Holy Trinity (2023-06-04)

Isaiah 6:1-7
Ps. 29:1-11
Romans 11:33-36
John 3:1-15 (16-17)

The Holy Trinity Reveals Himself to Sinners

When Isaiah beheld the glory of the Lord, he cried out “Woe is me!” For the sinner cannot stand in the presence of a holy God and live (Is. 6:1-7). But God the Father lifted up His Son Jesus for us on the cross, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. This eternal life of Christ is given us according to the Holy Spirit’s good pleasure in Baptism. “Unless one is born [again] of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). To sinners in fear of death, the messengers of God place on our lips the living body and blood of Christ and speak His words of absolution, “Your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for” (Is. 6:7). Having received forgiveness and life from the Father through the Son by the Holy Spirit, we join with the angels in praising the blessed Trinity, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!” (Is. 6:3). “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:33-36).

From Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray”

First, I read and consider what God is teaching me.
Second, I thank God for what He has done according to the text.
Third, I confess my sin based upon the text.
Fourth, I say a prayer using the text.

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Pentecost Eve (2023-05-27) and The Day of Pentecost (2023-05-28)

Pentecost Eve (2023-05-27)

Joel 2:28-32
Ps. 85:1-13
Romans 8:12-17
John 14:15-21

The Holy Spirit Is Poured Out

Jesus promises not to leave us as orphans. He sends us “another Helper . . . even the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit helps you in your weakness and intercedes for you “with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26). He prays for you when you do not know what to pray for. This is the same Spirit whom the Lord promised long ago: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). At Pentecost, this prophecy was fulfilled, and so it is today, as the Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith” (Small Catechism).

From Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray”

First, I read and consider what God is teaching me.
Second, I thank God for what He has done according to the text.
Third, I confess my sin based upon the text.
Fourth, I say a prayer using the text.

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The Day of Pentecost (2023-05-28)

Genesis 11:1-9
Ps. 143:1-12
Acts 2:1-21
John 14:23-31

The Holy Spirit Gives Peace

Following the flood, Noah’s descendants failed to spread out and fill the earth as God had spoken. Rather, they exalted themselves; with “one language and the same words” (Gen. 11:1) they spoke proudly and arrogantly. The Lord humbled them by confusing “the language of all the earth,” dividing and dispersing the people (Gen. 11:9). That dispersal was reversed on Pentecost Day (the fiftieth day of Easter), when God caused the one Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to be preached in a multitude of languages. “At this sound the multitude came together” (Acts 2:6), for the preaching of Christ is the primary work of the Holy Spirit, whereby He gathers people from all nations into one Church. The Holy Spirit teaches and brings to our remembrance the words of Jesus, which are the words of the Father who sent Him. These words bestow forgiveness and peace to those who keep and hold on to them in love for Jesus. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27).

From Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray”

First, I read and consider what God is teaching me.
Second, I thank God for what He has done according to the text.
Third, I confess my sin based upon the text.
Fourth, I say a prayer using the text.

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Seventh Sunday of Easter (Exaudi) (2023-05-21)

Ezekiel 36:22-28
Ps. 51:1-12
1 Peter 4:7-11 (12-14)
John 15:26-16:4

The Spirit of Truth Bears Witness to Jesus

The Spirit of Truth bears witness to Jesus, who is the truth. But the world does not receive the truth. It loves its own and hates those who are of the truth. Just as Jesus was scorned, so is His Church. “The hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2). Yet it is by Jesus’ suffering and death that we are saved. Therefore we rejoice to share in His sufferings, that we may also share in His resurrection glory (1 Pet. 4:7-14). Through the ministry of the Spirit of Truth, we are cleansed from the deceit of our idols and given a new heart and a new spirit, the heart and Spirit of Christ (Ezek. 36:22-28). He now works in us fervent, self-giving love for one another, love which covers a multitude of sins, “that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:11).

From Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray”

First, I read and consider what God is teaching me.
Second, I thank God for what He has done according to the text.
Third, I confess my sin based upon the text.
Fourth, I say a prayer using the text.

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The Ascension of Our Lord (2023-05-18)

2 Kings 2:5-15
Ps. 110:1-7
Acts 1:1-11
Mark 16:14-20 or Luke 24:44-53

Jesus Is Ascended, but Not Absent

On the fortieth day after His resurrection, our Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father. But although Jesus is hidden from your eyes, He is not absent from you. For He now fills all things in heaven and on earth. He continues “to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1), preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins through those sent in His name (Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:44-53), giving you His true body and blood in the Supper. Jesus is your great Elijah who pours out on you a double portion of His Spirit in the Word and the Sacraments (2 Kings 2:5-15). He is Lord over all things for the sake of the Church. He whom heaven cannot contain has raised your human nature to share fully in the glory of God. You who believe and are baptized into Christ’s body are already sitting in the heavenly places; for you are in Him who is at the Father’s right hand. When He comes again in the clouds on the Last Day, you also will appear with Him in glory.

From Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray”

First, I read and consider what God is teaching me.
Second, I thank God for what He has done according to the text.
Third, I confess my sin based upon the text.
Fourth, I say a prayer using the text.

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Sixth Sunday of Easter (Rogate) (2023-05-14)

Numbers 21:4-9
Ps. 107:1-9
1 Timothy 2:1-6 or James 1:22-27
John 16:23-30 (31-33)

The Father Answers Our Prayers Because of Jesus

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you” (John 16:23). To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray as one who has been baptized. For it is in the water that He put His name upon you, claiming you as His own, making you a son of God with access to the Father. By His incarnation and crucifixion, our Lord Jesus broke through the barrier of sin which separated us from God, opening a portal to the Father. To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray with faith in Him as the one Mediator between God and men, who gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:1-6). Like Moses in the wilderness, Jesus is our go-between and intercessor before the throne of heaven. He was lifted up for us on the cross that we might be saved and restored to fellowship with the Father (Num. 21:4-9). Looking into this perfect teaching of liberty (James 1:22-27) we pray with boldness and confidence as dear children of God.

From Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray”

First, I read and consider what God is teaching me.
Second, I thank God for what He has done according to the text.
Third, I confess my sin based upon the text.
Fourth, I say a prayer using the text.

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Fifth Sunday of Easter (Cantate) (2023-05-07)

Isaiah 12:1-6
Ps. 66:1-8
James 1:16-21
John 16:5-15

Jesus Promises to Send His Holy Spirit, the Helper

Though Jesus has departed from us visibly to the right hand of the Father who sent Him, yet this is to our advantage. For Jesus-who is Lord over all creation, who intercedes for us before the Father, who is preparing a place for us in heaven-has sent the Helper, the Spirit of Truth (John 16:5-15). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” through Jesus Christ (James 1:17). The Holy Spirit helps us by taking what is Christ’s and declaring it to us. In the Word of truth, the Spirit works repentance and delivers to us the forgiveness of sins, the righteousness of Christ, and victory over the devil. For the ruler of this world is judged and defeated by the cross. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we have been brought forth to new life in Him who is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. Confident of our resurrection with Christ we confess, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid” (Is. 12:2).

From Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray”

First, I read and consider what God is teaching me.
Second, I thank God for what He has done according to the text.
Third, I confess my sin based upon the text.
Fourth, I say a prayer using the text.

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