Preacher Paul

05/31/2026

The Blessing of Rain

Scripture:
"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." — Matthew 5:45
As we listen to the gentle sound of rain falling from the sky, we are reminded of one of God's greatest gifts. Rain is something we often take for granted, but without it, crops would wither, rivers would dry up, and life itself would struggle to survive. Rain is a blessing from God.

In much the same way, God's blessings come into our lives. Sometimes they arrive in dramatic ways—a new opportunity, a healed relationship, or an answered prayer. Other times they come quietly, like a soft spring rain. A kind word from a friend, a meal on the table, a loving family, a peaceful evening, or the assurance that God is walking beside us—these are all blessings that nourish our souls.

Rain does not always come when we want it. Farmers know that sometimes they must wait patiently for the clouds to gather. Likewise, there are seasons when we pray and wonder if God hears us. Yet God's timing is perfect. Just as He sends rain when the earth needs it, He sends His grace when our hearts need it most.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God's Word is like rain:
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth... so is my word that goes out from my mouth." (Isaiah 55:10-11)

God's Word refreshes weary hearts, strengthens faith, and produces fruit in our lives.

Today, if you see rain falling outside your window, take a moment to thank God. Let every drop remind you that He is still caring for His creation and still pouring blessings into your life. Some blessings may be obvious, while others may be hidden from view. But just as the rain nourishes the ground beneath the surface, God's grace is at work in ways we may not yet see.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the rain that refreshes the earth and for the countless blessings You pour into our lives each day. Help us to recognize Your goodness, trust Your timing, and share Your blessings with others. May Your Word continue to nourish our hearts and strengthen our faith. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Every raindrop is a reminder that God's blessings continue to fall upon us, often in ways we do not even notice.

05/24/2026

Good morning! Happy Pentecost Sunday! I will be doing the service at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Service time is 9:00 am. Join us there or tune in!

05/17/2026

The following is for the graduating seniors; however, it can apply to the rest of us as well.

“The Next Step Is Not Taken Alone”

Scripture:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Book of Proverbs 3:5-6

Graduation is a strange mixture of joy, excitement, fear, and uncertainty. One chapter closes, and another begins. For many seniors, there are questions ahead:
What will happen next?
Will I make the right decisions?
What if I fail?
What if life doesn’t go according to plan?
The truth is, none of us can fully see the road ahead. But God can.
The world will tell graduates to “follow your heart,” “make your own path,” or “believe in yourself above all else.” While confidence and hard work matter, Scripture reminds us that our greatest security is not found in ourselves — it is found in the Lord.
God never promised a life without challenges. There will be disappointments, lonely days, temptations, setbacks, and moments when the future feels unclear. But He does promise this: if you walk with Him, you will never walk alone.
Success is not measured only by degrees, careers, money, trophies, or popularity. A truly successful life is one that remains faithful to God. A person who honors Christ in the classroom, on the job site, in relationships, and at home is building a foundation that lasts forever.

As graduates step into a new season, remember:
Stay close to God even when life gets busy.
Do not abandon your faith when the world pressures you to compromise.
Pray before making major decisions.
Choose friends who strengthen your walk with Christ.
Remember where you came from and the people who prayed for you.
And never forget that your identity is not found in achievements, but in being a child of God.

Graduation is not the end of the journey. It is simply the beginning of another chapter God is writing.
And the Author of your story is faithful.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for every graduating senior and for bringing them to this important moment in life. Give them wisdom for the decisions ahead, courage when life becomes difficult, and faith that remains strong in every season. Protect them from temptation and guide their steps according to Your will. Help them remember that no matter where life takes them, You are always with them. May they honor You in all they do and trust You with their future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

05/10/2026

Mother’s Day

05/03/2026

Finding joy when something or someone or when you find God!!!!

04/26/2026

As the chill of winter loosens its grip and the warmth of spring begins to settle in, we look to the skies and see something remarkable—birds returning home.

They come in flocks, often in perfect formation, traveling thousands of miles from the south to the north. They know where they are going. They were made for this journey.

And in that, we are reminded: we too are travelers.

The Bible tells us in Philippians 3:20,
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Just like those birds, we are not meant to stay here forever. This world is not our final destination. We are passing through—journeying toward something greater, something eternal.

Birds do not question the journey. They don’t get distracted by temporary comforts along the way. They press on, guided by something deep within them—a design placed by their Creator.

So it should be with us.

How often do we become too comfortable here? Too focused on earthly things? Too distracted to remember that we are heading home?

Jesus reminds us in John 14:2,
“My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

That is our destination. That is our home.

And just like the birds travel together, we are not meant to make this journey alone. We encourage one another, walk alongside one another, and help each other stay on course.

So the next time you look up and see those flocks moving north, let it stir something in your heart.

