2 Chronicles 7:14 – If My people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
The words of the chronicler still ring true today; the Almighty is ready to forgive.
How much more eagerly should men show their gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ! He lived for us, suffered for us, died the most agonizing death for us, in sacred longing for our redemption. Hold fast to this fundamental fact: nothing in us compelled the Savior to suffer for our sins. We blasphemed Him, but He was born to bless us; we rejected Him, but He redeemed us; we forsook Him, but He was ready to forgive us.
Review the past year, and if you are honest with yourself, you’ll find your soul stained by scarlet sins, your hands heavy with transgression, your lips marked with evil. You can undo 100 mistakes which you may have committed, but you yourself cannot take away even one of your sins against the Almighty.
In Jesus, you have full forgiveness, with complete, eternal pardon for the worst sins which may mar your life. In this Babe of Bethlehem’s manger you have free forgiveness, although the Crucified had to pay with His own life as He died in atonement for your iniquities. In Him you have guaranteed canceling of all charges against you, a sure salvation, a positive pardon, which can remove the last trace of doubt from your heart. In the Son of God, you have comforting mercy to sustain you in every dark hour, cheer in every desperate moment. In the eternal Redeemer there is healing for your soul and sickness, spiritual success amid physical failures, light in your blindness, hearing in your deafness, life in Earth’s dismal death, because he—praise His Name!—He, once and for all, fully satisfied the righteousness of God for every one of you. He paid what you are unable to give Him when He died for you on the cross. He brought you back to His Father so that if you will only believe Jesus, this trust will give you eternal blessings and the power, even here on earth, to walk in His way, to show the full fruits of faith in purity, in charity, love for every human being, including your enemies.
Even more, when you love Christ, when you bring others to him, you are helping build the church and promote the righteousness which is a nation’s greatest strength. You can become part of the nation’s spiritual defense, which is far better than a million atomic bombs.
THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, You look down and see the nations of the world. Bless those who are called by Your Name and raise them up to be the people You want them to be—Christlike in all things. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “America, Balance Your Books!” a sermon excerpt from Dr. Walter Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
I had the joy of spending the day on Friday with my parents. My father resides at the Good Samaritan Center in Larimore and Mom lives on the farm near Niagara. It is always a joy to spend time with them, (even though Mom beat me in a round of Cribbage). They are a tremendous blessing. This morning I am going to Fargo to attend a workshop intended for pastors and elders in Lutheran congregations. Kevin Olson and Ken Purdy are representing Shepherd of the Valley at the workshop.
Please remember Brad Kautzman and his family in your prayers as Brad’s father, Steve, entered his eternal rest on Wednesday.
Please join us Sunday as Micheal Henke shares information about Christ’s Care For Children – Kenya. Micheal spent time in Kenya a number of years ago and will share his first-hand perspective on the conditions in Kenya and the tremendous blessing that we have in supporting Christ’s Care For Children – Kenya. He will share his presentation during the education hour on Sunday.
The Hang Out group will gather on Tuesday, February 19, 6:00 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church. Bring a dish to pass and share for dinner. THEN… we accept the challenge attempt to break free from the Escape Room developed for a scheduled middle school youth event on Friday, February 22 and family event on Saturday, February 23.
Beginning on February 10, we will study the book of Psalms in our Sunday morning Bible study. A few of the types of Psalms about which we will learn are Wisdom Psalms, Messianic (focused on Christ) Psalms, Laments, Psalms of praise, Psalms of trust, Psalms of creation. You will learn the categories of Psalms and the appropriate times to pray them. Plan to join us as we study this wonderful book.