THE LORD'S GREAT POWER

Malachi 1:5.  “O Israel, lift your eyes to see what God is doing all around the world; then you will say, ‘Truly, the Lord’s great power goes far beyond our borders!’” The Living Bible

TODAY'S PSALM

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, & on His law he meditates day & night." (Ps. 1:1-2) . I have begun using Engaging the Psalms during my daily quiet time.

MARRED & BROKEN

"I'm glad to know that when I'm marred & broken, the Lord is not through with me yet. I want Him to re-create me . . . " H. Beecher Hicks, Men's Devotional Bible 

WHAT IS LOVE?

"Which is the great commandment in the Law?" (Matt. 22:36) . Love is not the same as tolerance, nor is it a floaty feeling or romantic emotion. Love is not self-serving. Instead, love seeks to honor God alone for our good & joy. Love seeks the proper teaching about the Lord with accurate doctrine. Love cherishes & clings to God's Word. Love seeks to respect those in authority, like parents & governing officials. Love seeks to preserve life, especially for those who are weak & seemingly insignificant--those unable to protect themselves in the womb or at the end of life. Love seeks to protect marriage from pornography, divorce, & adultery. Love seeks to defend our neighbors' possessions. Love works tirelessly to put the best construction on others to uphold their reputations. Love seeks to rest in contentment with what the Lord has given. Ultimately, love is what Jesus is all about--perfect love that we receive from Him as a sheer gift." Matthew Richard, Minute Messages

SELF-DENIAL

"Jesus said, 'If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself & take up his cross daily & follow Me' (Luke 9:23). Becoming a disciple & a faithful steward requires self-denial. Jesus taught that denying self is an essential part of the Christian life. Because we are born in this sinful state of putting ourselves first, we need help from the Holy Spirit to resist our natural temptation to be self-centered rather than God-centered people. On our own, we are hopeless, but the Holy Spirit through Word & Sacrament enables us to use our lives & blessings according to God's plan & for His glory." Stewardship Corner, Grace Lutheran Church bulletin

COMFORT & CONFIDENCE

"It is very difficult to straighten out the human heart so that in fortune & welfare it does not become secure but remains humble, & so that, on the other hand, in fright & misfortune it has comfort & confidence toward God . . . Christ has assured you & made you certain that when, for His sake & out of love for Him, you suffer from the devil or the world, that is well-pleasing to God the Father in heaven & is the dearest thing you can do for Him. You shall also experience His love for you through His help & victory." A Year in the Gospels with Martin Luther

CONTRADICTIONS

"God reveals Himself in His Word as He does in His works. In both we see a self-revealing, self-concealing God, who makes Himself known only to those who earnestly seek Him; in both we find contradictions, whose higher harmony is hidden, except from him who gives up his whole mind in reverence; in both, in a word, it is a law of revelation that the heart of man should be tested in receiving it; & that in the spiritual life, as well as in the bodily, many must eat his bread in the sweat of his brow." William Arndt, Robert Hoerber, Walter Roehrs, Bible Difficulties & Seeming Contradictions

TODAY'S HYMN

Splendor & Honor, LSB # 950

Splendor & honor, majesty & power Are Yours, O Lord God, fount of ev'ry blessing, For by Your bidding was the whole creation Called into being.

Praised by the true Lamb, slain for our redemption, By whose self off'ring we are made God's people:  A priestly kingdom, from all tongues & nations, Called to God's service.

To the Almighty, throned in heav'nly splendor, And to the Savior, Christ our Lamb & Shepherd, Be adoration, praise, & glory given, Now & forever.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE NEW ZEALAND

"New Zealand proposes taxing cow burps." Drudge Report

PAYPAL

Infractions for which PayPal Will Remove $2,500 from Your Account *

*Compliments of Babylon Bee

> Posting a selfie without a mask.

> You're only triple-double-quadruple boosted.

> Asking the homeless camp in your driveway to turn the music down.

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"Christians find it easier to stop storing up treasure on earth under Biden." Babylon Bee

> Politifact rates Biden's claim that 'Made in America' is two words as 'mostly true.' Ditto

PUMPKIN SPICE

Pumpkin Spice Addiction:  Know the Signs *

*Courtesy of Babylon Bee

> Heavy cinnamon use:  This is a gateway spice.

