GOD IS MERCIFUL

Daniel 9:9. “But the Lord our God is merciful, & pardons even those who have rebelled against Him.” The Living Bible

JESUS CAME TO HELP

"Anybody who was hurt, sick, mistreated, lonely, disenfranchised or condemned--people like you& me--were the ones Jesus came to help." Jim Conway, Men's Devotional Bible

TRUTH

"You are never too young to judge truth for yourself, & the only excuse you might have is that you don't know enough. But you can't let that stop you. The Word is available to everyone who is willing to look into it . . . If you believe something to be true, check it against God's Word. You might be surprised how many 'truths' you find out to be complete & total lies. Don't let the world pull the wool over your eyes. Run it all by God & His Word before you believe a word of it." Michael DiMarco, Devotions for the God Guy 

WHY SOME BELIEVE & SOME DON'T

"Why some believe & others do not is not a question for us to ponder. The question Jesus asks is, 'Who do you say that I am?' (Matt. 16:15) We do better to concern ourselves with hearing the Gospel & receiving the Sacraments often so that He who began a good work in us will carry it to completion (Phil. 1:6). This Gospel drives us to God revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ in whom He desires to be known (John 1:18)." Rev. Clint Stark, The Lutheran Witness, Aug. 2021

REBUKING THE GOVERNMENT

"Whatever concerns the earthly government over house & home, money & goods has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit & Christ. He lets their wisdom, rights, & order go & remain as they are, for the world has the command to rule & judge what is to be praised or rebuked in such things. So also He does not rebuke the offices & various estates of the world, which are God's creation & order. Rather, the reason He rebukes the world (that is, the people who rule in their government most laudably) is that they want to interfere in God's matters & government with their reason & wisdom, & they presume to find & judge how people are to serve God. They think that God must let whatever they assert be right & pleasing to Him." A Year in the Gospels with Martin Luther

TODAY'S HYMN

Faith & Truth & Life Bestowing (LSB # 584)

Faith & truth & life bestowing, Open now the Scriptures, Lord, See to life eternal sowing, Scattered in the wind abroad. Let not hearts, Your Word receiving, Like a barren field be found, Choked with thorns & unbelieving, Shallow earth of stony ground.

May the Spirit's pow'r unceasing Bring to life the hidden grain, Daily in our hearts increasing, Bearing fruit that shall remain. So in Scripture, song, & story, Savior, may Your voice be heard. Till our eyes behold Your glory Give us ears to hear Your Word.