Life of Luther—1520
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 Luther. The series continues with major events in the life… Life of Luther—1520
“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS NOvember 2017
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006
Date Verse Reading Comments
Nov 1 TLH 463; Genesis 49:1-7 As Jacob speaks his last words to his sons, we know that some of his descendants will
LSB 678 fall away. Praise God for all who remain faithful and true.
Nov 2 TLH 339/LSB 348; Genesis 49:8-12 A King will be born from Judah’s line (Jesus) who will rightly rule over His people.
Nov 3 TLH 346 Genesis 49:13-21 Among the prophecies spoken to Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, and Naphtali, we find both blessings and burdens.
Nov 4 TLH 17 Genesis 49:22-28 Joseph had a heart faithful to the Lord and was the “prince among his brothers,” but His strength was really in His father’s God, who helped Him (v. 25).“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS NOvember 2017
Semper Paratus
DEVOTION – SECOND COMING
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
(Hebrews 10:23-25)
Semper paratus is the motto of the fifth branch of our military, the U.S. Coast Guard. It’s a Latin phrase that means “always ready.” Through extensive training in meteorology, naval safety, communications and rescue operations, members of the Coast Guard keep themselves prepared for adverse conditions on the sea. They must always be ready to handle their own ship in dangerous situations, to assist disabled vessels in a storm, to intercept and arrest drug smugglers, and to repel enemies from our coastlands.Semper Paratus
Luther on Trial—1518-1520
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 Luther. The posting of the Ninety-Five Theses started a series… Luther on Trial—1518-1520
“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS October 2017
Date Verse Reading Comments
Oct 2 TLH 278 Matthew 5:21-26 The Law reveals our inward sins as well as our outward ones, sins such as anger in the heart.
Oct 3 TLH 623/LSB 860; Matthew 5:27-32 The marriage relationship is to be guarded and protected at all costs.
Oct 4 TLH 279 Matthew 5:33-37 Needless swearing is a misuse of God’s holy name.
Oct 5 TLH 402 Matthew 5:38-42 When someone hurts us, our sinful nature wants revenge, but the Spirit leads us to show love “above and beyond”—even for our enemies.“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS October 2017
Divine Treasure Map
DEVOTION
SOLA Scriptura
Anyone who has ever heard of the Superstition Mountains of Arizona has most likely also heard of the Lost Dutchman’s Mine. This legend, which most experts agree is based on distorted facts, is the stuff of movie plots and fantasy. Many have searched for the riches of this lost mine, some even losing their lives in the effort. However, without a clearly marked map (“X” marks the spot) the mine, with its promise of wealth, is still lost to all.Divine Treasure Map
“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS September 2017
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006
Date Verse Reading Comments
Sept 1 TLH 483, LSB 749; Jeremiah 23:33-40 If prophets or preachers speak words that contradict what the Lord has already said, you know them to be false.
Sept 2 WS 758 Ezekiel 34:1-10 The shepherds of Israel failed to take care of the flock, but the Lord would not abandon His people. He would step in Himself to rescue His flock.
Sept 4 TLH 648, LSB 558 ; Ezekiel 34:11-16 The Lord Himself shepherds His people. He calls them, gathers them, tends them, and brings back the lost. What a Shepherd you have in Jesus!
Sept 5 TLH 485 Ezekiel 34:17-24 God’s people were being “trampled” by the strong, but they find peace and hope in David’s greater Son, Jesus Christ, Who shepherds them to life eternal!“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS September 2017
Time to get Back to the Book (of Holy Scripture)
DEVOTION – BACK TO SCHOOL
“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.” (2 Timothy 3:14)
“Back to school” often means back to a more disciplined routine. “Back to school” means getting back to careful study. For many parents, it means reminding children repeatedly that homework needs to be done before opening the social or game apps on their phones. Sometimes “back to school” means that parents or grandparents need to scrub some of the rust and cobwebs out of their own brains so that they can give assistance to their children or grandchildren. These are all important parts of the process of preparing for and then living a successful life.Time to get Back to the Book (of Holy Scripture)
Luther and Erasmus —1516
The ROAD TO REFORMATION In preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin Luther. The series will culminate in next month’s issue with… Luther and Erasmus —1516
Remember Your Baptism
“See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
(Acts 8:36)
When the Ethiopian heard the message of Jesus as the Christ, Who willingly gave His life for the sins of the world, he desired to be baptized into Jesus’ name. Would anything hinder him from receiving this great blessing and from being received by God? Would the color of his skin, his nationality, or his past sins make him unacceptable to the Lord? What joy and relief when Philip took him down into the water and baptized him! Nothing would hinder him from receiving the grace of God in Baptism and being made a child of God. No wonder “he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:39)
Do you want to go on your way rejoicing today, tomorrow, every day? Then remember your Baptism! Whether you can actually remember the day you were baptized or simply know that you were baptized as a child, remember the fact that you were baptized. For that is the day when you were connected with Jesus and everything He did for you.
Whenever you sin you deserve to die, for “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) Remember your Baptism and rejoice, for that is when you were united with Jesus in His death. “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death.” (Romans 6:3-4) His death counts for you, and all your sins were paid for.
Your Baptism also connected you with Christ’s life. “We were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (verse 4) We now have a new life with Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)Remember Your Baptism