DEVOTION: The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. SO God looked in the Israelites and was concerned about them. Exodus 2:23-25 (Then after God delivered them from Egypt) They said to Moses "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us out here to die? What have you done with us bringing us out of Egypt?" Exodus 14:11-14 It sure is cold today isn't it? Boy, our economy sure stinks these days doesn't it? How about our government, they can't seem to get anything done, can they?
If you thought I was overly complaining, you are right. If you look at the Bible verses above, they are just a sample of how much the Israelites liked to complain. They complained while they were in slavery and they complained when they were out of slavery. They complained that they wanted to get out of Egypt and when they got out, they complained that they weren't in Egypt. What a nation of complainers they were.
But are we any different? We sure do like to complain, don't we? We can complain about just about anything. We complain when it is too hot, we complain when it is too cold, and some of us even can complain when everything is just right.
Psalm 118:24 says something totally different. It says this: "This is the day that the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Every day is a day the Lord has made. The sun only rises and sets because God allows it to. You breathe your very breath only because the Lord allows you to.
It is as if the Lord is saying, "GET OVER IT! GET OVER YOURSELF! Stop your pity party and rejoice! It is the Lord's day, not yours! Rejoice and be glad that He has had mercy on you, allowed you to live another day, and will take you to be with Him for eternity. Thank Him for all of the wonderful things He has given you! Rejoice and be glad for the Lord has had favor upon you and granted you His salvation!
Prayer: Lord God, help us not to complain so much. Instead, help us to rejoice and be glad in YOUR day! Amen.
_______________________________________________________________________________________LAST TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What was the name of the daughter of Jacob who was raped by Shechem? (A very interesting story by the way. Check it out in Genesis 34.
Dinah, daughter of Jacob and Leah was raped by Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite. Interesting story, I'm sure Dinah was NOT in love with her attacker and sure
as heck did not want to marry him! (Just wondering if anyone else besides Dianne Hance reads or answers the question of the day? How about you?) Thanks Dianne!!
Question: What privilege and command does God give to those who believe in Jesus Christ?Answer: God commands and invites believers in Jesus Christ to pray. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDARTues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15Fri- assemble newsletter
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- LIFE SUNDAY; worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWSLIFE SUNDAY IS THIS COMING SUNDAY, JANUARY 27!!!
Delores Desemone, president of the Lutheran for Life Chapter of St. Charles County Area, will be here to make a presentation about Lutherans for Life and how we as individuals and as a congregation can be involved in honoring the sanctity of human life at all ages and stages. She will be providing us with baby bottle banks, that we can fill with money to support LIFE in our own community and throughout the world. ______________________________________________________________ YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION IS THREE WEEKS AWAY!!Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 9 at 6:30 pm, with doors opening at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to attend! The youth will be selling tickets after church after church the rest of this month so get yours as soon as you can. Every year is more exciting than the last, so don't miss out on a good time while helping the youth in their ministry!! If you have any questions about ticket, please call Barb Hargrove at 456-2235, or Christy Winn at 314-479-5543! ____________________________________________________ HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts. If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering from an infection in the hospital. For PHYLLIS HOELSCHER and her family at the death of her Aunt Sue. For ROBERT and BRITTANY BAX AND THEIR CHILDREN, grandchildren and great grandchildren of CAROL BOEGER, as they lost their home to a fire last week. For SCOTT AND MARY QUIRK, as they lost their seven year old daughter to a brain tumor this past weekend. For NORMAN AND MARIAN TEMME, brother and sister in law of Harold Temme and Lois Frick, as Norman is dealing with dementia and Marian is nearing the end of her life on hospice care. For MARCUS HENDERSHOT, son of Marvin and Molly, as he goes through interviews to get a job closer to his family. For JEFF WINN AND AMBER VOSSEN as their grandpa died yesterday. For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who will be going home from the hospital this Friday.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
