DEVOTION: Psalm 119:33-40 English Standard Version (ESV)
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
From where does our power to keep God's commands come? Does it come from our own ability and our own will? NO! Do we somehow get better at it on our own as we practice? NO!
Then how do we keep God's commands if it isn't from our own power and ability? It is from God! God gives us understanding! God leads us in the right path. God inclines our heart to his testimonies. God turns our eyes from worthless things. He gives us life in his ways. I could go on through the rest of the passage, but I think you get the point.
If you want to serve God then let go of yourself, your own selfish ambitions, your own self righteousness, your pride, and let the Holy Spirit rule in your heart and life! Pray to him this prayer from David and then get out of the way!
Most importantly, realize that while you are here on this earth in your mortal body, your mind and body will be fighting against it the whole way. Realize that your spirit and body will be fighting against each other until the coming of the Lord Jesus. So the best thing you can do to serve God and to be a witness to Christ is to humble yourself enough to every day, continually confess your sins, turn from them, and be forgiven! That indeed, is the way of the Lord!
Prayer, Lord, teach me your ways, lead me in your paths, fill me with your Spirit, and then do your will in and through me. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Mon- Confirmation 5:15-6:30
Tues- Board of Outreach meeting 8am; Quilting 9-2; Trustees meeting 7pm
Wed- Ladies Aid noon; Choir 7
Thurs- Newsletter deadline; Lutheranism 101 6:30pm
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershots 7
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Voters meeting 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Gus Klaustermeier??? 11- Lydia Miller???
Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean up- Sandy Robine
Elders- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Al Benton; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Jim and Vickie McRae; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Lay Readers- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Erv Yoder??? (Erv is out of town. Anyone want to take this for him?); 11- Steve Robine
Piano- Molly Hendershot