What is God’s gift of wisdom?  What makes a person wise? Is it incredible knowledge or enormous heart? True wisdom is knowing how to apply God’s Word to our lives. God’s gift of wisdom leads each of us to discern His will. God’s wisdom is revealed through Holy Scripture.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding (Psalm 111:10a)

… you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

Wisdom is God’s generous gift to us. Through wisdom we are taught how to live our lives in accordance with God’s will.

• We inquire of your grace to bless Tom & Sharon Phillips who celebrate their 38^th anniversary this week along with three family birthdays next week. We ask you to bless their love, deepening their relationship with you and with each other along with their sons Greg & Joe in the years to come.  As Marty & Monica Dierker celebrate their 23^rd Wedding Anniversary, remind them of your presence and power alongside your incredible love that secures them.  And we rejoice with Bud & Marcia Grossman who have reached a milestone in marriage – 60 years together in Christ.  Continue to bless them with your loving grace.
• Prayers of intercession and concern for Jill Klug’s mother Jan, many days in the hospital with CHF.  Jacque Kolesari (Doug & Sue Schnell’s daughter) who had surgery in early August. We ask for help for Sharon Kirsch who went through surgery following cancer treatments.  Spirit of life, give them courage and comfort as they seek your will for their future.
• Our prayers arise to the throne of grace for the Schmidt Family from Trinity in Crete, IL. Eddie lost his wife Lindsey, their unborn child and 3 sons (Weston, Owen and Kaleb  – 2, 4, 6 years old) after a car accident on their way to VBS on July 24^th.  Lord in such severe loss be gentle on all who grieve and remind them that we are not those who grieve without hope.
• Dear Lord, thank You for the words of truth and power in Your Word. Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit, who enables me to trust in You. Make me strong to resist false words and empty promises in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen
• We thank you along with Vernon & Sandra Jaeger the occasion of their 30th wedding anniversary. We ask that you keep them in your love, strengthen them for the challenges of life and grow their confidence in your promises.
• Lord, we give you thanks for your wisdom and guidance in providing us with a middle grades teacher for this coming school year, Mrs. Emily Rodrigue (Rŏd’ rĭg).   Her husband, Kenneth, is currently vicaring at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Princeton, WI. We are excited to welcome Mrs. Rodrigue later this summer and pray that you would be with them as they finish up his vicar year and soon transition to our ministry.
• Continued prayers for Tom Ade (now home from rehab); Zac Lippert; Rebekah Sueflow (continuing to make progress);.

 Synod convention – O God, we thank you for our fellow believers in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod who confess the truth of your Word. We ask you to bless the 64^th convention of our synod as it gathers in Watertown, Wis. Guide the delegates with your Spirit and give wisdom to their decisions. Thank you for the leadership of President Mark Schroeder. Continue to bless him and the Conference of Presidents as they lead our synod in celebrating our great heritage in this 500^th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. By your grace we pray. Amen.