On Labor Day...

“Administering the Word of God and scrubbing floors; both of these are holy callings.” -Martin Luther

Old Testament:

“Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in plowing time and in harvest time you shall rest.” Exodus 34:21 

Jesus:

“In the same way, let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5.16

“Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6.29

From Paul’s writings:

 “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins… He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”  Colossians 1:13-14, 17  

“yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” Galatians 2.16-17

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Ephesians 4.28

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.” Colossians 3.23-25

“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” II Thessalonians 3.6-10

“Give us this day our daily bread…”

What does this mean?

God indeed gives daily bread to all sinners, even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that he would help us to recognize this so that we would receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What is meant by daily bread?

Daily bread includes everything required to meet our earthly needs, such as food, drink, clothing, home, property, employment, necessities, devout parents, children, and communities, honest and faithful authorities, good government, seasonable weather, peace, health, an orderly community, a good name, true friends and neighbors, and the like. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)               

Prayer:  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for the thick slice of my daily bread which is the work you entrust to me. Deliver me always from the trap of seeing it as an entitlement… or only as a means to an end, something I do only so I can afford to retire or go on vacation.  Deliver me from the idleness that dishonors you and taxes my neighbor… and from all my proud attempts to justify myself by my works. Until my last breath, teach me to receive my work with thanksgiving, to hear it as a core part of my calling, to see it as an opportunity to honor you and to benefit my neighbor.  I ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  

Hymn: follow this link to “Earth and All Stars” a hymn praising God for all his marvelous work: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=de788ad3f268e4d9&sca_upv=1&rlz=1C1RXQR_enUS1119US1119&q=earth+and+all+stars&tbm=vid&source=lnms&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWd8nbOJfsBGGB5IQQO6L3J_86uWOeqwdnV0yaSF-x2jogM63VUdBhAMVqo6r6ESHk5gYCycVYeSiTstipcfTqmDX4HENY8qrzy053qKvdRZFWn-VmYPJETamxffmtEKSqSFyN1NAs7geTy2Zjz_QIIZYxp-nlO2-_BmwI3ttsV3gNreTXhU1gZ0r7wI6MyQGb9r9hAw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjk2N77nKSIAxUi_skDHbJEM2cQ0pQJegQIEBAB&biw=1280&bih=665&dpr=1.5#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:4dfba2d0,vid:hh1-85tfy04,st:0

Benediction: “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, ¹⁰ for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” Hebrews 4.9-10

 

True friends and prayer

Verse for the week: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices!”  Psalm 37.7

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, make me to know your ways, even as it means the death of my will, lead me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation, for you my soul waits all the day long; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Colossians 4..2-18 (As has always been the reality for Christian congregations, the congregation in Colossae was threatened by false teachers who crept in. Paul wrote to the congregation around 54-58 AD. In chapter 3, he described in down-to-earth terms what your new life as one baptized into Christ looks like. Now he closes his letter with an encouragement to be steadfast in prayer and with final greetings from and for particular believers within the body of Christ.)

 ² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

⁷ Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, ⁹ and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. ¹⁶ And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Prayer of the Day: Gracious and Almighty Father, thank you for the particular people in my life – parents, pastors, friends, teachers – who have been and are faithful witnesses to Christ for me. Each day rescue me and my congregation from the devil, the world, and our sinful selves and hide us in Christ… that we may be steadfast in prayer, that doors may be opened for your work, that we may love one another, walk in wisdom toward outsiders… and that our speech may always be gracious, seasoned by Christ; in his name I pray. 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=v-AzLnm1Tws&ab_channel=MartijndeGroot

“What does baptism mean for daily life?”

It means that my sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.

As St. Paul writes in Romans 6: “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.”  (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.   Psalm 149.4

 

*This is now our congregation’s 99^th year in the Word. In 2025, we are reading from Genesis to Revelation, with a few interludes along the way.

 

Christ circumcises your heart

Verse for the week: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices!”  Psalm 37.7

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, make me to know your ways, even as it means the death of my will, lead me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation, for you my soul waits all the day long; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Deuteronomy 10.12-21 (After the Exodus, the Lord instructs the remnant of his people how to live as his people. God’s choice of us results not merely in a circumcision made with hands, but his circumcision of our hearts.)

 ¹² “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹³ and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? ¹⁴ Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. ¹⁵ Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. ¹⁶ Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. ¹⁷ For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. ¹⁸ He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. ¹⁹ Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. ²⁰ You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. ²¹ He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen. ²² Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.

Prayer of the Day: Gracious and Almighty Father, thank you for setting your heart in love on our fathers and choosing me in Christ. This is the only way you will have me all in, heart and soul, love and service. Day after day, keep cutting me right to the heart… that your commandments may be not my project list but simply the good works which you prepared beforehand to be may way of life. I ask this in 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=vBjM47zICos&ab_channel=MartijndeGroot

“What does baptism mean for daily life?”

It means that my sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.

As St. Paul writes in Romans 6: “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.”  (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.   Psalm 149.4

 

*This is now our congregation’s 99^th year in the Word. In 2025, we are reading from Genesis to Revelation, with a few interludes along the way.

 

You have died...

