DIVINE PERSPECTIVE

"The apostle Paul gave us the divine perspective on human relationships--not only in marriage but in every dimension of life. He wrote, 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Phil. 2:3).'" James Dobson, Men's Devotional Bible

OUR SHEPHERD

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want . . . Surely goodness & mercy will follow me all the days of my life, & I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Ps. 23:1, 6)

OUR SERVANT-KING

"In Jesus, God purposely took on our humanity. He meets us where we are. But He doesn't leave us there. God meets us in our flesh, in our language, in our culture to complete our deepest longings & to correct our dangerous distortions . . . Mark tells us of the One, Creator God--the Almighty, loving, Father God, who sends His royal Son to become a servant. God's Servant-King conquers the world not by force but by self-sacrifice--by dying for His enemies, & rising for them.

"As we carry the message of Jesus to new generations & cultures, we look for ways to connect with them. We sacrifice our preferences to be interested in what interests them, to meet them where they are. (See 1 Cor. 9:19-23; Phil. 2:3-4.) There is much in their songs, stories, & longings we can affirm (& learn from). At the same time, every cultural expression is deficient. We all need Jesus to fill in the blanks for us, to tell us who our Father really is. He is our only hope, but He is more than just a force. That's why we say, counterculturally, 'The Lord be with you.'" Rev. Michael Zeigler, The Lutheran Layman, Summer 2023

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

"God wants to answer the prayers of those whose hearts are completely His (2 Chron. 16:9). God can accurately orient you to the events of your day. Media, public opinion, & political leaders cannot tell you the truth of your circumstances. Only God can. [Emphasis is mine.] God loves you & will speak to you in His time. His answer may come immediately as it did in Daniel's case, or it may be delayed, but it will come (Dan. 10:13). If it seems as though everything is crumbling around you, & you wonder why you do not see God's activity, take comfort in knowing that you are loved in heaven. If you are genuinely seeking God's answers, you can go to your Father confidently with your questions. He will respond to you in love." Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-B-Day

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Surprise pregnancy often comes with complications & difficulties. Terminal diagnosis can involve suffering & sorrow. But our God brought Jesus back from the dead. He makes it His way to wring blessings out of burdens (Gen. 50:19-20). Are we in the place of God, to let abortion or assisted suicide judge (Rom. 14:4) someone else's life as hopeless?" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

LOVE IS HARD

"Yes, but love is hard when the loved one is in danger of death & does not see it herself . . . Jesus would save you, too, from the greatest cause of your distress, your lack of confidence in God, so that you calmly & trustingly might leave the distress of both your soul & your body in His pierced hands." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today)

JUST DO THE NEXT THING

"We live in a terribly fallen world. Remembering this, I comfort myself knowing that while I am a sinner deserving only hell & punishment, He has by His grace & kindness saved me eternally, & this life is only temporary . . . So friend, if you are dealing with pain today, or depression or grief or paralyzing anxiety, I encourage you to 'just do the next thing.' It may be simply getting out of bed or up off the couch. Or getting out of the house. Or doing the laundry or washing the dishes that have been sitting in the sink. And as you do it, ask Him to give you joy in some small but noticeable way." Jodi Eareckson Tada, Beside Bethesda

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"O God, our refuge & strength, the author of all goodness, hear the devote prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, & grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen. Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

TODAY'S HYMN

Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness, LSB #849, St. 1

Praise the One who breaks the darkness With a liberating light; Praise the One who frees the pris'ners, Turning blindness into sight. Praise the One who preached the Gospel, Healing ev'ry dread disease, Calming storms, & feeding thousands With the very Bread of peace.