11 years ago
Daily Devotion: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
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).
"An Unexpected Turn"
October 21, 2014
(Jesus said) "And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:10-13
What would you do if you were told you had cancer and thought you didn't have long to live?
Most folks would put their affairs in order. They would check a few things off their bucket list. They would visit with family and friends. They would apologize for past offenses and say, "I love you" whenever and to whomever those words might be appropriate.
Shirley Player, a 61-year-old British woman, went a different route.
Having lost two sisters to cancer, and knowing her time was just around the corner, she began stealing from her employer. Believing she wouldn't be around for her family's future, she used the money to provide them with a few gifts and good memories. Those few gifts and memories cost her employer about $92,000 a year.
Player took that $92,000 each year for seven years. She might have continued if an audit of the company's books hadn't revealed what she had been doing.
Player's theft, for the purpose of giving "gifts and memories," is going to cost her four years in prison. And if you expect me to say Player is going to spend her last months and days in prison, you would be wrong. You see, Player's cancer is gone, and she has been given a clean bill of health.
So, what would you do if you thought you had a limited time to live?
Many people, along with the list of items I shared above, also change their relationship with the Lord. For some folks the news of their imminent demise gets them very angry with God, and they divorce themselves from all things spiritual. Most of the time people who have had a casual relationship with God suddenly get serious.
When I say "serious," that means the attendance and offering figures of these frightened souls is increased manifold. That's not a bad thing. It's just a sad thing.
* It's sad that it often takes an upcoming guest appearance by the Grim Reaper to motivate people to appreciate the gifts they have received through the Savior's sacrifice.
* It's sad they have to face the prospect of losing their earthly lives before they are really grateful for the eternal life Jesus has won for them on Calvary's cross and at His borrowed and empty tomb.
All of this leads this devotion to conclude if something is worth cherishing when you are facing death, maybe that same thing should be appreciated while you are enjoying life.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I do not know if the time before me is long or short. I know only that You have given me this moment. May I make the best use of each moment in glorifying You and helping my neighbor. In Jesus' Name I ask it. 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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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What did God do to Zechariah when he questioned him about the birth of his son, John the Baptist? He shut his mouth (made him mute) until John was born.
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).
"An Unexpected Turn"
October 21, 2014
(Jesus said) "And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:10-13What would you do if you were told you had cancer and thought you didn't have long to live?
Most folks would put their affairs in order. They would check a few things off their bucket list. They would visit with family and friends. They would apologize for past offenses and say, "I love you" whenever and to whomever those words might be appropriate.
Shirley Player, a 61-year-old British woman, went a different route.
Having lost two sisters to cancer, and knowing her time was just around the corner, she began stealing from her employer. Believing she wouldn't be around for her family's future, she used the money to provide them with a few gifts and good memories. Those few gifts and memories cost her employer about $92,000 a year.
Player took that $92,000 each year for seven years. She might have continued if an audit of the company's books hadn't revealed what she had been doing.
Player's theft, for the purpose of giving "gifts and memories," is going to cost her four years in prison. And if you expect me to say Player is going to spend her last months and days in prison, you would be wrong. You see, Player's cancer is gone, and she has been given a clean bill of health.
So, what would you do if you thought you had a limited time to live?
Many people, along with the list of items I shared above, also change their relationship with the Lord. For some folks the news of their imminent demise gets them very angry with God, and they divorce themselves from all things spiritual. Most of the time people who have had a casual relationship with God suddenly get serious.
When I say "serious," that means the attendance and offering figures of these frightened souls is increased manifold. That's not a bad thing. It's just a sad thing.
* It's sad that it often takes an upcoming guest appearance by the Grim Reaper to motivate people to appreciate the gifts they have received through the Savior's sacrifice.
* It's sad they have to face the prospect of losing their earthly lives before they are really grateful for the eternal life Jesus has won for them on Calvary's cross and at His borrowed and empty tomb.
All of this leads this devotion to conclude if something is worth cherishing when you are facing death, maybe that same thing should be appreciated while you are enjoying life.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I do not know if the time before me is long or short. I know only that You have given me this moment. May I make the best use of each moment in glorifying You and helping my neighbor. In Jesus' Name I ask it. 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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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What did God do to Zechariah when he questioned him about the birth of his son, John the Baptist? He shut his mouth (made him mute) until John was born.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Herod order done in Bethlehem when he found out that the "King of Kings" Jesus was born there?
