LHM Daily Devotion Special Edition - May 21, 2013



Lutheran Hour Ministries

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®

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"They Went with Him"

May 21, 2013

(Jesus said) ... "Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them. Mark 10:14b-16

I don't much like death. Understand, I'm not particularly afraid of him, but I sure don't like him.

That's especially true when he shows up like he did on Monday in Moore, Oklahoma. You've seen how he arrived cloaked in a 200 mph wind, which tossed oil tankers as if they were empty beer cans, knocking down concrete block walls, and erasing brick homes. We've seen the video of how death frustrated the efforts of teachers who did their best to protect the children entrusted to them, and how he broke the hearts of parents who -- when they gave their children a hug and kiss at the beginning of the day -- never thought it would be the last their child would receive from them ... at least in this world. No, none of us like it when death comes so powerfully, so capriciously, so without purpose.

But the main reason I don't like death when he comes this way is because when people try to make sense of the tragedy, they often end up blaming the Lord. They think God is cruel because He didn't use His omnipotence to stop the calamity. They feel God is heartless to snuff out the lives of children and make their parents miserable. They say, "It is God's will because nothing ever happens without God's approving nod."

If you have ever felt or said any of those things about the Divinity, I'd like to set the record straight.

To do that I would like to give you an idea, a simple sentence to hold on to when death comes and things no longer make sense. That single line is this: God loves children more than anyone else.

As proof, I submit this: while parents give their children life, God bestows eternal life on all who believe. While good parents make sacrifices for their children's future, God sacrificed His own Son so children might have eternal life. The Gospels show us how the Father allowed His perfect, innocent Son to die for our little ones. In His life on the cross and, most of all, at the empty and open tomb of Resurrection Sunday, Jesus broke the stranglehold of death. Because the Savior lives, those who know and acknowledge Him as their Rescuer, their Redeemer, will also live.

That is the truth of Christianity.

So let's apply that to Moore, Oklahoma, and to your own situation, if there be such a need. On Monday, when the wind came howling, when the debris was flying, when the walls were crumbling, Jesus came to His children, extended His nail-pierced palm and said, "Here, take My hand. Let Me get you away from this scary place. Let Me take you to be where the sun doesn't burn, the wind doesn't whip, and your hands never freeze when you play in the snow."

And so it was. Before the tornado had stopped, before the search dogs came, before the debris around them was moved, the children trustingly took Jesus' hand and went with Him -- just as, someday their parents and you and I will do. They went to spend eternity with Jesus, the One who loves them best, the One who has made a place where death is not allowed to come.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, when things are hard and no longer make sense, may we remember just how much You love us and what You have done to save us. Then, remembering, may we be comforted by Your grace and goodness. This I pray in the Name of Jesus who loves me best of all. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Lutheran Hour Ministries
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    $57 more needed for Little Lambs to win a prize with their St. Jude's bike/trike athon

     
     
     
    If you would like to donate to this worthy cause you can just make a check out to St. Jude's and either give it to Karin or Lisa or put it in the offering plate on Sunday (if you do that make sure you mark the envelope and the check for Little Lambs/St. Jude's).
     
    Or you can call Karin or Lisa here at church and work it out with them.  456-2888

    Tuesday, May 21, 2013

    DEVOTION:
    "He who answers before listening-- that is his folly and his shame."  Proverbs 18:13
     
    Did you ever wonder why God gave you two ears and one mouth?  That is so you listen twice as much as you talk. 
     
    This is extremely hard for us to do, because, as human beings, we are selfish and self centered and we always think that we need to be heard and what we have to say is more important than what the other person has to say. 
     
    Yet, God gave us the ability to listen and to care for others.  The one new command of Jesus is to love one another.  We can't do that if all we are thinking about is ourselves. 
     
    This works itself out in the church best when all of the groups listen to each other and care for each others needs first.  The young people listen to the old people and gain wisdom and understanding from them and learn that older folks need ministering too.   The older folks listen to the younger folks to know where they are coming from and  to know what they need to learn , and that these kids are full of the Spirit and ready to share the good news of Jesus.  Parents listen o kids.  Kids listen to parents.  Pastor listens to the people, and the people listen to their pastor.  Husband to wives and wives to husbands. 
     
    My encouragement to you is that you use your ears today, and listen to the needs of others.  You just might be able to do something about it, grow closer in your relationships, show love, and serve God while you do.  I know it's hard, but just try it, just for a day.  See what happens!
     
    Prayer:  Lord God, thank you for blessing us with ears to hear.  Help us to use them to Your glory!  Amen.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
    MONDAY'S QUIZ: Name a chapter or at least a verse in Proverbs that speaks against adultery. Pam said that chapter five is all about adultery and Bob said 6:32 also talks about it.  There are lots of other verses as well.  Solomon knew a lot about it from experience and it cost him a lot of peace and happiness in his life.
    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
    TUESDAY'S QUIZ: According to Proverbs what are some kinds of things a fool does?
    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
    CALENDAR
    Tues- No Bible study today
    Wed- Last day of school; 6-12 graders camping at Mim Dunn's house beginning at 5pm
    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
    ________________________________________________________________________________________________
    6-12 GRADERS LAST DAY OF SCHOOL CAMP OUT WEDNESAY NIGHT, MAY 22!!!
    We will be camping out at Mim Dunn's house and enjoying her wonderful facilities including a lake, tennis courts, a wonderful fire pit and much, much more!!!
    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
    RIVER CITY RASCAL'S GAME THIS FRIDAY AT T.R. HUGHES BALLPARK!!!!
    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
    Pastor
     
     
    Cost is $25 which includes all you can eat and drink.  We will leave from church at 6pm.
    _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
    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!
    _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
    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 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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