... so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life ..." Deuteronomy 30:19,20
Heavenly Father, thank You for this wonderful, wonderful pastor that You love so much! You know that we love him, too. We thank You for the thing You are doing in him and for us; for the blessing that You are pouring out on him and your people at Good Shepherd. We pray that we will seek Your face, listen to Your voice, and see that we are all a blessing for life and that You will continue to prosper and to grow us all.
Father God, send Your Holy Spirit to dwell richly within us, teaching us, admonishing us, loving us, helping us to be a blessing for life; for Your Kingdom, for our children, for this nation. Instill in each of us the spirit of diakonoi and synergoi ... as we work together as servant helpers ... building up as we choose life; emptying graves of death and filling up heaven, building Your Kingdom, Lord ... today, tomorrow, during a time of waiting ... and, in Your perfect time, Lord, with a new pastor.
In Your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
You are the Light of the World -Matthew 5:14
Father in Heaven, oh that we will strive to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world as Jesus says we are! Help us to call out to you and boldly beseech your help and guidance in this! Holy Spirit, draw us to you so that we desire our will to be in line with yours; not the other way around! Point us to your Word, Father God, continuously seeking you and what you would have us do ... to be a light to the darkness around us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Morning February 11 (from a Devotional Series by Charles H. Spurgeon)
"And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." --Acts 4:13
A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is his living biography, written out in the words and actions of his people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of him, that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, "Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;" but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of him; he is like him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every day actions." A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you: take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God. Imitate him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, "He has been with Jesus." Imitate Jesus in his holiness. Was he zealous for his Master? So be you; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was he self-denying, never looking to his own interest? Be the same. Was he devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had he deference to his Father's will? So submit yourselves to him. Was he patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as he did; and let those sublime words of your Master, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do", always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus."
Morning February 11 (from a Devotional Series by Charles H. Spurgeon)
"And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." --Acts 4:13
A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is his living biography, written out in the words and actions of his people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of him, that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, "Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;" but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of him; he is like him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every day actions." A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you: take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God. Imitate him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, "He has been with Jesus." Imitate Jesus in his holiness. Was he zealous for his Master? So be you; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was he self-denying, never looking to his own interest? Be the same. Was he devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had he deference to his Father's will? So submit yourselves to him. Was he patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as he did; and let those sublime words of your Master, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do", always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus."
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
O God, My Faithful God #696 Lutheran Service Book
O God, my faithful God, True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is, All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame, And may I have within
A conscience free from blame, A soul unstained by sin.
Grant me the strength to do with ready heart and willing
Whatever You command, my calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should while trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good, for You must give success.
Keep me from saying words that later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech may from my lips be falling;
But when within my place I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace lest I offend the weak.
Lord, Let me win my foes with kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends for counsel and correction.
Help me, as You have taught, to love both great and small
And by Your Spirit's might to live in peace with all.
Let me depart this life confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul that it may live forever;
And let my body have a quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave; and let it sleep in peace.
And on that final day when all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand, my deathly slumber breaking,
Then let me hear Your voice, redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice with those who love Your name.
For Jesus's sake, O God, my faithful Father, hear my prayer. Amen.
Without whom nothing is, All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame, And may I have within
A conscience free from blame, A soul unstained by sin.
Grant me the strength to do with ready heart and willing
Whatever You command, my calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should while trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good, for You must give success.
Keep me from saying words that later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech may from my lips be falling;
But when within my place I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace lest I offend the weak.
Lord, Let me win my foes with kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends for counsel and correction.
Help me, as You have taught, to love both great and small
And by Your Spirit's might to live in peace with all.
Let me depart this life confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul that it may live forever;
And let my body have a quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave; and let it sleep in peace.
And on that final day when all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand, my deathly slumber breaking,
Then let me hear Your voice, redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice with those who love Your name.
For Jesus's sake, O God, my faithful Father, hear my prayer. Amen.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
For the Congregation
Remember, O Lord, our congregation,
Your people,
who are nothing without You,
who need the Word of Your forgiveness,
who need comfort and solace,
who need healing and help,
who need courage and strength,
who need counsel and guidance,
who need food and shelter,
who need correction and admonition,
who need acceptance and assurance,
who need zeal and a willing mind,
who need example and direction,
who need charity and goodness,
who need humility and honesty,
who need liberty and peace,
who need wisdom and insight,
who need faith and hope,
who need love and joy,
For we are Your people gathered by Your Spirit around Word and sacraments, that we may be scattered to share Your love through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Your people,
who are nothing without You,
who need the Word of Your forgiveness,
who need comfort and solace,
who need healing and help,
who need courage and strength,
who need counsel and guidance,
who need food and shelter,
who need correction and admonition,
who need acceptance and assurance,
who need zeal and a willing mind,
who need example and direction,
who need charity and goodness,
who need humility and honesty,
who need liberty and peace,
who need wisdom and insight,
who need faith and hope,
who need love and joy,
For we are Your people gathered by Your Spirit around Word and sacraments, that we may be scattered to share Your love through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God
Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long ...
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is an offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
--- Psalm 25:1-2, 4-5; 139:23-24
in you I trust, O my God
Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long ...
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is an offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
--- Psalm 25:1-2, 4-5; 139:23-24
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
For the Church (from the Lutheran Book of Prayer)
O God, because You elected from eternity to save us from destroying ourselves,
We praise You
that You gave promise of salvation to Adam and his seed;
that You saved Noah and his family in the ark of faith;
that You protected and saved ancient Israel as Your people.
We give thanks that You saved mankind by the death and resurrection of our Lord, the Christ;
that You extended Your kingdom to many tribes and nations;
that You have preserved Your Word in the Holy Scriptures.
