"Where is your wife Sarah?" They asked him.
"There in the tent," he said.
Then the Lord said, " I will surely return to you about tis time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."
Now Sarah was listening a the entrance too the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years., and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master's old, will I now have this pleasure?"
Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
Is anything too hard for God? That is a question we all need to ask, especially when we are facing difficult or impossible situations. When we think, "I can never be forgiven of such a thing." or "I don't think I can ever forgive him for what he did to me." You first need to realize that by your own power you cannot forgive anyone. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit breathed into you that you are able to forgive, and so you are able to forgive everyone as the Lord God has forgiven you!
Both Abraham and Sarah were too old to have kids, but God told them they would have a Son. They did. How many times has God told you to that His will would be done in your life and you just laughed? How many times has the impossible happened to you? How often has God done great things for you and to you?
The Lord God can work anything and everything out for you! He is GOD after all. He can especially save you from your sins if he wants to, just let Him do it!
Take time today to notice the power of God around you, in His creation, in the loving relationships with which he blesses you, in the wonderful church you have, and especially in His Son who saves you!
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for doing a miracle in me, for bringing me from death to life, for giving me a family to love, for giving me a place to live, a computer to read this devotion, and so much more! I love you God! Amen.
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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Why did God send the flood? (no one answered so I am leaving it up.
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CATECHISM:
Question: What difference will there be between believers and unbelievers in the resurrection?
Answer:
A. The believers will rise with glorified bodies and enter everlasting life in heaven with God.
B. The unbelievers will rise to eternal death, that is, to shame and torment in hell forever.
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CALENDAR
Mon- 7 and 8th grade confirmation 5-6:5
Tues- Quilters 9am; Bible study 11:30; DCE funding meeting 6:30; trustees 7pm
Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am; Elders meeting noon
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NEWS
WIDOW'S GROUP MEETING THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 at Evelyn Sherman's house for lunch at 12:30 and an afternoon of games.
All widows are welcome to attend!!
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YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION IS ONLY A MONTH AWAY!!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 9 at 6:30 pm, with doors opening at 6pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
The youth will be selling tickets after church after church the rest of this month so get yours as soon as you can. Every year is more exciting than the last, so don't miss out on a good time while helping the youth in their ministry!! If you have any questions about ticket, please call Barb Hargrove at 456-2235, or Christy Winn at 314-479-5543!!
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COMPUTERS AVAILABLE
The trustees will be removing old computers from the old computer room soon. If you want one, come to church and get it!
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TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP GROUP MEETING THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 at 9:30am. This is the first meeting to decide what trips to take in 2013! Everyone is invited!
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TWO USHERS ARE NEEDED!!!
We need two ushers to complete our teams of four. If you can help with this, please call Bob Linke 456-2332 or Walt Schirr 456-1526
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HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF
The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts. If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online.
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PRAYERS:
THANKSGIVING FOR LAURA ADAM'S DAD who is cancer free after his surgery in December.
For the KOPROWSKI FAMILY at the death of Ned's mother.
For the SCHIEN FAMILY, as both Ken and Joyce have moved to Jonesburg nursing home, Jennfier Berryman has moved ot Elsberry, and Joy and Brian will soon move to Pendleton.
For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.
For SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN, as she continues to deal with her heart issues.
For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. who is regaining her strength very slowly as she is recovering from an undiagnosed illness.
For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who continues to recover from a fall from his deer stand that left him paralyzed from the waist down. .
