Reading:
1 Peter 2:13-25
It is interesting in the world today. Many are standing up against the different issues of our day. The "Occupy" movement is among the newest ones that are trying to set things right for those that suffer. They disobey the laws, become disrespectful to property, and other acts that are not good.
St. Peter gives us a different way of seeing the world and how to stand against it. It is by following the rules, being obedient to the government. It is doing this you silence the ignorance of foolish people. We are to be true disciples of Christ that take His example as the way to be.
Jesus did not deserve to be tormented, mocked, spit at or any of these things. He especially did not deserve to die on the cross. Yet He did it without a word being uttered about how unfair it was. He went willing to die on the cross so that He could administer His saving life to you and to me.
This is the example that we are to follow.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Lutheran Confession Quote of the Day
Besides, catechism study is a most effective help against the devil, the world, the flesh, and all evil thoughts. It helps to be occupied with God's Word, to speak it, and meditate on it, just as the first Psalm declares people blessed who meditate on God's Law day and night.
Longer Preface Large Catechism.
Longer Preface Large Catechism.
Lutheran Evening Prayer 11-28-11
Reading:
1 Peter 1:13-25
"Therefore preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Advent is a penitential season within the Holy Church. This is rather hard to believe with all of the hustle and bustle of this time of year. However, after watching how the Black Friday shoppers acted, we probably could all use a little repentance.
Holy Mother Church, calls the faithful to a time of quiet. She wants us to come into the Church where we here and prepare to once again experience the mystery of the Word made flesh. We are to be spending this time in the Scriptures, reading the Bible which is the greatest love story ever told. To hear again the angels announcing the Good News that God is with us and among us and is going to save us. This is our hope that we rest that God's grace towards us is only because of Jesus Christ.
This prayer is used daily in the Anglican Communion and thought it picked up on the theme of the reading of preparing our hearts and minds:
Almighty God, help us to cast away the works of darkness and put upon us the armor of light. Now in the time of this mortal life in which Thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility. That in the last great day when He will come again to judge both the living and the dead, we might rise to the life immortal. Through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:13-25
"Therefore preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Advent is a penitential season within the Holy Church. This is rather hard to believe with all of the hustle and bustle of this time of year. However, after watching how the Black Friday shoppers acted, we probably could all use a little repentance.
Holy Mother Church, calls the faithful to a time of quiet. She wants us to come into the Church where we here and prepare to once again experience the mystery of the Word made flesh. We are to be spending this time in the Scriptures, reading the Bible which is the greatest love story ever told. To hear again the angels announcing the Good News that God is with us and among us and is going to save us. This is our hope that we rest that God's grace towards us is only because of Jesus Christ.
This prayer is used daily in the Anglican Communion and thought it picked up on the theme of the reading of preparing our hearts and minds:
Almighty God, help us to cast away the works of darkness and put upon us the armor of light. Now in the time of this mortal life in which Thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility. That in the last great day when He will come again to judge both the living and the dead, we might rise to the life immortal. Through Jesus Christ.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Lutheran Confession Quote of the Day
A Christian, profitable, and necessary and preface, and faithful, serious encouragement from Dr. Martin Luther to all Christians, but especially to all pastors and preachers. They should daily exercise themselves in the catechism, which is a short summary and epitome of the entire Holy Scriptures. They should always teach the catechism.
Longer Preface to the Large Catechism, pg. 351
Longer Preface to the Large Catechism, pg. 351
Lutheran Evening Prayer 11-27-11
Reading:
1 Peter 1:1-12
"According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4)
Today marks the beginning of Advent. Advent is a the time of year that prepares us through works of mercy, prayer and alms giving for the celebration of Christmas, but just as important is the look forward to His return. The Holy Mother Church calls us to walk once again through the time of preparation and to look towards Christ's sure and certain return. So we spend these next four weeks in fasting and prayer in preparation for His return.
You must remember that our preparations are not done to earn our status before God. Because as St. Peter was teaching here our living hope that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading is according His great mercy. God's mercy is what secures our inheritance because of what Jesus Christ did on the Cross for us. His death on the cross, where He spilled His most precious blood is what allows us this inheritance. It is sure and certain not because of our works but because of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.
