Advent Week #4, Part 1: Let's MAKE People Believe!

walking in the truth during Advent

Luther on Church & State * 

Disclaimer #1:  This devotional is NOT directly referencing the Presidential election last month, but . . .  Disclaimer #2:  Either side could easily construe it as applying to the other side's candidate . . . DON'T DO IT! Please give this devotional a chance. Disclaimer #3:  It's the beginning of a long one. Please give it a chance anyway, because . . . Disclaimer #5:  I'm letting Martin Luther do the heavy lifting! Disclaimer #6:  Dr. Martin vs. Paul L? C'mon!

Dr. Luther's Devotional Thoughts + Truths from Scripture

"You must know that since the beginning of the world a wise prince is a mighty rare bird, & an upright prince even rarer. They are generally the biggest fools or the worst scoundrels on earth; therefore, one must constantly expect the worst from them & look for little good, especially in divine matters which concern the salvation of souls. They are God's executioners & hangmen; His divine wrath uses them to punish the wicked & to maintain outward peace. 
      "Our God is a great lord & ruler; this is why He must also have such noble, highborn, & rich hangmen & constables. He desires that everyone shall copiously accord them riches, honor, & fear in abundance. It pleases His divine will that we call His hangmen gracious lords, fall at their feet, & be subject to them in humility, so long as they do not ply their trade too far & try to become shepherds instead of hangmen.
      "If a prince should happen to be wise, upright, or a Christian, that is one of the great miracles, the most precious token of divine grace upon that land. Ordinarily the course of events is in accordance with the passage from Isaiah 3:4, "I will make boys their princes, and gaping fools shall rule over them;" and in Hosea 13:11, "I will give you a king in My anger, and take him away in My wrath." The world is too wicked, and does not deserve to have many wise & upright princes. Frogs must have their storks.

Prayer Thoughts for Advent **

The King shall come when morning dawns And light triumphant breaks,
When beauty gilds the eastern hills And life to joy awakes.

Not as of old a little child, To bear and fight and die,
But crowned with glory like the sun That lights the morning sky.

Oh, brighter than the rising morn When Christ, victorious rose
And left the lonesome place of death Despite the rage of foes.

Oh, brighter than that glorious morn Shall dawn upon our race
The day when Christ in splendor comes And we shall see His face.

The King shall come when morning dawns And light and beauty brings.
Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:  Come quickly, King of kings!


** SOURCE:  "The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns," Lutheran Service Book, #348.

* SOURCE:  Excerpted from Martin Luther, Luther's Works, Vol. 45, via The LCMS Reporter, May 2016.

Missionary News **

** Some major revisions have been made since the original post.

Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese are the two missionaries that Lois & I have adopted. They are preparing to serve in West Africa; it looks like they are on track to begin their mission & ministry over there soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes traveling to spread the word about the mission work in Africa & raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

"Change of plans--serving in Burkina Faso, West Africa. God has changed our plans. We will no longer be serving in Ghana, West Africa, but in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Through prayer & careful consideration it has been determined that God is leading us to this mission calling . . . God will continue to bless the work in Ghana through the capable hands of the missionaries & national pastors living there.
Specific prayer requests:  That we are able to learn the French & Moore' languages . . . For our transition from the Ghana mission call to the Burkina Faso mission call . . . For the mission work in West Africa . . . For the people of Burkina Faso so they are willing to hear & share God's Word . . . That God would provide men who want to be trained as leaders in Burkina Faso.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese