Religious tourism is not for you...

John points you to something much better😊

Verse for the week: “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1.17

Prayer for the week: “Almighty God, loving Father, you govern all things in heaven and earth and make all things new through your almighty word.  Transform our sinful nature and all our doings by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may please you and attain perfect joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (Otto Schlisske, Christliche Unterweisung im Jahr der Kirche (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1949), p.99 )

Bible reading for the day:  John 1.29-42

²⁹ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ³¹ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” ³² And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ³³ I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

³⁵ The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶ and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” ³⁹ He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. ⁴⁰ One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. ⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). ⁴² He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Lord, thank you for taking away the world’s and my sin by your Lamb, your son Jesus. Thank you!  Deliver me and your whole church from being absorbed into the culture of religious tourism… people who move from one new thing to the next, never staying. Call each of us by name and speak our identity to us in such a way that we are grasped by you… and cannot help but introduce others to the Lamb who takes away our sin. I ask this Jesus’ name, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GH0aLQwhRY

“I believe in the Holy Spirit…”

What does this mean?

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith. In the same way, he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and preserves it in unity with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church, he daily forgives abundantly all my sins and the sins of all believers. At the last day, he will raise me and all the dead and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly true! (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction: The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  (Romans 15.13)

*There are many patterns for devotions.  This pattern has been followed by God’s people for centuries.

**The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN www.dailytext.com).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:                                                                                    T: thanksgiving

                                                      R: regret (repentance)

                                                      I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)

                                                      P: plan or purpose

Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God. 

The targeting we need

Verse for the week: “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1.17

Prayer for the week: “Almighty God, loving Father, you govern all things in heaven and earth and make all things new through your almighty word.  Transform our sinful nature and all our doings by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may please you and attain perfect joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (Otto Schlisske, Christliche Unterweisung im Jahr der Kirche (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1949), p.99 )

Bible reading for the day:  Isaiah 49.1-7 (note: Our forebears had been unfaithful to God and thereby earned themselves a big “time out” – the Exile in Babylon from 587-539 B.C.  After their term was served, after the end of the Exile, the Lord declares that He is sending his sharp servant to bring his people back to himself)

   ¹ Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.
² He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away.
³ And he said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
⁴ But I said, “I have labored in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my right is with the Lord,
and my recompense with my God.”

⁵ And now the Lord says,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him;
and that Israel might be gathered to him—
for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength—
⁶ he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

⁷ Thus says the Lord,
the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,
to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation,
the servant of rulers:
“Kings shall see and arise;
princes, and they shall prostrate themselves;
because of the Lord, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Lord, thank you for not mumbling, not sending a dull Word. Thank you for speaking clearly in Christ, the sharp sword, your polished arrowhead…He’s the only one who cuts through the enemy’s lies and our bondage.  It is too small a thing that this Living Word would stay within just our tribe or building.  So, draw back your bowstring and use even me and my congregation to deliver Jesus right on target for our neighbor…that your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.  In Jesus’ name I ask this, amen. 

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic that give further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2bhHosLHmI

“Hallowed be thy name…”

What does this mean?

God's name is indeed holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy also among us.

How is this done?

God's name is hallowed when his Word is taught in its truth and purity and we, as God's children, lead holy lives in harmony with it. Grant this to us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives in ways other than what God's Word teaches dishonors the name of God among us. Prevent us from doing this, heavenly Father!  (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction: The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  (Romans 15.13)

*There are many patterns for devotions.  This pattern has been followed by God’s people for centuries.

**The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN www.dailytext.com).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:                                                                                    T: thanksgiving

                                                      R: regret (repentance)

                                                      I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)

                                                      P: plan or purpose

Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God. 

Your righteousness...

Verse for the week: We have beheld his glory; glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 1.14

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, at the baptism of your blessed Son Jesus Christ in the Jordan you manifested his glorious divinity.  Grant that the brightness of his presence may shine in our hearts and his glory be set forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Post-Communion in Sarum Rite, given in John Wallace Suter, Jr., The Book of English Collects (New York and London: Harper & Bros., 1940), p. 47.) 

