Wednesday, July 24, 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). 

 
 
"Steadfast Love"
July 24, 2013
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption. Psalm 130:7
 
It was in May that three women made the headlines when they were, after more than a decade of being kidnapped, taken from the house of Ariel Castro. 

Since then I have spent considerable time thinking about those ladies. I wondered just how messed up would a person be after having endured such an ordeal? Now, because of a videotape made by the three, there are some answers to that question.

One of the women, 32-year-old Michelle Knight, shared her thoughts. In part, she said, "I just want everyone to know that I'm doing just fine. ... Walking hand-in-hand with my Best Friend, I will not let the situation define who I am. ... " Ms. Knight added, "We have been hurt by people, but we need to rely on God. ... God has a plan for all of us. ..."

For me it was almost as if she had echoed the words of the Psalmist: "With the Lord there is steadfast love and plenteous redemption." Over the years I have heard a number of other people, people involved in terrible situations, say the same thing.

Although the circumstance and situation of their pains and problems differed dramatically, they all found that no matter how dark the news they had received, no matter how bleak their future appeared to be, no matter how many things seemed to be going wrong, the Lord's love had been given to them in equal and overflowing measure.

And if you're wondering what made the faith of these folks so special, I have a couple thoughts.

First, these folks had a major difficulty in their lives. If you had talked to them before that problem, they would not have seemed to possess a storehouse full of unused faith. No, the Lord gave them what they needed to handle the situation. By that I mean when their need increased, the Lord's presence and power did the same.

That's the first part of the answer.

The second part goes hand in hand with the first. For these folks Jesus was not just someone they read about in the Bible. For them His story was not long ago and far away.

On the contrary, for them Jesus was really present in their lives. Most certainly He was their Redeemer from sin, death and Satan -- the One who had given His life to win their salvation.

But Jesus was also very much present in their lives and in their sickrooms. Jesus was their ever-present Benefactor and Bestower of blessings.

All of this takes me to this simple truth: Jesus' care and compassion is not confined just to the lives of a few select people. He is willing to be there for all of us and help us through whatever nastiness life dishes out. This is why we can, like them, always "hope in the Lord."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that You, along with saving me for all eternity, will also give me what I need for every day. In Jesus I give thanks. 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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LAST WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: Where is the verse "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,'  declares the Lord."  found?  Isaiah 55:8  Good job Pam Dianne, and Bob!!!

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THIS WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  Find three verses that talk about Jesus in the book of Isaiah.  

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CALENDAR

Wed-  Pastor in workshop all day today and tomorrow; Ministry Growth Campaign meeting TONIGHT at 7pm. 

Sat- worship 5pm

Sun worship 8:30; Sunday School 9:30; worship 11

 

 

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MINISTRY GROWTH PRESENTATION TONIGHT!

Andrew Nelson, DCE from Chapel of the Cross in St. Peters, will be at church to talk about what he does as a DCE there.   

 

 Those in elder groups 4, 5, and 6 are expected to be there!! 

 

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 the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF DOMINIC GENTILE, a friend to many at church and in the community, who passé away.

 

For WILMA WEIGLE who is recovering from a slight stroke and will have to have surgery soon.

 

A prayer of THANKSGIVING For a grandchild of a friend of Sandy Robine, 9 year old ANNA STETZEL, who is home and recovering well after open heart surgery.

 

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 RICK SPINIOLAS who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and continues to go through treatments.

 

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).