Ecclesiastes 5:19 – When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God. What a great Bible passage! From time to time we all complain about our work, but work is God’s gift to us to contribute to His creation. Labor Day weekend has a much deeper meaning for Christians, knowing that work is a calling from God, a way He works through us to bring His blessings to others. And because we are Christians, we also have the greatest kind of rest a person can ever know, resting in the grace and unconditional love of our Savior Jesus. May you find rest from your labors as you worship today!

In the Old Testament, God made a covenant with Israel that He would be their God and they would be His people. They would be different than any other nation on earth, set apart to reveal God’s salvation to all nations. But instead of delighting in God being their King, they asked to be like all the other nations and have their own king. That spiritual temptation still exists today, to put our trust in earthly powers instead of God. A fool invests his life in things that pass away. But godly wisdom trusts in God for things that will last forever!

Too often in this life we try to find peace and contentment through our own work and achievements. We all have a tendency to think we can truly rest when we just accomplish one more thing; but that one more thing never seems to be enough. True peace and contentment can only be found when we give up our own efforts and find our peace in Jesus.

Readings:
Old Testament Lesson – Esther 7:1-10 (Esther stands up to Haman)
Gospel Lesson – John 18:28-40 (Jesus before Pontius Pilate)

Our Heavenly Father is in charge. He has not abandoned us to an indiscriminate fate and the whims of chance. Though it often seems to us that God is on vacation somewhere, He still guides and directs the happenings and events of our world, our society and our lives. You and I are the means by which God accomplishes His ultimate plan in His world. He works through people like us and through the events of life to make it all come out as He intends. The story of Queen Esther illustrates how God calls individuals (like us) to STAND UP for what is right and for each other to bring His plan to fruition.

Readings:
I Samuel 3:1-14, 19 (The Lord calls Samuel)
John 10:22-30 (Jesus’ sheep listen to His voice)

It’s hard to find someone who will really listen to you. We all struggle with being good listeners – mostly because we all have such a deep need to take care of our own needs first. In the same way, we have a hard time listening to God. But God knows that His Words are life-giving! And so He speaks in many and various ways to get our attention, and to give us His life, truth, wisdom and love. Listen to the voice of Jesus, His words are the words of life! May God’s Holy Spirit open your heart and your ears, so you can hear Him!

Readings:
I Kings 3:16-28 (Solomon’s ruling)
Matthew 11:16-19 (Wisdom is proved right by her actions)

God’s wisdom is made known through His Word. God’s ways are always perfect and good. Ultimately, God’s wisdom is revealed in Jesus Christ and in God’s saving work through the cross and the empty tomb. “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10. True wisdom can only come from knowing God and His ways.

Readings:
Romans 12:1-8 (Offer your bodies as living sacrifices)
Matthew 9:35-38 (The workers are few)

Jesus has given His people a mission, to share the message of the Gospel with the world. There are many people who haven’t heard the message, and we are God’s instruments to take it to them. Too often Christianity is turned into a routine, or a belief. But Jesus is clear that His call to faith and salvation leads us to the Great Commission of taking His message of love and salvation to the world!

Readings:
Genesis 11:1-9 (The Tower of Babel; God confuses mankind’s languages)
Luke 1:46-56 (Mary’s song; God turns the world’s order upside down)

The first commandment is very simple, “You shall have no other gods.” When we lose sight of the simple reality that God is in charge of all things, He often “mixes things up” to get our attention. When the people of Babylon started to construct the Tower of Babel, they lost sight of bringing glory to God, and set out to make a name for themselves. God came down and confused their languages. Mankind can only be reunited through the redemption that comes through Jesus Christ.

Readings:
Jeremiah 31:31-37 (A new covenant)
Romans 10:1-10 (Paul prays for the salvation of the Israelites)
Matthew 16:13-17 (The key question)

Guest Speaker – Mr. Steve Cohen, founder of The Apple of His Eye Mission Society. Steve came to faith in 1973 through the prayerful witness of a Lutheran who took seriously the Biblical mandate to bring the Gospel to all people, including the lost sheep of the House of Israel. After several years on staff at Jews for Jesus ministry, Steve began work for the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod on the task force for missions to Jewish people. His message today will focus on Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Messiah.

Readings:
Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord)
I Thessalonians 5:16-24 (Rejoice in the Lord always)
Luke 15:1-10 (Parables of the lost sheep and coin)

Happy Independence Day! What a great day for us to “Fire Up!” It takes great sacrifice for the United States of America to gain and preserve her freedom. But the blessings of freedom are worth great sacrifice. It also required great sacrifice from God to give us freedom from sin! Because of what Jesus did for us, we have every reason to “fire up” – and rejoice in the Lord.

Readings:
Old Testament Lesson: I Samuel 17:32-50 (David and Goliath)
New Testament Lesson: Ephesians 6:10-20 (Spiritual warfare)
Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:44-53 (Jesus completes God’s work of salvation)

Many times in the Bible, God asked His people to go into battle even though they were physically outmatched. God did that to help His people put their trust in God and His strength. That was certainly true of the young shepherd David, who volunteered to take on the giant warrior Goliath. Armed with only a slingshot, God gave David the victory. God still calls His people to show up for spiritual warfare, and to put their trust in God’s power. God’s Word, His truth, His righteousness – they are His power to destroy evil.

Readings:
Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 112 (The strength of righteousness)
Gospel Lesson: Luke 6:17-26 (Blessings and woes)

“Man up!” That’s what people say when they want someone to be tough and strong. When most people think of strength they picture big muscles, powerful weapons, high levels of authority, or even mental and emotional strength. But not many people think of the strength of righteousness – of doing the right thing. As sinful human beings, we have no righteousness of our own – it can only come from God! God’s righteousness is the greatest power there is – and it comes to us through the work of Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. May the joy of the Lord be your strength!

Readings:
Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob’s dream
John 1:43-51 - Jesus refers to Jacob’s vision

Because he lied and deceived his brother and father, Jacob had to flee in fear for his life. In spite of his failures, God appeared to Jacob in a dream as he slept in Bethel. The vision of a stairwell from heaven to earth with angels ascending and descending was a great reminder to Jacob that God would always be with him. Jesus made the same promise to His disciples – and to us, that He will be with us always. The promise of God’s presence reminds us of His deep love and faithfulness – He will never forsake us!

Readings:
Philippians 2:12-18 (Do everything without complaining or arguing)
Luke 10:38-42 (The story of Mary and Martha)

Mary and Martha were sisters and friends of Jesus. It seems that Jesus stayed several times at their home in Bethany just outside of Jerusalem. On one visit, Martha became very upset with Mary for not helping with the preparations, but sitting and listening to Jesus. Although working and preparing are great ways of serving Jesus, listening to the Words of Jesus is the most important task we have as Christians. May the Words of Jesus today give you great comfort and peace.