Immanuel Cares

Pastor Randy Ott from Morrison Zion Lutheran Church preached the sermon.  

A divine strategy for handling stress, as well as a reality in Christ that is yours in the midst of your stress.  

Is help the reason why one should go to church?

Satisfaction guaranteed! Children's devotion on favorite things.   Psalm 90 (EHV)  1Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity you are God. 3You grind people to dust, and you say, “Return, children of Adam.” 4For a thousand years in your sight are like a day, like yesterday that has gone by, or like a watch in the night. 5You sweep them away like a flood. They are like sleep in the morning, like grass which changes quickly. 6In the morning it sprouts and grows. By evening it is cut down, and it withers. 7Surely, we are consumed by your anger, and by your wrath we are terrified. 8You have laid out our guilty deeds in front of you. Our hidden sins are revealed in the light of your face. 9For all our days pass away under your fury. We finish our years like a sigh. 10The days of our lives add up to seventy years, or eighty years if we are strong. Yet the best of them are trouble and sorrow, for they disappear quickly, and we fly away. 11Who can understand the power of your anger? But your fury is consistent with the fear that is owed to you. 12Teach us to number our days in such a way that we bring a heart of wisdom. 13Turn, O Lord! How long! Change your mind toward your servants. 14Satisfy us in the morning with your mercy, so that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. 16Let your deeds be seen by your servants and your majesty by their children. 17May the kindness of the Lord our God rest upon us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands. Immanuel Shirley:  www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/

Children's Devotion on posture for prayer.   Psalm 138 (EHV)  I will thank you with all my heart. Before the gods I will make music for you. I will bow down toward your holy temple. I will give thanks to your name because of your mercy and because of your truth. Yes, you made your word even greater than your name. By day I called, and you answered me. You have made my soul strong. All the kings of the earth will thank you, LORD, when they have heard the message from your mouth. Then they will sing about the ways of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD is great. Indeed the LORD is exalted, but he sees the lowly, and he recognizes the proud from a distance. If I walk surrounded by danger, you keep me alive in spite of the anger of my enemies. You stretch out your hand. You save me with your right hand. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me. LORD, your mercy endures forever. Do not let go of the works of your hands. Immanuel Shirley:  www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/ #EHV #sermon 

If you're busy, what is one thing that you need?  When you are not busy, what's the one thing you need?   We also are including the children's devotion for today on "Hallowed Be Thy Name" Luke 10:38-42 (EHV) As they went on their way, Jesus came into a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at the Lord's feet and was listening to his word. But Martha was distracted with all her serving. She came over and said, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.” The Lord answered and told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is needed. In fact, Mary has chosen that better part, which will not be taken away from her. Immanuel Shirley:  www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/ #EHV #sermon 

Psalm 25 (EHV) 1To you, O Lord, I will lift up my soul. 2In you I have trusted, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies triumph over me. 3All who hope in you will never be put to shame, but those who are treacherous for no reason will be put to shame. 4Make known to me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. 5Make me walk in your truth and teach me, because you are the God who saves me. In you I hope all day long. 6Remember, O Lord, your compassion and your mercy, for they are from eternity. 7Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to your mercy remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. 8Good and upright is the Lord. Therefore, he instructs sinners in the right way. 9He directs the humble to what is just, and he teaches the humble his way. 10All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11For the sake of your name, O Lord, you forgive my guilt, although it is great. 12Who, then, is the man who fears? The Lord will instruct him in the way he chooses. 13That man will enjoy a good life, and his descendants will possess the land. 14The guidance of the Lord is with those who fear him. His covenant will give them knowledge. 15My eyes are always on the Lord, because he frees my feet from the net. 16Turn toward me and be gracious to me, because I am lonely and afflicted. 17The distress of my heart increases. Bring me out of my anguish. 18See my affliction and my trouble, and take away all my sins. 19See my enemies —how they have increased, and how violently they hate me! 20Guard my life and rescue me. Do not let me be put to shame, for I have taken refuge in you. 21May integrity and uprightness protect me, because I wait for you. 22Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress! Immanuel Shirley:  www.immanuelshirley.com  

We say "God bless you" or "God Bless America," but do we recognize why and how He blesses America?  Our culture has an answer to these questions, but our Bible has another.  This is a difficult message for Christians in America to hear, because the answer to "Why does God bless America"  is not what most think or are conditioned to think.  Many will not like this message from God's Word today, although for some, it is life-changing.   We also are including the children's devotion for today.   Immanuel Shirley:  www.immanuelshirley.com Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/ #EHV #sermon #notchristiannation #Godblessamerica

Psalm 62 1My soul rests quietly in God alone. My salvation is from him. 2He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be disturbed. 3How long will you threaten a man? Do all of you want to murder him, like a leaning wall, like a fence to be pushed down? 4Yes, they plan to push him down from his lofty place. They are delighted with deceit. With their mouths they bless, but inside they curse. 5My soul, rest quietly in God alone, for my hope comes from him. 6He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be disturbed. 7My salvation and my honor depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. 8Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us. 9Yes, the sons of Adam are only a breath. The sons of man are a delusion. On a scale they weigh nothing. They are nothing but air. 10Do not trust in extortion. Do not put empty confidence in stolen goods. If your wealth grows, do not set your heart on it. 11One thing God has spoken, two things that I have heard: that God has strength 12and that you, Lord, have mercy. Surely you will repay each person according to what he has done. Immanuel Shirley:  www.shirleygreenleaf.com Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/ #EHV #sermon #roevwade #

The LORD speaks from a storm.   Youtube videos, click here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg We use the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV). No bible study downloads are needed. Grab your favorite beverage and join Pastor Ruddat as he give you the highlights from Job chapter 32 to chapter 37 #bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV #biblestudy

A new friend speaks, Elihu, younger and more direct than the other three friends. Surprisingly, Job doesn't have anything to say in response to him, neither does the LORD. What does Elihu add to the conversation about the Christian's suffering, God's justice, or His goodness? Youtube videos, click here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg We use the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV). No bible study downloads are needed. Grab your favorite beverage and join Pastor Ruddat as he give you the highlights from Job chapter 32 to chapter 37   #bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV #biblestudy

What does the Church (as an institution and as individuals) need in order to do well, whether it's 62 AD or 2022AD?  What does the church think it needs in order to do well, and what does God think it needs in order to do well?  God calls all of us to have an authentic Christian presence in this world.   Authentic:  Paul commends Timothy's sincere faith, as well as those in Timothy's life who were like Christ to Timothy. Christian:  Be about Christ and what he has done for us. Presence: In God's Family (in worship and receiving God's Gifts) and in God's World (not sheltered, but in the community and interacting with those around us with the love of Christ). 1 Timothy 1:3-10 (EHV) I thank God, whom I serve with a clean conscience as my ancestors did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. 4When I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I remember your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that it also lives in you. 6For this reason I am reminding you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a timid spirit, but a spirit of power and love and sound judgment. 8So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Instead, join with me in suffering for the gospel while relying on the power of God. 9He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10and it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. #EHV #authentic #presence #wels

What is man (or humanity)?  A deep question the Bible asks and answers in Psalm 8. Psalms 8:1-8 (EHV)  1O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Set this glory of yours above the heavens. 2From the lips of little children and nursing babies you have established strength because of your foes, to put a stop to the enemy and the avenger. 3Whenever I look up at your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place— 4what is man that you remember him, the son of man that you pay attention to him! 5Nevertheless, you make him suffer need, apart from God for a while, but you crown him with glory and honor. 6You make him the ruler over the works of your hands. You put everything under his feet: 7all flocks and cattle, and even the wild animals, 8the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, which pass through the currents of the seas. 9O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!   Immanuel Shirley:  www.shirleygreenleaf.com Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/   #wels #lutheran #sermon #summerofpsalms

