Thursday, August 22, 2013

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By 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). 

 
"Poor at $149.4 Million"
August 22, 2013
three crossesBut this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23


You know, $149.4 million doesn't go as far as it used to.

That's why I wish Paul White of Minnesota good luck as he spends his winnings from this month's giant Powerball jackpot.

I say that because, for a number of reasons, White has me worried.

Certainly there's no problem with him having done a lot of day dreaming on how he would spend the money when he won. (I say "when" because White said he always "knew" he would win.) And even though he won't have his cash for a few weeks, there probably is no great difficulty with him having quit his job.

My worry is centered around White saying, I've always known I was "gonna win the lottery one day ... I've been waiting for this day my entire life." If he wasn't joking or exaggerating when he made those statements, I think his perspective is a sad one.

* It is sad because while the windfall that comes from winning the lottery might be a good thing, it is hardly that which gives purpose or meaning to an individual's life.

* It is sad because there are many Paul Whites out there who "know" they are going to win the lottery, but they never will. They are letting their precious God-given days slip by holding fast to a hope that will never be realized.

* It is sad because Scripture points out a different way, a better way for us to live. In the book of Lamentations it says, "I have hope ... (because) the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning."

What a difference in perspective!

When someone has faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, he knows he is never alone. That means no matter what pains and problems, difficulties and disasters the present day may have brought, he can wake up knowing the Lord is with him. Forgiven by Jesus' blood-bought sacrifice and His glorious resurrection, God's elect begin every day knowing they remain in the Lord's love and will continue to be recipients of His mercy.

All of this means nobody has to spend his entire life waiting for God's bounty. It is already there, and it will be there tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Because that is so, when an individual puts his head on the pillow, he can forget the disasters of this day and look forward to the next.

So, in one line what is the difference? It is this: while some people wait their entire lives for a remote possibility to become a reality, Christians live each day loved by God.

You don't have to be a prize-winning mathematician to know which person is the richer.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, although I don't deserve it, Your mercies are new every morning. May Your love surround me so that I may live every day in thanksgiving for my Savior, who has made each day of my life a blessed day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
 
Pastor KlausIn Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

 
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  When Jerusalem was to be taken captive how was Ezekiel to act?  He was not to mourn in any way.  He was to show no remorse.  
 
We also have this answer from Dianne which will fit as well.  it is just more from before they were taken captive.   
Ezekiel 3:24-26   God's spirit entered Ezekiel and raised him to his feet.  The Lord said to him, go home and shut yourself
up in the house.  You will be tied with ropes and not be able to go out in public.  The Lord paralyzed his tongue so that
he would not be able to warn the rebellious people.   Ezekiel was unable to talk.
 

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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Who was the king during the siege on Jerusalem?
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CALENDAR
Wed- Little Lambs meeting 6pm
Fri- assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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SUPPORT OUR MISSIONARY DENISE SCHLESSELMANN
She is still in need of about $8,000 (pledged or given) to be able to go!!!  Think of how you can support her today and DO IT!!!
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ADULT CHOIR STARTING NEXT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28 at 7pm!!!
If you are an adult (High school age and older) and you love to sing.  We have the perfect opportunity for you to serve the Lord and use your talents!!  Call Barb Dreyer at 359-1906 to tell her you want to sing and to get more info!  Practice begins Wednesday, August 28 at 7pm in the balcony. 
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FLOAT TRIP COMING UP MONDAY, SEPT 2!!!
What better way to celebrate Labor Day than with a 4 mile float down the river!  We will meet at the river at 10am!  The trip will be through Ozark Outdoors.  Please contact Teresa Scott to sign up.  tscott@usmo.com, cell 359-5041 or at Schraer H & C at 456-5041.  Remember, it is a float not a race.
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MEN'S RETREAT THIS SATURDAY AT THE SCHIRRS BEGINNING AT 8am
Make plans to join a bunch of guys for a time of relaxation, fellowship, and God's Word.  Call the church office TODAY to sign up.  Plenty of space still available!!
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RALLY DAY PICNIC COMING UP SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 at NOON!
 
Come out to Mim Dunn's house, 17488 Hickory Lick Rd, for a wonderful time of food, fellowship, and fun!  There are hiking trails, a picturesque lake for fishing and canoeing, and much more! 
 
We need help with hauling tables and chairs out there Saturday morning, and home again Sunday afternoon after the party, and we need a few more pop up canopies for shade and protection from the elements.  Call me at 359-1061 if you can help!
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MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN FOR THE DIRECTORY TODAY!!!  Call 456-2888!!!
 
When you come to get your picture taken, bring some canned food items in and get $5 off your picture order.  jhm
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MAKE SURE YOU ARE HERE FOR YOUR GROUP'S PICS!!!
August 25, 8:10am- Greeters, Acolytes, and Lay Readers
9:35- Ushers, Youth Group, Pianists, Projectionists.
 
Sept 8, 9:35am--Stephen Ministry, Board of Outreach, Altar Guild, and Sunday School teacher
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For DAVE CALLIES as he is having kidney stones removed today and will be having double knee replacement surgery on Sept 17.
 
For GREG, a friend of Charlie Figura, who is suffering with MRSA, a rare infection that is untreatable. 
 
For WILMA WEIGLE who is recovering from a slight stroke and will have surgery on August 27.
 
For NANCY SPINIOLAS who is having severe back and hip pain .
 
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is recovering from bladder surgery due to cancer.  
For RICK SPINIOLAS who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and continues to go through treatments.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to fight a tough battle against cancer.
For TYLER WEST, a little brother of a preschooler, who is going to have to have a third surgery to remove a tumor on his brain. .   
 
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). 
 
 
 
 
 


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