Luther Reforms the Liturgy —1526—
The ROAD TO REFORMATION In observation of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin… Read More »Luther Reforms the Liturgy —1526—
Devotions
“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
A Perfect Prayer from Our Perfect Lord
DEVOTION – LORD’S PRAYER
“Our Father who art in heaven.”
We address the heavenly Father who sent His beloved Son to save us from our sins and in His amazing grace chose us to be His children. Just as a three-year-old child is unafraid to ask her dad for whatever is on her heart, let us boldly bring our prayer to the Father Who made us and saved us.
“Hallowed be Thy name.”
What we say and do can either ruin our family name or bring glory to it. Jesus teaches us to pray that the Father’s name, which we carry with us as His children, would be holy among us by what we say and what we do. Because only the Bible identifies who our Father is and describes all that He has done to save us, we pray that His Word would be taught faithfully among us. Pray for our pastors, professors, teachers (Sunday school and parochial), and missionaries who proclaim the Father’s name to you.Read More »A Perfect Prayer from Our Perfect Lord
Luther’s Struggle with Erasmus—1525—
The ROAD TO REFORMATION In observation of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin… Read More »Luther’s Struggle with Erasmus—1525—
“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
Life of Luther—1525 Marriage is Honorable Among All
The ROAD TO REFORMATION In observation of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin… Read More »Life of Luther—1525 Marriage is Honorable Among All
“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS February 2018
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006
Date Verse Reading Comments
Feb 1 TLH 603 Isaiah 25:1-9 The “shroud” that covers all people (death) is taken away by the Lord. He is our refuge.
Feb 2 TLH 277 Matthew 11:25-30 We are Christians because God has made it so, not by our own works or effort.
Feb 3 TLH 353/LSB 690; Romans 9:6-16 Our salvation depends on God’s great mercy.
Feb 5 TLH 379 Genesis 22:1-18 The Lord provided a substitute (a ram) so that Isaac would not be slain. Jesus is our substitute, also provided by God, so we need not face eternal death.
Feb 6 WS 746 Judges 2:11-18 God’s patience is on display here. He helped Israel in their distress even though they turned away from Him repeatedly.Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS February 2018
That’s the Way I Heard It
Most people have heard of, if not played, the telephone game. In this party pastime a leader whispers a tricky word or phrase to the next person in line. This message is then passed along until the last individual in line reveals what he believes he has heard. Hilarity may ensue as the garbled phrases are compared to the original. Whether the mix-ups were from poor diction, inadequate listening skills, or intentional misdirection doesn’t really matter. The goal of the game has been reached—message mangled.
Isn’t our world much like the telephone game? Oral histories passed down through the ages often bear little resemblance to the events that inspired them. Some important bits of history are forgotten, overlooked, or intentionally left out of textbooks because they may not fit with the agenda of the publisher. And, let’s face it, we often aren’t totally honest when we review our own pasts either.Read More »That’s the Way I Heard It
Unrest in Church and State 1524-1525
The ROAD TO REFORMATION In observation of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin… Read More »Unrest in Church and State 1524-1525