THE 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

NO GREATER COMFORT

"For God's children, there can be no greater comfort than knowing that the Lord is their reliable & true Shepherd." Rev. Peter Jurchen, Engaging the Psalms

A NEW HEART

"I want a new heart. I want a changed heart that fits right into heaven. I want a heart that no longer twists the truth, resists God, looks for escapes, gets defeated by pain, tries to justify itself, or becomes anxious & worried about the future . . . 

"It will be glory to have a new heart, & it is glory--right now--to have a heart renewed & made clean by Jesus Christ . . . There is profound, deep-down-to-the-soul healing in Jesus. As James 3:2 says, 'We all stumble in many ways,' but there is forgiveness, release & an almost indescribable renewal in a relationship with the living Son of God. And in the heaven to come, that healing will be permanent." Joni Eareckson Tada, Beside Bethesda

FINDING JESUS IN YOUR HELL

"As reluctant s we might have been to admit it at times, some of the best, sweetest, most intimate moments in our walk with Jesus have grown out of some of the darkest, most painful, & frightening times of our lives. They were moments when the Son of God came striding into our darkness, just as He once walked on the wild waves of the Sea of Galilee, approaching the boat of His friends in the teeth of a terrifying storm. To find Jesus in your hell, to find Him walking across the waves of your storm in the night with His hand outstretched, is a taste of heaven. 

"Somehow, in the midst of your suffering, the Son of God beckons you into the inner sanctum of His own suffering--a place of mystery & privilege you will never forget. I have suffered, yes. But I wouldn't trade places with anybody in the world to be this close yo Jesus." Beside Bethesda

FEELING OVERWHELMED

"When you become aware of a need, do not automatically assume God wants you to meet it. The only reason to perform ministry is that God clearly tells you it is His will. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all you are doing, you are probably doing more than God has asked. Pray carefully about the assignments you take on, so that you don't rob yourself & others of God's best." Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Bay-By-Day

RESIST

"Jesus know how you & I act. And now He asks us:  'Resist not him that is evil' (Matt. 5:39). Hold your peace & pray to God when you are met with harsh & unjust remarks. And remember:  as you do so you are doing something for Jesus which is worth more than your most fervent testimonies & your greatest financial contributions . . . Hold your peace & pray God for patience . . . O God, teach us to look upon our adversaries with Thine own eyes. Help us to look upon the losses they afflIct upon us as inconsequential, & let us see the salvation of their souls as the great thing, the thing that matters. Amen." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Our bodies & lives are on loan from Almighty God. He creates us in His image, redeems us with His Son, & calls us by His name (Jer. 15:16) from fertilization to forever. So He does not abandon us in our families & mistakes. Shall we not extend this Gospel also to neighbors facing surprise pregnancy & terminal diagnosis?" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN *

* Source:  Rev. Matthew Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

Matthew 22:2  "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feat for his son." Jesus' parable notes the requirement of the robe of righteousness for all at the feast. This is the robe of Christ's righteousness, received by faith in Him. There will certainly be joy, feasting & celebration in heaven.

Matt. 26:29  "I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." At the institution of His body & blood for the forgiveness of sins, Christ lets us know clearly that there will be celebratory drinking in heaven.

STEWARDSHIP GIVES GOD HONOR & GLORY *

* Source:  Steward Builders

> Stewardship gives God honor & glory because through our faithful stewardship we live obediently.

> Stewardship gives God honor & glory when we do our deeds of stewardship out of joy & love rather than duty.

> Stewardship gives God honor & glory when we become more like Jesus.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

"Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony & shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily & follow Him wherever He leads. Delighting in Your goodness to us, we ask for this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

A HYMN OF STEWARDSHIP

Forgive Us, Lord, for Shallow Thankfulness (LSB #788, Sts. 1, 6)

Forgive us, Lord, for shallow thankfulness, For dull content with warmth & sheltered care, For songs of praise for food & harvest press, While of Your richer gifts we're unaware.

Open our eyes to see Your love's intent, To know with minds & hearts its depth & height; May thankfulness be days in service spent, Reflection of Christ's life & love & light.