MAR 7

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

"How could we have expected to preserve symbiotic relationships between men & women when the rules governing our sexual behavior turned upside down? Family disintegration was inevitable." James Dobson, "Men's Devotional Bible"

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven" (Act 1:11) "None of us is going to miss Christ's coming to take us to be with Him to live with new, perfect, sinless, resurrected bodies! 'Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man from heaven' (1 Cor. 15:49). What we shall be is unimaginable." Rev. Matthew Harrison, "The Lutheran Witness," Nov. 2022

GOD LISTENS!

"God never promised to tell me why everything happens the way it does. But He did promise that anytime I wanted to talk, He would be happy to listen. And in a world where so many people feel they are all alone, that's a pretty great thing to know." Daniel Taylor, "Men's Devotional Bible"

GOD DELIVERS US!

"Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You & worked for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of the children of mankind!" (Ps. 31:19) "David says that he hates those who trust in worthless idols; he trusts in the Lord (31:6) Too often, we devote our lives to worthless things & despise the things of God. Yet even as God delivered David from his sin & enemies, so He delivers us as well. Christ paid for our idolatry & indifference. His Spirit gives us the gift of faith so that we trust in the only true God. Now we join David in rejoicing in God's great salvation." "Engaging the Psalms," edited by Rev. Peter Jurchen

FAITH IN THE MIDST OF PROBLEMS

"Faith does not eliminate problems. Faith keeps you in a trusting relationship with God in the midst of your problems. Faith has to do with your relationship with God, not your circumstances." Henry & Richard Blakaby, "Experiencing God Day-By-Day"

A PRAYER FOR LENT

"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning, & though we have in no way deserved Your goodness, You still abundantly provide for all our wants of body & soul. Give us, we pray, Your Holy Spirit that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, & serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen.

A HYMN FOR LENT

O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken, LSB 439, Sts 1, 5, 10, 15 

O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken That such sentence should on Thee be spoken? Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession, What dark transgression?

The sinless Son of God must die in sadness; The sinful child of man may live in gladness; Man forfeited his life & is acquitted; God is committed.

O mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory! How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story? How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer? What dare I offer?

Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee; I will renounce whate'er doth vex or grieve Thee And quench with thoughts of Thee & prayers most lowly All fires unholy.

And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven To me a crown of joy at last is given, Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee, I, too, shall praise Thee.