Holy Week Family Devotion

Family Devotion for Holy Week

The sign of the cross T may be made by all in remembrance of our Baptism.

Family - In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]

Dad - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Family - But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our

sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8–9

Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.

Dad - Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

Family - Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We

have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Dad - In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:12; Philippians 1:6

Family - Amen.

READING - from the Book of Exodus 12:1-8,11-14

Dad -: There is no week more important no time of the year that

re-orients our life, work, and faith towards Christ than this week. 

We pray for God to send the Holy Spirit to increase the awareness

in the hearts of those who believe, and those who choose not to 

believe in Jesus. We have begun our Holy Week observances. 

We have celebrated Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and watched the

mood change from joy to sadness and fear. Yet in

hope, we present our needs before our God.

Family – Lord hear our prayer

Mom -: For Christian people everywhere...At the beginning of

this Holy Week we pray for all our Christian sisters

and brothers that we may follow the example of Jesus,

who emptied himself for us that we might learn to be

of service to all.

Family - Lord, hear our prayer.

Lindsey -: For those who suffer for what they believe in Jesus.

We pray for those in our world who, like Jesus, are unjustly

persecuted. By our prayers and actions, may we be in

solidarity with those who suffer for justice and truth.

Family - Lord, hear our prayer

Dad -: For a sense of peace in the midst of suffering...May we

be granted the gift of inner peace when we experience

pain at the hands of others. And may Christians

everywhere support those who are suffering by our

prayers, compassion, and love.

Family -: Lord, hear our prayer

Mom -: For a fruitful observance of Holy Week… May we use

this week well for reflection and prayer, for renewal

and repentance, for acts of charity, and for worship,

and sharing.

Family - Lord, hear our prayer

Dad - Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and continue to teach us to pray:

Family - Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;

give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us

our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass

against us; and lead us not into temptation, but

deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom

and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:9–13

Family - Amen

Grudge holding

Six Goals of Satan in Getting You to Hold Grudges

Perhaps it starts with hurt feelings over what was said, another’s actions, or even a lack of response. We mull it over, and over. It festers in our gut. Our spirit can be crushed. We can get hard feelings about the person that we feel offended us. Perhaps those hurt want to get “even” at the other person. Before long, hurt feelings can lead to a host of other actions, including slander against the offending person, or avoidance of that person.

The hurt accomplished may not even be recognized by the offender. They may not even have a clue as to how one is reacting to their remarks or actions; yet the offendee’s bitterness digs deeper and deeper into their life.

Holding a grudge against another can be so devastating to some that it affects their health. Anger can be a result of bitterness. When angry, adrenaline and other hormones are released into the bloodstream, causing high blood pressure and a faster beating heart. Depression, ulcers, heart attack, and stroke have also been linked to those that are controlled by the stress of bitterness and unforgiveness. Not forgiving, and not attempting to forget the offense, can also lead people to do or say things to the offender that they would never think of doing or saying.

A) Personal Story

1) 1. To Make Us Put Ourselves in the Place of God

Ever since Genesis 3 Satan's goal has been to make us put ourselves in the place of God. "When you eat of the fruit of the tree your eyes will be opened and you will be like God." Nothing helps in holding a grudge like thinking too highly of ourselves. The more exalted we are in our own eyes, the more justified we will feel in holding a grudge against the person who offended us. If Satan can succeed in making a grudge feel natural or justified, he will have gone a long way toward his goal of making us put ourselves in the place of God.

2. To Make Us Act as If We Are Judge, Not God

Satan aims to make us act as if we were judge and not God. Romans 12:19 says, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath, for it is written: Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. No, if your enemy is hungry feed him." If we hold a grudge, we act as though God were not a just judge. We act as though we are the moral guardians of the world and if we don't hold this wrong against this person, it's going to slip away into oblivion and a great injustice will go unrequited. But this is sheer unbelief. Vengeance belongs to God. He will repay. It is his business not ours. So again holding a grudge puts us in the place of God—just where Satan wants us.

3. To Make the Cross of Christ Look Weak and Foolish

Satan aims to make the cross of Christ look weak and foolish. Notice Ephesians 4:32–5:2. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us." The power that frees us from holding grudges is that in the cross of Christ God satisfied his grudge against us and dropped it. So Paul says, forgive as God in Christ forgave you. When we hold a grudge, we cancel out the cross. We act as though God did a foolish thing on the cross, since he dropped his infinite grudge against us, but we are going to hold on to our little grudge against so and so. And thus Satan brings the cross of Christ into contempt.

