Firmly Planted (Psalm 1:1-3)
Dear Members of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain,

Firmly Planted

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3 

It is possible to spend your whole life knowing about the truths of God and never experiencing any of them. Simply knowing about the truths of God does not mean that they have become a part of your life. Here is the important question: What are you doing with the Word of God? Some people allow themselves to come under the influence of ungodly thinking to the point that God’s Word makes no difference to them. If you seek your counsel from ungodly persons, you will find yourself moving away from the direction God’s Word commands. If you intentionally seek out sinners as your companions, they will lead you down paths that take you far from God. If you choose to join those who are scornful, you will eventually become cynical.

The righteous man does not find encouragement in the opinions of others but in God’s Word. He is not content with a surface knowledge of Scripture but meditates on it day and night until he is satisfied that what he reads reflects his own experience. He becomes like a fruit tree standing firmly on the bank of the river. The tree is well nourished and produces delicious fruit and bountiful leaves. People come from miles around to sit in its shade and eat its fruit.

If you allow God to implement His Word in your life, others will draw encouragement from you. The more you grow in God’s righteousness, the stronger you will become. Some people would look in vain to find anyone they were encouraging, but not so the righteous person. A constant stream of people will seek you out because they know that your life will be a blessing.

REFLECTION

Are you a tree planted “by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season”?
Whose counsel are you most likely to accept: the secular world or God’s Word?
What does it mean to meditate on God’s word day and night?

PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of May 5, 2008

FOR THOSE WHO LOOK TO THE LORD FOR HEALING

Eldon Tappendorf         [Father of David Tappendorf] how is hospitalized with aortic aneurysm and temporary paralysis in the lower extremities

FOR CHURCH WORK and THOSE WHO SERVE

Prayers for God’s guidance be with Julie Pauiuch as she prayerfully considers our Call to be the Kindergarten teacher. 

Almighty God, it is only through you that we find wisdom and power. Because of the truth of your Word we face each day with the assurance that we are yours. Help us start our day with a few minutes of thought, meditation, and prayer. Prevent us from stepping into the world without first asking for your help and protection. Put our confidence in your grace; empower us to display the life of Christ to the world. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Scriptures

“I pray for them, I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.” -John 17:9

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 

You do not have because you do not ask. -James 4:2b 

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. -2 Timothy 4:17 

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. -Psalm 105:4 

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.--Colossians 1:10-12

In Christ,
Paul Nickel
Director Of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church
 

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