Job 27-31 Job's Final Monologue Youtube videos, click here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg #bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV #biblestudy

How does a person tell the difference between good unity and bad unity?  The unity, the good, the bad, and the prideful, are all on display at the Tower of Babel. Genesis 11:1-9 (EHV) The whole earth had one language and a single vocabulary. As people traveled in the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they settled there. They said to one another, “Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used mud brick instead of stone for building material, and they used tar for mortar. They said, “Come, let's build a city for ourselves and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let's make a name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” The LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the people were building. The LORD said, “If this is the first thing they are doing as one people, who all have one language, then nothing that they intend to do will be too difficult for them. Come, let's go down there and confuse their language, so that they cannot understand one another's speech.” So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city. It was named Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth. #wels #lutheran #sermon #towerofbabel #unity #pride #community #pridemonth 

The ascension of Jesus, is it a beginning or an end?   Revelation 22:12-17,30 12Look, I am coming soon and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and so that they may enter through the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs, that is, the sorcerers, the adulterers, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star. 17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears this say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift.. 20The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

What does an American Christian need to consider before taking up arms to fight for the freedom of Ukraine? see also: https://bookofconcord.org/small-catechism/table-of-duties/ https://wolfmueller.co/whether-soldiers-can-saved/   #devotion #askthepastor #wels

Essays - Why My Faith is Important to me - Why I want to be a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church Sermon text - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (EHV) But we are always obligated to thank God for you, brothers, loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and faith in the truth. For this reason he also called you through our gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold on to the teachings that were passed along to you, either by word of mouth or by a letter from us. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and establish you in every good work and word. God's Choice To save you through the Gospel To encourage you through that Gospel That you would live in and speak of that Gospel      

Why does God allow suffering to happen to the Christian? Don't we pray "Deliver us from evil?" Where's the deliverance?   #lordsprayer #suffering #whyGod #wels #welslutheran #evil #hiddenGod

Job 22-26. Round 3 of the verbal "boxing match" between Job and his friends. Job and his friends toss the darkness and water metaphors at each other, oh, and the RAHAB sea monster. To see the video click here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg #bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV #biblestudy

Six chapters, the entire round 2 of the verbal "boxing match" between Job and his friends, and the central chapter of the book of Job! To see the video click here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg #bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV

We meet Zophar, and peer down the "well of why?" Asking God "Why" is a not as comforting as we might think. #bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHVBible #EHV #onlinebiblestudy #wels #welslutheran

We meet Bildad To see the video click here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg #bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV

No Bible sheet needed, just listen as Job's first friend speaks and Job responds.  to see the video click here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg #bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV  

Introduction to Job and chapters 1-3 #bookofjob #immanuelshirley #EHV   to see the video click here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTVpr2Z7-ykFMSNi-FyW6abjdoUdnT8Xg

Pastor Aaron Schultz from Messiah in Bellevue preached today, as Pastor Ruddat is still struggling with COVID symptoms

Washing us clean in His Blood  Until He Brings us out of the Great Tribulation. Revelation 7:9-17 After these things I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing in front of the throne and of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. They called out with a loud voice and said: Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb. All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. They fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: Amen. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen. One of the elders spoke to me and said, “These people dressed in white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” And I answered him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me: These are the ones who are coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Because of this they are in front of the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will never be hungry or thirsty ever again. The sun will never beat upon them, nor will any scorching heat, for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  #Easter #WELS #immanuelcares #Lutheran #WELSlutheran #sermons #sermon #Revelation #Tribulation 

