Lutheran Ladies Devotions

[WildStrawberry]

I've been writing short Bible Studies and Devotions for my Women's Guild and have been considering writing more and maybe seeing if I could get published. I'd love to share with you ladies and have your thoughts and, if you want to post Devos or Bible Studies that you've written, that would be excellent!

Anyway, last night was our monthly meeting and I was supposed to lead a short Bible Study but was unable to go because Mike passed out at the Doctor's office and I didn't feel comfortable leaving him alone. The following is the (very very short) Bible Study I wrote. Discussions would be excellent as well!

Trust in the Lord

Times are getting tough here in America. People are losing their jobs, the government is looking to spend more of our hard earned money, Christian persecution is on the rise and folks are getting fed up with it all. Some begin to wonder “just where IS God in all of this?” Others feel that God has “let them down” because He’s not giving them the blessings He promised. Some feel that God is punishing them by “letting” them lose their job or come down with a life threatening disease or disorder. Still others are losing their faith because times are hard and “God said we’d have it easy if we believed!” so they push Him away because, to their eyes, He’s not living up to the promises they’ve made up in their own minds.

But did He? Did he say that “once you believe, everything will be hunky dory”?

Matthew 5:10-12
Luke 21:12
John 15:20

Jesus specifically says that we will be persecuted for Him. But by being persecuted, we gain life in Him.

He also promises that He’ll always be there with us. Even when we feel like we’re all alone and no one could ever understand just what we’re going through, Jesus’ words can give us comfort…

Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 28:20b

He’s not going away. WE are the ones that “go away”, turn from Him and reject His very presence and love. Even in these tough times, even while we’re being persecuted for our beliefs, our God is there holding us in His hands and strengthening us with His Holy Spirit.

I am trusting you to guide me;
You alone shall lead,
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.
I am trusting you for power;
You can never fail.
Words which you yourself shall give me
Must prevail.
I am trusting you, Lord Jesus;
Never let me fall.
I am trusting you forever
And for all.

Amen

 

[seajoy]

Thanks Kae, I really needed that this morning.

 

[elliotps932]

Thanks Kae, I really needed that this morning.

Agreed thanks

 

[WildStrawberry]

I'm glad people enjoyed it!

 

[WildStrawberry]

A friend recently asked “what makes Lutherans so HAPPY over the coming end times?” It brought about a discussion of how Lutherans seem to just “take things in stride” as opposed to other Christians.

With all I could have said on the subject, the answer really comes down to just one word. Hope. Now, being thoroughly Lutheran, I have to ask “what does this mean?” The online free dictionary defines hope as “1. To look forward to with confidence or expectation or the archaic use “To have confidence; trust”

We Lutherans seem to understand the whole concept of hope in Christ based on God’s promise of salvation and that promise is a “sure thing” as it says in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

And because we have that confidence, we also have the "modern" type of hope. We CAN look forward to Christ's Second coming with GREAT Confidence and Expectation! We can do so because, when it all boils down, Jesus did it all FOR us. As Luther said in the Explanation to the 3rd article of the Apostles' Creed: "We can not, by our own reason or strength, come to faith in Christ Jesus, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life."

Because of this hope, this complete confidence and trust we can have in God, we Lutherans should be nothing but happy and joyfully LONGING for the end times to come. It doesn’t mean that bad things will never happen to us, but it DOES mean that because of God’s boundless grace, His absolute love that gave us forgiveness through the death and resurrection of our Lord, that, even in the hour of our deepest need, we can have that hope, clear and true, that we are forgiven and we will see salvation.

Amen. Even so, Come Lord Jesus! Amen.

 

[LutheranChick]

That is a great devotion, Kae- feel free to post devotions any time! Oops posted before your last one- that was great too!

 

[WildStrawberry]

Thanks LC!

 

[seajoy]

Yes, Kae...these are wonderful. Thank you!

 

[Johnsgal]

Thank you for the devotion, Radman even said it was very good.

 

[WildStrawberry]

Yes, Kae...these are wonderful. Thank you!

Thanks, Angie!

Thank you for the devotion, Radman even said it was very good.

Thanks J'sG! And that is high praise indeed coming from Rad! Thanks!