PRAISE THE LORD. Book 2. A book of Bible messages with prayers

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1 PRAISE THE LORD Book 2 A book of Bible messages with prayers

Multi-Language Publications Bringing the Word to the World Based on the books of MEDITATIONS produced by Northwestern Publishing House and used with

All black and white illustrations are the work of Glenn Myers. Rights to Glenn Myers illustrations reserved by Northwestern Publishing House.

2 Multi-Language Publications Bringing the Word to the World Based on the books of MEDITATIONS produced by Northwestern Publishing House and used with permission. Adapted for use by Multi-Language Publications of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. All black and white illustrations are the work of Glenn Myers. Rights to Glenn Myers illustrations reserved by Northwestern Publishing House. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version. Copyright 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. Copyright 2006 ISBN Printed in the USA

3 PREFACE This book of messages from God s Word is like the first book of messages. The messages are taken from the books of MEDITATIONS published by Northwestern Publishing House over the past years. These messages with prayers have been put into simpler, more readable English. The messages have been made free of American examples. The messages speak about our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God. He is the Savior of all people. The messages in this book follow the order of the Christian Church year. Before each part of the church year, an explanation is made of that season. Thus we will have messages with prayers for, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and the Pentecost seasons. Each of the seasons is explained before the messages of that season are given. We pray that all these messages and prayers will strengthen your faith in your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Harold A. Essmann

5 TABLE OF CONTENTS The Season Page 1 The Christmas Season Page 19 The Epiphany Season Page 28 The Lenten Season Page 49 The Easter Season Page 77 The Pentecost Season Page 99

7 THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH YEAR The Christian Church year is different from what we call the calendar year. The calendar year begins on the first day of the month of January each year. The Christian Church year, however, does not begin on that date. It begins four Sundays before Christians celebrate Christmas. The Christian Church year has many seasons. The calendar year has four seasons such as spring, summer, fall and winter. Some countries have a rainy season and a dry season. The Christian Church year has seasons that are named as follows:, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. This book of praise with messages and prayers will follow the seasons of the Christian Church year. We will begin with the season and follow the seasons spoken of above. We hope these messages and prayers will help you to follow the Christian Church year. They are meant to strengthen your faith in your Lord Jesus Christ.

1 On Judgment day the glorified and victorious Jesus separates believers and unbelievers. The word means coming. speaks of several comings. Most important of all is the coming of Jesus Christ.

9 1 On Judgment day the glorified and victorious Jesus separates believers and unbelievers. The word means coming. speaks of several comings. Most important of all is the coming of Jesus Christ. We speak of this coming at Christmas., therefore, prepares us for Christmas. At Christmas we remember how Jesus came to this world. It was his first coming. He was born in the town of Bethlehem in the country of Judea. But Jesus will come again. After Jesus died and rose from the dead, he went back to heaven. There he lives with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He rules the world and his church from heaven. One day he will come to earth again. That will be on the Last Day. We also call that day Judgment Day. In we also speak of Jesus second coming on the Last Day. Jesus comes in a special way to each believer. He comes into our hearts by faith. Through the preaching of the gospel we become Christians., therefore, can also speak of Jesus coming into our hearts by faith.

10 2 SERVING JESUS DURING ADVENT What I m about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is. (Matthew 11:11) YOU ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST What an honor Jesus gave John! What made John so important? He is the only person besides Jesus whose coming was foretold. Other prophets foretold the Savior s coming, but John saw Jesus with his own eyes. He baptized Jesus. More amazing is Jesus next statement. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important that he (John) is. That means you are more important. Why? Because we can see what John did not see. We see Jesus life from his birth to his death on the cross. We know him as our Savior from sin. We see his victory over the grave by rising from death and going back to heaven. We see him fulfilling God s law during his life and redeeming us from sin, death and hell by his death and rising again. All Jesus did makes it possible for us to stand in the presence of God. With the eyes of faith we see all the blessings Jesus won for us. That makes us greater than John. Now do not hide your faith in Jesus. Carry out your ministry. Prepare yourself and help others to prepare for celebrating the Christmas greatness of the Savior s birth. Thank you, Jesus, for making me important in your kingdom. Lead me to faithfully serve you to your honor and glory. Amen.

