You have been planted

Verse of the week:  “he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and… he bore the sin of many,”  Is 53.12

 Prayer of the week:  O God, holy and eternal, you call us into the fellowship of that holy suffering by which your dear Son, our Savior, conquered sin, death and the power of the devil.  Grant that we may trust his passion, accept the cross as his disciples, and that your holy will be done among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das Jahr der Kirche, 2^nd edition (Kassel: Johannes Stauda-Verlag, 1948), p. 249, revised]

Bible reading for the day:  Mark 12.1-12

 ¹ And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower and leased it to tenants and went into another country.² When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. ³ And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴ Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully.⁵ And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. ⁶ He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally, he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’⁷ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ⁸ And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. ⁹ What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰ Have you not read this Scripture:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
¹¹ this was the Lord's doing,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

¹² And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

Prayer (based on TRIP* method):  Gracious and almighty Father, the Christ whom proud religious people reject has become the cornerstone… and by your sheer mercy in our baptism, my congregation and I are part of your vineyard, your pleasant planting. How marvelous is this! Thank you! Kill off our pride and willfulness… for by it we only reject again your Son’s reign over us. Have at us now Lord, for we are indeed your vineyard. Bring forth from us the fruits for which you have planted us in Christ. I ask this in his 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=Q1jpg1Ioei4

“I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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:  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 Deep Cousins of Suffering & Success

 ...meet in God's steadfast love.

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone.
²³ This is the Lord's doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118.22-23

Prayer for the week:  Lord God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 118 (note: the Psalmist has first-hand experience with distress. Finally, instead of trusting in governments (v.9), man (v.8), or himself, he has been pushed so hard that he called on the Lord. The Lord’s steadfast love (Hebrew: hesed) is the refrain of this song. V.1-4 are a communal song of thanksgiving, performed antiphonally with the congregation. The large midsection (v.5-21) is an individual confession of thanksgiving. The concluding section (v.22-29) lets the voices of both the congregation and the individual be heard.)

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

² Let Israel say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”

⁵ Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
    the Lord answered me and set me free.
⁶ The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
    What can man do to me?
⁷ The Lord is on my side as my helper;
    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in man.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.

¹⁰ All nations surrounded me;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
¹¹ They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
¹² They surrounded me like bees;
    they went out like a fire among thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
¹³ I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
    but the Lord helped me.

¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has become my salvation.
¹⁵ Glad songs of salvation
    are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
¹⁶     the right hand of the Lord exalts,
    the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

¹⁷ I shall not die, but I shall live,
    and recount the deeds of the Lord.
¹⁸ The Lord has disciplined me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.

¹⁹ Open to me the gates of righteousness,
    that I may enter through them
    and give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰ This is the gate of the Lord;
    the righteous shall enter through it.
²¹ I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.
²² The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone.
²³ This is the Lord's doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

²⁵ Save us, we pray, O Lord!
    O Lord, we pray, give us success!

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
    We bless you from the house of the Lord.
²⁷ The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
    up to the horns of the altar!

²⁸ You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
    you are my God; I will extol you.
²⁹ Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, your steadfast love endures forever. Christ Jesus - the stone that the builders rejected - has become the cornerstone. Alleluia! One day I shall die and finally praise you face-to-face. For now, we live under the deep cousins of suffering and success. For now, I shall live and recount your deeds instead of my own. Keep on binding me and my congregation to you and to each other, for Christ alone is our strength, our song, and our salvation. Amen

Hymn: follow this link to a new hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3HH__-1Zbs

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory; forever and ever. Amen.”

What does “amen” mean? Amen means Yes, it shall be so. We say amen because we are certain that such petitions (as in the Lord’s Prayer) are pleasing to our Father in heaven and are heard by him. For he himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble.” Psalm 107.1-2

 

*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.  

A Royal Ass

...may it be so of you and me.

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone.
²³ This is the Lord's doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118.22-23

Prayer for the week:  Lord God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day: John 12.12-19

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. ¹³ So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” ¹⁴ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

¹⁵ “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
    sitting on a donkey's colt!”

