Words of Encouragement for June 1, 2011
Meditations in Genesis
13 Now there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. 14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. 15 So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed.” 16 Then Joseph said, “Give your livestock, and I will give you bread for your livestock, if the money is gone.” 17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the cattle of the herds, and for the donkeys. Thus he fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year. 18 When that year had ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our money is gone; my lord also has our herds of livestock. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands. 19 Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants of Pharaoh; give us seed, that we may live and not die, that the land may not be desolate.” 20 Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh’s. 21 And as for the people, he moved them into the cities, from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other end. 22 Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had rations allotted to them by Pharaoh, and they ate their rations which Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their lands. 23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. 24 And it shall come to pass in the harvest that you shall give one-fifth to Pharaoh. Four-fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and for your food, for those of your households and as food for your little ones.” 25 So they said, “You have saved our lives; let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.” 26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have one-fifth, except for the land of the priests only, which did not become Pharaoh’s. Genesis 47:13-26
During the seven plentiful years, Joseph collected and saved one fifth of the produce in store for the seven years of famine. During the famine, he sold that grain and produce to the people to keep them alive. When the people’s money supply ran out, he traded grain for livestock. When all the livestock belonged to Pharaoh, he traded food for the land of the people that they might live and not die.
But Joseph then also gave to the people seed to plant in the land and permitted the people to keep four-fifths of the produce to nourish themselves and their little ones and for seed to replant their fields. The people were so thankful to Joseph for saving their lives during the years of famine that they gladly served Pharaoh. The Scriptures tell us, too, that Joseph made it a law in the land that Pharaoh should receive one fifth of the land’s produce, except for the land of the priests.
While the arrangement may sound extreme to some, the 20 percent of their produce the people gave to Pharaoh is small in comparison to the sum of taxes most pay in our day. And the fifth is less than what many kings exacted from their subjects.
We remember that God raised up Joseph for a purpose, to nourish and keep alive His chosen people and the promised line of the coming Messiah. God still raises up governments and rulers for our good, to protect us from evil and preserve life, and to provide opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of forgiveness and life in Christ Jesus. It is for that reason that we are to be subject to the governing authorities, pay taxes and pray for our rulers (cf. Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-17; 1 Tim. 2:1-6). Though we may all, at times, become disheartened and upset by the demands our rulers make upon us, yet we should not forget to be thankful for all the blessings which God gives us by means of our governments and rulers – chief among them being protection from evil doers – both foreign and domestic – and peace and tranquility, making it possible for us to worship and bear witness to Christ and His Word.
Dear Father in heaven, we thank You for our government and rulers and for the protection and blessings You provide to us by means of them. Give our rulers wisdom and the conviction to submit themselves to You and to rule in accord with Your will that we might enjoy continued peace and be able to offer up to You our prayers and praises and speak the saving Gospel throughout our lands and the world. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Martin Luthers’ Large Catechism
The Lord’s Prayer
The Third Petition
59] Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
60] Thus far we have prayed that God’s name be honored by us, and that His kingdom prevail among us; in which two points is comprehended all that pertains to the honor of God and to our salvation, that we receive as our own God and all His riches. But now a need just as great arises, namely, that we firmly keep them, and do not suffer ourselves to be torn therefrom. 61] For as in a good government it is not only necessary that there be those who build and govern well, but also those who make defense, afford protection and maintain it firmly, so here likewise, although we have prayed for the greatest need, for the Gospel, faith, and the Holy Ghost, that He may govern us and redeem us from the power of the devil, we must also pray that His will be done. For there will be happenings quite strange if we are to abide therein, as we shall have to suffer many thrusts and blows on that account from everything that ventures to oppose and prevent the fulfillment of the two petitions that precede.
62] For no one believes how the devil opposes and resists them, and cannot suffer that any one teach or believe aright. And it hurts him beyond measure to suffer his lies and abominations, that have been honored under the most specious pretexts of the divine name, to be exposed, and to be disgraced himself, and, besides, be driven out of the heart, and suffer such a breach to be made in his kingdom. Therefore he chafes and rages as a fierce enemy with all his power and might, and marshals all his subjects, and, in addition, enlists the world and our own flesh as his allies. 63] For our flesh is in itself indolent and inclined to evil, even though we have accepted and believe the Word of God. The world, however, is perverse and wicked; this he incites against us, fans and stirs the fire, that he may hinder and drive us back, cause us to fall, and again bring us under his power. 64] Such is all his will, mind, and thought, for which he strives day and night, and never rests a moment, employing all arts, wiles, ways, and means whichever he can invent.
