“Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”  John 2:10

In ancient times, table wine was usually prepared by adding water to thick, syrupy wine. The last wine served at Cana’s wedding feast, however, was made from water only! How could this be? The servants filled jars with water. However, when it was served, it was wine! The wedding celebration continued because Jesus had performed a miracle. (Read about this in John 2:1-11.)

When we stay close to Jesus and follow His direction, we have the privilege of seeing His power and His miracles close up. We can best serve God and each other when, like the wedding servants, we simply do what He asks of us. He turned water into wine, and He will supply our needs in His own unique way. God attends our wedding celebrations. He is with us long after the party ends. We have reasons to celebrate every day as we present our needs to Him, do as He directs, and then watch for the marvelous ways in which He uses His power to bless us.

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary – Heavenly Father, you raise up leaders for your Church in every age. We praise you for leading Prof. Earle Treptow to accept the call to serve as our seminary’s next president. Fill him with joy as he leads the seminary faculty in carrying out its mission of preparing future pastors who are faithful to your Word. Give President Treptow a humble spirit that seeks to serve you and your kingdom and fill him with the wisdom needed to carry out his duties in a way that always glorifies our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Continue reading “June 23, 2019 Prayers” →

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22

A few essentials are needed to run: water, food, clothes, shoes, and, of course, breath. Seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? You need to breathe when running. If you don’t breathe, you won’t go far. After Jesus’ resurrection from the grave and before His ascension into heaven, His disciples learned that a few essentials were also needed to proclaim the Good News of salvation to the world. They needed living water (John 4:10), the bread of life (John 6:51), clothes of righteousness (Galatians 3:27), shoes (Ephesians 6:15), and breath.

But this breath is different than the breath needed by a runner. Jesus breathed on them the breath of life, the Holy Spirit. As the One who calls, gathers, and enlightens, the Holy Spirit was essential for the disciples to be able to complete the work Christ gave to them. This life-giving breath is also essential for us. The Holy Spirit called us by the Gospel, gathered us into God’s kingdom, and enlightened us with His gifts. Only He can begin faith in one’s heart, and only He can equip us to share that faith with others.

Welcome Home effort – Jesus, our loving Shepherd, “we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way,” but you have sought us out and brought us into your fold. May our thanks for your mercy drive us to show the same love to and patience with our fellow members. Help us to invite them to worship and Bible study, to grow in your Word and through the Lord’s Supper, because we know the joy and confidence this brings. Bless our synod’s “Welcome Home” efforts to bring us all closer to you. Amen.

Continue reading “Prayer Circle – June 2, 2019” →