First, Jesus must become Real!!

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 14531 Old Olga Rd. Fort Myers, FL 33905 Phone: (239)694-3878 www.blcefm.org Week 18 Friday May 02, 2014 - Thursday May 08, 2014 First, Jesus must become Real!! Sunday, May 4, is the Third Sunday of Easter. My 9am sermon at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 14531 Old Olga Rd., Ft. Myers, FL (and my 5:30pm, Sat., May 3, "Bible Study and Singing" emphasis at Faith Lutheran Church, 1161 SW 30th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL), is drawn from this weekend's Gospel lesson, Luke 24:13-35. "Then their (Jesus' fellow travelers on the way to Emmaus) eyes were opened and they recognized Him (Jesus), and He disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning with in us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?'" (vss. 31 & 32). This is the weekend in the Easter season, when we explore Jesus' (and several other travelers) "walk to Emmaus"!! It truly is an amazing story of people being in the presence of Jesus... AND NOT HAVING A CLUE!! If there ever was a story that often defines our own lives (and the lives of those around us)... IT IS THIS REMARKABLE ACCOUNT! 1

Pastor s Weekly Devotion (Cont.) Friday May 02, 2014 - Thursday May 08, 2014 Why don't you take a few minutes and "GOOGLE" this weekend's Gospel lesson, Luke 24:13-35 (OK, OK, you're allowed to get your Bible out and read it the old fashioned way, also), and grasp this whole amazing story!! In our worship this weekend, we will be singing the beautiful song, "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus" (verse one) 'O Soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace." During this Easter season (the Sundays from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday), we spend some time... TURNING OUR EYES UPON JESUS!! Often people tell be about the times... WHEN JESUS BECAME REAL TO THEM!! What's really interesting, is that, those times invariably involve other Christians... WHO CARE ABOUT THEM!! We will also sing the powerful hymn, "Abide with Me" (last verse) "Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heaven's morning breaks, and earths vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me." I pray today, that Jesus, is REAL to you!! And that during this Easter season, you may be used by the Holy Spirit to have Jesus become REAL to someone you care about!! HE IS RISEN INDEED... ALLELUIA!! 2

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 14531 Old Olga Rd. Fort Myers, FL 33905 Phone: (239)694-3878 www.blcefm.org Week 19 Friday May 09, 2014 - Thursday May 15, 2014 What makes the 23rd Psalm so powerful?? Sunday, May 11, is The Fourth Sunday of Easter, which is often called, "Good Shepherd Sunday" (it is also Mother's Day). My message at 9am this Sunday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 14531 Old Olga Rd., Ft. Myers, FL (and my 5:30pm, Sat., May 10 "Bible Study and Singing" emphasis at Faith Lutheran Church, 1161 SW 30th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL) takes a look at the Psalm that most closely connects with Good Shepherd Sunday, Psalm 23. "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:1-6). It is often said that verses of the 23rd Psalm are the most memorized Old Testament text (John 3:16 is the most memorized New Testament text). 1

Pastor s Weekly Devotion (Cont.) Friday May 09, 2014 - Thursday May 15, 2014 Every few years Good Shepherd Sunday (The Fourth Sunday of Easter) and Mother's Day fall on the same Sunday. This year is one of those years!! It is east to see the similarities of themes, for both Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother's Day. The theme of both, is that someone can be counted on... TO CARE FOR YOU!! This weekend we will be singing the beautiful hymn, "Shepherd of Love" (verse one) "Shepherd of love, You knew I had lost my way; Shepherd of love, You cared that I'd gone astray. You sought and found me, placed around me, Strong arms that carried me home. No foe can harm me or alarm me, never again will I roam!" Where is the... SAFE PLACE... in your life? How often do you go to that place? The theme of this weekend's worship reminds each of us, who calls upon the Name of Jesus, that... WE ARE IN THE SAFEST PLACE WE COULD EVER IMAGINE... IN JESUS' ARMS!! We will also sing one of my favorite hymns... I often sing it with the "Tiny Tots" preschool children at Bethlehem Lutheran... "I am Jesus Little Lamb" (verse one) "I am Jesus little lamb; Ever glad at heart I am. For my Shepherd gently guides me; Knows my needs, and well provides me. Loves me every day the same; Even calls me by my name!" Are you missing out on Jesus... CALLING YOU BY NAME?? For us fortunate ones, it was our mother's who introduced us to Jesus, the Good Shepherd. May you be reminded of that this weekend, in worship. Please join with..fellow SHEEP... in worship this Sunday... JESUS WANTS TO CALL YOU... BY YOUR NAME!! 2

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 14531 Old Olga Rd. Fort Myers, FL 33905 Phone: (239)694-3878 www.blcefm.org Week 20 Friday May 16, 2014 - Thursday May 22, 2014 Welcome to My Father's House!! Sunday, May 18, is The Fifth Sunday of Easter. My 9am sermon at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 14531 Old Olga Rd., Ft. Myers, FL (and my 5:30pm, Sat., May 17, "Bible Study and Singing" emphasis at Faith Lutheran Church, 1161 SW 31st Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is drawn from this weekend's Gospel lesson, John 14:1-14. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going" (vss. 1-4). It is interesting, in this Easter season, that this weekend and last weekend (the 4th and 5th Sundays of Easter), have included the two Scripture chapters (the 23rd Psalm and John 14) most used in Christian funerals. But then again, this is EXACTLY what the Easter Season is all about!! 1

