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DEVOTION: Psalm 25:1-10
25 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies
It is as if David is saying here, "Ok Lord, I am going to do as you say and I am going to put my trust in you alone. Don't let me down."
It may at times seem as though God has let you down. Maybe you prayed really hard for a loved one to be healed, and instead they died and went to heaven. Maybe you have asked God to give you a mate over and over again, and he hasn't done it yet, and it feels as though he may never do it. Maybe he is letting you languish in debt and in a job you don't like even though you have cried out to him about it many times. What's going on?
Well, we always have to understand that when it comes to earthly matters, God's will isn't always our will. Imagine if it was. How messed up would your life be if God always gave you what you asked for? Instead, he gives us what we need at just the right time. Sometimes that means going through hardships so that we learn to rely on Him. Sometimes that means we go through a time of discipline and correction so we learn to do God's will the way he wants it done. Sometimes it means waiting on the Lord to simply learn patience. Sometimes is means looking forward to heaven when you'll see your loved one again.
We need to remember that "All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness." And that "he leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way."
Instead of being mad at the Lord for not fulfilling all your wishes, first, thank the Lord that he hasn't, and second, look at all the things he has given you and taught you instead. Third, thank him for his correction, discipline, and teaching of his ways!
Let us pray: Lord, thank you for not giving me everything I want but giving me everything I need, even when it doesn't feel good at the time. Help me to understand your ways so I can be satisfied in you. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15
Ladies Aid will serve a luncheon following Dianne Hance's funeral at St. John's on Thursday, December 3rd. Funeral,11 am, luncheon following. We need donations of salads, vegetables and desserts only. No hot dishes.
If you would like to donate a dish please call Lil Winter @ 636-585-2525; Joan Sexton, 636-456-5437 or Nancy Peterson, 660-619-8474.
We could use some help with clean up after the luncheon since some of our ladies are unavailable to serve. Perhaps 2 of our PALS would be able to volunteer. Please let me know by e-mail, lindacallies@centurylink.net or call me at 636-456-4228
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ORDER YOUR POINSETTIAS TO BE PLACED IN THE CHANCEL (ALTAR AREA) FOR CHRISTMAS IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF SOMEONE OR JUST AS A THANK YOU TO THE LORD FOR HIS CHURCH!!
$13.50 each
Sign up on the table in the narthex or call the church office.
Pay in the office or put your payment in the offering plate, but make sure it is CLEARLY MARKED "For POINSETTIA".
You can take them home with you after worship on Christmas Day!
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PROJECTIONISTS STILL NEEDED THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR FOR THESE DATES!!!!
