Remembrances, Reminders, and Visuals

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Remembrances, Reminders, and Visuals

September 26, 2024 • Marilyn Nutter • Lamentations 3:23, Romans 12:1–2, 2 Corinthians 4:16–18

Give

When the first stems appeared, I broke into a smile. Within a week, a beautiful bed of tulips decorated my yard. I had purchased the bulbs on a trip with friends and planted them when I returned home.

On our trip, we were enriched by visits to historical sites, tasting new foods, and taking in the amazing beauty of the countryside. Now those tulips give me a visual reminder of God’s blessings.

Each day, we have reminders of God’s faithful provisions that renew our spirit. Perhaps it’s a bill marked “paid” or a photo of sweet moments with family that bring joy. Reminders of God’s faithful presence sometimes come through experiences and sometimes through the beauty of tulips.

The God We Know

November 8, 2024 • Katherine Klemp • Luke 8:24–25, Luke 8:22–25, Psalm 23

A valid question. The disciples knew Jesus well. They had listened as he opened scripture to them. They had seen him heal great numbers of people. They stood witness as he cast out demons. He raised a widow’s son from the dead. What part of his limitless and loving care for people didn’t they get? Whenever you’re faced with new fears and challenges, look back. How many years have you walked with Jesus? How many blessings has he bestowed on your life? When has he let you down? This simple review will show his obvious presence and care over the years and upholds our faith in the One who always loves and cares.

To Remember or Forget

November 7, 2024 • Ken Holdorf • Job 17:11, 1 Peter 2:10, Ephesians 2:1–10

No doubt there are times in your past that you would like to forget. But what does God want you to remember about the past? Job had a lot of things in his past that he wanted to forget. God wanted Job to remember these words recorded in Job 19:25, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” God wants you to remember what he did in the past — that he sent Jesus to be your Redeemer through his death on the cross as the sacrifice for your sin, and to remember that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day to give you the assurance of life everlasting. That’s the good news of the past that is still the good news of the present.

My Church ...

November 6, 2024 • Jerry Groth • Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 4:1–5, Hebrews 10:19–25

When I was a seminary student, we were assigned to a local congregation where we did what was called “field work.” Often, as the pastor preached, he would look off into the distance, and say the words, “My church, my church, my dear old church, my Father’s and my own! On prophets and apostles built. And Christ our cornerstone. All else beside, by storm or tide, may yet be overthrown. But not my church, my dear old church, my Fathers’ and my own” (American Lutheran Hymnal). If you are a member of a church, give whatever you can give to the work and life of your congregation. Regularly hear the preached Word. Talk honestly. Be merciful. Worship faithfully. We spend precious few days on earth. Make them people-centered, not me-centered.