THE LORD WILL SAVE

Micah 7:7.  “As for me, I look to the Lord for His help; I wait for God to save me; He will hear me.” The Living Bible

ASK

"Asking is a way of life lived with an open hand. To ask is to depend on someone other than yourself. It is very humbling . . . That's why Jesus says we should ask. Asking puts us back on track with God. It assumes a need relationship with Him--a hand-to-mouth spiritual existence. A vulnerable daily dependence. In a society that rushes to fill every felt need, that steals away the soul of a person & offers to sell it back at a price, we need to rekindle what it means to ask God." John Fischer, Men's Devotional Bible

CHRISTIAN MONEY MANAGEMENT

"Christian money management begins with the conviction that we want to become faithful managers of money entrusted to us by God. When we acknowledge God as the owner of our resources, we understand our obligation & responsibility to be faithful caretakers. As God's stewards, we realize that all things, including our money, are to be used for His purpose. Ask this question:  'What is God's will for the money given me?'" Steward Builders

NO LONGER AT A DISTANCE

"(Jesus) was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance." (Luke 17:12) "Like the lepers, humanity is separated from God because of sin. We are unworthy & unable to do anything about our predicament of sin . . . The good news of the Gospel, though, is that just as the Lord Jesus Christ reached out & touched lepers, He also reached out & touched sin by going to that bloody cross. He not only touched sin but also bore it upon Himself . . . In Jesus, we are no longer at a distance. Jesus' Word declares us clean. He bridged the gap for us. The leper's word of unclean is met with the Lord's Word, clean. Our sin is met with the word forgiven. Damnation is met with life. Lord, thank You for not leaving us at a distance. Grant us thanksgiving that You draw near to us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen. Matthew Richard, Minute Messages

HOW TO PRAY

"Namely, we are not to specify for God the time speed, person, place, or limit, but confidently leave all of that to His will. We are only to cling to asking, & not doubt that the prayer is heard & that it is already arranged that what we asked for will be given, as certainly as if we already had it. This is pleasing to God, & He wants to do as He here promises:  'Ask, & you will receive' (John 16:24)." A Year in the Gospels with Martin Luther

THE LCMS & WAR

"The experience of the Missouri Synod during times of war shows how difficult it is to keep the church united when the country is divided. If rulers do not always get it right, neither do churches. Perhaps at times, the Synod has muted its moral authority in order to preserve harmony within the institution. However, the Synod has been consistent in calling upon God for His direction & help in restoring peace & alleviating suffering. Whether a war is just may not always be clear. But those who follow in Luther's footsteps must remember that whatever we may think about a conflict, God will use it to accomplish His purposes--purposes that are always good for those who trust in Him." Rev. Cameron MacKenzie, The Lutheran Witness, June/July 2022

TODAY'S HYMN

When in the Hour of Deepest Need (LW #615, Sts. 1, 4, 5, 6)

When in the hour of deepest need We know not where to look for aid; When days & nights of anxious thought No help or counsel yet have brought.

And so we come, O God, today And all our woes before You lay; For sorely tried, cast down, we stand, Perplexed by fears on ev'ry hand.

O from our sins, Lord, turn Your face; Absolve us through Your boundless grace, Be with us in our anguish still; Free us at last fro ev'ry ill.

So we with all our hearts each day To You our glad thanksgiving pay, Then walk obedient to Your Word, And now & ever praise You, Lord.