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For the week beginning 1/4/2009
For the week beginning 12/21/2008
For the week beginning 12/14/2008
For the week beginning December 7, 2008.
For the week beginning 11/30/2008
For the week beginning 11/23/2008
For the week beginning 11/16/2008
ABOUT THE TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Theme: The Bride Is Led Home
– highlighting the Scriptures for the week –
he prophet Amos warns those who desire the “day of the LORD,” for it will not be pleasant. (Amos) In contrasting light with darkness, Amos reminds his listeners (readers) of their sinful condition that pervades the entire world. And yet, God will deliver His chosen from the darkness of this world (1 Thessalonians). At Christ’s return those who have already fallen asleep in faith will rise first from the dead to meet Him in the air. The suddenness of His return calls all to keep watch so that we are not sleeping when the Bridegroom arrives. (Matthew) Those who fail to keep watch are excluded from the marriage feast. Those who are faithful to the end (the Bride, Christ’s Church) will experience everlasting joys.
ABOUT ALL SAINTS’ DAY
Theme: the saints who from their labors rest
– highlighting the Scriptures for the week –
he earth will give birth to those who sleep in death on the day when Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead. But already now those who die in the LORD are alive with Him. In the celestial courts above they sing the eternal triumph song of angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven. (Revelation) But that’s not all. Their bodies will rise. With robes made white in the blood of the Lamb, they stand before the throne of God to be sheltered by His love. There their tears are wiped away by His own hand. But not here. Here we weep the tears of the saints in exile, longing for our eternal home. (1 John) What we will be we do not know, only that now we are the children of God. Yet the church on earth and heaven is all one. We, too, are blessed by the Lamb who reigns above. (Matthew) Even now He pronounces His heavenly benediction on all who suffer for His Name and Kingdom. The poor, the meek, the peacemakers…all who belong to Him are blessed: theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. From saints below and saints above one song ascends to God and to the Lamb in the power of the Spirit, one God, now and forever.
ABOUT REFORMATION DAY
Theme: You Shall Know the Truth
– highlighting the Scriptures for the week –
Looking far into the future by inspiration of the Spirit of the LORD, John speaks of a time when judgment comes upon this world. (Revelation) Accompanying this proclamation is also that of the eternal gospel. As it was forecast, so it is happening right now. A righteousness apart from Law is now revealed in Jesus Christ, through faith in His atoning blood. (Romans) The true righteousness that comes from God in His Son brings freedom from the bondage of sin (John) Slaves to sin no longer, we are set free by the Son to be sons in the household of God – by grace alone, through faith alone.
ABOUT the TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Theme: Two Kingdoms
– highlighting the Scriptures for the week –
ven mighty Cyrus, ruler of pagan Persia, governed unwittingly under the rule of the LORD (Isaiah). His mighty empire existed for the sake of tiny Israel, to provide for the LORD’s chosen ones. From the rising of the sun to its setting all men should know that there is no god but the LORD, who makes darkness and light and creates both prosperity and disaster. So the Lord Christ explained to his detractors that God rules over two kingdoms: Directly via His Word in the Kingdom of Heaven and indirectly via Caesar in the earthly kingdom (Matthew). The Gospel of the Kingdom of God is the instrument of His Spirit and power for faith, hope, and love (1 Thessalonians). Such faith produces work, such love prompts labor, and such hope inspires endurance in our Lord Jesus Christ.
ABOUT the TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Theme: A Feast Prepared
- highlighting the Scriptures for the week -
he LORD speaks of a feast to come; a victory yet to be revealed. (Isaiah) “On this mountain” He will show His hand in the destruction of sin, death, and hell – wiping all tears from His people, removing their disgrace, and setting before them a rich banquet. So it was that, in the fullness of time, our heavenly Father sent forth His servants to invite His guests to the wedding banquet of His Son. (Matthew) When the guests spurned His invitation, He opened up the Kingdom to one and all. He even provides the appointed apparel. Therefore, since the Lord is near, we all rejoice. (Philippians) Setting aside our anxiety, we bring our requests to the heavenly throne in petition, prayer, and thanksgiving. And the transcended peace of God stands guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
ABOUT the TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Theme: the LORD’s Vineyard
– highlighting the Scriptures for the week –
n joyful anticipation of the harvest, the LORD Himself established Israel as His pleasant planting. (Isaiah) He spared nothing for her productivity. Yet she produced not good grapes, but bad; therefore she would be destroyed. As it was with Israel, so it is with the Church; God’s new testament people. (Philippians) Striving toward lies ahead, the church exercises all the energy He Himself supplies. She presses on to take hold of that that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of her. We’re not there yet; still the promised prize awaits all who abide faithful to the end. On harvest day God the LORD awaits His produce. (Matthew) The vineyard He planted among Israel will bear abundant fruit – despite the original tenants’ rebellious mutiny. Though they kill His Son, He has opened the vineyard (Kingdom) to all the world. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the cornerstone of His church, whether Jew or Gentile.
