Another week of Treasuring God's Word!

 

TGW – Feb 28-March 5, 2022

Monday, February 28, 2022                                Read Genesis 2:15-28

Martin Luther, on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil: “This tree…was Adam’s church, his altar, his pulpit.  Here he was to yield to God the obedience he owed, to give recognition to the Word and will of God, to give thanks to God, and to call upon God for aid against temptation.”  Pray: God, bless all marriages that husbands and wives find their joy with You at the center of their relationships.  Amen.

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2022                                       Read Genesis 3:1-13

Some wonder, “Why did God allow Adam and Eve to be put in the spot of temptation?” God was giving the two the opportunity to give Him glory by consciously choosing good and being obedient to His Word.  How do we know Satan was the voice behind the snake? See John 8:44, Revelation 12:9 and 20:2.  Pray: God, help me look to You for faith and strength in times of temptation.  Amen.

 

Wednesday, March 2, 2022                                Read Psalm 24

While this psalm makes reference to the Triune God, vs. 7-10 remind us of the Advent season of the church year.  Jesus is our King of Glory; He brings salvation and life eternal with Him.  As we live out daily life, we are right to keep an “upward view” for Jesus has promised He will come again for His church.  Pray: Redeemer, come and open wide, my heart to Thee, here, Lord, abide.  Amen.

 

Thursday, March 3, 2022                                     Read Matthew 16:21-28

Why does Jesus speak so sternly? Because Peter was speaking the devil’s language!  Look again at vs. 24 – Jesus invites His followers to take up the cross of discipleship and follow Him through service, and possibly suffering, into glory.  Pray: Jesus, help me to recognize the devil’s language and to turn my back to His lies and doubts.  Amen.

 

Friday, March 4, 2022                                           Read Matthew 17:1-13

What an amazing moment! The voice of God, the glorious appearance of Jesus, the vision of Moses and Elijah.  All this took place to strengthen the disciples, especially with Jesus’ suffering and death to soon take place.  Pray: Lord, thank You for fulfilling the Law for us so that we might be deemed righteous and ready for the coming Kingdom.  Amen.

 

Saturday, March 5, 2022                                      Read Ephesians 1:15-23

See again vs. 17-19.  What is Paul’s prayer for his readers? That they might know the Lord Jesus better.  How does this happen? Through reading and studying Scripture, worship, prayer? Are you using the tools you have to better know Jesus? Pray: Lord, may my time this weekend at worship help me to better see Your Son and trust Him for life and salvation.  Amen.

A Prayer For Peace

Almighty God, Ruler of all things and all men: You hold the universe in Your palm, You have set all things to move in harmony, You desire that men dwell in unity and love.

We confess we have spoiled creation by our sin, we have disrupted harmony by our rebellion, we have divided our nation by selfishness.

We trust You will permit sin to rule the day, You can bring order out of our confession, You make nations instruments of Your will.

We implore You that You would crush man's lust for illicit power, stir in men respect for Your creation, kindle in men love for Your creatures.

To this end we pray: raise up leaders everywhere who do Your will, make the nations obedient servants of Your purposes, teach men to live in service to one another.

Grant tranquility, that the peace which the world cannot understand may be preached to the nations in the name of Your Son Jesus.  Amen.

Lutheran Book of Prayer, pages 106, 107

The difference between Law and Gospel

Martin Luther makes in simple terms the distinction between Law and Gospel: 

The Law is a statement of debit - this is so because we have not kept God's Law perfectly and are in His debt.

The Gospel is a statement of credit - this is so because Jesus paid our sin debt by His suffering and death on the cross.

The Law shows us our sin.  The Gospel shows us our Savior.  And we can't really see what Jesus has done for us and offer sincere thanksgiving to our Lord until we have felt the weight of the Law.  When that happens, it makes the Gospel all the sweeter for us.  We are saved by grace through faith alone in Christ our Lord.  And that's good news!

Luther quote from, "Martin Luther - In His Own Words." by Kilcrease and Lutzer, page 44 

Be Like Andrew!

Be Like Andrew

            The best advertising slogans are short, catchy and memorable.  For example, if you hear the phrase, “Have It Your Way,” you know it’s a commercial for Burger King.  If someone says, “When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight,” you know they’re talking about Federal Express.  Or how about this long-time classic phrase: “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking?” Could only be talking about a Timex, right?

            By in the 1990’s, Gatorade sold a lot of product with a three word phrase: “Be Like Mike.”  Yes, people who played basketball and even those who didn’t play wanted to be like Michael Jordan.  He was the most recognizable athlete in the world.  He had it all – fame, fortune, acclaim.  So Madison Avenue picked up on this fan devotion and convinced us that if we drank Gatorade, ate McDonald’s hamburgers, wore Hanes undershirts and used Ray-O- Vac batteries, we could be like Mike.

            While many people have wanted to emulate him, there is only one Michael Jordan.  In fact, I’m not sure that rich and famous sports stars and celebrities are the kind of people that we should model our lives after.  While there are people like Kurt Warner who are worthy of our admiration, most celebrities leave much to be desired.  However, in the first chapter of John’s Gospel we find someone who sets a good example for us.

