Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour MinistriesBy Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 
"Does It Sound Like God?"July 18, 2013
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 "Chutzpah" is a Yiddish word used to describe someone who is shamelessly bold. Usually, chutzpah is not a compliment.
Dr. Mark Barclay of Mark Barclay Ministries has chutzpah. I say that because in May Dr. Barclay sent out a letter asking his supporters to contribute $79,000. Seventy-nine thousand dollars is a lot of money. Still, it takes a lot of money to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit those in prison.
Sadly, Dr. Barclay was not going to use the 79-
thou for the hungry, the naked, or the prisoner. He needed the money to do a complete paint job on his ministry's private jet. No, that's not right. With considerable chutzpah, Dr. Barclay said, "Actually, the airplane does belong to Him (God) and not me and is used for His ministry and not personal use."
In our text above, the apostle John said we should tests the spirits to see if they come from God. Well, let's take a look at the legitimacy of Dr. Barclay's request: First, why would the Lord need a private jet? When Jesus walked this earth, well, He
walked this earth. Second, if this
really is God's jet, why doesn't He say the word and make the rust go away? Third, if I look at the jet's passenger list, I wonder whose name will appear more often: Dr. Barclay's or God's.
In this particular request, Dr. Barclay gets an "A" in chutzpah and an "F" in faithfulness.
Is that sour grapes on my part? Not at all.
God's ministers have been given the charge to share God's gracious message of salvation. We are privileged to tell a lost and dying world about the salvation that has been won by God's sinless Son through His life, His death, and His glorious resurrection from the dead.
The message of forgiveness-of-sins-made-possible-through-Jesus'-blood is the heart and soul of every sermon that is preached. When that gracious truth is accompanied with encouragement for God's people to leave their sinful lives behind and do everything in thanksgiving to the Lord, the pastor has preached -- and the people have heard -- a pretty complete sermon.
But when a pastor goes beyond that message of salvation, when he wanders far from the directives contained in the pages of Holy Writ, he is on thin ice. That preacher may have chutzpah, but that doesn't mean he has done what His Lord has asked. Indeed, he may even be working at cross purposes to what God expects.
This is why this devotion encourages every one of you to test the spirit of every message you hear. If the preacher promotes his ministry more than that of the Savior, if he says, "This message comes from God," but it doesn't sound like anything your God has ever said in the Bible, then, my friends, it is time to run like the devil.
Or maybe I should say it's time to run
from the devil. That's not chutzpah, that's just plain smart.
THE PRAYER: "Dear Lord, Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word. Curb those who fain by craft and sword, would wrest the Kingdom from Thy Son. And set at naught all He hath done." In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Taken from
The Lutheran Hymnal, 261, verse 1)
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of
The Lutheran Hour®Lutheran Hour Ministries
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What modern day country is where Babylon was located? Irag (Good job Dianne and Pam!)
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: Where is the verse "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord." found?
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CALENDAR
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun worship 8:30; Sunday School 9:30; worship 11; Car Rally noon
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AVENUE OF THE SAINTS IS HERE THIS SUNDAY AT 11AM!!
Be there or be square!! Make sure you invite your friends!!!
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MINISTRY GROWTH PRESENTATION WENT GREAT LAST NIGHT!
Even though attendance was low as some are out of town on vacation and others were working, it was still a good start to our program!!
Danielle Mizel, the DCE from Holy Cross, spoke very well about what she does. Jennifer Figura and Allan Dreyer did terrific leading the last portion of the presentation, and the cookies from Lani Heitgerd were terrific!
Those in elder groups 4, 5, and 6 are up for next week!!
ALL OF YOU need to be at church to hear and see a very important presentation by your Ministry Growth Committee on the need for a DCE to help to grow our young people in the faith.
The gathering shouldn't take more than an hour and will be jam packed full of information. Refreshments will be provided!!
Please plan on coming!!
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Summer Sunday School will be 9:45am -10:45am with Mrs. KLAUSTERMEIER this Sunday!
Like last year with a fun mini VBS type theme.
We will be doing the Fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Parents do you see a quality you would like your child(ren) to have more of. Come join us for some fun lessons, games, and snacks.
We will meet in the preschool room the whole time.
Also I will take any big kid helpers who want to show up too!!!
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GOLF OUTING (4 person scramble) TO SUPPORT LITTLE LAMBS IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY MORNING AUGUST 10th. $60 per person includes- 2 mulligans, Special hole contests, Cash prizes by flight, Lunch with pork steaks and sides.
7am- Registration begins
8am- Shotgun start
1pm Lunch and awards
$15 per person for Lunch only
Hole Sponsorship (tee box sign) $50 per hole
Entry flyers with all of the details are available in the narthex or the office!!
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For LIL WINTER as she continues to struggle greatly with diverticulitis and it is keeping her from doing just about anything.
For WILMA WEIGLE who is recovering from a slight stroke and will have to have surgery soon.
For a grandchild of a friend of Sandy Robine, 9 year old ANNA STETZEL, who is having her 3rd heart surgery today, July 16th, at Cardinal Glennon Hospital.
For TONI MAUCH'S SISTER IN LAW JoAnn Knoll, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be having a lumpectomy and treatments in the next few weeks. JoAnn is a survivor of colon cancer. Please pray for her and my brother, Ray
For WILMA SMITH who is hospitalized with problems due to dementia.
For JILL JACOBSMEYER as she recovers from knee surgery at home.
A prayer of thanksgiving for DAVE CALLIES who seems to be out of pain after a brief hospitalization due to back pain and medication troubles. (It may be a genuine miracle!!)
For NANCY SPINIOLAS who is still dealing with a lot of pain as the electric stimulator isn't working for her. .
For RUTH WALTERS who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is recovering from bladder surgery due to cancer.
For JESSE ULERY as he is suffering from a very painful muscle strain.
For RICK SPINIOLAS who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and continues to go through treatments. .
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, GERMANY
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).
