The Word and your itching ears

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 Timothy 4.1-5 (Writing to his beloved apprentice, Timothy, in 68 AD, Paul warned that false teachers would creep into the church and lead many astray. The charge Paul issues to Timothy, he issues to you and me as well.)

 ¹ I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵ But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Prayer of the Day: Gracious and almighty Father, Christ crucified is life for my body and soul, my family, congregation, and my neighbor. Thank you!! Whatever is not Christ, is not life but decay and bondage. Daily rescue me and my neighbor from our itching ears. By your grace alone, vouchsafe me and your church to fulfill the ministry you have entrusted to us; through Jesus Christ, 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=92D8K6Mkmzo

“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.