sam Hargrove- Army- 2 Lieutenant- Ft Rucker, Alabama, will be going through helicopter flight school and other training
 
David Mincemeyer- Army- Army Specialist- Ft. Carson, CO
 
Jon Rahn- Navy- Hawaii, not sure of his rank at this time
 
David Tate- Air Force- 2nd Lieutenant- Jacksonville, Florida
 
Alex Walters- Navy- E4- Guam
 
Ryan Woolf- Air Force- Airman 1st Class- Buckley Air Force Base, near Denver, CO
 
 
If there are more out there that I just don't know about, please let me know, and I will include him/her on the list.
 
Also, if you would like your family member or friend included in this list, please reply to this email with all the information!
 
 
Pray for these guys.  Some of these guys are in harm's way right now, others are training to put themselves in harm's way.  All of them have volunteered to serve and protect their country (which is you). 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

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