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God’s Word September 10, 2006

Every student once in a while wonders, “Why do I have to learn this?” Sometimes we feel like what we are learning is useless. However, there is one area in which knowledge is never useless: the study of God’s Word. Look at some of the verses in the Bible that talk about learning God’s Word.

“Hear, Oh Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.” (Deuteronomy 5:1)

“I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn Your righteous laws.” (Psalm 119:7)

“The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.” (Proverbs 15:14)

I once heard a student ask a teacher, “Why do we have to learn this?” To which the wise teacher replied, “The purpose of school is not simply to acquire facts, but to learn how to learn.” In school, students need to ask questions and then have the skills necessary to find the answers. In short, school should be preparing students for solving problems – learning how to learn.

God wants us to have those same skills in our spiritual life. God does not want us to simply accept what our parents tell us, in regard to faith, unless we really believe it for ourselves. God has given us His Word to study and learn so that we are better equipped to receive this faith from the Holy Spirit.

Are there ever parts of the Bible that confuse you, or you’re not sure you agree with? Good!! Questions are great!! Any good teacher welcomes questions. God is no exception. He is glad that you are thinking about your faith enough to have questions. He has given us His Word, and blessed us with people like pastors, teachers, and parents to help find the answers to those questions. He also invites you to talk to Him in prayer and ask your questions. He will help guide you to an answer. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

(John 8:32)

Questions:

1. What is your favorite subject in school? Least favorite? In which class do you have the most questions?

2. How often do you read/study God’s Word? Do you feel that is enough? Make a goal to read from your Bible every day this week (either on your own or as a family).

3. Do you have any questions about your faith, or from the Bible, that maybe Mom or Dad could help you with? Share with each other.

Prayer:

Dear God, Thank you for the Bible. Being able to study it is a great blessing. Forgive me for not spending enough time reading Your Word. Please help me to always depend on You to answer my questions.

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The God Who Gives Back September 11, 2006

“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed” (Luke 14:13-14).

Blessed! All of us know that feeling. One day while on a lunch break in San Diego, my husband bought a “Whopper” at Burger King for a homeless man who was nearby. When my husband presented the man with the sandwich, they were both smiling, one with teeth and one without teeth. What a good feeling for both men who felt rewarded. Blessings do come when you do good deeds to those who cannot repay you.

Certainly, God blesses us here on earth out of His grace and goodness. His greatest blessing is found in His Son, Jesus. God may also give us temporal rewards for right choices in faithful service to Him in the here and now. But the rewards Jesus reveals in the Bible are different. They are God’s guaranteed response that will continue to affect our lives for eternity. These rewards come not from asking, but by His grace. Many of these blessings we may not realize until we are in heaven.

Questions:

1. How are you serving God with your talents?

2. With what blessings has God rewarded you recently?

Prayer:

Make me, God, a good and faithful servant. Thank you for all the rewards and blessings, temporal and eternal, that You give me.

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“To The World” September 12, 2006

“Serve whole heartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.” (Eph. 6:7)

Missionaries are people God uses to teach others about Him. Missionaries can live in far away countries and teach people living in huts and tents about Jesus. They can also live in countries where it is against the law to teach about Jesus. Amazingly enough, you and I are also missionaries!! God calls all of us to tell others about Him. We can do that here in our home, school, town, and church. We can also do that in other countries.

Part of serving God is in learning about Him and the work He calls us to do.

Just recently the International Lutheran Laymen’s League met in Convention in Billings, Montana. Many of the delegates going to the Convention learned about “how” many of them can help in mission work:

1. Orphan Grain Train – bringing needed items such as food, lumber, building materials to those in need in this Country and all over the world.

2. Bibles to those in prison and in local County jails.

3. Adopting a special mission congregation in a third world country and to help them in getting materials out to those around them.

