HAPPY MEN

"Experience has shown me that the men who are happiest & most content in the masculine role today are those whose fathers invested a great deal of time & energy in their lives." Stephen Arterburn & David Stoop, Men's Devotional Bible

ENGAGING THE PSALMS

Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed . . . Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength! We will sing & praise Your power. (Ps. 21:11, 13)

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

"Many times in Scripture we are promised that the one who gives will receive. "Give & it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together & running over, will be poured into your lap." Luke 6:38) "Bring the whole tithe . . . 'Test Me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, '& see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven & pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" (Mal. 3:10) What happens when we emphasis the latter instead of the former is the development of a 'name-it-&-claim it' type of religion in which we give only so we can get.

"1 Tim. 6:10 warns us of the dangers of this attitude. Paul wrote that false teachers "think that godliness is a means to financial gain." We know from Scripture that we have been blessed that we might be a blessing to others. Therefore, we share our wealth--our monetary wealth (Rom. 12:13), our wealth in talents & responsibilities (1 Peter 4:10-11), & our wealth in time (James 1"27)

"God blesses so we can be His instruments to support the needy & extend His Church. "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, & through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Cor. 9:11)."

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN *

* Source:  The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

Luke 15:21  And the son said to him, "Father, & have sinned against heaven & before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." Sins against others are always sins against the Father in heaven.

Matthew 8:11  I tell you, many will come from east & west & recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. There are & will be believers in heaven from all the vast diversity of the one human race.

Matt. 16:16-17  Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh & blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." When a Christian confesses Christ as Savior, it's the working of the heavenly Father via the Word of the Gospel. (Eph. 2:8-9)

STEWARDSHIP IS GOOD FOR US *

* Source:  Steward Builders

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us understand the responsibility & privilege we have been given as God's people to be God's stewards. . . . "

 > "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us develop an attitude of gratitude for who God is & what He has done for us . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us to live abundantly (John 10:10) . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us focus on the intimate relationship Jesus wants to have with each of this . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps give our lives purpose & meaning . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us to be content . . . "

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Confessing the Christ means advocating the sanctity of every human life. If Jesus is indeed the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:16), then He also serves as Lord of life-&-death situations & decisions. May He whose Word has plundered us out of hell's gates grant our testimony to extend this same courage & compassion to everyone considering abortion or physician-assisted suicide." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin 

MAKING YOUR DAYS COUNT

"No matter how feeble & faint-hearted your prayers may seem, they have very special power with God. Now is your chance to stretch your soul's capacity for God. Your patience & endurance will resound more to God's glory than you can possibly imagine . . . 

"We are always called to think of others, no matter how difficult our circumstances. You can make your days count by focusing on your family, thanking & encouraging them & finding ways to bless them . . . 

"God, the Creator of time, knows how to invest the days & hours of our lives with mighty significance. In His wisdom & with His favor. your words & acts of compassion & faith today can have an impact far, far beyond 24 hours." Joni Eareckson Tada, Beside Bethesda

HUMBLING YOURSELF

"There is an enormous difference between the way the world honors you & the way God does. Proverbs 25:27 indicates that glory is not legitimate if you seek it yourself. When the world exalts you, you are the one who receives the credit. When God exalts you, others will praise Him for what He has done in your life. Strive to humble yourself & bring glory to God. Allow Him to be the One to honor you in the way that pleases Him!" Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day

PRAYER OF THE DAY

"Almighty God, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the rock upon whom our lives are built. Help us rest securely in Your promises & find strength in Your mighty deliverance; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin 

TODAY'S HYMN

The Church's One Foundation, LSB #644, St. 1

The Church's one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is His new creation By water & the Word. From heav'n He came & sought her To be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died.