Monday, June 18, 2018

The Lutheran Hour Ministries in Saint Louis Missouri United States Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Daily Devotional for Tuesdah, 19 June 2018 "On Stage"

The Lutheran Hour Ministries in Saint Louis Missouri United States Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Daily Devotional for Tuesdah, 19 June 2018 "On Stage"


Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "On Stage" for Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Charles Darwin, Warren Buffet, Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas Jefferson, Carly Simon, Brian Wilson, Laurence Olivier, Mark Twain, Barbra Streisand, and Bella Daniels: all of these folk have one thing in common. And, no, it's not that they're famous. At least one of them, the last one, Bella Daniels, is almost unknown.
So, what common trait do these folks share?
Stage fright!
Yep, that's it. They often have become petrified when they get in front of an audience.
That was certainly the case for two-year-old Bella Daniels. She recently went on stage to perform in her very first dance recital. To make a long story short, Bella took one look at the crowd, became terrified, and broke into hysterical screams -- something which didn't necessarily encourage or inspire the other dancers.
Bella's tears went on so long, and at such a volume, her sympathetic father, Marc, joined her up on the stage. He whispered, "Do you want to dance with daddy?"
Bella nodded yes. Marc, holding another younger baby on his hip, joined in.
Videos taken of the performance show that he did a pretty good job, too.
Marc did so well, at least in part, because he had practiced his daughter's routine at home. Actually, Marc had put in a lot of practice toe-pointing. It was practice time which paid off as Bella, her fears put aside, managed to finish her routine with flying colors.
The same principle holds true when it comes to our faith. This world can be a pretty frightening place. Left to our own devices, we can -- like Bella -- be thrown into an absolute panic. It is precisely at such times we need to remember the Savior who gave His life, so we might have life. We must remember and place our fears -- and our trust -- into His most capable hands.
Sadly, many people, including many children, have only a passing knowledge of the Christ. For them, when difficulties, pains, and problems arise, they don't automatically think of going to the Savior. Like Bella, they just stand and cry out in fear and pain -- problems Jesus would gladly help them carry.
The question is how best to share the Savior's Name with the children, so they learn to rely on Him for all of their lives?
* Some would say, "Drop them off at Sunday school or at the religious grade school or Vacation Bible School. There is no doubt that this is a good process and can oftentimes reach our children.
* The second choice is the Marc Daniel's school of Christian education. It means when your child comes home from VBS, Sunday school, confirmation, you go over the material with them. You study it together. You explore it as a team. You answer questions and reinforce what others have taught.
To rephrase Marc, we say to our children, "Should we learn about Jesus today?"
I'd be surprised if your children don't say, "Yes."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world is always ready to teach our children about things which don't please You. May we be just as eager to teach our children about the Savior whose life was offered for our redemption. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by the WEB Staff from Fox 8 News on June 9, 2018. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written:http://myfox8.com/2018/06/09/father-holding-a-baby-runs-on-stage-to-hold-his-ballet-dancing-daughters-hand-after-she-becomes-stage-fright/
Also Katherine Beard at https://www.dancespirit.com/this-dad-performing-his-daughters-dance-routine-is-the-cutest-thing-youll-see-all-week-2577163341.html