Bible reading for the day: Matthew 3.13-17

 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. ¹⁶ And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; ¹⁷ and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

prayer(based on the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for the one who is our righteousness and your kept promise: your beloved Son. Repent me and your whole church of our persistent, old religious paradigms that cling to a righteousness of our own and would prevent Jesus from being our sole and complete righteousness. Quiet the chatter of my will and preach directly to me and my brothers & sisters… for in Jesus all we need is fulfilled. In his name I pray, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord. The recording is poor and slow, even nerdy, but it’s a great hymn😊and will preach to you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKQJJ6xz1K0

What is baptism?

Baptism is not merely water; it is water used according to God's command and connected with God's Word.

What is this Word of God?

It is the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the last chapter of Matthew, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

What benefits does Baptism bring?

In baptism, God forgives sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God declare.

What is this Word and promise of God?

It is the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the last chapter of Mark, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).  (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

benediction: The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  (Philippians 4.7)

*There are many patterns for devotions.  This pattern has been followed by God’s people for centuries.

**The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN www.dailytext.com).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:                                                                                    T: thanksgiving

                                                      R: regret (repentance)

                                                      I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)

                                                      P: plan or purpose

Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God. 

The carved idol of yourself

Verse for the week: We have beheld his glory; glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 1.14

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, at the baptism of your blessed Son Jesus Christ in the Jordan you manifested his glorious divinity.  Grant that the brightness of his presence may shine in our hearts and his glory be set forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Post-Communion in Sarum Rite, given in John Wallace Suter, Jr., The Book of English Collects (New York and London: Harper & Bros., 1940), p. 47.) 

Bible reading for the day: Isaiah 42.1-9 (The time is just prior to the end of the Exile, the 6^th century BC. God’s own beloved people had spurned the Lord and sought to establish themselves. As a result, their families and their nation have fallen apart and they have been exiled to Babylon. Now the Lord promises that he will take his chosen servant by the hand and use him to deliver them from the bondage they have brought upon themselves.)

 Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
    he will bring forth justice to the nations.
² He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
    or make it heard in the street;
³ a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
    he will faithfully bring forth justice.
⁴ He will not grow faint or be discouraged
    till he has established justice in the earth;
    and the coastlands wait for his law.

⁵ Thus says God, the Lord,
    who created the heavens and stretched them out,
    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
    and spirit to those who walk in it:
⁶ “I am the Lord; I have called you^[b] in righteousness;
    I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
    a light for the nations,
⁷     to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
    from the prison those who sit in darkness.
⁸ I am the Lord; that is my name;
    my glory I give to no other,
    nor my praise to carved idols.
⁹ Behold, the former things have come to pass,
    and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
    I tell you of them.”

^bin v.6, the Hebrew for the pronoun “you” is singular, four times

prayer(based on the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for Jesus your kept promise, your chosen servant, your covenant with us, our rescue from the prison of our own darkness… thank you! Guard me and my congregation from the carved idol of ourselves. Our wicks burn quite faintly Lord, so send Christ to be our flame, our light, our Lord. In his name I ask this, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord. The recording is poor and slow, even nerdy, but it’s a great hymn😊and will preach to you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKQJJ6xz1K0

What is baptism?

Baptism is not merely water; it is water used according to God's command and connected with God's Word.

What is this Word of God?

It is the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the last chapter of Matthew, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

What does baptism mean for daily life?

It means that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil desires, should be drowned by daily sorrow for sin and repentance and be put to death, and that the new person should come forth every day and rise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

Saint Paul says in Romans, “We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4 ESV). (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

benediction: The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  (Philippians 4.7)

*There are many patterns for devotions.  This pattern has been followed by God’s people for centuries.

**The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN www.dailytext.com).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:                                                                                    T: thanksgiving

                                                      R: regret (repentance)

                                                      I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)

                                                      P: plan or purpose

Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God. 

God's vision for us

⁴“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ⁶ And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.  Deut 6.4-9

Malachi 4.5-6   “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. ⁶ And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (these are the final words of the Old Testament).