65] If we would be Christians, therefore, we must surely expect and reckon upon having the devil with all his angels and the world as our enemies who will bring every possible misfortune and grief upon us. For where the Word of God is preached, accepted, or believed, and produces fruit, there the holy cross cannot be wanting. And let no one think that he shall have peace; but he must risk whatever he has upon earth-possessions, honor, house and estate, wife and children, body and life. 66] Now, this hurts our flesh and the old Adam; for the test is to be steadfast and to suffer with patience in whatever way we are assailed, and to let go whatever is taken from us.
67] Hence there is just as great need, as in all the others, that we pray without ceasing: “Dear Father, Thy will be done, not the will of the devil and of our enemies, nor of anything that would persecute and suppress Thy holy Word or hinder Thy kingdom; and grant that we may bear with patience and overcome whatever is to be endured on that account, lest our poor flesh yield or fall away from weakness or sluggishness.”
68] Behold, thus we have in these three petitions, in the simplest manner, the need which relates to God Himself, yet all for our sakes. For whatever we pray concerns only us, namely, as we have said, that what must be done anyway without us, may also be done in us. For as His name must be hallowed and His kingdom come without our prayer, so also His will must be done and succeed, although the devil with all his adherents raise a great tumult, are angry and rage against it, and undertake to exterminate the Gospel utterly. But for our own sakes we must pray that even against their fury His will be done without hindrance also among us, that they may not be able to accomplish anything and we remain firm against all violence and persecution, and submit to such will of God.
69] Such prayer, then, is to be our protection and defense now, is to repel and put down all that the devil, Pope, bishops, tyrants, and heretics can do against our Gospel. Let them all rage and attempt their utmost, and deliberate and resolve how they may suppress and exterminate us, that their will and counsel may prevail: over and against this one or two Christians with this petition alone shall be our wall against which they shall run and dash themselves to pieces. 70] This consolation and confidence we have, that the will and purpose of the devil and of all our enemies shall and must fail and come to naught, however proud, secure, and powerful they know themselves to be. For if their will were not broken and hindered, the kingdom of God could not abide on earth nor His name be hallowed.
Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday
Scripture Readings appointed for Sunday are: Psalm 47; Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; and Luke 24:44-531. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.
The Adult Bible Class will continue in the Gospel of John at chapter 20, verse 19.
Remember to Pray
Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation, as well as for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – for Sam Rusch, who has had repeated stays in the hospital; for Ron and Lois Wellander and for their daughter Lisa Pugh, whose husband Wade was called to his eternal home; for Pastor Moll who had surgery to remove a small spot of melanoma; for those who lost loved ones and homes to recent storms, especially Pastor John Rumsey and his wife Karen who lost their home to a tornado in Guthrie, Okla. – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families and for believers who are alone and have no congregation. Continue to pray for Lutheran congregations in the Philippines and Japan, for Christians in Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.
Events and Announcements
On-line video of worship services can be found at: http://goodshepherdrogers.org/blog/worship-service-video.
Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by e-mail at goodshepherdrogers@yahoo.com.
A voters’ meeting will be held Sunday afternoon. A pot-luck dinner will follow our worship service Sunday.
The mowing deck on the church lawn mower came apart and will either need major repair or need to be replaced. Anyone who knows someone who could rebuild the mowing deck or where a mowing deck might be obtained is asked to speak with Dick Rusch.
May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11
Bible Study
Jesus’ Glorious Ascension:
What It Means For Us Today
Read Mark 16:9-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-12.
1. After His death and resurrection, what did Jesus do? For how long?
2. When did Jesus’ ascension occur? Where? Who was present?
3. What happened on this day? (Describe Jesus’ ascension.)
4. How did this happen?
5. Who were the two men who stood by in white apparel? What did they say to Jesus’ disciples?
6. What kind of cloud might this have been? cf. Matthew 17:1ff.; 24:30; Exodus 24:15ff.
7. What does it mean when the Bible says that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father? Read Ephesians 1:15-23; Psalm 110:1; Philippians 2:9-11.
8. Why did Jesus ascend into heaven? Study the following passages of Scripture and consider what they say about the reason for Jesus’ ascension:
a) Romans 8:31-39 (especially v. 34);
b) 1 John 2:1-2 (cf. 1 John 1:5-10. What does it mean to have Jesus as our Advocate with the Father?);
c) Hebrews 1:1-4; 7:22-27; -28; -25;
d) John 14:1-6, 15-18, 23-31; –.
9. What is the impact of Jesus’ ascension on the commission to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations? Read Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:15-23; 4:7-16; Revelation 3:7-8; Acts 16:6-10.
10. Why are we left here in this world, and why does this world go on? Read 2 Peter 3:9.
11. What did the two angels tell Jesus’ disciples after Jesus had been taken up into heaven? Read Acts 1:11. How will these words come true? Read Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:25-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Cf. Zechariah 14:1ff..
12. What impact should Jesus’ ascension have on our daily lives? Read Colossians 3:1ff.
[Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]
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