Devotion

The Paint Brush of God

God paints His portraits every fall
For everyone to see,
An art display that can’t be matched,
Yet, absolutely free.

The mountains, hills, the valleys, plains
All strike a natural pose,
Of beauty indescribable,
Mere words cannot disclose.

The quaking aspen’s fragile leaves
Once dancing in the sun,
Now in the valleys and on hills,
A stream of gold become.

The lowly sumac noticed not
All summer as it grows,
Becomes a scarlet beauty as
Each traveler well knows.

The sturdy oaks that rule the woods,
Like forest lions stand,
Become huge brazen beauties in
Response to God’s command.

Each spring the mighty maple shares
Its sap with anyone,
In fall this tree presents a show
Comparable to none.

We think we understand somewhat
This colorful display,
The chlorophyll, the chemicals,
Environment, we say.

But in it all we surely must
The works of God there find,
His wisdom and His power and
His love for all mankind.

Creation cries out every day,
A witness bears to all,
But trees sing out their praise to God
Espec’lly in the fall.

For then God takes His paint brush and
He sets before our eyes,
A picturesque portrayal that
An artist’s brush defies.

Prayer

Lord, Your creation with all of it’s wonders and beauty cries out to each of us every day. May I never pass the work of Your creative hands without a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. In Your gracious name, I pray. Amen.

—Excerpted from Poems of Prayer & Praise,
a book of devotional poetry by L. Dale Redlin, emeritus.
Poems of Prayer & Praise is available through the author
at pre-publication pricing until November 15, 2008.

The Right to Vote

Despite some world opinion to the contrary, it is a great blessing to be a citizen of the United States. As a child of God, you have a citizenship that exceeds the citizenship of any country on earth. “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Although we claim a heavenly citizenship through the work of Jesus, we are still pilgrims on this earth and also temporary citizens of an earthly nation. God’s Word provides counsel to you, His child, as you live as a citizen of Heaven on earth.

The government of our country and of every country exists by God’s will. The government is God’s servant and His representative to maintain civil order in the land. God says through the Apostle Paul, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God…[the governing authority] is God’s servant to you for good…” (Romans 13:1,4).

The Apostle Paul reminds us to pray for those who are serving in earthly governments because we have an interest in how they rule. “I exhort you…that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:1-4). When earthly governments rule well the citizens enjoy a peaceable life and have many great opportunities to freely spread the Gospel. The spread of the Gospel brings salvation to sinners and accomplishes God’s will. Old Testament history repeatedly demonstrates how the nation of Israel was blessed by the rule of a good king and how the land suffered at the hands of poor leadership.

When the Children of Israel chose their leaders, they were instructed by God through Moses to “choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes…” (Deuteronomy 1:13). God’s direction to choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable leaders applies to us today. In our system of government we enjoy the right to be a part of that choosing through the election process.

As children of God who understand God’s intention for government we will rightly take an interest in the privilege we have to participate in it. The child of God’s interest in government will not always lead one to serve in a government position. However, we do participate in our government by being honorable citizens of our country and exercising our right to vote. We serve our Lord and our country well when we use His Word to guide our choices and when we choose (elect) leaders who are wise, understanding, and knowledgeable according to God’s wisdom and truth.

Do not let Satan tempt you into believing that your role as a citizen of the United States is unimportant and of no consequence. Children of God praying for their government and exercising their privileges as citizens make a difference! Children of God are the salt of the earth and make a difference! A mere ten believers would have spared the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction (cf. Genesis 18:16ff). “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man (a believer) avails much” (James 5:16). To be lethargic about the leadership and government of our land is to be lethargic about God’s appointed authority which He uses to accomplish His will. May it never be so among us!

Faithful citizens of the heavenly country are the most valuable citizens of earthly nations. Faithful citizens in Christ’s Kingdom serve their Lord and not themselves (cf. Colossians 3:23-24). Faithful citizens of Christ’s kingdom seek to show love to their neighbor (cf. Matthew 22:39) and are led by the light of God’s Word (cf. Psalm 119:105).