            His name is Andrew.  This fellow is nothing like Michael Jordan.  Andrew isn’t rich or famous.  Just a humble fisherman, really.  But Andrew has a keen interest in spiritual things.  He wants to know what God is like.  He’s interested in knowing the Christ.  He wants to be sure that there is a place for him in God’s Kingdom.

            So you can try to imagine how Andrew must have felt when he heard John the Baptist say, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”  It’s as if John is saying, “There’s the one you need to follow.  The Christ is here.  God’s promise has been fulfilled.  Go!” And off Andrew went and he spent the rest of the day with Jesus.

            Do you remember what Andrew did next? The Scriptures tell us that the very first thing Andrew did was find his brother, Simon.  Andrew had good news and he couldn’t wait to share it.  “We have found the Messiah!” Andrew exclaimed.  And Andrew brought Simon to Jesus.

            No, we can’t be like Michael Jordan.  But we can be like Andrew.  We can tell others about the love of Jesus for the world.  We can share with our friends following Christ is the best thing in the world.  We can tell the folks we work with how God is always at work, changing us, and giving us a new life and a new way of looking at things. 

            We can be like Andrew and invite those we love and care for to come to church with us.  What a perfect way to introduce Jesus to another person.  A person you really value could come with you and receive Jesus’ forgiveness and hear of His life and death and resurrection and begin to know and trust the Lord as their very own Savior from sin and death.  What could be better than that! And it can happen.  Pray about it.  Ask the Lord for courage and faith so that you can be like Andrew. 

Something to ponder

Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?

Erwin Lutzer, as quoted in "Revitalize," page 100

Treasuring God's Word is here

TGW – Feb. 21-26, 2022

Monday, February 21, 2022                                Read Genesis 1:1-31

“Genesis records many firsts – the first people, the first family, the first sin, the first city…Today’s reading zeroes in on the first week of our world’s existence…As you read, note the care God took as He made this home for us – the first paradise.” (Today’s Light Bible)   Pray: Lord, everything you do is “good.”  Thank You for your goodness and mercy to me.  Amen.

 

Tuesday, February 22, 2022                                Read Genesis 2:1-14

Interesting – the word “formed” in vs. seven is a Hebrew word related to the word for a “potter.”  The provision that God provides  demonstrates His loving kindness on behalf of the first man.  Pray: Lord, just as you provided for the first man, so You have provides everything I need and so much more.  I praise You for Your gifts of grace and compassion.  Amen.

 

Wednesday, February 23, 2022                         Read Psalm 23

God’s loving care for His people is pictured as the work of a shepherd.  This image would have special meaning for David, who was a shepherd, and his readers.  Today, we read the psalm and can’t help but think of the Good Shepherd, our Savior Jesus, who lays down His life for His sheep.  See Isaiah 40:11.  Pray: Lord, keep me in the one, true faith so that I dwell in Your house in eternity.  Amen.

 

Thursday, February 24, 2022                              Read Matthew 16:1-12

Pharisees – from a word meaning, “to separate.”  They were primarily laymen who were focused on avoiding anything that could make them ceremonially unclean.  And they expected the people to do the same.  The disciples disappoint Jesus for having forgotten how He had met the needs of thousands.  Pray: Jesus, help me to treasure Your Word and obey it.  Amen.

 

Friday, February 25, 2022                                    Read Matthew 16:13-20

Two wonderful things happen in these verses.  First, Peter makes a grand confession of faith in Jesus – the Lord is divine, the Messiah sent from God!  Second, Jesus gives the ministry of the keys to the church.  Pray: Jesus, thank You for the forgiveness of sins which frees me from guilt and shame.  Your grace is amazing!  Amen.

 

Saturday, February 26, 2022                               Read Ephesians 1:1-14    

The purpose of this letter is to strengthen and build up the Christian church in Ephesus in love and peace.  This is one of the “prison letter,” that Paul wrote (Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are the others).  Pray: Jesus, verse seven reminds me that You forgive sins because You are merciful.  Help me to celebrate and give thanks for Your mercy at worship this weekend.  Amen. 

Martin Luther, Doctor and Confessor

Martin Luther, born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Germany, initially began studies leading toward a degree in law.  However, after a close encounter with death, he switched to the study of theology, entered an Augustinian monastery, was ordained a priest in 1505, and received a doctorate in theology in 1512.  As a professor at the newly established University of Wittenberg, Luther's scriptural studies led him to question many of the Church's teachings and practices, especially the selling of indulgences.  His refusal to back down from his convictions resulted in his excommunication in 1521.  Following a period of seclusion at the Wartburg castle, Luther returned to Wittenberg, where he spent the rest of his life preaching and teaching, translating the Scriptures, and writing hymns and numerous theological treatises.  He is remembered and honored for his lifelong emphasis on the biblical truth that for Christ's sake God declares us righteous by grace through faith alone.  Luther died on February 18, 1546, while visiting the town of his birth.