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: Proverbs 25-26; Acts 4:23-37
Proverbs 25:
1 These also are proverbs of Shlomo; the men of Hizkiyah king of Y’hudah copied them out:
2 God gets glory from concealing things;
kings get glory from investigating things.
3 Like the sky for height or the earth for depth
is the heart of kings — unfathomable.
4 Remove the impurities from the silver,
and the smith has material to make a vessel.
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will rest firmly on righteousness.
6 Don’t put yourself forward in the king’s presence;
don’t take a place among the great.
7 For it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than be degraded in the presence of a nobleman.
What your eyes have seen,
8 don’t rush to present in a dispute.
For what will you do later on,
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Discuss your dispute with your neighbor,
but don’t reveal another person’s secrets.
10 If you do, and he hears of it, he will disgrace you,
and your bad reputation will stick.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver
is a word appropriately spoken.
12 Like a gold earring, like a fine gold necklace
is a wise reprover to a receptive ear.
13 Like the coldness of snow in the heat of the harvest
is a faithful messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes his master’s spirit.
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain
is he who boasts of gifts he never gives.
15 With patience a ruler may be won over,
and a gentle tongue can break bones.
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need;
for if you eat too much of it, you may throw it up;
17 so don’t visit your neighbor too much,
or he may get his fill of you and come to hate you.
18 Like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow
is a person who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 Relying on an untrustworthy person in a time of trouble
is like [relying on] a broken tooth or an unsteady leg.
20 Like removing clothes on a chilly day or like vinegar on soda
is someone who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If someone who hates you is hungry, give him food to eat;
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 For you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head,
and Adonai will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof
than to share the house with a nagging wife.
25 Like cold water to a person faint from thirst
is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
27 It isn’t good to eat too much honey
or to seek honor after honor.
28 Like a city breached, without walls,
is a person who lacks self-control.
26:1 Like snow in summer or rain at harvest-time,
so honor for a fool is out of place.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a flying swallow,
an undeserved curse will come home to roost.
3 A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Don’t answer a fool in terms of his folly,
or you will be descending to his level;
5 but answer a fool as his folly deserves,
so that he won’t think he is wise.
6 Telling a message to a fool and sending him out
is like cutting off one’s feet and drinking violence.
7 The legs of the disabled hang limp and useless;
likewise a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 Like one who ties his stone to the sling
is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn branch in the hand of a drunk
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 A master can make anything,
but hiring a fool is like hiring some passer-by.
11 Just as a dog returns to his vomit,
a fool repeats his folly.
12 Do you see someone who thinks himself wise?
There is more hope for a fool than for him!
13 The lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the streets!
A lion is roaming loose out there!”
14 The door turns on its hinges,
and the lazy man on his bed.
15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish
but is too tired to return it to his mouth.
16 A lazy man is wiser in his own view
than seven who can answer with sense.
17 Like someone who grabs a dog by the ears
is a passer-by who mixes in a fight not his own.
18 Like a madman shooting deadly arrows and firebrands
19 is one who deceives another, then says, “It was just a joke.”
20 If there’s no wood, the fire goes out;
if nobody gossips, contention stops.
21 As coals are to embers and wood to fire
is a quarrelsome person to kindling strife.
22 A slanderer’s words are tasty morsels;
they slide right down into the belly.
23 Like silver slag overlaid on a clay pot
are lips that burn [with friendship] over a hating heart.
24 He who hates may hide it with his speech;
but inside, he harbors deceit.
25 He may speak pleasantly, but don’t trust him;
for seven abominations are in his heart.
26 His hatred may be concealed by deceit,
but his wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on the one who starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Acts 4:23 Upon being released, they went back to their friends and reported what the head cohanim and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they raised their voices to God with singleness of heart. “Master,” they prayed, “You made heaven, earth, the sea and everything in them.[
Acts 4:24 Psalm 146:6] 25 By the Ruach HaKodesh, through the mouth of our father David, your servant, you said,
‘Why did the nations rage
and the peoples devise useless plans?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand;
and the rulers assembled together
against Adonai
and against his Messiah.’[
Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1–2]
27 “This has come true in this city, since Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Goyim and the peoples of Isra’el, all assembled against your holy servant Yeshua, whom you made Messiah, 28 to do what your power and plan had already determined beforehand should happen.
29 “So now, Lord, take note of their threats; and enable your slaves to speak your message with boldness! 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and to do signs and miracles through the name of your holy servant Yeshua!”
31 While they were still praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and they spoke God’s message with boldness.
32 All the many believers were one in heart and soul, and no one claimed any of his possessions for himself, but everyone shared everything he had. 33 With great power the emissaries continued testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua, and they were all held in high regard. 34 No one among them was poor, since those who owned lands or houses sold them and turned over the proceeds 35 to the emissaries to distribute to each according to his need. 36 Thus Yosef, whom the emissaries called Bar-Nabba (which means “the Exhorter”), a Levi and a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field which belonged to him and brought the money to the emissaries.
 (Complete Jewish Bible).
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"Your Gift Today Can Go Twice as Far" for Monday, 18 June 2018 from The Lutheran Hour Ministries in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

The Middle East and North Africa is a critical, newsworthy region. The decisions its young people make today will impact how those future leaders function tomorrow. YOU can help foster change in their lives.
Enter Power Bank, a new television series from Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) and SAT-7. The series is scheduled to debut on Friday, June 22— four days away—and you can help make the official launch.
For the next 100 hours, a
special Matching Grant will DOUBLE
the first $25,000 given toward this effort. 
That will mean a total of $50,000 to help carry Power Bank across the finish line!
Power Bank marks a major expansion for LHM’s outreach in the region, with potential to reach millions of viewers—in family homes and refugee camps—in 20 Arabic countries, from Morocco to the Persian Gulf.
LHM has partnered with SAT-7, the first and largest Christian satellite network in the region, to produce Power Bank, one of the most ambitious projects in SAT-7’s history.
Power Bank, like America’s The Tonight Show, features comedic skits, musical performances, interviews and topical discussions. The weekly, 60-minute show will address topics relevant to individuals 18 to 35 years old. Christian values and perspectives will permeate each segment, encouraging the audience to contact us with questions or to share their thoughts.
“We believe this project will provide hope for millions of people searching for answers,” says LHM’s regional director for Africa and the Middle East. “Hearing the Gospel through mass media from the privacy of their own homes may be the only opportunity for many youth and young adults.”
With a gift of support, YOU can help pioneer this vital lifeline at the ground level—and the $25,000 Matching Grant can carry your gift twice as far. But the launch cannot happen without individuals like you.
Please consider a financial gift today. Thank you for making history!
CHANGE THEIR WORLD. CHANGE YOURS.
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING. 
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