Pastor s Weekly Devotion (Cont.) Friday May 16, 2014 - Thursday May 22, 2014 I shared in my last weekend sermons, that over the past 37 years, I had been asked to include Psalm 23... IN EVERY FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICE THAT I HAD DONE!! My story about his weekend's Gospel lesson... IS EXACTLY THE SAME!! This weekend in our worship services, we will be singing the beautiful hymn, "Wonderful Words of Life" (verse one) "Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life, Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life; Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty. Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life, Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life." The words of John 14, are certainly... WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE!! For everyone who has the assurance that Jesus is has promised... AN ETERNITY IN HIS FA- THER'S HOUSE!! These are the most wonderful words of all. We will also sing, "On Eagle's Wings" (verse one) "You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in His shadow for life, say to the Lord: 'My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!' And He will raise you up on eagles wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand." This certainly is the Easter season message! You, who dwell in the shelter of the Lord... God will raise you up on eagle's wings... and hold you in the palm of His hand!! It doesn't get... MORE WONDERFUL... than that!! Who have you shared this great truth with... RECENTLY?? 2

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 14531 Old Olga Rd. Fort Myers, FL 33905 Phone: (239)694-3878 www.blcefm.org Week 21 Friday May 23, 2014 - Thursday May 29, 2014 Am I prepared to share my faith? Sunday, May 25, is The Sixth Sunday of Easter. My 9am sermon at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 14531 Old Olga Rd., Ft. Myers, FL (and my 5:30pm, Sat., May 24, "Bible Study and Singing" emphasis at Faith Lutheran Church, 1161 SW 31st Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is drawn from this weekend's Epistle lesson, 1 Peter 3:13-22. "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil" (vss. 13-17). "Always being prepared to make a defense for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." 1

Pastor s Weekly Devotion (Cont.) Friday May 23, 2014 - Thursday May 29, 2014 Wow... there's a challenge!!... TO BE PREPARED TO SHARE MY FAITH... AND TO DO THAT SHARING WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT!! This weekend we are singing Fanny Crosby's old Gospel song, "Tell Me the Story of Jesus" (verse one) "Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard. Tell how the angels in chorus, Sang as they welcomed His birth. 'Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.' Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard." I don't know how many of you are familiar with the blind Gospel song writer, Fanny Crosby? She lived from 1820-1915, and wrote some 8,000 songs. If you are interested, take a look, via "Google" of some the many many songs that she wrote. In virtually every song, she... POWERFULLY DECLARES HER FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!! So, as we near the end of the Easter season... HOW IS YOUR "FAITH SHARING" PROGRESS- ING? When you or I pass on, will we be remembered... "AS ONE WHO FREQUENTLY SHARED THEIR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST??" We will also sing, "Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" (verses one & two) " O for a thousand tongues to sing, My great Redeemer s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace! My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad, The honors of Thy name. " "My gracious Master and my God... ASSIST ME TO PROCLAIM!!" God, help me be prepared to...share MY FAITH!! 2

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 14531 Old Olga Rd. Fort Myers, FL 33905 Phone: (239)694-3878 www.blcefm.org Week 22 Friday May 30, 2014 - Thursday June 05, 2014 It's Now in Your Hands!! Sunday, June 1, is Ascension Sunday, and my Sunday 10am sermon at Trinity Lutheran Church, 11 SW 11th St. (at Andrews Ave.), Ft. Lauderdale, FL (and my 5:30pm, Sat., May 31 "Bible Study and Singing" emphasis at Faith Lutheran Church, 1160 SW 31st Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is taken from the Ascension Day Gospel lesson, Luke 24:44-53. Rev. Bill Miller, Organist at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (and Chaplain at Lee Memorial Hospital, Ft. Myers, FL) will be leading the 9am worship service and preaching at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 14531 Old Olga Rd., Ft. Myers, FL. Rev. Miller's sermon title is, "Behold His Hands!!" "When He (Jesus) had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up his hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God." (vss. 50-53) 1

Pastor s Weekly Devotion (Cont.) Friday May 30, 2014 - Thursday June 05, 2014 We are nearing the VERY end of the Easter season, and we have two choices (in our appointed lessons) for this weekend. During his weekend we celebrate The Seventh Sunday of Easter AND it is also the weekend closest to Ascension Day (May 29), forty days after Easter Day. This Sunday is sometimes referred to as "Ascension Sunday". I will be drawing from this year's Ascension Day Gospel lesson for for my messages this weekend. Also, this weekend, I also have the opportunity on the day after Ascension Day (Friday, May 30), to lead a special 6pm worship service (with a reception to follow) honoring Frank and Beth Ahrens, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1160 SW 31st Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Frank and Beth have served Faith Lutheran Church and School (in a variety of roles) for the past 24 years, and this Fall will be shifting their Lutheran School ministry service to Faith Lutheran School, in Hialeah, FL. If you are anywhere near Ft. Lauderdae on Friday evening, May 30... PLEASE COME AND JOIN IN THIS SPECIAL TIME OF HONORING FRANK AND BETH!! This weekend we will sing the wonderful Gospel song, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" (verse one) "O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace." My message this weekend is titled, "It's Now in Your Hands!!" Those were the words that Jesus spoke to the disciples (and each one of us) as He was about to ascend into heaven. He was reminding them that the Holy Spirit was was being shared with them (ten days later on Pentecost Day) was intended to assist them to continue the work (and message )that Jesus had begun... HIS MINISTRY WAS NOW IN THEIR (AND OUR) HANDS!! We will also sing "A Hymn of Glory, Let Us Sing" (verse two) "To Whom the angels drawing nigh,'why stand and gaze upon the sky?' Alleluia, Alleluia. 'This is the Savior,' thus they say. 'This is His noble triumph day.' Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia." Soooooo... now is NOT the time for "sky gazing"... Jesus says... PLEASE GET BUSY... AND SHARE JESUS WITH OTHERS!! 2