ABOUT the TWENTIETH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Theme: Repentance and Faith
– highlighting the Scriptures for the week –
ot sin, but faith determines God’s response to sinners. (Ezekiel) Each person is held accountable for his own sin: if a righteous man turns to impenitent sin, he will die. On the other hand, a sinner who turns in repentance to the LORD will live; God is absolutely fair in His mercy toward fallen mankind. Those who have received mercy are merciful. (Philippians) Tenderness and compassion are the hallmarks of the company of the baptized faithful. United in love, spirit, and purpose, in humility each member of the church considers the other better than themselves. So also it is in the Father’s Kingdom. (Mathew) Not sin, but penitent faith determines our relationship with our heavenly Father. Wicked people who repent are included, while seemingly righteous people who refuse to obey are excluded. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
ABOUT the NINETEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Theme: Surprised by Grace
– highlighting the Scriptures for the week –
he LORD is surpassingly rich in His grace. (Isaiah) He is full of mercy and abundant pardon. His ways and thoughts, higher than ours, surpass all human understanding. In our way of thinking, you get what you earn. Not so in the Kingdom of God. (Matthew) Our heavenly Father rewards all by grace; those who work long and hard receive the same mercy, love, and life as those who penitently turn to Him at the eleventh hour. It’s never too late for the love of God; we may call on Him while He is near. Thus the faithful are sustained in life and in death. (Philippians) To depart and be with Christ is the best of all; yet to remain in the body means fruitful labor in Christ. By the mercy of God, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
ABOUT the EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Theme: The Forgiveness of Sins
– highlighting the Scriptures for the week –
oseph's brothers feared his retaliation. (Genesis) Though they meant to harm him, God had taken their evil and turned it into good; Joseph would not repay evil with evil, but overcome evil with good. There is no limit to the forgiveness in God's heart. (Matthew) While Peter sought to set limits on forgiveness, the love of God in Christ is boundless; it calls for all to forgive those who trespass against them as they have been forgiven. So, too, it is within the church: While there may be differing pieties, there are no struggles between those who do all things to the Lord's glory. (Romans) Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
ABOUT the SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Theme: Speaking the Truth to the Erring
About the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: God's Gifts Through Suffering
ABOUT the FIFTEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST:The Depths of the Riches of the Kingdom
Theme: God’s Abundant Salvation
ABOUT the THIRTEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Theme: The Righteousness of Faith
for the week beginning 8/3/2008
ABOUT the ELEVENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
Theme: The Treasures of the Kingdom
God set apart the Hebrews as a people for Himself. (Deuteronomy) He knew what they needed, and so He gave it. God also gives us what we need. Faced with affliction, we often ask “why?” – forgetting that in all things He works for the good of those who love Him. (Romans) Having been called, we know we were first predestined, are now justified, and will one day be glorified in the likeness of His Son. A great treasure, a pearl of high price, are all those who belong to the Kingdom. (Matthew) For the joy of our redemption, our dear Lord went and gave all He had so that He might purchase us with His body and blood to be His own. One day His angels will separate the wicked from the righteous; for now the great enterprise of the Kingdom includes one and all. May the Lord Himself give us eyes to see what He is doing in and through His church!
Devotions for the week beginning 7/20/2008
Devotions for weeking beginning 7/13/2008
Devotions for week beginning July 6, 2008
Devotions for week beginning June 29, 2008
Devotions for week beginning June 22, 2008
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