¹⁶ His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. ¹⁷ The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. ¹⁸ The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. ¹⁹ So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for coming to save us. Would indeed that the whole world would seek after you; but the world and I are fickle: crying “hosanna” one day and then shouting for your crucifixion. Grant to me and to your whole church the humble obedience of that young donkey. Sit on us and ride us all you want, Lord; in your 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=MD9rMkIS1yw

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory; forever and ever. Amen.”

What does “amen” mean? Amen means Yes, it shall be so. We say amen because we are certain that such petitions (as in the Lord’s Prayer) are pleasing to our Father in heaven and are heard by him. For he himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble.” Psalm 107.1-2

 

*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. 

Amen is deeper than another of your "to do" lists

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone.
²³ This is the Lord's doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118.22-23

Prayer for the week:  Lord God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day: I Thessalonians 5.12-24

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. ¹⁵ See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

²³ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for choosing to save me and your whole church through Christ Jesus alone… and for seeing to it that this gospel is preached among us. Until Christ returns, Satan is on the prowl, our neighbors need our help, and we have plenty to pray over. So, sanctify us and keep us blameless in spirit, soul, and body… you are the only one who can do so Lord, and you’ve promised to be faithful so have at us Lord; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a new hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENtL_li4GbE

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory; forever and ever. Amen.”

What does “amen” mean? Amen means Yes, it shall be so. We say amen because we are certain that such petitions (in the Lord’s Prayer) are pleasing to our Father in heaven and are heard by him. For he himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble.” Psalm 107.1-2

 

*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. 

Christ's victory over the devil...

...is for you.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6.13

Prayer for the week:  Lord God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day: Matthew 4.1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple ⁶ and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” ⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
    and him only shall you serve.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: Christ’s victory over the devil is for me and your whole church. Thank you! Every time the Tempter comes after me, make me hunger for your word more than I do bread, defend me against my own foolish attempts at testing you, and draw me to worship you Sunday after Sunday, week in and week out… that I may be delivered by you and know your angels ministering to me and to my congregation. 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=V9uGNb8Zfic

“And lead us not into temptation.”

What does this mean? God indeed tempts no one to sin; but we ask in this petition that our heavenly Father would watch over us and defend us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us or draw us into false belief, despair, or 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: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble.” Psalm 107.1-2

 

*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. 

 

That cunning liar...

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6.13

Prayer for the week:  Lord God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  Genesis 3.1-7

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” ² And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, ³ but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” ⁴ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: in Christ you clothe us in your righteousness rather than our own. He is the way we stand before you naked – fully known – and yet also fully clothed. Thank you! That crafty, old Enemy is always on the prowl, seeking to get us to listen to him while we talk over you and interpret your word for ourselves. Expose him for the Liar that he is… and grant us the faith that takes you at your word. 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=ZyavAoOlsIo

“And lead us not into temptation.”

What does this mean? God indeed tempts no one to sin; but we ask in this petition that our heavenly Father would watch over us and defend us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us or draw us into false belief, despair, or 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: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble.” Psalm 107.1-2

 

*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. 

What to do when you're in trouble

“And lead us not into temptation...” Matthew 6.13

Prayer for the week:  Lord God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  Psalm 107.1-9 (note: see the entire psalm; the refrain occurs in vv. 6,13,19,28… apparently we find our way into trouble repeatedly, and the Lord delivers us.)

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble
³ and gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.

⁴ Some wandered in desert wastes,
    finding no way to a city to dwell in;
⁵ hungry and thirsty,
    their soul fainted within them.
⁶ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way
    till they reached a city to dwell in.
⁸ Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
⁹ For he satisfies the longing soul,
    and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: in Christ you have redeemed me from the worst trouble of all: from the devil, the world, and my own sinful self. Thank you! Still the devil prowls, the world tempts, and I listen and wander. When trouble besets me or I find my way into it, teach me always to cry to you, for you alone deliver me and satisfy my longing soul. You alone fill me with good things; thank you Lord, you are good and your steadfast love endures forever; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. 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=bONV_YZCKdg

“And lead us not into temptation.”

What does this mean? God indeed tempts no one to sin; but we ask in this petition that our heavenly Father would watch over us and defend us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us or draw us into false belief, despair, or 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: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble.” Psalm 107.1-2

 

*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.