11 3 CHRIST IS COMING It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready. It will even be good if he comes very late at night. But here is what you must understand. Suppose the owner of the house knew at what hour the robber was coming. He would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready. The Son of Man will come at an hour when you don t expect him. (Luke 12:38-40) CHRIST WILL COME SUDDENLY Has anyone told you, Hello, I am your local thief! I intend to rob your house tonight. Please have everyone out of the house between eleven o clock and midnight so I can take my time finding the best things to steal? A thief who would do that would be a fool. Jesus said he will come again on judgment day like a thief in the night, that is, when people do not expect him. Jesus said, Remember how it was in the days of Noah. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes (Matthew 24:37). The people in Noah s day were going about their normal everyday lives. The flood caught them by surprise and destroyed all of them. That is the way it will be when Christ comes again. People will be busy about the things of this world. Suddenly, Christ will come, and it will be too late to believe in him. This message tells us to put away the desires of our sinful flesh. We do not want to become attached to this world and be unprepared for Christ s coming. However, the message that Christ is coming is also one that fills our hearts with joy. We prepare for Christ s second coming because we know that he is coming to take us home. We look for a better home than our home in this world. We look for a home forever together with our Lord in heaven. Jesus, send your Holy Spirit through your Word to keep me always ready for your second coming. Amen.

12 4 LOOK FOR JESUS Early in the morning, Jesus went out to the disciples. He walked on the lake. They saw him walking on the lake and were terrified. It s a ghost! they said. And they cried out in fear. (Matthew 14:25,26) LOOK TO JESUS ONLY, WHO COMES TO YOU Jesus has invited us to come to him. He promises he will give us rest. What is more comforting is that Jesus comes to us. In our struggles, temptations and difficult times, Jesus comes to us. He comes to us just as he came to the disciples when they were in trouble. They were in a boat in the middle of a lake and a storm was going to sink their boat. Jesus came walking on the water. The disciples thought he was a ghost. They cried out in fear. Only after he spoke to them did they know that he was their Lord, their Teacher, their Savior, their Friend. It should not surprise us that Jesus comes to us in our storms and struggles and needs. We often carry many burdens because we do not look only to Jesus. Jesus promise to his disciples is a promise to us also. You can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end (Matthew 28:20). Stop for a while in your daily battle for food. Stop for a while in your battle against Satan. Stop for a while in your battle against the temptations that want to destroy you. Look to Jesus only. Don t be afraid. The Son of God, who died for your sins, is with you. Look to Jesus who comes to you. You are never alone. Lord Jesus, I thank you that my times are in your loving and powerful hands. Amen.

13 REJOICE IN GOD YOUR SAVIOR At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in Judea s hill country. There she entered Zechariah s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the baby inside of her jumped. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she called out, God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have! (Luke 1:39-42) 5 IT IS TIME TO HURRY Before the very first Christmas, Mary was in a hurry. The angel Gabriel had brought Mary some wonderful news. Through the almighty power of God, she was to become the mother of God s Son, Jesus. As a sign that this would happen Gabriel told Mary some other good news. Her elderly cousin Elizabeth was also going to have a son. So Mary hurried to visit Elizabeth. She went to where Elizabeth lived in the hill country of Judea. There Mary saw that God was going to keep his promise. Elizabeth was going to have a baby. Will you be hurrying around before Christmas? But during this season of the church year, do not hurry past the most important part of Christmas. Rather, be sure to hurry, as Mary did, to listen to the promises of God. Take time and make time to hear and think about God s amazing grace and love for you. He who rules heaven and earth is never too much in a hurry to strengthen your faith. God is always ready to bring joy to your heart through his Word. It should fill you with joy that God s Son, Jesus Christ, would come to show his love for you. Find in his forgiving love true peace and rest. Be happy and thankful that your Savior came from heaven so that you might also, one day, live in heaven. Yes, hurry to read and to learn of these truths again and again. Each time you think about what Jesus has done for you, you will be richly blessed. Each time you remember Jesus love for you, a smile of joy will fill your face. Dear Lord Jesus, in these busy days, help me remember what is most important in my life. Amen.