Some movies we can watch over and over, but can we watch them 52 times in a year?  Is worship just a rerun we've seen one two many times?  The disciples had a rerun in the gospel for today.  Listen and discover the power of a rerun, especially when the rerun is Jesus.  Gospel reading by Isaiah Ruddat.  Sermon Preached by Pastor Rik Krahn from MLHS. John 21:1-14 (EHV) After this, Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how he showed himself: Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I'm going fishing.” They replied, “We'll go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. Jesus called to them, “Boys, don't you have any fish?” “No!” they answered. He told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they cast the net out. Then they were not able to haul it in because of the large number of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard, “It is the Lord!” he tied his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about one hundred yards. When they stepped out on land, they saw some bread and a charcoal fire with fish on it. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed aboard and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153 of them. Yet even with so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them, and also the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. #EHVBIBLE #WELS #immanuelcares #Lutheran #WELSlutheran #sermons #sermon #John

We celebrate the Resurrection for more than one day.  How does a person keep their joy up when life and its problems return? Revelation 1:4-18 (EHV) John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is, who was, and who is coming, and from the seven spirits that are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his own blood and made us a kingdom and priests to God his Father―to him be the glory and the power forever. Amen. Look, he is coming with clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. And all the nations of the earth will mourn because of him. Yes. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, the one who is, and who was, and who is coming, the Almighty. I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingship and patient endurance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus. I was in spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard a loud voice behind me, like a trumpet, saying, “Write what you see on a scroll and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. When I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands, and among the lampstands was one like a son of man. He was clothed with a robe that reached to his feet, and around his chest he wore a gold sash. His head and his hair were white, like white wool or like snow. His eyes were like blazing flames. His feet were like polished bronze being refined in a furnace. His voice was like the roar of many waters. He held seven stars in his right hand. A sharp two-edged sword was coming out of his mouth. His face was shining as the sun shines in all its brightness. When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last―18the Living One. I was dead and, see, I am alive forever and ever! I also hold the keys of death and hell.    #Easter #WELS #immanuelcares #Lutheran #WELSlutheran #sermons #sermon #Revelation

You have 60 seconds, why is Easter important to you.  Pastor's suggestion: "Jesus Gives You an Objective Victory that's Joyful." #Easter #WELS #immanuelcares #Lutheran

Devotions on the Seven words from the cross and a prayer of the church The Prayer of the Church & the Lord's Prayer P:      Heavenly Father, you are a just God who accepts nothing less than perfection.  All too often we fail to realize how much our sins offend you.  We forget that the wages of sin truly is death.  We forget that there actually is a hell.  Lead us to recognize the seriousness of our sinfulness.  Lead us also to admit our inability to make things right with you. C:     Teach us to look to you as the only one who can make us just and right. P:      Today we are reminded not only of your justice but also of your love.  You did not spare you own Son but gave him as a ransom for each one of us.  Comfort us with the knowledge of this great love.  Give us the peace that the forgiveness of sins brings. C:     When we feel our guilt, point us to the cross, where our guilt was washed away in Jesus' blood. P:      Lord Jesus, we thank you for paying the debt that we could not pay.  We thank you for coming to earth so that we could be with you forever in heaven.  C:     For being our perfect substitute, we thank you, Lord Jesus. P:      Son of God, you offered up your body as an unblemished sacrifice for sin and commended your spirit into the hands of your Father.  Teach us to cast the cares of this brief life on our heavenly Father and commit our bodies and souls to his love. C:     Give us the courage to face death, knowing that it is the gate to our home in heaven. P:      Hear us, Lord, as we offer our personal thanks for the forgiveness that you have given us and for the home that you have won for us.       Silent prayer P:      The cross was once and instrument of death.  It is now a sign of life. C:     Dear Savior, we humbly kneel at the cross in awe of your power and of your love.  Amen.