4. Supporting the local “Lutheran Hour Broadcast”.

5. Starting up a local “Lutheran Hour Broadcast” in one’s community.

6. Plus many other aspects of volunteer work.

In 2007 a trip by volunteers from the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod will travel to China to see the work being done there in the name of Christ Jesus and to see “how” they can help with this mission from back-at-home!

We are reminded by the Lord “You are the light of the world…..” (Matthew 5:14a). When we serve others we are really serving our Savior who has called us out of the darkness of sin and condemnation to the light of His forgiveness and love.

There are missionaries all over the world, as well as right here at Trinity who need our prayers and our help. Even though some of us are too young to go on a mission trip, we are never too young to learn about different missions or be missionaries in our own homes and schools! We can also partner with them by praying for them. What can we pray for? Pray for their safety. Pray for doors to be opened so that they can proclaim the Gospel. Pray that each member on the team grows in Christ.

Questions:

1. Who do you know that is a good example of a missionary? What makes him/her a good example?

2. What can you do to help out with the St. Luke Mission Trip? (Donate needed supplies? Pray for the missionaries?) Commit as a family to helping out in at least one way.

3. Ask God to open your eyes and mind to mission opportunities around you that you may serve Him more.

Prayer:

Thank you, God, for missionaries. Thank you for sending them to so many countries that need to hear about You. Please be with all of the missionaries around the world and in our own country. Help me to be a good missionary in my family and school. Please be with the Missionaries of our LC-MS. Let their message of Your love in Jesus be well received.

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Sharing Yourself with Others September 13, 2006

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).

Several months ago, our church’s Youth and Family Director organized a mission trip to Mexico. When I first heard of the trip, I pondered the thought of going. Since I figured that I had a little over a month to make my final decision, I didn’t concentrate on it very much in the beginning. In fact, I didn’t think our church would have enough people to go because initially there were no signatures on the sign-up-sheet at the rear of the sanctuary.

In the meantime, I asked the Youth and Family Director what my total cost would be. He said that it would be no more than $750.00. I was shocked because I figured that it would be several thousand dollars. Immediately following this discussion, my class and I went to Friday’s chapel service. As chapel continued, I gazed at the stained-glass window of Jesus kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane. I can’t describe the feeling that came over me. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I thought, “I have to go on this trip.”

When I finally signed up to go on the mission trip to Mexico, I was number twenty-four. Our church was only going to take twenty participants. I was so disappointed that I waited to sign that paper. I was also disappointed with myself because during my pondering, I was weighing financial and health concerns. I was angry with myself for waiting so long and now I jeopardized my chance to go. I should have, first and foremost, realized that God would take care of everything. In the end, four people backed out and could not go on the trip. So, as a result, that made me number twenty!

God has richly blessed my family and me, and I want to spread His Word and share His love by helping other people in need. I am so thankful that He is giving me this opportunity to share the Gospel with children and adults in a different culture.

Questions:

1. When has God “tugged at your heart” to spread the Good News?

2. In your prayers, do you ask God to give you opportunities to do His will?

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings you have richly bestowed on me. Give me more opportunities to share Your love with others.

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God Points the Way September 14, 2006

“Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the Gospel of God but also our own lives, because you have become very dear to us” (1Thessalonians 2:8 NASB).

My teaching position is not a “job” to me. Teaching has always been one of the “loves” of my life. It boggles my mind to think of all the children (some of whom have their own children now) on whose lives I have made a Christian impact. I am so thankful that God has given me these teaching opportunities in Illinois, Virginia, California, and Pennsylvania.

Teaching in a Lutheran school is wonderful because I can share the Gospel with the students and witness to families who are unchurched. I could not do this in a public school. In religion class in our realistic roleplays, the children learn how to deal with difficult situations in a Christ-like manner.

Many teachers today suffer from “teacher burn-out.” I believe that one of the reasons why I am not “burnt-out” is that the Holy Spirit keeps giving me the strength each day to utilize my God-given talents. I want to continue sharing God’s love. One of my favorite compliments which a student has ever given me is in the following incident. One eighth grade boy asked me, “Aren’t you ‘burnt-out’ yet?” Another eighth grade boy answered for me. He said, “No, she’s not because she loves us.”

