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“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS April 2018

TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date Verse Reading Comments

Apr 2 TLH 211/LSB 483; Exodus 3:1-15 Our God is a God of deliverance, especially deliverance from our slavery to sin.

Apr 3 WS 731 1 Samuel 17:34-51 Our God is a God of victory, giving victory to His people over sin and every evil.

Apr 4 WS 729/LSB 479; Psalm 40 Our God is a God of salvation, saving us from troubles and from the dust of death.

Apr 5WS 732Job 28:12-28Our God is a God of wisdom, and they are wise who respect and honor Him.

Apr 6 TLH 198 Jeremiah 10:1-16 The sinful world will always be filled with idols, but your God is the only One who is truly living and almighty.

Apr 7 TLH 199 Mark 7:24-30 Jesus shows His power over the devil and his demons—and His compassion toward all who trust in Him.Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS April 2018

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” TLH 457, LSB 770

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-NINTH IN A SERIES)

Several years ago on a family vacation, we were traveling Highway 401 between Toronto and Montreal around one o’clock in the morning. The children were drifting in and out of restless sleep when the headlights illuminated a blue and white sign announcing the “Joseph Scriven Monument.” I jumped a little in the driver’s seat and prodded my wife, “Look! Joseph Scriven! I had no idea that was here!” She mumbled, “What are you talking about?” I said, “You know—’What a Friend We Have in Jesus!’ We really, really should stop!” She answered something like, “It’s the middle of the night. It’s pitch dark. Would they still give us one phone call when they catch us in a cemetery with flashlights and cameras?” She prevailed, and we didn’t stop; but that sign appearing out of nowhere was a sudden reminder of one of the most beloved hymns in all Christendom.Read More »“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” TLH 457, LSB 770

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS March 2018

TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date Verse Reading Comments

Mar 1 TLH 29 Isaiah 45:1-13 Judah would go into exile, but God had already planned for their release and chosen the man (Cyrus) who would bring it about.

Mar 2 TLH 609/LSB 337; Matthew 25:1-13 In repentance and faith we stand ready for Jesus’ return.

Mar 3 TLH 390 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Who would have thought the cross could save, but it did! Who would have thought lowly sinners like us could be saved, but we are!

Mar 5 TLH 395/LSB 690; Genesis 39:1-10 Joseph recognized God’s loving care for him, and he was not willing to sin against the One who so loved him (v. 9).

Mar 6 WS 745 Ruth 1:1-16 It wasn’t for family ties alone that Ruth wanted to stay with her mother-in-law. Israel’s God had also won her heart (v. 16).Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS March 2018

Mandatum Novum The New Commandment

DEVOTION – Maundy Thursday

It takes conviction and effort to be willing to do the up-close and dirty work
of washing a fellow sinner with God’s Word of grace.

Our annual commemoration of the night before Jesus’ crucifixion is known as “Maundy Thursday.” Though it is difficult to be certain, most church historians think that the word maundy is derived from the Latin translation of Jesus’ words, spoken that night, as found in John 13:34: “A new commandment [mandatum novum] I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

What could be “new” about this commandment? Jesus had often instructed His disciples to love their neighbors as themselves, and even to love their enemies. At this time, however, Jesus raised the bar considerably. Each believer is to love his fellow Christian “as I have loved you.” In other words, the depth of our love for one another is to be measured by Jesus’ own humble, self-sacrificial love shown to us.Read More »Mandatum Novum The New Commandment

TLH Hymn 310 “Thy Table I Approach”

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-NINTH IN A SERIES)

To “take it for granted” is a shorthand way of saying that frequency and abundance of blessings can breed a lack of appreciation for those blessings. That lack of appreciation then hinders thankfulness. That which is part of our usual routine tends to have diminished value in our estimation because we soon see it as “normal” and may then begin to “take it for granted.”

I was reminded of that truth recently when our Florida home was without power for ten days as a result of Hurricane Irma. I normally don’t think about—much less feel specific thankfulness for—the blessings of being able to refrigerate and freeze food, control the temperature of our house, have lights at night, and even enjoy electronic entertainment almost effortlessly. I seldom thanked God for those blessings when they were my “normal,” but how thankful I was for them when the power came back on!Read More »TLH Hymn 310 “Thy Table I Approach”