Luke 22:7-20 (EHV) The day of Unleavened Bread arrived, when it was necessary to sacrifice the Passover lamb. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?” He told them, “Just as you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters. Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”' He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.” They went and found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with the twelve apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup after the supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is being poured out for you. contact the podcast:  immanuelshirleywels@gmail.com #immanuelcares #wels #welslutheran #immanuelshirley 

What is inevitable doesn't have to be terrorizing.  Also, the Bells play "King of Glory." Philppians 2:6-11 (EHV) Though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed, but he emptied himself by taking the nature of a servant. When he was born in human likeness, and his appearance was like that of any other man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   contact the podcast:  immanuelshirleywels@gmail.com #immanuelcares #wels #welslutheran #immanuelshirley 

Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours."   Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday. Luke 23:13-16 13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who is misleading the people. Look, I have examined him in your presence. I have found in this man no basis for the charges you are bringing against him. 15Herod did not either, for he sent him back to us. See, he has done nothing worthy of death. 16So I will have him flogged and release him.

A Christian life is lived forewords, not backwards.  The life we have from Christ The life we live for Christ Philippians 3:4b-14 (EHV) What the world considered valuable, Paul no longer valued. What Paul valued was Christ, whom God had exalted in the resurrection. Through Christ God exalts us as well, regardless of what the world thinks of us. If anyone else thinks that he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6in regard to zeal, persecuting the church; in regard to the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. 7But, whatever things were a profit for me, these things I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. 8But even more than that, I consider everything to be a loss because of what is worth far more: knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have lost all things and consider them rubbish, so that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, which comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God by faith. 10I do this so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11in the hope that in some way I may arrive at the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus also took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it yet, but there is one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, 14I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours."   Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday. Matthew 27:3,4 (EHV) Then when Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he felt remorse. He brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders 4and said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? That's your problem.”

Luke 15:1-3; 11-32 (EHV) All the tax collectors and sinners were coming to Jesus to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3He told them this parable: 11Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all that he had and traveled to a distant country. There he wasted his wealth with reckless living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. 15He went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16He would have liked to fill his stomach with the carob pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, and I am dying from hunger! 18I will get up, go to my father, and tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”' 20“He got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, hugged his son, and kissed him. 21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick, bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate, 24because this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.' Then they began to celebrate. 25“His older son was in the field. As he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27The servant told him, ‘Your brother is here! Your father killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28The older brother was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29He answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I've been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command, but you never gave me even a young goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours arrived after wasting your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31“The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.'”

Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours."   Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday. Luke 22:66 (EHV) "As soon as it was day, the council of the elders of the people met together, both the chief priests and experts in the law. They brought him into their Sanhedrin."

  When personal tragedy or collective tragedy strikes, we naturally ask, "Why?" Jesus gives us a better question to ask. Luke 13:1-9 (EHV) At that time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2He answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things? 3I tell you, no. But unless you repent, you will all perish too. 4Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse sinners than all the people living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no. But unless you repent, you will all perish too.” 6He told them this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it, but he did not find any. 7So he said to the gardener, ‘Look, for three years now I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and I have found none. Cut it down. Why even let it use up the soil?' 8But the gardener replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it. 9If it produces fruit next year, fine. But if not, then cut it down.'”

Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours."   Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday.

Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours."   Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday.

Lenten Series entitled, "The Crucial Hours."   Looking at key moments on Maundy Thursday through Good Friday.

  "The fox is in the henhouse," is a metaphor for "danger is near."  Jesus uses the fox and the hen picture, but turns the picture on its head.  Who is the fox, and who is the hen, and which will win out in the end? Jesus is told he is in danger, and he currently assessed what truly is dangerous and reveals his beautiful plan to handle it.  What can Christian's learn from the life of Jesus when the fox is in the henhouse? Luke 13:31-35 (EHV) In that very hour, some Pharisees came to him and said, “Leave, and go away from here, because Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I am going to drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal. 33Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it cannot be that a prophet would be killed outside Jerusalem!' 34“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 35Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you will say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'”

The temptations of Jesus, a challenge for Jesus, may not seem like a challenge to us who have heard the story time and time again.   Is it so hard to resist not worshipping Satan, or throwing yourself off a cliff?  Listen as the temptations of Jesus are brought forward to our time, and we see a champion who faced every temptation we face, and in our place, remained the Undefeated Champion. Wield the Sword of the Spirit Luke 4:1–13  (EHV)  Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days. He did not eat anything during those days. When they came to an end, he was hungry. 3The Devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'” 5The Devil led him up to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6The Devil told him, “I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, because it has been entrusted to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. 7So, if you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'” 9The Devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here, 10because it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you. 11And, they will lift you up with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” 12Jesus answered him, “It says: ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.'” 13When the Devil had finished every temptation, he left him until an opportune time.  