 > The need for twice as much spice to chase the original high.

> Starbucks baristas know & fear you.

> You feel annoyed or guilty when people bring up how much pumpkin spice you consume.

> You add pumpkin spice to every single meal.

> Beautiful orange skin:  And a penchant for border wall construction.

ST. PAUL

"Scholars now believe Paul used handy map in back of study Bible to see where he should go next." Babylon Bee

MORE TRENDING NEWS FROM BABYLON BEE

"Scholars:  Lot's wife actually died trying to take selfie while fleeing Sodom."

"Local woman searches Bible in vain for beloved 'Footprints in the Sand' passage."

"I'll Dispense Soap When I'm Good & Ready" - op-ed by automatic soap dispenser."

PEACEFUL PROTEST

"Another Life Chain event took place SUN in Norfolk with about 225 people participating. And like each one held previously on the first SUN in OCT, it provided an opportunity for people to line a city's streets in prayerful protest again abortion . . . Over the years, we have never heard of any that were not peaceful. No people walking in the street to stop traffic, starting fires, looting businesses or attacking police or others. The rowdiest thing that probably happened is when some of the people driving would honk to show support . . . Finally, part of the credit for the peace also should go to those who support abortion rights. Many of the years, at least a handful of those supporters attend these events, sometimes standing in the middle of the pro-life groups. Both groups generally try not to antagonize those who have differing views, which is welcomed. At one time, before American became o divided, that's what the majority of Americans did. They respected each other's views & did not become violent or try to censor those who disagreed with them." Editorial in Norfolk Daily News, 10/6

REJOICE GREATLY!

Zechariah 9:9a. “Rejoice greatly, O My people! Shout with joy! For look—your King is coming! He is the Righteous One, the Victor!” The Living Bible

GOD IS FOR US

"'If God is for us, who can be against us?' God is on our side, right or wrong, because even when we are wrong, He still loves us." Michael Card, Men's Devotional Bible

HAVE NO FEAR

"Therefore, let God's Word & command be more & count more for you than your own feelings & the judgment of the whole world, so that you do not call Him a liar & rob yourself of the Spirit of truth . . . Just as Christ tells His Christians about this suffering ahead of time, so His intent is to give this comfort & refreshment ahead of time & to teach us not to despair because of it, but only to adhere to His Word, even if it seems to be too long delayed. He wants to remind us of the promise that He will not leave us stuck in such misery, & we should do Him the honor (which is the highest honor of God) of regarding Him to be faithful & true . . . This promise is very kind & comforting, if we only learn to believe it & so experience that in our highest weakness He rules, protects, & preserves His Church through miraculous divine power, so that it nevertheless remains & is delivered . . . Christ once more says, 'Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom' (Luke 12:32)." A Year in the Gospels with Martin Luther

LIFE THOUGHTS

"Jesus reaches even into our severest afflictions with presence & compassion. And He invites & encourages us also to accompany & assist rather than settling for physician assisted suicide." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

A GUIDE & LENS

"The incarnation of Christ provides us a guide or lens to look at Holy Scripture. The Scriptures are both divine, inspired by God & without error, while also being thoroughly human. They were written by sinful human authors who were inspiried by the Holy Spirit. They wrote in different stlyles, including a more Greek (John) & a more academic style (Hebrews). They wrote in Greek, Aramaic & Hebrew, & in poetic, narrative & other types of writing. Much of their writing is easy to understand, although some statements are difficult to understand or even confusing (like some of Jesus' own statements). The Scriptures themselves tell us about the theological errors of St. Peter that St. Paul corrected (Gal. 2:11-21). Peter himself is an author of Holy Scripture. But it's Peter who wrote of Holy Scripture, 'Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit' (2 Peter 1:21)." Rev. Matthew Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, Aug. 2022

A HYMN OF MISSION & WITNESS

Rise, Shine, You People (LSB 825)

Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered Our human story; God in Him is centered. He comes to us, by death & sin surrounded, With grace unbounded.

See how He sends the pow'r of evil reeling; He brings us freedom, light & life & healing. All men & women, who by guilt are driven, Now are forgiven.