14 6 REJOICE IN GOD YOUR SAVIOR When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the baby inside her jumped. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she called out, God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have. You are a woman God has blessed. You have believed that what the Lord has said to you will be done! (Luke 1:41,42,45) BLESSED BY THE CHILD When Mary came to Elizabeth s house, Elizabeth welcomed her with great joy. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She knew that Mary was to be the mother of the Savior they had been waiting for. So Elizabeth said, God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have. Those words made Mary s faith stronger. Why was Mary chosen out of all women in world history to be the mother of the promised Savior? Was there something special in Mary? No. The words Mary spoke tell us she knew hers was an undeserved blessing, a gift of God s undeserved love. She spoke of her joyful praise to God for the great honor God had given her. Mary knew that her greatest blessing was the one Elizabeth spoke of: Blessed is the child you will have. The little life growing in her body would be her savior from sin and death. Her baby would be her Savior! Mary was happy because God would use her to bless the world with a Savior. God s plan is also to bless us. The faithful God who chose Mary has also chosen us. As part of his eternal plan of salvation, he chose us in Jesus to be holy and without blame in his eyes (Ephesians 1:4). In Holy Baptism he made us the children of God. Each day God forgives us our sins and shows us his love in his life-giving Word. He wants us to honor and praise him. His plan is for us to share his love in the places where we live and work in this world. All this is from the blessed child of Mary. The Christ Child has changed our lives too. In Jesus, our Savior, we, like Mary, are truly blessed. Heavenly Father, help us to share the blessings of our Savior as we are happy about your great saving love. Amen.

15 7 THE FAITH OF ADAM AND EVE But the LORD God called out to the man (Adam). Where are you? he asked. I heard you in the garden, the man answered. I was naked, so I hid. (Genesis 3:9,10) WITHOUT FAITH THERE IS ONLY FEAR What a sad story the Bible tells us here. God comes looking for Adam because Adam was hiding from God. Why? Adam and Eve were hiding because they had sinned. The reason for their sin was unbelief. All sin comes from a lack of faith in God s Word and promises. Adam and Eve failed to believe that God had given them every good thing. They believed Satan s lie that God was keeping something from them. The result of their sin was shame and fear. Adam and Eve were ashamed of what they had done. And they were afraid. They hid from God because he told them that if they ate from the tree in the middle of the garden, they would die. They knew that to face God would mean to face their own deaths. Instead of looking for God, their only thought was to hide from God. God had to come looking for them. God still looks for us when we sin. He wants us to see our sin. Every sin damns us eternally. But God also wants us to know that through Jesus Christ, we have forgiveness of every sin. Through forgiveness we have spiritual life and eternal salvation. God comes to us in love because on our own we are unable to come to him. He gives us something to believe in. He gives us a sure promise based on Jesus death and resurrection. This season reminds us of God s coming to us in the birth of Jesus, God s Son. Now we begin following Jesus life who, through faith, gives us power to live a new life, without being afraid of God. Dear Lord, come to us in your Word that we may be convicted of our sin and comforted by your gospel promise of forgiveness in Jesus. Amen.

