SHOUT

Isaiah 49:13  "Sing for joy, O heavens; shout, O earth. Break forth with song, O mountains, for the Lord has comforted His people, & will have compassion upon them in their sorrow." The Living Bible

GIVING

"God has made us to be givers. It isn't something we have to do in order to please Him so much as it's something we need to do to keep ourselves working properly. We are healthy & whole when we are both giving & receiving . . . As it happens, giving is to your benefit. It doesn't make you a saint or martyr to give. In giving you are simply reflecting G9d's image--He who gave everything." Daniel Taylor, Men's Devotional Bible

FOCUS

"Get your focus off the world & onto God. What people think or say has no bearing on eternity. Don't give them more power over you than they deserve, but choose to make your investment in the eternal & let the King work out the temporary for Himself." Michael DiMarco, Devotions for the God Guy

DEATH

"First, the only thing with the ability to comfort in the face of death is the Gospel, not futile trust placed in the person having been 'good.' A vague concept of reincarnation or a yearning for a mysterious ghostly afterlife will not bring comfort either. Such lies always mislead & disappoint. Only the mercy of God poured out at Calvary cleanses us, clothes us in our Lord's righteousness & ushers us into the joy of eternal life.

"Second, in the immediate shock of grief, the precious words of the Gospel may not penetrate the shroud of pain & confusion of suffering. The Gospel promises--true & divine though they be--will often sound insufficient to those deep in the pit. If, that is, they heard at all. In these moments, our compassionate presence may prove more of a blessing than our stumbling words." Rev. Robert Stroud, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2021

A PRAYER FOR PEACE

"Heavenly Father, God of peace & harmony, You would have Your children on earth live together in peace & quietness. Frustrate the plans of all evil men who would stir up violence & strife, spoil the weapons of those who delight in war & bloodshed, & according to Your will, end all wars in the world. Lead us to confess the truth of Your Word that from the lusts of our own hearts come wars & fighting among us. Help me by Your Word & Spirit to crucify my sinful flesh & to root out the evil that would lead to strife & discord, so that to the best of my ability, I may be at peace with my neighbor. Mercifully hear my prayer & grant us peace in our days. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Lutheran Book of Prayer

A HYMN FOR EPIPHANY

O Morning Star, How Fair & Bright, LSB #395, Sts. 4, 6

Almighty Father, in Your Son, You loved us when not yet begun Was this old earth's foundation! Your Son has ransomed us in love To live in Him here & above:  This is Your great salvation. Alleluia! Christ the living, To us giving Life forever, Keeps us Yours & fails us never!

What joy to know, when life is past, The Lord we love is first & last, The end & the beginning! He will one day, oh, glorious grace, Transport us to that happy place Beyond all tears & sinning! Amen! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Crown of gladness! We are yearning For the day of Your returning!