Luke 1.16-17  And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, ¹⁷ and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Ephesians 5.20-24,25,6.4

“…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ; ²²wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior… ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… ^6.4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Prayer:

Gracious and almighty Father, in your Son Jesus you freely give forgiveness, life and salvation to me and to all those with ears to hear. Thank you! Your blueprint, your design for redeeming the world and making disciples starts with the family, even with my family. Give men and women ears to hear this calling; give me ears to hear it. Establish and strengthen husband and wife under Christ. Guide parents as the key teachers for their children. Inspire fathers and mothers to read the Bible, teach the catechism, and pray with one another at home and when away. For persons who are single, sustain them in faith in you and in purity. Lead me and our congregation to engage people wherever they are with the love truth of Jesus Christ. Keep the leaders of our congregation disciplined and focused on our vision to help more families follow you; in your name I pray. Amen[i]

Hymn: for this link to a beloved hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMY3ivdNzwE

“Hallowed be thy name…”  

What does this mean?

God's name is indeed holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy also among us.

How is this done?

God's name is hallowed when his Word is taught in its truth and purity and we, as God's children, lead holy lives in harmony with it. Grant this to us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives in ways other than what God's Word teaches dishonors the name of God among us. Prevent us from doing this, heavenly Father!   (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

benediction:    The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

                           The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in

                           From this time on and forevermore.  Ps 121.7-8

---

[i] This prayer is based on the Bible readings and St. Paul Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, vision to be a congregation that engages people in order to help more families follow Jesus. What vision has the Lord given your congregation for ministry? How well do you know it and support it?

Petition...

To his rebellious people in exile in Babylon, the Lord declares “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:12).

Psalm 119.10-11,17,24,49-50,71,81,105

¹⁰With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.

¹⁷Deal bountifully with your servant,
    that I may live and keep your word.

²⁴ Your testimonies are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me hope.
⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.

⁷¹ It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.

⁸¹ My soul longs for your salvation;
    I hope in your word.

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.

Prayer (based on Psalm 119):

O Lord, Father in Heaven,

Guide me.

Mold me.

Afflict me.

Turn me.

Teach me.

Change me.

Hold on to me, for I am yours.

Show me your Way.

All day let that Way be before me.

In every thought, breath and action

let it be the beacon, the guide, the control,

the path of my life.

Help me follow your Way

to the very end of my days.

Thank you for putting me here in your hands.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In your additional petitions, please pray for:

our congregation, for our pastors, for our leaders, and for the new leaders we will need; for those who carry out ministries, for marriages and parents, for Financial Peace University courses, for the Sunday School teachers, for the Confirmation leaders, for those leading adult Bible studies and for those leading small groups. Pray for those in hospital and nursing home ministries. Pray for our preschool. Pray for relationships through Breaking Bread. Pray for our missionaries, local and global. Pray for all those connected to our church that they might know God’s redeeming love for all in Christ. Pray for Pastor Chip and the Reynolds family during his deployment.

Hymn: for this link to a beloved hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS1LAc5DSCU

“Hallowed be thy name…”  

What does this mean?

God's name is indeed holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy also among us.

How is this done?

God's name is hallowed when his Word is taught in its truth and purity and we, as God's children, lead holy lives in harmony with it. Grant this to us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives in ways other than what God's Word teaches dishonors the name of God among us. Prevent us from doing this, heavenly Father!   (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

benediction:    The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

                           The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in

                           From this time on and forevermore.  Ps 121.7-8

To begin the New Year

Invitatory:  I begin in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Bible reading:  Colossians 3:12a, 16-17  

 As God's chosen ones… Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. approach):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil…and thank you for choosing me as one of your own.  Make me repent of impoverishing myself and my family when it comes to your Word. Because you have made me one of your own, see to it that your living Word dwells in even me today and throughout 2020:

-         draw me to read and hear your Word daily

-         guide me to teach and admonish others in all wisdom and to accept their admonishment

-         and gather me with my brothers and sisters in Christ every Sunday to sing thanks and praise to you

… and then send us, living out our vocations in everything we say and do… with thanksgiving to you.  I ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a new classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqfQjxSWjWs

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord…

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ — true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary — is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, and has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that I might be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as he is risen from the dead and lives and reigns for all eternity. This is most certainly true! (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction: To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Tim 1:17)