TODAY'S VERSE

Ezekiel 34:23.  “And I will set one Shepherd over all my people, even My Servant, David. He shall feed them & be a Shepherd to them.” The Living Bible

JESUS OUR BROTHER

"Jesus our brother opens up the way for us to come in our weaknesses, temptations & failures. He is with us in sympathy & help, not at the end of our struggle, but all the way through." Reuben Welch, Men's Devotional Bible

SUFFERING

"Christ never verbally abused those who verbally abused Him. When He suffered, He didn't make any threats but left everything to the one who judges fairly. (1 Peter 2:23) "The world tries to convince even strong believers that their battle is against flesh & blood people  that they have to fight back, when in fact the opposite is true. The battle isn't ours; it is the Father's. When people attack you, slander you, or cut you down, your natural reaction is to want revenge, but that is never an act of obedience. If Christ, whose very life was being beaten & drained from Him, didn't find it necessary to retaliate or to fight back, then why would we who aren't facing anything nearly as gruesome think we have a fight on our hands? . . . Be very happy when others attack, because the testing of your faith develops endurance & maturity. You can trust that these words are true & that Gods power is sufficient." Michael DiMarco, Devotions for the God Guy.  COMMENT: I confess that I really need to take this to heart when I am faced by the words & actions of those who oppose my politics & morals, especially on Facebook.

A DIFFERENT BOOK

"God's Word is a different government, & the Holy Scriptures are a different book than human speech 7 writings. St. Gregory said it well (& found a good proverb):  Scripture is the kind of water in which a large elephant must swim, but a lamb can walk through on foot. It speaks clearly & brightly enough for the common people but, on the other hand, so profoundly to thw ise & very intelligent that they cannot comprehend it." COMMENT:  The more time I spend in Scripture, the more I realize I don't know.

THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR

"What should the USA do going forward? Send troops to train Ukrainian forces, provide air support, fight on the ground or focus on humanitarian aid? In a democratic republic, all citizens should enter this discussion. For Christians, this is a calling from God to consider our Ukrainian neighbors' needs, honor law, use reason & respectfully voice our views. Parents should talk with their children. Citizens of good will & wisdom may disagree based on how they understand available resources, assessed risk & other priorities. Finally, citizens should talk with their representatives & vote. Christians honor God-given civil authority & do their part to defend the good, punish the evil & work toward a better, more just peace. This requires sacrificial love, especially for those in the military." Rev. Jonathan Shaw, The Lutheran Witness, June/July, 2022

PRAYER FOR OUR ARMED FORCES *

* Source:  Lutheran Service Book

"Lord God of hosts, strength forth Your almighty arm to strengthen & protect those who serve in the armed forces of our country. Support them in times of war, & in times of peace keep them from all evil, giving them courage & loyalty. Grant that in all things they may serve with integrity & with honor; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."  NOTE:  We have 2 nephews who serve in the Navy, one of whom is deployed, & we have a son-in-law who serves in the Nebraska Air National Guard. He also is currently deployed.

TODAY'S HYMN

My HopeIs Built on Nothing Less (LSB #576, St. 1)

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood & righteousness; No merit of my own I claim But wholiy lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.