Is it a good thing to encounter Jesus outside of where He wants to be found? How would you like to encounter Jesus? Would you like an experience like what happened on the mount of transfiguration, or something like it? How do we encounter Jesus that is for our good? How Good for Us to Be With Christ! Luke 9:28-36 (EHV) About eight days after he said these words, Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29While he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30Just then, two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him! 31They appeared in glory and were talking about his departure, which he was going to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem. 32Peter and those with him were weighed down with sleep, but when they were completely awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let's make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not realize what he was saying. 34While he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them. They were afraid as they went into the cloud. 35Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 36After the voice had spoken, they found Jesus alone. They kept this secret and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.  

LaVerne Zeamer's Funeral Service    

The Sermon from LaVerne Zeamer's Funeral 2 Corinthians 4:13-18  (EHV) 13Since we have that same spirit of faith, which corresponds to what is written: “I believed; therefore, I have spoken,” we also believe, and therefore we speak. 14For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us (together with you) into his presence. 15In fact, all this is for your benefit, so that as grace increases, it will overflow to the glory of God, as more and more people give thanks. 16Therefore we are not discouraged. But even if our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17Yes, our momentary, light trouble produces for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond any comparison. 18We are not focusing on what is seen, but on what is not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.  

How to Handle Your Neighbor's Moral Failings If you're here, it will always be there. As Christ is to you, you are to them. Know Your Role. Luke 6 27-37 (EHV) “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other too. If someone takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes away your things, do not demand them back.  31“Treat others just as you would want them to treat you. 32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? To be sure, even the sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners do the same thing. 34If you lend to those from whom you expect to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners lend to sinners in order to be paid back in full. 35Instead, love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the unthankful and the evil. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven  

Luke 6 17-26 (EHV) 17He went down with them and stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples, and a large number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, as well as from the coastal area of Tyre and Sidon. These people came to listen to him and to be healed of their diseases. 18Those who were troubled by unclean spirits were also cured. 19The whole crowd kept trying to touch him, because power was going out from him and healing them all.   20He lifted up his eyes to his disciples and said: Blessed are you who are poor, because yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are you who hunger now, because you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, because you will laugh. 22Blessed are you whenever people hate you, and whenever they exclude and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. 23“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy because of this: Your reward is great in heaven!  The fact is, their fathers constantly did the same things to the prophets. 24But woe to you who are rich, because you are receiving your comfort now. 25Woe to you who are well fed now, because you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, because you will be mourning and weeping. 26Woe to you when all people speak well of you, because that is how their fathers constantly treated the false prophets.  

Luke 5:1-11 (EHV) 1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

  When Jesus “Leaves,” It's Only For Something Better.  For the Christian, there are times when illness, disease, or suffering make it seems like Jesus leaves.  Pastor also shared a time when his dad had cancer and died, and how it felt for him that Jesus left.   What is the "something better" when Jesus withholds His providential hand?  Let's discover the better thing that was left for the people of Capernaum, how might that help you when it seems like Jesus leaves you. Luke 4:38-44 (EHV) Jesus got up, left the synagogue, and went into Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. They asked him to help her. 39He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. 40As the sun was setting, they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases. He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41Demons also came out of many people, crying out, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and did not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. 42When it was day, he went out to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him. They went up to him and were trying to prevent him from leaving them. 43But he told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is why I was sent.” 44And he continued to preach in the synagogues in the land of the Jews.