August 4, 2020 – New Life

LynnDaily Devotion

There aren’t many things that will completely change your life. Not just your area code or your schedule, but everything—the way you see the world, yourself, and your priorities. Falling in love will do it. Having your first child will, too. Your focus changes. There is someone in your life who is more important than you—more important than anything else in your life. You will sacrifice for them—you want to sacrifice for them. Your life is richer, deeper, more meaningful with them in it.

There aren’t many things that will do that. The greatest life changer of all is when the Holy Spirit opens your eyes, restarts your heart, and gives you eternal life by faith. God changes who you are. He provides a deep, abiding joy. We can share it with our family and friends. Our earthly goals take on new meaning. The scope of our life and our awareness expands to infinity and eternity.

Jesus presents two parables that help us picture how precious the kingdom of God is. In each parable someone found great treasure. For one it was a complete surprise, as unexpected as it was valuable. For the other it came from an expert search by a discerning man.

Before they found these new treasures, both men no doubt valued what they previously owned. But once they saw this new treasure, they realized that nothing else could compare!

The spiritual wealth of Christ and his Gospel puts everything else into perspective; in fact, it dwarfs everything else. Consider that parable of the net. All people, rich and poor, will be caught up. Only those who found true spiritual wealth are rescued from the fire. There is only one thing that everyone truly needs.

Jesus encourages us to bring this treasure out to share. We have true wealth, wealth so ancient it predates creation, and wealth so vibrant and new that it fills our hearts and brightens our lives each day. We have found true wealth in Christ. We have been given a storeroom full of treasures new and old. Bring them out to people with joy and delight.

Matthew 13:44–52 (EHV)

44“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again. In his joy, he goes away and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls. 46When he found one very valuable pearl, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48When the net was filled, they pulled it onto the shore. They sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but threw the bad ones away. 49That is how it will be at the end of the world. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous who are among them. 50And they will throw the wicked into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 51Jesus said to them, “Did you understand all these things?”

They answered him, “Yes.”

52He said to them, “Therefore every expert in the law who has been trained as a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his treasure both new things and old things.”

 

God bless you,

Pastor Tesch

 

Come to Worship

Come and worship! You can sign up here: https://trinitymarinette.com/events/worship-service-3/ or call Pastor or call the church office to let us know which service you prefer.

Here is this week’s bulletin: https://trinitymarinette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020-08-02-Announcements-The-Ninth-Sunday-after-Pentecost.pdf Check it out.

Masks Required

Governor Evers has issued an edict that requires us to wear masks in church. So make sure to bring the mask. There is an exception for the pastor while I’m leading the service from the front, so being able to hear and understand during the service won’t be an issue. We have an opportunity to honor God by keeping the 3rd and 4th commandments this weekend!

You can sign up for worship and communion here: https://trinitymarinette.com/events/communion-worship-services/ or call Pastor or call the church office to let us know which service you prefer.

 

If you would like to support the Lord’s work at Trinity, you may contribute at trinitymarinette.com/giving/ or you can mail it to

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

1501 Thomas St.

Marinette, WI 54143