GOOD GRIEF!
1 Peter 1:6
In this you greatly
rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all
kinds of trials.
Peter is writing to early Christians
throughout an area that now is Turkey.
Paul had traveled extensively in this area, as had several other early
apostles and evangelists. Peter is well
known to these people too. Peter is
writing to 21st century Christians and we know him well too. We know Peter the fisherman. We know Peter who spoke on behalf of all of
the disciples confessing Jesus as the Christ.
We know Peter who denied Jesus while Jesus was on trial. We know Peter who rushed to the tomb after
Mary Magdalene’s report on Easter. We
know Peter as Jesus restored him saying, “Feed my sheep.” We know Peter who boldly proclaimed the
Gospel in the temple courts and streets of Jerusalem and throughout the known
world until his martyrdom for his faith.
Some will try to convince you that
“if your faith is strong enough you won’t have any trials and hardships.” As we listen to God who speaks to us through
Peter we know that in this sinful world we are always going to have trials in
both daily living and trials in our lives of faith. Satan delights in trying to take our eyes off
of Jesus and on these things that he uses to distract us away from God’s love
and promises in our resurrected Lord and Savior. Instead, God delivers us through each of
these so that we will look more intently and in faith on him for that final
deliverance that comes through the forgiveness of sins, eternal life with
Christ in all of his heavenly splendor.
When God urgently invites us to call
upon him in the day of trouble and firmly promises to deliver us [Psalm 50:15],
he confirms repeatedly that earthly grief is really good grief knowing that he
will deliver even from the grips of death to that eternal life with him.
Remember Jesus’ words, “…he has crossed over from death to life,” [John 5:24.
Prayer:
Almighty God, grant us a
steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in Your mercy, and a sincere
love for You and one another; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Lutheran
Service Book p. 310)
(Devotion by Pastor Richard Mau, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Des Plaines,
IL.
Immanuel’s prayer
list includes:
Ø For those ill,
hospitalized, and undergoing treatments
Ø Rejoicing with:
o
Chuck
and Karen Hennessey: 34th
anniversary
o
Jack
Bohy: birthday
Ø Comfort knowing
the joys of the resurrection to families and friends of those called to their
eternal rest in the Lord:
o
Herb
Ebert
o
Martin
Dettmer
Ø Rejoicing that
all 2nd grade students in Sunday School and Immanuel’s day school
will receive Faith Alive Bibles in this Sunday’s services. Thanksgiving for this and many other gifts
promoting mission from Immanuel’s Endowment Fund.
Ø Rejoicing in
rededicating Immanuel’s offering plates.
These plates were made by Al Warnke and John Uidl in Al’s business
fifty-one years ago. Randy Uidl has
refinished these plates for continued use as we humbly present our simple gifts
in return for God’s most glorious gifts.
We pray that the offerings in these plates support mission and ministry
at Immanuel, in Des Plaines, and throughout the world so that others hear the
Gospel of Jesus and are saved.
Ø For the church
council, officers, boards and staff as all continue to struggle with difficult
decisions in regards to the congregation’s resources, indebtedness, and the
call to ministry and mission.
Ø For those
expecting children and those desiring children, for good health and safety for
parents and infants in the womb.
Ø For Immanuel
members to invite neighbors to join in fellowships offered in Bible Studies,
services and all other activities at Immanuel.
Ø For all at Immanuel
to join TOGETHER in the WORD at all
times and places That we grow in
confidence of our faith as be become ABLAZE,
spreading the joys of God’s love in Jesus to others both at home and throughout
this world.
Ø For New Neighbor Outreach mailings to bring
newcomers in our community to come to Immanuel and rejoice learning and knowing
God’s graces in Jesus Christ.
Ø For Immanuel’s
worship services, that we join together in rejoicings in God’s love in Jesus,
for repentant hearts laid bare to receive this love, for new souls to come to
know this wondrous love and the fellowship at Immanuel.
What Bible Study do you attend?
What Bible Study do you want to attend?
Do you want a Bible Study in your home?
For
All Services and Bible Studies