“And after being prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and his dinner guests” Matthew 14:8-9).

One never knows what prompts are in the background. You need not fear them; but be aware of them. There are often the wicked who have another thing in mind than what You might anticipate. Live in such a way that you avoid being cornered by wickedness. If it happens, turn back to the place where You are not trapped by those who seek things that are not pleasing to the Lord.

Guide me, Lord, by Your word so that I understand the circumstances around me. Help me to be aware and intentional in all that I do. Help me to understand fully what it means to love my neighbor. When I am confronted with a sinful choice, help me to live in love such that I would graciously refuse that which is evil. Grant me strength but, I pray, first awareness, to avoid such circumstances.

Lead me, Holy Spirit, in the way I need to go so that I stay on the narrow path of salvation. Guide me in Your goodness to live in that goodness all the moments of my day. Show me the pits that are before me so that I do not fall into them. Help me to help others when they have fallen into a pit so that I may live out the command of loving my neighbor as myself. Teach me to be gracious and kind as You are gracious and kind. Amen

“But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked” (Matthew 14:6-7).

Herod loved his hedonistic ways. Watching another dance stirred his feelings. How much of our culture stirs us to non-thinking feelings? Be on guard to not be led by the things of the world, but to be led by the Holy Spirit which is in you. Our reactions to such leading are equally important. Herod was willing to give whatever she asked. Be on guard with what you say to others. Make no promises you are unwilling to keep.

Lord, teach me to be on guard with what I promise. Guide me to live according to Your goodness and mercy. Lead me into the life You have promised so that I am always aware that I serve for One, namely You who knows all that I say and do. Guide me to live in such a way that I reflect Christ in all that I do. Lead me, Lord, according to Your goodness and mercy to love others as You love me.

Holy Spirit, I need Your help constantly. Help me to be on guard not only with what I say, but where and when I say things. Guide me to understand that in You alone is there all hope. Lead me this day to choose the better portion and to be thankful for what I am given. Through all that will happen this day, be the One who is leading me in all things. Thank You for Your presence and the direction You will give me. Amen.

“For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet” (Matthew 14:3-4).

Hatred and vengeance are often driving motivators. The wicked, caught in their wickedness, want to eliminate both the accuser and the accusation. The accusation is from the law and God, who knows all things, and has established what is right for all times and places. Herod wanted to be rid of John, but that would not rid him of the truth that he was a sinner. Ultimately, Jesus was killed in attempt to be rid of Him. But His death was God’s plan all along.

Lord, I am often confused by the constant defensiveness of people in this age. Help me to be quick to confess, slow to self-defend, and always willing to repent. I too fall into the trap of sin. The only way out is by Your grace and mercy. Help me to receive Your grace, make amends for my actions, and move into a right relationship with You. Guide me in Your goodness so that I walk the path of one who follows You always.

Holy Spirit, lead me in my inner life. You know where I play the games like Herod of wanting to be rid of the accusation the law makes. Guide me to repent, receive Your grace, make amends, and move on by following Your lead. Help me to be gracious with others as You have been gracious with me. Guide me to live the life to which You have called me in order that I may become more like Christ each day that You give me in this life. Amen.

Scripture

Mark 12:38-44

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone!

Pastor: Does anyone here have jobs to do at home? Are you ever able to earn money for doing a job for your family?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: When I was growing up, I was able to earn some money if I…

Sammy: We have lots of helpers at the farm. They earn money for cleaning stalls and feeding my family and I.

Pastor: What we do with our money shows where our hearts are.

Sammy: What do you mean, Pastor?

Pastor: Well, for example, sometimes people spend a lot of money on really expensive clothes or cars.

Sammy: Farmer Mark has a red pickup truck and lots of flannel. Is that what you mean?

Pastor: No, Sammy. Sometimes people buy really expensive cars and clothes because their goal is to impress others. Or sometimes people spend a lot of money on traveling. There’s nothing wrong with these things, but we have to remember to also give to others.

Sammy: I like sharing!

Pastor: Me too, Sammy. Jesus asks us to give to others and share what we have. These gifts we give to others might be money, food, a nice card, or our time. Many people are poor, sick, sad, or lonely, and they rely on others to help them.

Sammy: Hey Pastor, isn’t our church doing something right now to feed people?

Pastor: Yes we are! We are collecting food for our Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. There’s information about what we need in the bulletin. Whether you can contribute one item or many items, we are grateful for your gift.

Sammy: Let’s pray. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for reminding us to give to others. Thank you for helping us see the needs of others. Help us to give our gifts to serve you. Amen. Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture

John 11:32-44

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, this story from the Gospel reading today is a spooky one.

Pastor: Is it?

Sammy: Yes! A mummy came out from a tomb!

Pastor: Sammy, that’s not what happened!

