DEVOTIONS

So we can, from this forth and evermore, repay evil with kindness. Because WE TRUST GOD. We trust him in every moment. We trust him in the darkest hour when the evil one bears his teeth. STILL, we will turn the other cheek, and in that moment turn to Satan and say; “Do your worst fiend! This is CHRISTIAN courage! THIS is the power of the cross! I KNOW my redeemer lives. What is it you can do to me?”

And the world will see us, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, will glorify God.

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS pastor

After all, look at what Jesus himself does: He stands before the Sanhedrin, and a member of the temple guard strikes his face. What does Jesus do; JESUS, the Son of God who could, if he desired, call legions of angels and heavenly hosts from the sky? He turns the other cheek.

He gives up both his cloak and his tunic, allowing evil soldier who torture him to cast die over them. He is forced to walk more than a mile with the cross on his back. He shows love for his enemies in praying for their forgiveness, even AS THEY ARE KILLING HIM.

In doing all these things, he SHOWED the nature of love and mercy. He SHOWED it, on the cross.

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS pastor

“LOVE YOUR ENEMIES! If you love only those who love you, so what? Everybody does that! That doesn’t mean anything! Love the people who HATE you, and lie about you, and irritate you, and would try to KILL you! Love THOSE people; the people who are politically opposed to you; the people who are selfish and dishonest; the people who drive you CRAZY! LOVE THEM.”

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS pastor

Here is a saying that I think holds true: If you want to understand the relationship between you and God, a good place to start is to strive to understand the relationship between a parent and a little child. The reason is simple: there are many parallels between the two. So much so, in fact, that we are told to call God our “heavenly Father”, and Jesus himself teaches us, when we are to pray, to address God as “Our Father, who art in heaven”, which we will pray even later today.

That God is “our Father” is so profound that it is, indeed, more than merely an analogy. That is to say, it isn’t just that God is “like” a Father to us, but that he is, in a real way, our Father. This is even reflected in the first article of the Apostles Creed where we confess that we believe in God the FATHER Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS pastor

It is a wonderful task forth for us to do. SO LET US DO IT! Let us share the WONDERFUL message of the world to come with all those whom the Lord blesses us with. Now and until the fulfillment of the world to come.

In Jesus name. Amen.

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS pastor

Check out Ross! I found all of these sprinkles on clearance at Ross yesterday! The glitter sprinkles were $.99 each and the Sanding Sugars were $1.99! This is a great price.  If you were to purchase these at the grocery store they would be $2+! The sprinkles will look great on cupcakes and sugar cookies!

While at Target I checked out the baby clearance! With a 2 year old and an 8 month old you never know what awesome things you can use that will be on clearance! I found a changing pad cover for $.86! Whoa…couldn’t believe that. The tag says “as is” but, there’s nothing wrong with it! :) Also, picked up a SwaddleMe for only $2.74. These are great if you have trouble swaddleing your baby. It does it for you!

Make sure to keep your eye out for clearance items next time you’re shopping at Target. I also noticed LOTS of summer plates and cups were %50 off!

IT IS A DIFFERENT WORLD that Jesus brings. It is a new life. It is a new birth. And we must REMEMBER that when others walk into our midst. Spiritual milk, people of God, must we give, before solid food is given.

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS

But a lot of times we ACT like we’re just communicating some sort of thing that is easily grasped; and act like the NEW LIFE that is given by Christ is one that is so easy to begin, and to comprehend, and to live.

But it’s not. It’s not easy. It’s not simple. It’s hard. And it is IMPOSSIBLE to go through alone. The Holy Spirit builds faith; but He works through MEANS: he works through the Word, and the Sacraments, and through his PEOPLE! The Holy Spirit works through YOU!

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS pastor

We have to remember what it is that this Jesus is all about, even as we strive to share him with those who don’t know him. You see, the thing we have to remember is that once you come into contact with this SAVIOR, this REDEEMER, this KING, this GOD; it changes EVERYTHING.

It changes the way you look at everything in your life! You can see its purpose! Even in the darkest hour, you can see the hope! It’s radical and it’s revolution, and it’s ETERNITY!

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS pastor

In a recent purchase of Charmin Toilet paper I found an awesome coupon sheet! There are over $20 worth of coupons and they do not expire until 6/30/2013! Wow…that’s a long time.

We must be ready to do this good task God has placed before us: the task of sharing the love and forgiveness of Jesus. EMPATHY is the call for the day, therefore. EMPATHY to what those on the outside might need to have the obstacles of the world removed from before them, in order that the Holy Spirit might enter in.

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS pastor

New Publix Coupon Booklet! Smart Savings has over $95 worth of coupons. The coupons are a combination of manufacturer and store coupons. All coupons expire 7/18/2011.

Child of God, I tell you the truth: that sin that troubles your heart IS FORGIVEN. Give thanks to the Lord, and await his coming with joy, knowing that you are his.

-Aj Neugebauer LCMS pastor