4. To Cultivate Disunity in the Body of Christ

Satan aims to cultivate disunity in the body of Christ so that the grand evidence for Christ's divine reality is shattered. Proverbs 15:18 says, "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention." Short tempers and long grudges breed strife and disunity in the church. But in John 17:23 Jesus said that unity in the church is a great evidence to the world of his reality. So if Satan can preserve and deepen grudges among God's people, he will have achieved a great goal—the hiding of Christ's reality from the world.

5. To Crush Broken Christians into Depression

Satan aims to crush broken Christians until they are depressed into uselessness. Paul tells about an instance of church discipline at Corinth in which the offending party repented. Paul counsels in 2 Corinthians 2:7, "So you should turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you reaffirm your love for him." The burdens of life are so great at times that someone's grudge against us can be the straw that breaks the camel's back. You can destroy a person by holding a grudge against them—the very work of Satan from the time of Cain and Abel.

6. To Help You Destroy Yourself
Finally, by holding a grudge Satan will help you destroy yourself. Satan always throws away his tools in the end. He promises the moon and delivers misery. When the unforgiving servant was thrown into jail, Jesus said to his disciples, "So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

How did I get here?

A) Pair/Share

1) Identify a situation of an offense.________________________________________________

2. How did you handle it? ___________________________________________________

3) What did you do to resolve it?___________________________________________ _

* When we speak, we speak out of what is in our hearts.

Matt. 12:34 is where Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Time + Relationship = Influence

How do you do that? Our Savior fought off temptation with scriptures. That is the only remedy for any battle. When the thought enters your mind, repeat a verse, hopefully one that is about the sin you are tempted with and quote it repeatedly.

A) The First Temptation

Satan tried to place doubt in the mind of Jesus with the words "If you are the Son of God." Matthew shows that the devil came at the end of Jesus' fast.

The Trap

The real peril lay in Satan's proposed reason for creating bread. That reason being "If you are the Son of God." Satan was challenging Christ's credentials.

Jesus immediately perceived the real danger, and responded with a passage from Deuteronomy 8:3. But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" - Matthew 4:4

B) The Second Temptation

Satan took Jesus to Jerusalem to stand on the temple. There Satan challenged Jesus to throw himself down.

Satan quotes scripture

Having lost the first challenge, Satan appeals to scripture by quoting Psalm 91:11-12. When isolated from other passages, this proposal seems reasonable. If Jesus were God's Son, then scripture promised to save Him.

Jesus Responds

Deceptively, Satan tried inciting Jesus to test the Scripture. Jesus addressed the real issue by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16. Jesus said to him, "On the other hand it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" - Matthew 4:7

C) The Third Temptation

Since no mountain stands high enough to view all the world's kingdoms, it's likely that Satan exercised some supernatural power to show Christ "all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time" (Luke 4:5).

Satan's authority

Jesus did not question Satan's authority to grant the world's kingdoms. Bear in mind, however, that Jesus did not directly address Satan's apparent deceptions in the first two temptations. Either Satan possessed this authority, or he was validating his reputation as "the father of lies" (John 8:44). In either case, Satan's authority was not the issue. His suggestion violated the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3).

Jesus Responds

Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only

Action Plan

1. Recognize the temptation holding a grudge

2. Utilize God's Word for guidance and strength
3. Respond through Christ.

It is hard to harbor thoughts of darkness and sin, when your mind is flooded with light!

John 8:12"Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

lil spiritual surgery?

Time of a lil spiritual surgery? Here is a
list I use each year to re-evaluate  where I think  I need to work on.


Y   N   I could lose my job tomorrow

Y   N   I always have to be “on” My kids are growing up without me and
           I’m worried I grew up in a dysfunctional family.

Y    N   I long for intimacy with my wife I desire a deeper
           relationship with God.

Y   N   I struggle with lust I need to make peace with my Heavenly Father.

Y   N   I don’t have a safe place where I can share my thoughts.

Y   N   I am ready for a change.

Y   N   I am hooked on pornography.

Y   N   I feel bored in my day job I want to feel good again.

Y   N   I don’t know how to BLESS my children.