God gives each of us talents in order to spread His Word. He also gives us opportunities in life to learn and to teach the Good news of the Gospel. With these He points the way for us so that we can impact the lives of others with His love.

Questions:

1. In what ways are you learning about His Good News?

2. What opportunities has God put in your life to share His Good News with others?

3. Do you frequently ask God for help to keep you on “His path” for you?

Prayer:

Lord, help me to see your path for me. Thank you for the talents and opportunities you’ve given me to share Your Word.

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The Power of Forgiveness September 15, 2006

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

When I thought about the power of forgiveness, I came across some thoughts from Max Lucado that expresses this so well…

Oh, I could never do that, you object. The hurt is so deep. The wounds are so numerous. I can’t forgive. Just seeing the person causes me to cringe. Perhaps you are seeing the wrong person. The secret of being just like Jesus is “fixing our eyes” on Him. Try shifting your glance away from the one who hurt you and setting your eyes on the One who has saved you. (Lucado 24)

Our Savior kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, He reaches out in kindness and says, “I can clean that if you want.” And from the basin of His grace, He scoops a palm full of mercy and washes away our sin. (Lucado 25)

What does it mean to have a heart like His? It means to kneel as Jesus knelt, touching the grimy parts of the people we are stuck with and washing away their unkindnesses with kindness. (Lucado 25)

“But, Max,” you are saying, “I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m not the one who cheated. I’m not the one who lied. I’m not the guilty party here.” Perhaps you aren’t. But neither was Jesus…More often than not, if the one in the right volunteers to wash the feet of the one in the wrong, both parties get on their knees. Don’t we all think we are right? Hence we wash each other’s feet…Relationships don’t thrive because the guilty are punished but because the innocent are merciful. (Lucado 26)

Every day we all need to go to Jesus because we have sinned. What a valuable lesson we can learn from Him. Not only did He forgive others, but He paid the price for everyone’s sin. Ask Him daily to give you the strength to share that forgiveness.

Questions:

1. Are there any relationships in your life that need forgiveness?

2. Can you forgive others as freely as Christ forgave you?

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for forgiving me. Please help me to be merciful to those whom I need to forgive. Amen.

Works Cited:

Lucado, Max. Just Like Jesus. Nashville, Tennessee: Word Publishing, 1998.

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Local Missions September 16, 2006

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

God calls us all to be missionaries. He wants us to spread His love and the good news of His death and resurrection to those around us. We don’t have to go to another country to do mission work. There is plenty of work to do all around us!!

Trinity is involved in many local missions that help people in our community. Helping those around us shows our love for Christ in actions, not just words. Here are some of the ways that Trinity members help out our neighbors:

Wee Disciples Lutheran School Trinity provides the facilities for Wee Disciples and they are always in need of volunteers to help.

Rescue Mission Trinity donates for the Rescue Mission and their help with people in the community (food, jobs, place to stay).

Life Way Pregnancy Center

Montana District Lutherans for Life Trinity supports and is involved in the issues of “LIFE” as it pertains to pregnancy issues, family issues, adoption issues and old age issues.

Food Bank Trinity continues to donate food items to help the many families of the community who are in need of help.

These are just a few of the many ways that people at Trinity act as missionaries to our local community. Whether we go to another country to spread God’s love, or stay in our own neighborhood, it makes God happy when we do His work. As it says in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Questions:

1. Which of the ministries above could you help out with? In what way could you help?

2. Is there another ministry not listed that you know you would like to be involved in? What is it?

3. Commit to helping out a local ministry. It could be a one time assistance, or ongoing.

Prayer:

Thank you so much for allowing us the privilege of doing Your will. We are honored to be used by You. Help us to carry out our mission to Your glory. Help us to always be seeking new ways to serve You. Amen