These are heavenly citizens faithfully serving their Lord in His kingdom while pilgrims on this earth. Peter encouraged his readers, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:13-14).

As earthly citizens reflecting our heavenly citizenship, we become lights and witnesses to our Savior. What a privilege we have to be able to serve our Savior in this way!

—Pastor Wayne C. Eichstadt
Adapted from the Immanuel Bulletin
September 12, 2004

College Visitors’ Day

Friday, November 7

Immanuel Lutheran College’s (Eau Claire, WI) annual Visitors’ Day is an opportunity to tour the campus and learn more about the college—your college. Immanuel Lutheran College is your college whether you’ve attended there or not or ever will. It is our college because it is part of our joint ministry with our fellow congregations in the Church of the Lutheran Confession.

Visitors’ Day is especially intended for Juniors and Seniors in high school, but anyone may attend. If you would like more information please contact one of the pastors.

Visitors’ Day ends about 3:00 p.m., but later that evening…

The Immanuel Lutheran College Theater Guild Presents:

Alice in Wonder

November 7 & 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Area Reformation Service

Please plan on joining your fellow members of the Church of the Lutheran Confession as we thank God for the blessings of the Lutheran Reformation in a special Reformation service to be held at Immanuel on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

The theme of this worship service will be: PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM THE BLESSING OF MUSIC FLOWS! The service speaker, Professor John Reim of Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, will address the thoughts that music is an incredible gift from God, that it is an effective tool of reformation, and that it is an inspiring expression of faith! Adult and children’s choirs will sing and a variety of musical instruments will enhance this worship opportunity.

The thank-offering for the service has been designated for the Immanuel Lutheran College Student Aid Fund which provides scholarships, grants, and loans to students attending Immanuel Lutheran High School, College, and Seminary in Eau Claire.

A potluck meal will follow the service at 5:30 p.m. Please bring a main dish [hot dish large enough to serve your family plus one]sandwiches plus a salad or dessert. Beverage and utensils will be provided. Please label your dish/cover with your name! Division I of the Ladies Auxiliary is in charge of set-up and serving. Division II is in charge of helping serve and clean-up. They always welcome any volunteer help.

Book Fair this Weekend!

Please join us!

Thursday, October 30 from 6-8 p.m. Root beer floats, face painting, coloring, a Scavenger Hunt, and other activities.

Sunday, November 2 after church until 12:30 p.m. Browse the Book Fair and enjoy soup, sandwiches, and other refreshments.

A book fair is an event that enables students and their families to purchase quality books at reasonable prices. These purchases help Immanuel Lutheran School accumulate funds to purchase classroom books and educational materials. Last year we were able to purchase over $1200 of materials for our school.

Church Pictorial Directory

Immanuel will be working over the upcoming months together with the Olan Mills Corporation to produce a new Immanuel Pictorial Directory. Announcements will be appearing shortly regarding the scheduling of your individual or family pictures. Those pictures will be taken over a period of six days: Friday, January 2; Saturday, January 3; and then Wednesday, January 7 through Saturday, January 10. A make-up day or two will also be scheduled.

Each individual or family who schedules an appointment will receive a free copy of the completed directory, as well as an 8 x 10 full-color Olan Mills Signature Portrait. In addition, Olan Mills, at this time, is offering a 20% savings on all family portrait purchases.

Individuals interested in helping with this project either in connection with the scheduling of picture appointments, the taking of ministry pictures, or the design of the directory itself are asked to contact the Church Secretary.

A pictorial directory can be so very helpful for it allows us all to become better acquainted with the people within our congregation and provides a handy way of providing non-members with a visual presentation of the ministry entrusted to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you in advance for your participation in this project!

Thanksgiving Worship Services

Thanksgiving Eve: Wednesday, November 26, 7:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 27, 9:30 a.m.

The voters of Immanuel have designated the Thanksgiving offering to be divided equally between Immanuel’s General Fund and Missions.