Come, celebrate, your banners high unfurling, Your songs & prayers against the darkness hurling. To all the world go out & tell the story Of Jesus' glory.

Tell how the Father send His Son to save us. Tell of the Son, who life & freedom gave us. Tell how the Spirit calls from ev'ry nation His new creation.

LIVE AT PEACE

Zechariah 8:16. “’Here is your part:  Tell the truth. Be fair. Live at peace with everyone. Don’t plot harm to others; don’t swear that something is true when it isn’t! How I hate all that sort of thing!’ says the Lord.” The Living Bible

DEATH TO SELF

"The reason our death to self increases the joy level all around is that it also increaes the love level all around. Only when we die to self can we fully love one another." Judson Edwards, Men's Devotional Bible

WHAT IS LOVE?

Which is the great commandment in the Law? (Matt. 22:36) "Love is not the same as tolerance, nor is it a floaty feeling or romantic emotion. Love is not self-serving Instead, love seeks to honor God alone for our good & joy. Love seeks the proper teaching about the Lord with accurate doctrine. Love cherishes & clings to God's Word. Love seeks to respect those in authority, like parents & governing officials. Love seeks to preserve life, especially for those who are weak & seemingly insignificant--those unable to protect themselves in the womb or at the end of life. Love seeks to protect marriage from pornography, divorce, & adultery. Love seeks to defend our neighbors' possessions. Love works tirelessly to put the best construction on others to uphold their reputations. Love seeks to rest in contentment with what the Lord has given. Ultimately, love is what Jesus is all about--perfect love that we receive fro Him as a sheer gift." Matthew Richard, Minute Messages

LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE CHURCH YEAR

"Abortion, assisted suicide, & other deals with death bless with their mouths--as Psalm 62 warns us--by promising freedom & control. But inwardly these measures curse by delivering guilt & grief. Power over life & death belongs to God alone (Ps. 62:11), & His steadfast love provides salvation even amid surprise pregnancy & terminal diagnosis. The gospel of Jesus Christ always brings life & immortality to light (2 Tim. 1:10)." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

"In the Old Testament book of Joshua Joshua exhorts all the tribes of Israel to choose whom they will serve. Joshua then says, 'But as for me & my house, we will serve the Lord' 24:15). The bold choice made by Joshua serves as a pattern for making the wisest choice of all--the choice to serve & glorify God no matter what. Serving & following God is something that we can't do on our own. Only through the work of the Holy Spirit do we have the ability to stop following the ways of the world & ourselves. We need help because from birth we are self-centered, sinful people who are lost. Lord, as You enabled Joshua to serve You, help us as well." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

SHAME CULTURE & CHRIST'S VICTORY

"We are currently living in an ever-increasing shame culture, sharing good news less & less. Good news is not good for ratings or self-righteous living. Shame culture has made cancelling others the rule instead of mercy & forgiveness leading the way. People cut others off from family based on political differences. Social media masses & mainstream media push relentless agendas. Co-workers work to get people fired based on personal vendettas. Divorces likewise have skyrocketed post-covid. Who wants to forgive sin? God's law rightly condemns pride, nailing it to the cross. 'But rise; let us no more contend, nor blame each other--but strive in offices of love how we may lighten each other's burden in our share of woe.' [Adam to Eve in Paradise Lost]

"But the good news of God is so good! The gospel is good news of Christ's victory over sin, Satan, the world, & death itself. God's good news saves by grace as a gift alone & not by works . . . God forgives all sin through Jesus' cross & empty tomb. It really is finished. Forgiveness is the final word in Jesus. If we want to be relevant in the pulpit, we must preach life in Christ. Everybody who hears us is dying, including us." Rev. Chris Asbury, Grace Lutheran Church Newsletter

A HYMN OF THE CHURCH

Church of God, Elect & Glorious (LSB 646, Sts. 3-4)

Once you were an alien people, Strangers to God's heart of love; But He brought you home in mercy, Citizens of heav'n above. Let His love flow out to others, Let them feel a Father's care; That they too may know His welcome And His boundless blessings share.

Church of God, elect & holy Be the people He intends; Strong in faith & swift to answer Each command your Master sends:  Royal priests, fulfill your calling Through your sacrifice & prayer; Give your lives in joyful service--Sing His praise, His love declare.