We pray You,
rule in our hearts by faith;
promote unity among us by love;
seal in us the hope of the Resurrection.
Finish Your work among us through Your Word and sacraments, for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
We praise You
that You gave promise of salvation to Adam and his seed;
that You saved Noah and his family in the ark of faith;
that You protected and saved ancient Israel as Your people.
We give thanks that You saved mankind by the death and resurrection of our Lord, the Christ;
that You extended Your kingdom to many tribes and nations;
that You have preserved Your Word in the Holy Scriptures.
We pray You,
rule in our hearts by faith;
promote unity among us by love;
seal in us the hope of the Resurrection.
Finish Your work among us through Your Word and sacraments, for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Now What, God?
Father God, You are all-knowing, almighty, all powerful and all sufficient! Thank You for Your endless, boundless grace and mercy! Thank You for flooding Your sanctuary with Your holiness yesterday ... Your presence is always there, Lord, and we thank You for that even when we don't "feel" You; we know You are there and want us to draw near to You.
You have great plans for us; and for Gloria Dei in Hudson, Ohio! We praise and thank you for giving us a wonderful shepherd in Pastor Eric Tritten for almost 13 years! Some of us remember the day we met him and his lovely wife Chris, pregnant with Ricky, fresh out of the seminary, ready to serve You here. You gave us a great gift, Lord, and we are so appreciative for the memories, the spiritual growth, the learning and living we've done together. We've worked side by side with Pastor T and have experienced a lot over the years; the time has flown by!
Lord God, there are so many emotions right now. We're sad for us because our friends are moving away. We're hurting because we don't want to see a good thing end. We're confused because maybe we didn't think Pastor T's work was finished here. Father, we might think we know what we want and what we need but if we fail to put our trust in You, we haven't learned a thing about who You are ... You are the only One we can trust ... You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Thank you!
Father God, You called Pastor T to Gloria Dei ... we are happy for Your children there as they are in need of a man of integrity to shepherd them ... though it's difficult to let go, and we are asking for Your help in doing that, Lord, we know we need to say goodbye and ask Your blessing upon Pastor and Chris and the children as they follow Your call. Please provide everything they need and shower them with continued assurance that they are doing exactly what You've made clear for them to do.
Father, as we get over the "shock" and begin to "regroup", please, please help us to focus on seeking Your will and leaving everything else at the foot of Jesus' cross.
We trust You to provide everything we need, Lord God. We ask that You reign in our hearts and minds as we seek Your face and Your will, Lord. Please pour out Your spirit upon Pastor T, Vickie, Haroldeane, Terry, John, Mark, and everyone else involved as they each do what needs to be done to move forward. Please dispell any heaviness and lift all hearts to do and say only that which is of YOU, Father God. Flood every heart that is a part of Good Shepherd with You, Lord. Strip away any feelings of doubt, bitterness, gossip .. all things that get in the way of serving You and helping us to each go out and make disciples of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Help us to lift up and encourage each other with Your words .. help us to speak the Truth boldly and in love. Hold our tongues when words are to come out that are not Yours, oh God ... and pour Your words out of us that are what You want us to say!
Protect us from the evil one who wants to torment us and tear us down and apart from You, Father God! Send your holy angels to guard against all evil! Help us to use our time and talents for You; to bring You glory, Lord Jesus! Thank You for Your endless, boundless grace and mercy! In Your name, we pray. Amen.
You have great plans for us; and for Gloria Dei in Hudson, Ohio! We praise and thank you for giving us a wonderful shepherd in Pastor Eric Tritten for almost 13 years! Some of us remember the day we met him and his lovely wife Chris, pregnant with Ricky, fresh out of the seminary, ready to serve You here. You gave us a great gift, Lord, and we are so appreciative for the memories, the spiritual growth, the learning and living we've done together. We've worked side by side with Pastor T and have experienced a lot over the years; the time has flown by!
Lord God, there are so many emotions right now. We're sad for us because our friends are moving away. We're hurting because we don't want to see a good thing end. We're confused because maybe we didn't think Pastor T's work was finished here. Father, we might think we know what we want and what we need but if we fail to put our trust in You, we haven't learned a thing about who You are ... You are the only One we can trust ... You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Thank you!
Father God, You called Pastor T to Gloria Dei ... we are happy for Your children there as they are in need of a man of integrity to shepherd them ... though it's difficult to let go, and we are asking for Your help in doing that, Lord, we know we need to say goodbye and ask Your blessing upon Pastor and Chris and the children as they follow Your call. Please provide everything they need and shower them with continued assurance that they are doing exactly what You've made clear for them to do.
Father, as we get over the "shock" and begin to "regroup", please, please help us to focus on seeking Your will and leaving everything else at the foot of Jesus' cross.
We trust You to provide everything we need, Lord God. We ask that You reign in our hearts and minds as we seek Your face and Your will, Lord. Please pour out Your spirit upon Pastor T, Vickie, Haroldeane, Terry, John, Mark, and everyone else involved as they each do what needs to be done to move forward. Please dispell any heaviness and lift all hearts to do and say only that which is of YOU, Father God. Flood every heart that is a part of Good Shepherd with You, Lord. Strip away any feelings of doubt, bitterness, gossip .. all things that get in the way of serving You and helping us to each go out and make disciples of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Help us to lift up and encourage each other with Your words .. help us to speak the Truth boldly and in love. Hold our tongues when words are to come out that are not Yours, oh God ... and pour Your words out of us that are what You want us to say!
Protect us from the evil one who wants to torment us and tear us down and apart from You, Father God! Send your holy angels to guard against all evil! Help us to use our time and talents for You; to bring You glory, Lord Jesus! Thank You for Your endless, boundless grace and mercy! In Your name, we pray. Amen.
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