Y   N   I was sexually abused by a person of trust

Y   N   I am an alcoholic

Y   N   My marriage really needs work

Y   N   I am scared to death of rejection from ______________

Y   N   I need help with __________________________________


The Bible says, very implicitly, that Christ  “has delivered us from
the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his
beloved Son”- Colossians 1:13 and also that “ sin will have no
dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace”-
Romans 6:14. I don’t know about the rest of you, but when I think
about the reality of this truth and then line it up alongside the
reality of my struggle with different sinful tendencies, I start to
doubt that I have any part with Jesus Christ.  My hope starts fading.
My assurance is almost nonexistent. My sanity starts crumbling.



Do you know what I’m talking about? Have you been there? It’s a
horrible, despairing place to be.

But think about this for a second, does our struggle with sin point
more toward the fact that we aren’t saved…. or does it point more
toward the fact that we are saved and known by Jesus Christ? I would
venture to say, based on Scripture, that it indicates the latter. If
the Holy Spirit was not in us, convicting us of sin and leading us to
repent, there would be no struggle.

I attended a Men's Bible study last Saturday morning at St Paul's
Muskego. One of the 14 men brought up a good point "It' when I stop
struggling with sin is when I should start to worry." Our wills would
be under the dominion of sin, in complete submission to Satan, and we
would see absolutely nothing wrong with ourselves– neither in our
actions nor our thoughts. In fact, we would see our sin as good.  Look
around you, those who are blind and don't know Jesus. We see them do
horrible, wretched things without an ounce of remorse. They go through
everyday life, and don’t experience the same internal struggles we do.

We’re changed by the means of grace,  transformed by the blood of
Christ, and made new through Jesus resurrection!

Today I was blessed with the privilege to attend Zion Lutheran church
South Milwaukee Men's Bible study after work. 10 men were in attendance were talking
about (1 Peter 4:7-11) 

7 "The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment
and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent
in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has
received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let him
speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do
so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God
may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and
dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:7-11).


1) Can you honestly say that you show your love through the way you
carry out the Gospel message in your 24/7?

2) What commitment is God speaking you to focus on?

A) To God (7)?_________________________________________________________________________

B) To God's people
(8)?_____________________________________________________________________

C) To God's service
(9-11)?__________________________________________________________________

3) What area do you have most difficulty
with? 

________________________________________________________________________________________

Erntedankfest/ Thanksgiving

The first thing you learn when you begin researching Thanksgiving traditions — in the Americas, in Germany, or elsewhere — is that most of what we "know" about the holiday is bunk.

For starters, where was the first thanksgiving celebration in North America? Most people assume it was the well-known 1621 harvest celebration (Erntedankfest) of the Pilgrims in New England. But beyond the many myths associated with that event, there are other claims to the first American thanksgiving celebration. These include Juan Ponce De Leon's landing in Florida in 1513, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado's service of thanksgiving in the Texas Panhandle in 1541, as well as two claims for thanksgiving observances in Jamestown, Virginia — in 1607 and 1610. Canadians claim that Martin Frobisher's 1576 thanksgiving on Baffin Island was the first. Of course, Native Americans (Indianer), very much involved in the New England events, have their own perspective on all of this.

But the offering of thanks at harvest time is not unique to America. Such observances are known to have been held by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and many other cultures throughout history. The American celebration itself is an historically recent development, in fact connected only tenuously to any of the so-called "first" thanksgivings. The American thanksgiving of 1621 was all but forgotten until the 19th century. The 1621 event was not repeated, and what many consider the first authentic Calvinist, religious thanksgiving did not take place until 1623 in Plymouth Colony. Even then it was celebrated only occasionally in some regions for decades, and has only been a U.S. national holiday on the fourth Thursday in November since the 1940s. President Lincoln declared a national Day of Thanksgiving on October 3, 1863. But it was a one-time event, and future Thanksgiving observances were based on the whims of various presidents until President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill creating the current holiday in 1941.

Canadians began their second-Monday-in-October Thanksgiving observance in 1957, although the official holiday actually goes back to 1879, making it a much older national observance than the U.S. holiday. Canada's Dankfest was celebrated annually on November 6th until it was moved to Monday, giving Canadians a long weekend. Canadians (Kanadier) adamently deny any connection between their Thanksgiving and the American Pilgrim tradition. They prefer to claim the English explorer Martin Frobisher and his 1576 Thanksgiving on what is now Baffin Island – which they assert was the "real" first Thanksgiving in North America, beating the Pilgrims by 45 years (but not the Florida or Texas claims).

