Everyday Word = Every Day Blessings

Dear friends in Christ,
As Advent begins, we know that soon it will be Christmas and then a new year will be upon us. Many people will be making resolutions to better their life in some way. Although it certainly is a positive practice to make an effort to better ourselves as we seek to glorify God in all aspects of our lives, it is also true that on our own we will fall short and be greatly limited in what we can accomplish. Our sinful nature will bring us down and fight against anything that is good, right, and holy. We need the grace of God and the help of God as He works in our lives to grow in our faith and to lead us to live more sanctified and godly lives.

This New Year I would like to suggest to you a resolution that will bring you godly blessings every day in your life. I put before you the challenge to read through the entire Bible over the course of the next two years. Concordia Publishing House has recently released a resource that can aid us in that task. If you choose to follow this program, you will read 6 days a week. The 7th day is reserved for public worship. What to read is laid out each day. It looks like it is usually 1-2 chapters per day. Each week there are also short paragraphs that summarize the Historical Context of the week’s readings, Law and Gospel Themes, Life Application Starters, and Prayer Starters for the Week. There is also room for you to write your own notes, questions, insights, and even prayers if you choose to do so. Of course, what you do with it is up to you.

I will leave a sample book on the Welcome Center for you to look at and decide if you would like to purchase one. If you would like to order it through the church, there is a sign-up sheet on the Welcome Center as well. The book itself is $20, but we are asking for $21 in order to help cover the shipping costs. Make your check out to Rose of Sharon Lutheran Church and place it in the box located on the secretary's desk. If you would like to order a book on your own, you may do so by contacting Concordia Publishing House. The book is titled EVERYDAY Word A Two-Year Bible Journal. It is authored by Todd A. Biermann.

For anyone who is 25 years old or younger and would like to participate in the Bible reading challenge, there will be NO cost of the book for you. Do, however, put your name on the sign-up sheet and indicate that you are 25 or younger. The book will be provided for you free of charge.

I know that many of you use Portals of Prayer or have your own daily devotional plan. This is not meant to take away from any of that. Give it some prayer and thought and do what the Lord leads you to do. Either way, let’s be like the Bereans whom Luke says were more noble than those in Thessalonica for they received the word with all eagerness, “examining the Scriptures daily..." (Acts 17:11). When you are in the Word of God daily God the Holy Spirit will be at work in your life, strengthening your faith, and increasing your sanctification, as you will grow in bettering your life all for the glory of God. This is a New Year’s Resolution that will bring God’s Blessings into your life every day. If you have any questions or wish to speak further about it with me, feel free to talk with me about it.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in vour richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17).

Pastor Schoenfeld