Let it remind you:

You were made for more than this world
You are on a journey
And heaven is your home
Keep your eyes forward. Keep your faith strong. Keep moving toward Him.

Because one day, the journey will be complete—and we will finally arrive.

04/19/2026

Sunday Devotion: From Winds to Blossoms

We’ve all heard the saying: “March winds bring April showers, and April showers bring May flowers.” It’s simple, almost childlike—but it carries a truth about life and faith that runs deep.

In March, the winds howl across the plains. They rattle windows, bend trees, and remind us that winter is not quite finished. Those winds can feel harsh, even unwelcome. In life, we have seasons like that—times of uncertainty, struggle, or restlessness. Times when things feel unsettled and out of our control.

Yet Scripture reminds us:

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.” — John 3:8

God often works in ways we cannot see or understand. The winds in our lives—those difficult, stretching moments—may not feel good, but they are not without purpose.

Then come the April showers.

Rain can feel dreary. Gray skies, muddy ground, and days when the sun seems hidden. In our lives, these are the seasons of tears, waiting, and quiet endurance. We may wonder where God is in those moments.

But the rain is doing something beneath the surface.

“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” — Hosea 6:3

The rain softens the soil. It nourishes what cannot yet be seen. In the same way, God uses even the heavy, tear-filled seasons of life to grow something within us—faith, patience, compassion, and trust.

And then… May flowers.

What once looked barren begins to bloom. Color returns. Life breaks through. The same ground that endured wind and rain now produces beauty.

“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.” — Song of Solomon 2:11–12

This is the promise God gives us: the hard seasons are not the final word. The winds do not last forever. The rain does not fall endlessly. There is a blooming that comes—a renewal, a restoration, a reminder that God has been at work all along.

A Living Reminder

Think about the roads after a long winter—the frost heaves, the bumps, the rough stretches. Driving can be frustrating, even exhausting. But as the frost leaves the ground, the road settles. What once seemed broken smooths out again.

Life is like that.

The “winds” and “showers” we face are not permanent. God is preparing something better, even when we can’t yet see it.

Closing Prayer

Merciful God,
In the winds of our lives, steady us.
In the rains, sustain us.
And in Your perfect time, bring forth the flowers You are growing within us.
Help us trust that every season has purpose, and that You are present in them all.
Amen.

Final Thought

When the wind is strong and the skies are gray, don’t lose heart.
God is already preparing your spring.

04/12/2026

Good morning! I will be presenting the service at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 9 a.m. Tune in or come in person!

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We are an ELCA Lutheran Church in Groton,SD

04/05/2026

Happy Resurrection Day!

03/29/2026

There are days when the wind is strong.
You hear it before you even see it. It rattles the windows. It bends the trees. It pushes against you when you walk outside. You can’t ignore it—it’s powerful, noticeable, undeniable. At the softball game yesterday in Clark, the noise of the wind was broken up when we heard a crack as one of the trees behind the field broke and fell over.
And Scripture reminds us just how powerful that wind can be. In Psalm 107, it says:
“For He spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.”

And then… there are days when the wind fades.
The air becomes still. Quiet. Almost motionless. You step outside and nothing moves. No sound. No force. Just calm. And it’s on a hot, humid day when that happens and you wish there was a breeze, but only very uncomfortable conditions.
That’s a lot like our spiritual life.

There are moments when we feel God’s presence so strongly. We’re motivated. We’re passionate. Prayer feels natural. Scripture speaks clearly. We feel like we’re growing, like we’re alive in our faith.
It’s like the wind is blowing hard.
Jesus said in John 3:
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.”
God’s Spirit moves like that wind—powerful and real.
You even see that power on display in Acts 2:
“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house.”
But then there are other times.
The wind fades.
We don’t feel as close to God. Prayer feels dry. Motivation drops. We wonder if anything is happening at all.
And here’s where we have to be careful—because we often think that when we don’t feel the wind, God must not be working.
But that’s not true.
Because God is not only in the powerful wind.
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah experienced this firsthand:
“The Lord was not in the wind… and after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
The wind still exists, even when it’s calm. The air is still there, still sustaining life, still present—even when it’s quiet.
And God is the same.

Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
And Isaiah 40:31 gives us this promise: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
Not when the wind is strong…and not when it is still.
Faith is not built only in the moments when the wind is blowing hard. Faith is proven in the stillness.
2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Anyone can praise when they feel it.
Anyone can be excited when everything is moving.

But real, rooted faith says:
“I will trust God… even when it feels quiet.”
“I will pray… even when I don’t feel anything.”
“I will walk forward… even when the wind has faded.”

Because the same God who moves in the powerful gusts…is present in the silence.
So today, wherever you are—
If the wind is blowing strong in your life, praise Him.
If the wind feels still, trust Him.
Because whether loud or quiet…
whether powerful or calm…

God is still there.