St. Peter went on to tell those whom he was writing that they did not see Jesus, they love him and believe in Him. This is the same for us today. We have not seen Jesus in the flesh like they did in Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land when Jesus walked among us. However, we do still have Jesus coming to us today. He does so through the Word and Sacraments. It is in these great gifts that God gives to His Church that His presence is lived out today and we experience with certainty what they promise and that "obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:9)
May you all have a blessed Advent as we prepare once again for the great mystery of the Word made flesh and for His second coming!
1 Peter 1:1-12
"According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4)
Today marks the beginning of Advent. Advent is a the time of year that prepares us through works of mercy, prayer and alms giving for the celebration of Christmas, but just as important is the look forward to His return. The Holy Mother Church calls us to walk once again through the time of preparation and to look towards Christ's sure and certain return. So we spend these next four weeks in fasting and prayer in preparation for His return.
You must remember that our preparations are not done to earn our status before God. Because as St. Peter was teaching here our living hope that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading is according His great mercy. God's mercy is what secures our inheritance because of what Jesus Christ did on the Cross for us. His death on the cross, where He spilled His most precious blood is what allows us this inheritance. It is sure and certain not because of our works but because of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.
St. Peter went on to tell those whom he was writing that they did not see Jesus, they love him and believe in Him. This is the same for us today. We have not seen Jesus in the flesh like they did in Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land when Jesus walked among us. However, we do still have Jesus coming to us today. He does so through the Word and Sacraments. It is in these great gifts that God gives to His Church that His presence is lived out today and we experience with certainty what they promise and that "obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:9)
May you all have a blessed Advent as we prepare once again for the great mystery of the Word made flesh and for His second coming!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Lutheran Confession Quote of the Day
They do not care that the churches are rightly taught and that the Sacraments are duly administered. They let all kinds of men into the priesthood without proper selection. Afterward, they impose intolerable burdens, as though they delighted in the destruction of their fellows. They demand that their traditions be observed far more accurately than the Gospel.
Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII (XIV) Church Authority 3
Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII (XIV) Church Authority 3
Lutheran Evening Prayer 11-22-11
Reading:
Revelation 19:1-21
"Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb"
St. John was blessed to be given these visions of things to come. Through a gift from God, he was able to see a time in heaven when the voice of the saints cry out to our God the praise that is due His Name. What a sight this must have been to see. To see the elders and the living creatures falling in worship before God. This is the sign of true worship when you come before the Holy God and fall on your face in worship.
This is what our worship is to look like here on earth as well. We meet weekly to come into the presence of God through Word and Sacrament. We must remember that Jesus is present in a special way in both Word and Sacrament, so that His presence is real to offer us salvation, the forgiveness of sins. He has invited you in the waters of Baptism to His feast. He placed upon you the fine linen robe of His righteousness. You are now seen as one of the invited. Then He invites you to His feast, where you feed upon the Lamb Himself that comes to you under the veil of bread and wine.
May as we approach our Lord in Word and Sacrament waiting for His final return, may we fall down and worship Him now and may we sing along with the voice of the great multitude:
"Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted to her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure -"
Revelation 19:1-21
"Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb"
St. John was blessed to be given these visions of things to come. Through a gift from God, he was able to see a time in heaven when the voice of the saints cry out to our God the praise that is due His Name. What a sight this must have been to see. To see the elders and the living creatures falling in worship before God. This is the sign of true worship when you come before the Holy God and fall on your face in worship.
This is what our worship is to look like here on earth as well. We meet weekly to come into the presence of God through Word and Sacrament. We must remember that Jesus is present in a special way in both Word and Sacrament, so that His presence is real to offer us salvation, the forgiveness of sins. He has invited you in the waters of Baptism to His feast. He placed upon you the fine linen robe of His righteousness. You are now seen as one of the invited. Then He invites you to His feast, where you feed upon the Lamb Himself that comes to you under the veil of bread and wine.
May as we approach our Lord in Word and Sacrament waiting for His final return, may we fall down and worship Him now and may we sing along with the voice of the great multitude:
"Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted to her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure -"
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