Lord, increase my faith - October 11, 2010

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

Luke 17:3-5

Prayer: 

O precious Savior, in love you have accepted my repentance and blessed me with complete forgiveness. So fill me with your love that I will accept the repentance of others, and offer them the same forgiveness you have given me. Amen.

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It doesn't get any better than this - October 8, 2010

You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.

Amos 6:6-7

Prayer: 

Merciful Savior, keep our hearts and minds devoted to you above all the earthly blessings we enjoy. Amen.

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Ruth 4:18-22 - October 7, 2010

This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.

Ruth 4:18-22

Prayer: 

For the detailed, careful and loving way in which you brought my Savior into the world, I thank you, Lord. As one who has received your grace and love and forgiveness through faith in Jesus, equip, enable and empower me to share that grace with others. Amen.

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Why we can be content - October 6, 2010

"If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (1 Timothy 6:8). There's an old story from India about a man by the name of Ali. Ali had a huge acreage full of orchards and crops. He was deeply satisfied and content with his farm.

That all changed, however, when the possibility of owning a diamond mine overpowered him. Ali sold his farm and used the money to explore areas considered to have great potential for diamonds. Eventually he spent himself into poverty, and in despair he took his own life.

Years later, the new owner of Ali's former farm was leading an animal to the farm's brook for a drink.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, you are my treasure. You are my life. Forgive my sins of dissatisfaction. Fill me to the brim with contentment. Amen.

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Ruth 4:13-17 - October 5, 2010

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth." Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Ruth 4:13-17

Prayer: 

In the Book of Ruth, Lord, you have reminded me that you are a God of grace and love. You have demonstrated that you truly do work all things for my spiritual and eternal good. I pray that you would give me a faith that trusts in you at all times and a faith that continues to cling to Jesus as my only Savior from sin. Amen.

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Can you hear it? - October 4, 2010

He said to him, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."

Luke 16:31

Prayer: 

Lord, open now my heart to hear, and through your Word to me draw near.
Let me your Word e'er pure retain; let me your child and heir remain.
Your Word inspires my heart within; your Word grants healing from my sin.
Your Word has power to guide and bless; your Word brings peace and happiness.


(Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, 282:1,2)

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Ripe fruit - October 1, 2010

The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob, "I will never forget anything they have done."

Amos 8:7

Prayer: 

Righteous God, forgive us, renew us, bless us, and keep us steadfast in your gracious love through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Ruth 4:9-12 - September 30, 2010

Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, "Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!" Then the elders and all those at the gate said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. Through the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah."

Ruth 4:9-12

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, I am not in the physical line of the Savior—for he has already come to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. But even though I am not a part of his genealogy, I am part of his family. I have received his blessing of forgiveness. Through faith he is not ashamed to be called my brother. For all this I thank you. Amen.

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What Does God Want? - September 29, 2010

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

Prayer: 

Lord, I give you thanks, for you are my gracious God who gives me all good things, especially an eternal relationship with you through the salvation accomplished by Jesus. In his name accept my praise and prayer.  Amen.

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Ruth 4:5-8 - September 28, 2010

Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man's widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property." At this, the kinsman-redeemer said, "Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it." (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) So the kinsman-redeemer said to Boaz, "Buy it yourself." And he removed his sandal.

Ruth 4:5-8

Prayer: 

Forgive my sins of pride and arrogance, Lord. Help me see that all I have is a gift from your gracious hand, and lead me to always give you thanks. Amen.

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