Thanksgiving in German Europe has a long tradition, but one that is different in many ways from that in North America. First of all, the Germanic Erntedankfest ("harvest festival of thanks") is primarily a rural and a religious celebration. When it is celebrated in larger cities, it is usually part of a church service and not anything like the big traditional family holiday in North America. Although it is celebrated locally and regionally, none of the German-speaking countries observes an official national Thanksgiving holiday on a particular day, as in Canada or the U.S.

In German-speaking countries, Erntedankfest is often celebrated on the first Sunday in October, which is usually also the first Sunday following Michaelistag or Michaelmas (29 Sept.), but various locales may give thanks at different times during September and October. This puts the Germanic thanksgiving closer to Canada's Thanksgiving holiday in early October.

A typical Erntedankfest celebration at Berlin'sEvangelisches Johannesstift Berlin (the Protestant/evangelische Johannesstift Church) is an all-day affair held in late September. A typical Festbegins with a service at 10:00 am. A Thanksgiving procession is held at 2:00 pm and concludes with the presenting of the traditional "harvest crown" (Erntekrone). At 3:00 pm there's music ("von Blasmusik bis Jazz"), dancing, and food inside and outside the church. A 6:00 pm evening service is followed by a lantern and torch parade (Laternenumzug) for the kids — with fireworks! The ceremonies end around 7:00 pm. The church's Web site has photos and video of the latest celebration.

Some aspects of the New World's Thanksgiving celebration have caught on in Europe. Over the past few decades, Truthahn (turkey) has become a popular dish, widely available in German-speaking countries. The New World bird is valued for its tender, juicy meat, slowly usurping the more traditional goose (Gans) on special occasions. (And like the goose, it can be stuffed and prepared in similar fashion.) But the Germanic Erntedankfest is still not a big day of family get-togethers and feasting like it is in America.

There are some turkey substitutes, usually so-called Masthühnchen, or chickens bred to be fattened up for more meat. Der Kapaun is a castrated rooster that is fed until he's heavier than the average rooster and ready for a feast. Die Poularde is the hen equivalent, a sterlilized pullet that is also fattened up (gemästet). But this is not something done just for Erntedankfest.

While Thanksgiving in the U.S. is the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season, in Germany the unofficial starting date is Martinstag on November 11. (It used to be more significant as the start of 40 days of fasting before Christmas.) But things really don't get started for Weihnachten until the first Adventsonntag (Advent Sunday) around December 1. (For more about German Christmas customs, see our article entitled A German Christmas.)

Heritage Holiday Traditions of Germany

Holiday Traditions of Germany
"Froehliche Weihnachten"

According to legend, on Christmas Eve in Germany rivers turn to wine, animals speak to each other, tree blossoms bear fruit, mountains open up to reveal precious gems, and church bells can be heard ringing from the bottom of the sea. Of course, only the pure in heart can witness this Christmas magic. All others must content themselves with traditional German celebrating, of which there is plenty. As a matter of fact, there is so much celebrating that is has to begin on December 6th, St. Nicholas Day.

As in many other European countries, on the eve of Dec. 6th children place a shoe or boot by the fireplace. During the night, St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, hops from house to house carrying a book of sins in which all of the misdeeds of the children are written. If they have been good, he fills the shoe or boot with delicious holiday edibles. If they have not been good, their shoe is filled with twigs.

December 21st, supposedly the shortest day (longest night) of the year, is dubbed St. Thomas Day. In parts of the Sauerland, whoever wakes up late or arrives late to work on that day is issued the title "Thomas Donkey." They are given a cardboard donkey and are the subject of numerous jokes throughout the day. But this gentle abuse ends deliciously with round, iced currant buns called "Thomasplitzchen."

This is all preliminary to the excitement of Christmas Eve. Prior to the evening feast, is the presentation of the tree. The Christmas tree, as we know it, originated in Germany. It has a mysterious magic for the young because they are not allowed to see it until Christmas Eve. While the children are occupied with another room (usually by Father) Mother brings out the Christmas tree and decorates it with apples, candy, nuts, cookies, cars, trains, angels, tinsel, family treasures and candles or lights. The presents are placed under the tree. Somewhere, close to the bright display are laid brilliantly decorated plates for each family member, loaded with fruits, nuts, marzipan, chocolate and biscuits. When all is ready a bell is rung as a signal for the children to enter this Christmas fantasy room. Carols are sung, sometimes sparklers are lit, the Christmas story is read and gifts are opened.