Sammy: Yes it is! I was listening. This guy named Lazarus died and Jesus told some men to roll the stone away from the cave. And then a mummy came out!

Pastor: Sammy, we are going to talk about what really happened. I think you still have Halloween on your mind. That’s different from the Gospel reading.

Sammy: I did eat a lot of candy. Boys and girls, did you get a lot of treats for Halloween?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Back to our Gospel for today. Jesus was really good friends with a man named Lazarus. He wasn’t old. He was a young man, like Jesus. Do you have a best friend?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: My best friend is you, Pastor.

Pastor: You’re my best friend, too, Sammy. Jesus’s friend Lazarus got sick and he died before Jesus could get to him to heal him.

Sammy: Oh no!

Pastor: It’s okay, Sammy. Death is not the end. Jesus is the end. He’s the beginning and the end.

Sammy: Amen, Pastor!

Pastor: When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’s house, he saw Mary and Martha there. They are Lazarus’s sisters. And they were crying. Jesus cried, too.

Sammy: Jesus cries? Why did he cry?

Pastor: Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is just like us. Boys and girls, can you think of a time when you cried?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Jesus went to the tomb and asked the people to roll the stone away. He said a prayer and then told Lazarus to come out—

Sammy: And that’s when the mummy came out!

Pastor: No, Sammy. That’s when a living, breathing, fully alive Lazarus walked out.

Sammy: Wow!

Pastor: I want each of us to remember that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. We get to live forever because of Jesus. We do not have to be afraid because Jesus loves us. He cries with us and is with us everywhere we go. Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Thank you for your love. Thank you for helping us when we are sad. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him” (Matthew 14:1-2).

The authorities seem to marvel at God’s work showing up in their backyard. “Who is this?” Those in power in our world keep an eye on others while attempting to keep their power. They will die and what they thought was their power goes to another. Do not seek power, but the One in whom is all power and authority. Look beyond the temptations of this world to see that You have been created for an eternal purpose.

Lord, so many seem to scramble for power and authority. That belongs to You alone, “for thine is the power and the glory.” Guide me away from the pursuit of things that will never be mine to receive the righteousness You give by grace. Help me to stay focused upon Your goodness and mercy so that I may walk the life of faith that You have given me. In the end, it does not matter what others think of me. It does matter what You are doing in my life.

Be the One who leads me always, Lord Jesus. Let me not be stopped by those who are constantly questioning me but led by Your Holy Spirit in and through all things. Guide me this day to not be anxious, but to be diligent in all that You give me to do. By Your mercy, lead me through this day as I look to You alone so that I may do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Amen.

“And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown and in his own household.” And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:57-58).

We begin with familiarity and then justify dismissing what we have seen. “They could not have done that.” With the Lord, all things are possible. Jesus is teaching us to honor whom God sends. Whether it is a farmer like Amos, a fisherman like Peter, or someone like you or me, it is what the Lord is saying and not the servant who is speaking the Lord’s word that matters.

Lord, teach me to honor others no matter what they appear to be. Guide me so that I may see others through Your eyes. Wisdom can come from You any time and in any place. Help me to understand that. You showed up amidst an ordinary family. You are the Good News in the flesh, and many are unable to move beyond the mystery of the Incarnation. Let me humbly see things as they are, mystery included, and follow You.

Lord Jesus, it cannot be just about the miracles. Of course You can do all things, for You are God. Help me to understand more profoundly that You have come to take me by the hand and lead me into all truth. Take my eyes away from circumstances to see Your hand in all things. Rest Your hand upon me that I may be in Your Spirit and move by Your direction. Guide me this day and every day according to the Father’s will. Amen.

“Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is His mother not called Mary, and His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man acquire all these things?” (Matthew 13:55-56)

Jesus grew up to manhood. Fully God, but this verse affirms Him to also be fully human. Behind this statement are those who cannot believe that God could become a mere human. But He is God and that is the mystery. It reminds us that what we can see is not the whole picture. Be led by the revelation that God has shown up and done for us what we could not do for ourselves. Do not be skeptical but believing.

Things are what they are. Was Mary a perpetual virgin and these mentioned, Jesus’ cousins? Did Mary have other children? Does it change the Gospel? We have brothers and sisters who may believe one or the other of these. Respect them and honor that Mary was the mother of our Lord. Beyond this, love your brothers and sisters in faith, just as they are commanded to love you. Our eyes should be on the Lord and not our particular understanding of what we think about these things.

Lord Jesus, in the mystery of the incarnation, You have shown up to save us. Help me to keep my eyes upon You so that I may be guided by the Gospel which You have given me. Take away from me any desire for contention and lead me according to Your will. I have many questions Lord, but You have already given the only answers I truly need. You have come so that I may have a renewed life, and live into becoming what You are creating of me. Clear the path before me so that it will be You alone who guides me. Amen.