16 8 THE FAITH OF ADAM AND EVE I will put hatred between you (Satan) and the woman (Eve). Your children and her children will be enemies. Her son will crush your (Satan s) head. And you (Satan) will crush his (The Savior s) heel. (Genesis 3:15) A PROMISE OF VICTORY For us living in New Testament times, this first gospel promise is easy to understand. But for Adam and Eve and other Old Testament believers it was likely hard to understand. When would all this happen? How would the crushing take place? Who would do the crushing? We can clearly see how God fulfilled this promise. We know that Jesus fulfilled it. He took our place by living a perfect life that we cannot live. He took our place by suffering the punishment on the cross for our sins. There, on the cross, God the Father let his anger over sin fall on Jesus. It may have seemed that Satan won when Jesus died. But the real victory was won by Jesus. He crushed Satan s head, destroying Satan s power when Jesus rose again from the dead. Adam and Eve had none of this history to help them understand God s promise. By faith Adam and Eve believed the promise and were saved. By faith, Jesus victory was theirs. And, it is no different for us. We know the history. We also look forward to the promise of Jesus to return on the last day. He will take us to our eternal home. We often have to struggle through our lives. We are tempted and we have doubts. The struggle against Satan, at times, may seem too much to overcome. Like Adam and Eve, we need to hold on to God s promises. We need to remember that our own efforts cannot defeat Satan. Jesus defeated Satan. Through faith, Jesus victory is our victory. Dear Jesus, fill our hearts with faith to believe the promise that you are coming to take us to our eternal home in heaven. Amen.

17 9 THE FAITH OF ADAM AND EVE I will put hatred between you (Satan) and the woman (Eve). Your children and her children will be enemies. Her son will crush your (Satan s) head. And you (Satan) will crush his (The Savior s) heel. (Genesis 3:15) WE NOW HAVE PEACE WITH GOD God did not create man to destroy mankind. God takes no pleasure in punishing sin. God s will is that all people come to know their Savior and live with him forever in heaven. But sin separates us from God. Because of sin, there is hatred between us and God. But that was Satan s plan. He knew that by tempting Adam and Eve to sin, they would become enemies of God. However, the real hatred should be between us and Satan, not between us and God. In our Scripture reading today God puts hatred in its proper place. We should hate Satan, not God. God does not ignore sin. He does promise to send a Savior who would defeat Satan and conquer sin. Every time we sin, we are showing hatred to God and following Satan. When we sin we are saying we fear God s punishment and that we would rather be a friend of Satan. But we are not hopeless. God has become our friend again. Through the forgiveness Jesus won for us, God is at peace with us. This is the peace we look forward to when we hear the angels sing over the hills of Bethlehem, May glory be given to God in the highest heaven! And may peace be given to those he is pleased with on earth! (Luke 2:14). By God s grace, through faith in Jesus, we are at peace with God. Almighty Father, strengthen our faith so we can overcome the temptations of Satan. Help us fight against Satan and not against you. We ask this in Jesus name, who brings us true peace. Amen.

18 10 THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM Because of his faith [Abraham] made his home in the land God had promised him. He was like an outsider in a strange country. He lived there in tents. So did Isaac and Jacob. They received the same promise he did. Abraham was looking forward to the city that has foundations. He was waiting for the city that God planned and built. (Hebrews 11:9,10) WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEAVEN Whether we are old or young God s people want the troubles of life in our sin filled world to end. We eagerly look forward to the heavenly joys Jesus has promised us. Abraham lived like a camper in a land God had promised would be his own. God s promise is what keeps us going when we feel spiritual strength slipping away. We travel like an outsider in a strange country. Like strangers we are constantly aware that we do not belong in this world. Through the gospel, Jesus has given us a new and different life. Like Abraham we are looking forward to the city that has foundations that God planned and built. The devil, the people of this world and our own sinful nature work to get our eyes of faith to look away from Jesus and his Word. We look at earthly concerns. How hard it is to keep looking forward to heaven when sickness or debts drag us back down to earth! The gospel alone keeps our faith looking on our final destination eternal joy at Jesus side in heaven. That is what is all about. We watch and wait, not only to celebrate Jesus birth at Bethlehem, but also, we watch and wait for Jesus second coming on judgment day. Jesus promises keep us even as the church cries, Amen, come Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20). Dear Jesus, thank you for coming into this world at Christmas to be our Savior. Keep us in faith as we wait for your coming to take us to heaven. Amen.

Bible Teachings Series. A self-study course about God s greatest plan. God s Plan for the World

Bible Teachings Series. A self-study course about God s greatest plan. God s Plan for the World Bible Teachings Series A self-study course about God s greatest plan God s Plan for the World God s Plan for the World A self-study course about God s greatest plan Original text produced by the Institutional