"Dickbauch" means "fat stomach" and is a name given to the Christmas Eve because of the tradition that those who do not eat well on Christmas Eve will be haunted by demons during the night. So the opportunity is given to enjoy dishes such as suckling pig, "reisbrei" (a sweet cinnamon), white sausage, macaroni salad, and many regional dishes.

Christmas Day brings with it a banquet of plump roast goose, "Christstollen" (long loaves of bread bursting with nuts, raisins, citron and dried fruit), "Lebkuchen" (spice bars), marzipan, and "Dresden Stollen" ( a moist, heavy bread filled with fruit).

Of Special Note...

The custom of trimming and lighting a Christmas tree had its origin in pre-Christian Germany, the tree symbolizing the Garden of Eden. It was called the "Paradise Baum," or tree of Paradise. Gradually, the custom of decorating the tree with cookies, fruit and eventually candles evolved. Other countries soon adapted the custom. Charles Dickens called it "The Pretty German Toy."

Recipes...

Reisbrei (Rice Porridge)

½ converted rice
1 quart milk
Pinch of salt
4 tbls. sugar
1 tbl. butter
¼ cup raisins, optional

Cook rice in milk with salt and butter, very slowly until kernels are tender but have not lost their shape. If you have patience, do this in the top of a double broiler. It will take 1 ½ to 2 hours but will be worth it. The mixture should be very thick and can be stirred several times during cooking. When done, flavor with sugar, cinnamon and add raisins--if you are using them. This may be served hot or cold.

Lebkuchen (Spice Bars)

2 cups honey
5 ½ cups flour
¾ cup grated unblanched almonds
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. powdered cloves
¾ cup mixed candied fruits (orange, lemon and citron peel)
½ tsp. baking powder
Egg White Icing (see recipe below)

Heat honey until thin; do not boil. Mix in all other ingredients except icing. Turn onto floured board and knead until smooth, adding a little flour if necessary. Roll with a floured rolling pin to ½" thickness. Grease and flour a baking sheet and lay rolled dough on it. Bake in pre-heated 350 degrees oven about 20 minutes. Spread with icing while hot; cool before cutting into rectangles.

Egg White Icing

2 egg whites
1 ¼ cups confectioner's sugar, shifted
1 tbl. lemon juice

Whip egg whites until they stand in stiff peaks. Add sugar and lemon and juice and continue beating until thick and glossy. Spread on cake or cookies with a spatula.

Leave room for God's grace

I have recently learned that sometimes God will use disappointments, disagreements, and circumstances to humble, teach, or prepare for us the next opportunity He has prepared for us in advance to do.

This is a hard discipline to practice. During our trials or test of faith do we remember to leave room for God and His grace to use those as teachable moments?

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27.

The best coaches build opportunities for character education into their program, creating, recognizing and capitalizing on teachable moments. They think about the following questions when it comes to their players:

• When you fail, will you repent, and try again through Christ?
• 
  
• Do you have the character necessary to persist?
• 
  
• Will you be committed to glorifying God better?
• 
  
• In life our character is constantly tested. The endless procession of teachable moments are available in God's Word. Responsible Christians who constantly use God's Word will find life lessons about persistence, teamwork, sacrifice, effort, empathy, discipline, leadership and overcoming adversity.

The term “sola Scriptura” or “the Bible alone” is a short phrase that represents the simple truth that there is only one special revelation from God that man possesses today, the written Scriptures or the Bible. Scripture states this concept repeatedly and emphatically. The very phrase “It is written” means exclusively transcribed, and not hearsay. The command to believe what is written means to believe only the pure word of God. What is at stake before the All Holy God is His incorruptible truth.

In the very last commandment in the Bible God resolutely tells us not to add to nor take away from His Word.

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”
       —Revelation 22:18-19

His Word is absolutely sufficient in itself (Psalm 119:160).

The events, actions, commandments, and truths from God are given to us in propositional form, i.e. logical, written sentences. God’s declaration in Scripture is that it and it alone, is this final authority in all matters of faith and morals.

Thus, there is only one written source from God, and there is only one basis of truth for the Lord’s people in the His Church.

Stay in God's Word!