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; Praise Band practice 6-7:30; Council meeting 7pm
Wed- Choir 7pm
Thurs- Karate 5:30-7:30
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- Wedding 2pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; Building reserved for 4H 1-9pm; Jr/Sr. Hi fishing 5pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Kailyn Blechle 11- Ian Brunson
Altar guild- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up-- Lois Boeger
Greeters- 8:30- Pam Linke; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Communion Assistants- Sat- Rich Boeger; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier, 8:30- Christy Winn, 11- Bella Linstruth
8:30 Ushers- Scott Heitgerd, Tom Linke, Alex Heitgerd, Bob Linke
Projectors- Sat-- Pam Bueltmann; 8:30- Terry McKenzie, 11- Jacob Cluver
Pianists/organists Sat- Tim Sherman; Sun- Gene HIlgendorf 11am- Praise band
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Sat- Wedding 2pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; Building reserved for 4H 1-9pm; Jr/Sr. Hi fishing 5pm
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Kailyn Blechle 11- Ian Brunson
Altar guild- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up-- Lois Boeger
Greeters- 8:30- Pam Linke; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Communion Assistants- Sat- Rich Boeger; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier, 8:30- Christy Winn, 11- Bella Linstruth
8:30 Ushers- Scott Heitgerd, Tom Linke, Alex Heitgerd, Bob Linke
Projectors- Sat-- Pam Bueltmann; 8:30- Terry McKenzie, 11- Jacob Cluver
Pianists/organists Sat- Tim Sherman; Sun- Gene HIlgendorf 11am- Praise band
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NEWS:
COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT AT 7PM!! BE THERE!!
We have to get a budget together and also put a Nominating Committee together!
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LET"S GO FISHING!!
The jr/sr high youth are invited to go fishing on Sunday, October 26!! We will meet at church at 4pm and head over to George and Phyllis Hoelscher's pond. Please bring your own supplies! Let Kelsey know if you are able to go. We also need parents to drive!! Let Kelsey know about that too!
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QUILT TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUILTERS!!
$1 each or 6 for $5!! The qult will be awarded to the lucky individual on Saturday, November 15!! Proceeds are given to several local charities!
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY GUIDES AND BUSINESS DIRECTORIES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX
Support your local businesses! Pick up a directory and use it to call on your friends and neighbors to do the things you need to get done!
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TRUNK OR TREAT ON HALLOWEEN!!!
Bring your kids, bring a pot of chili, and your carved pumpkins to our 3rd annual Trunk-or-treat!! THis is a fun and safe environment to have your kids go trick-or-treating and it's fun for the whole family. We will also be having a chili cook off and a pumpkin carving contest! There will be prizes for thw inners. Event starts at 5pm with chili judging and then we will serve al the chili till 6:30. If you plan on being in the chili contest; please calling the church office, or emailing Kelsey at koverbeck@live.com. Trunk or treat will go until 8pm.
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PATRIOT PACKAGES WILL BE PACKED AT THE WARRENTON ARMORY ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15!!
You may donate small travel size personal hygiene items, gum, comic books, magazines, or cash. A full list of needed items will be available soon. These packages are sent to troops out on the front line and battle fields around the world.
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Kelsey updates our website weekly! Check it out!! www.stjohnwarrenton.org
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PRAYER REQUESTS: (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
For WYATT BROOCKE, a friend of Lisa Rausch and others in the congregation) who is nearing the end of his life due to pancreatic cancer.
For BEVERLY WAALEN who has been placed on hospice care and is nearing the end of her earthly life.
For RICK SPINIOLAS who is hospitalized with complications due to cancer.
For my aunt, LOIS RICHARDSON, as she remains hospitalized with heart issues due to diabetes along with many other health problems including kidney dialysis and seizures.
For DONNA HEITGERD as she continues to recover from hip surgery.
For SCOTT CLARK who is recovering from back surgery.
A prayer of THANKSGIVING for DERIK ROLOFF, who has been given a clean bill of health after his surgery. No cancer has been detected.
For THOSE IN DANGER, THOSE SUFFERING, AND THOSE MOURNING THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES DUE TO EBOLA, that the Lord would find a cure and an antidote for it.
For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.
For our NATION'S MILITARY LEADERS AND SOLDIERS as they figure out what to do about the imminent threats from ISIS.
For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.
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