On the Radio

A Word of Truth

A Word of Truth from Immanuel Lutheran Church of Mankato…

Mortgage crises, stock market crashes, a rising national debt—people worry about the future of our country and wonder what this means for future generations. What is the greatest gift we can leave future generations? Is it a mortgage fully paid, a stock portfolio wisely invested, a shrinking national debt? While all these things would be wonderful, there is another, more important gift. Asaph, who was living in times of much greater stress than we are facing today, reveals that gift in Psalm 79. In the face of national crisis, he gathered his family and friends to “give thanks forever” to God. Together they committed themselves to leading future generations to praise God as well! The greatest gift we can give future generations is to instill within them a spirit of thanksgiving to God! That will prepare them to face any crisis!

—PDN

A Word of Truth from Immanuel Lutheran Church of Mankato

Stop, think for a moment…what was the greatest gift your parents gave to you?

If you are a parent…what is the greatest thing you hope to do for your children?

The greatest responsibility God places upon every parent is to give their children the greatest gift. That greatest parental responsibility is to share the testimony of God with their children. That greatest gift is to be taught the words of life and salvation which God has recorded in His Word. This responsibility passes from each new generation to the next so that the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren do not forget the true God or His truth and salvation.

The psalmist says, “[God] established a testimony in Jacob…which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God” (Psalm 78:5-7).

—WCE

Immanuel’s Word of Truth radio broadcasts are heard each week on AM 1420 KTOE at 6:45 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays, 8:38 a.m. on Wednesdays, and 10:-00-11:00 a.m. on Saturdays.

Immanuel Lutheran School’s
Drama Club presents...

Papa was a Preacher

Friday, November 21 (Dinner Theater): 6:00 p.m.

Ticket information coming soon

Saturday, November 22: 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 23: 2:00 p.m.

Menton Presentation

In the afternoon of Saturday, November 15, Dr. David Menton will make a presentation on the God’s creative wonders in our universe and provide biblical and scientific knowledge that counters the false theories of evolution. Dr. Menton’s presentation will be held on the MSU campus as part of Immanuel’s Word of Truth campus ministry, but it will be open to all Immanuel members and the public. The exact location of the presentation and the exact time are being arranged and will be announced soon.

Immanuel Lutheran Ambassadors

Whitewater Winter Camp

January 23-25, 2009

Online Resources

Immanuel-Mankato: www.immanuelmankato.org

Church of the Lutheran Confession: www.clclutheran.org

Immanuel Lutheran College: www.ilc.edu

CLC East Africa Visitation Trip Blog: www.clcea.blogspot.com

CLC Daily Devotions

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• Archive: http://www.ymlp169.com/pubarchive.php?dschaller

Bible Study

To all who are in Rome...

Sunday Morning Bible Study—the Epistle to the Romans

We encourage more of our members to take advantage of the opportunity to study God’s Word at our Sunday Morning Bible Study. The Bible Study begins at 8:30 a.m. and lasts forty-five minutes. We are currently studying what many consider Paul’s greatest epistle—Romans.

Recently we considered Romans 5:12-21. In this section four major points were discussed:

1) The contrast between Adam and Christ, in which Paul points out that just as Adam’s sin brought the judgment of death to all people, even so Christ’s righteous work of redemption brings the free gift of justification to all people. The blessings of this universal justification—God’s forgiveness and the promise of life everlasting in heaven—are received by the individual through faith in Christ Jesus.

2) Death is the direct consequence of sin and the judgment of God upon sin—not a natural and positive function of nature as claimed by the evolutionists! Death, however, has been overcome by God’s appointed Savior, Jesus Christ. He gives us victory over death by faith!

3) Sin and death reign over man in this world, until by faith God’s grace in Christ reigns through righteousness in and unto life for every believer!

4) While sin will be a part of every believer’s life due to his sinful flesh, God’s grace is always greater than man’s sin and washes it away in connection with Jesus! This knowledge provides such wonderful comfort to our souls, for it assures us of God’s love now and our certain future in heaven!