Verse for the week: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices!”  Psalm 37.7

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, make me to know your ways, even as it means the death of my will, lead me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation, for you my soul waits all the day long; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Colossians 3 (Since shortly after the beginning of time, faith has always had to fight against its opposite: the pride of self. Here in Colossians 3, Paul declares the death of your pride and describes in ordinary, down-to-earth terms what your new life as one baptized into Christ looks like.)

¹ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. ¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

¹² Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ 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.

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²² Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Prayer of the Day: Gracious and Almighty Father, thank you for putting my will to death and raising me to new life in Christ. Daily hide me in him… keep drowning my old self and bringing forth from your promise the new me who fears, loves and trusts you above anyone else and treats my family and neighbors accordingly. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. 

Hymn: follow this link to a raw rehearsal of a newer hymn by Jay Beech that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk5ZkQ6muXA&ab_channel=MusicatMountCalvaryWarnerRobinsGeorgia

“What does baptism mean for daily life?”

It means that my sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.

As St. Paul writes in Romans 6: “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.”  (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.   Psalm 149.4

 

*This is now our congregation’s 99^th year in the Word. In 2025, we are reading from Genesis to Revelation, with a few interludes along the way.

 

Fret not yourself

Verse for the week: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices!”  Psalm 37.7

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, make me to know your ways, even as it means the death of my will, lead me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation, for you my soul waits all the day long; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 37.1-9 (An acrostic poem, with two verses for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet; here only verses 1-9 are shown. The poem gives voice to the tension between the prosperity of the wicked and the slander of the righteous.)

¹ Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
    be not envious of wrongdoers!
² For they will soon fade like the grass
    and wither like the green herb.

³ Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    dwell in the land and feed on faithfulness.
⁴ Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
⁶ He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
    and your justice as the noonday.

⁷ Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices!

⁸ Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
⁹ For the evildoers shall be cut off,
    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Prayer of the Day: Gracious and Almighty Father, you have begun your good work in us through Christ. Complete it in your time, not mine. While you work grant me not to fret myself over evildoers or envy. Teach me not to eat up myself, but to feed on your faithfulness… and to wait for you to act. In Jesus’ name I pray. 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=kMf69QqS5r0&ab_channel=MartijndeGroot

“And lead us not into temptation…”

What does this mean?  God tempts no one to sin, but we ask in this prayer that God would watch over us and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us and draw us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins.

And we pray that even though we are so tempted we may still win the final victory.  (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.   Psalm 149.4

 

*This is now our congregation’s 99^th year in the Word. In 2025, we are reading from Genesis to Revelation, with a few interludes along the way.

 

Your sin & death are no trouble for Jesus

Verse for the week: “for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.”  Psalm 1.6

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, make me to know your ways, even as it means the death of my will, lead me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation, for you my soul waits all the day long; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Mark 5.35-43 (Human reason laughs mockingly at Christ and the resurrection of the dead. Yet it is not an idea, it is the real person Jesus Christ who raises this dead little girl.)

³⁵ While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” ³⁶ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” ³⁷ And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹ And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” ⁴⁰ And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴² And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. ⁴³ And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Prayer of the Day: Gracious and Almighty Father, our sin and death are no trouble for you, no cause for commotion. They are real as are you and the resurrection you alone bring. Enter right in upon our doubts and emotions and have your way with us; in Jesus’ name I ask it. 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=tlGEQjucEfw&ab_channel=ImmanuelLutheranChurchColoradoSprings

“I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son…”

What does this mean?  I believe that Jesus Christ – true God, Son of the Father from eternity, and true man, born of the virgin Mary – is my Lord.

At great cost he has saved and redeemed me, a lost and condemned person. He has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil – not with silver or gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death.

All this he has done that I may be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.   Psalm 149.4

 

*This is now our congregation’s 99^th year in the Word. In 2025, we are reading from Genesis to Revelation, with a few interludes along the way.

  

The Tamper-proof Word

Verse for the week: “for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.”  Psalm 1.6

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, make me to know your ways, even as it means the death of my will, lead me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation, for you my soul waits all the day long; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Deuteronomy 4.2-4 (After the Exodus, the Lord instructs the remnant of his people how to live as his people even while and precisely as they live among people who neither fear nor follow the Lord.)

² You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. ³ Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal-peor, for the Lord your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor. ⁴ But you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today. 

Prayer of the Day: Gracious and Almighty Father, your Word is indeed tamper-proof. From the pages of scripture He rises up, takes on frail flesh, breathes, gains voice and speaks for us from the cross… crucified and raised for our forgiveness, life and salvation. Thank you! Christ Jesus alone is sufficient for life. Grant me and all your people the trust in him that heeds your prohibition and obeys your will rather than our own; in Jesus’ name I ask this. 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=4e8m1DUmCfI&ab_channel=MartijndeGroot

“I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son…”

What does this mean?  I believe that Jesus Christ – true God, Son of the Father from eternity, and true man, born of the virgin Mary – is my Lord.

At great cost he has saved and redeemed me, a lost and condemned person. He has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil – not with silver or gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death.

All this he has done that I may be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.   Psalm 149.4

 

*This is now our congregation’s 99^th year in the Word. In 2025, we are reading from Genesis to Revelation, with a few interludes along the way.