Behold what love the Father has for you

Verse for the week: “…the Father has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” Colossians 1.12

Prayer for the week: “Lord God, you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant that we, encouraged by the example of your servants who have gone before us, may persevere in the course that you set before us, to be living signs of the Gospel and at last, with all the saints, to share in your eternal joy; through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen” (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  I John 3.1-3  (Not to be confused with the Gospel of John, this First Letter of John was written later, perhaps 90-100 AD. It was intended to reassure the congregation in the midst of a crisis: some of its members were falling in love with the ways of the world and leaving the faith.)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.³ And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, such is your love that you say it and it is so: in Christ you reclaim us as your beloved children and so that is who we are… because of who you are. Thank you! Repent me and my congregation of rooting our identity anywhere other than in Christ… and while we wait for him to reappear, just keep on making us more like him. In Jesus’ 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 tempo drags a little, but it is a wonderful hymn): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MimsQtU-ccQ or, here’s a new hymn that also gives voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfJrxvVnmkE

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son…

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

 

*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).  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 right kind of poverty

Verse for the week: “…the Father has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” Colossians 1.12

Prayer for the week:  “Lord God, you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant that we, encouraged by the example of your servants who have gone before us, may persevere in the course that you set before us, to be living signs of the Gospel and at last, with all the saints, to share in your eternal joy; through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen” (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  Matthew 5.1-12 (note: Jesus opens one of his famous sermons with these promises.)

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

² And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

⁵ “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

⁷ “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for opening your mouth in Jesus and speaking blessing not on account of my poverty or my affluence, but on account of your sheer mercy. Thank you! Repent me and my congregation of turning your promises into our project list… or just a costume we wear outside occasionally. Give me instead that poverty of spirit that places my confidence squarely in you… and thereby gives me clearer vision for who and what you have put right in front of me today… since by your mercy my eternity is firmly secured in heaven. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-_-rXYe_x0

“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 peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  Phil 4.7

 

*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).  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 Wonderfully Strange New Song

Verse for the week: “…the Father has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” Colossians 1.12

Prayer for the week:  “Lord God, you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant that we, encouraged by the example of your servants who have gone before us, may persevere in the course that you set before us, to be living signs of the Gospel and at last, with all the saints, to share in your eternal joy; through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen” (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  Psalm 149

¹ Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of the godly!
² Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
    let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
³ Let them praise his name with dancing,
    making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.
⁵ Let the godly exult in glory;
    let them sing for joy on their beds.
⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their throats
    and two-edged swords in their hands,[i]
⁷ to execute vengeance on the nations
    and punishments on the peoples,
⁸ to bind their kings with chains
    and their nobles with fetters of iron,
⁹ to execute on them the judgment written!
    This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the Lord!

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: in Christ you suffer the punishment we and all peoples deserve… and you free me from the same old song and dance of myself… for the new song of your praise and your victory over sin. Thank you! Satan is sly adversary Lord, so keep this tune fresh in the ears of my soul and resounding from my throat that he may be drown out and bound with his own chains. In Jesus’ name I ask this, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved, classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFpJ2u3hyNw

“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 peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  Phil 4.7

 

*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).  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. 

 

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[i] “There is hardly a commentary that does not express itself critically – or even with indignation – about verse 6. Is the song of praise here not overshadowed, yes, even obscured by the lust for revenge? ...No matter how the human emotions that extend to “revenge” may be constituted, we cannot and must not overlook the fact that also in the New Testament the vengeance of judgment is spoken of (Revelation).” -H.J. Kraus. See also Romans 12.9-21.    God carries out his power not in a rose garden but in the world of his enemies. 

 

God's doing the wash...

 ...and you are his laundry.

Verse for the week: “Give thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” Colossians 1.12

Prayer for the week: “Lord God, you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant that we, encouraged by the example of your servants who have gone before us, may persevere in the course that you set before us, to be living signs of the Gospel and at last, with all the saints, to share in your eternal joy; through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen” (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  Revelation 7.9-17 (The vision given to John on the isle of Patmos serves not to reveal the floor plan of heaven but to give a persecuted and messy church courage for today and hope for eternity.)

⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹² saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” ¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
    and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
    the sun shall not strike them,
    nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
    and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for washing not just my dirty laundry but my whole being – body & soul – in Christ Jesus. Thank you! Rescue me and your church from worrying and fleeing in time of tribulation. In the hardest times draw us even closer to you and give us to our neighbor… that we and other thirsty ones may be refreshed by the springs of living water that flow from Christ himself. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved, classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbg5SjT0fTs&t=11s

“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 peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  Phil 4.7

 

*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).  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. 

Just your religious playmate?

Verse for the week: It was to prove at the present time that God himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith from Jesus so that it is in Jesus. Romans 3.26

Prayer for the week:  “Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people.  Keep us steadfast in your word, protect and comfort us in all temptations, defend us against all our enemies, and bestow on the church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (Lutheran Book of Worship, p.36)

Bible reading for the day:  Matthew 11.12-19 (At this point in Matthew’s account, Jesus has sent out his twelve apostles to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The crowds and the most religious people in town are complaining about John the Baptist and about Jesus.)

 ¹²From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, ¹⁴ and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

¹⁶ “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

¹⁷ “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, wisdom is indeed justified by her deeds… not by us and ours. Thank you for the wisdom of Christ crucified… foolishness to the world and rejected by religious ones who want a playmate to suit our desires… but to those who are being saved, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. Make it so for us Lord, give us ears to hear you; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved, classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LFe8b2U7wc&ab_channel=St.PaulLutheranChurchAustin

“Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

What does this mean?

The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it will also be done among us.

How is this done?

God's will is done when he hinders and destroys every evil design and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature that would keep us from hallowing his name and prevent the coming of his kingdom. And God’s will is done when he strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in his Word and in faith to the end of our earthly lives. This is his good and gracious will.  (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.  Phil 4.7

 

*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).  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. 

 

He stops your mouth

 ...and opens it again with a new song.

Verse for the week: It was to prove at the present time that God himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith from Jesus. Romans 3.26

Prayer for the week: “Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people.  Keep us steadfast in your word, protect and comfort us in all temptations, defend us against all our enemies, and bestow on the church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (Lutheran Book of Worship, p.36)

Bible reading for the day:  Romans 3.19-31 (Writing in 56 AD, our namesake Paul declares that the righteousness of God is not earned by us through keeping the law; it is given to us sinners as a gift in Christ Jesus.)

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.²⁰ For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

²¹ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. ²⁶ It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith from Jesus[i].

²⁷ Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸ For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰ since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. ³¹ Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for putting me in  right relationship with you and my neighbor not by my own efforts to be a good Christian but solely through the faith in Jesus Christ that you give me.  Thank you!  Your law reveals that I am right there in the pile with all the other short-fallers, all the other sinners, Lord. So, hourly keep me and your church from boasting; teach us instead to cling to Jesus only and to live as disciples who are justified by his grace alone. I ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved, classic hymn that gives full voice to today’s conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEmH9zGkmOI

“I believe in Jesus Christ...”

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

 

*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).  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. 

 

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[i] The Greek here is a genitive of source, ek pistews Ihsou, clearly states that the believer’s faith comes out from Jesus.

Melodic lies

... Christ is rescuing your from them.

Verse for the week: “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” I Corinthians 1.27

Prayer for the week: “Almighty and merciful God, for your mercy’s sake, keep far from us all that opposes you, that, unhindered in body and soul, we may serve you with hearts set free; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p.216). 

Bible reading for the day:  Psalm 96.1-9 (This song is post-exilic; composed after Yahweh brought his beloved, rebellious people back from the long, disciplinary “time out” in Babylon, 587-539BC.)

¹ Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!
² Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
⁴ For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
⁵ For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
⁶ Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

⁷ Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
⁸ Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts!
⁹ Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth!

Prayer (based on TRIP method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: instead of the song of myself, you have given me a new song to sing; the song of your marvelous work for us and among us in Christ Jesus. Thank you! The old dirge of my self and the songs of people who worship worthless idols linger in my ears constantly; please guard me from these melodic lies. Bring me and my family into your courts, O Lord, and from my hand and heart bring the offering due your name. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved, classic hymn which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFpJ2u3hyNw

“Hallowed be thy name…”

What does this mean?

God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we ask in this prayer that we may keep it holy.

When does this happen? God’s name is hallowed whenever his Word is taught in its truth and purity and we as children of God live in harmony with it. Teach us to do this, heavenly Father. But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to the Word of God, dishonors God’s name among us. Keep 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  
 

*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).  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.