Weekly Devotional Helps, August 31-September 6

Do children matter? I am assuming that you would say that they do! “Think of the children!” is a mantra that has permeated our culture. My prayer is that we think of the children that are both inside and outside of the womb. It is easier to see how much the children matter when you are on our school campus. In our text, though, we see how important they are. Jesus proclaims, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” We must take this to heart in how we look at our faith in our Savior. At the same time, we are called to bring the Word of God to the children of our church during the Divine Service and at home.

Readings-

Monday- 1 Kings 16:29-17:24; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Tuesday- 1 Kings 18:1-19; Ephesians 1:1-23

Wednesday- 1 Kings 18:20-40; Ephesians 2:1-22

Thursday- 1 Kings 19:1-21; Ephesians 3:1-21

Friday- 2 Kings 2:1-18; Ephesians 4:1-24

Saturday- 2 Kings 2:19-25, 4:1-7; Ephesians 4:25-5:14

Sunday- Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:1-10; Matthew 18:1-20

Collect for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost–

O God, from whom all good proceeds, grant to us, Your humble servants, Your holy inspiration, that we may set our minds on the things that are right and, by Your merciful guiding, accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Small Catechism- (If you want, try and memorize this by next Sunday.)

From the Table of Duties)- To Bishops, Pastors, and Preachers- “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:6)

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:9) (2nd grade +)

Weekly Hymn of Emphasis- LSB 820 My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker

Helpful prayers from the Lutheran Prayer Companion this week- 287, 297, 376, 427, 428