God is not asleep

Verse for the week: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91.1-2

Prayer for the week: Dear Father, by your gracious choosing I am indeed your child and you are truly my Father, so I call on you now with complete confidence, through your Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: II Peter 2.1-3 (This letter warns against false teachers who promoted a sinful way of life and questioned whether Jesus would return in judgment..)

 ¹ But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. ² And many will follow their sexual licentiousness, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. ³ And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Prayer of the Day: Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: Christ Jesus has given himself to be my Master, with his own blood he has claimed me and his entire church his own… and you are not asleep. So guard and defend me and your whole church against false teachers, against the lies we tell ourselves, against the sexual license we would presume upon your grace. Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to us in Christ and teach us to contend for it as well; 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=GuhmDhGKbBw

“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. Help us to do this, dear 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)

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.