“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;  that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)

The particularity of your struggle may differ, but the goal is the same, that you are in Jesus and that He is in you.  The Lord has come so that you may be sanctified in Him.  The Lord has come that You may have life and have it abundantly.  Come then into the life of sanctification and no longer give yourself away to things that are less important.  Live as one who is chaste in the Lord and loving Him above all things.

Lord, You know where I break the law and do not do these things that You ask.  Help me, O Lord, so that I may be guided by You and know Your eternal goodness.  Let me not fall into the temptation of this world but be transformed in and through You.  Lead me now and always in this direction.  Show me the path that I must follow.  Open my eyes to know the difference with what is being spoken here.

Lord Jesus, I know I need salvation and that You are the Savior.  Help my timidity and unbelief so that I see more clearly each day what is needed to build on this relationship which You have established.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth.  You are the way of truth, for you are Truth.  Lead me now and always in the way You know I need to go and help me always to follow.  Amen.

September 2021

Dear Friends:

The Psalm for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 12, speaks powerfully about why we need a faith, a theology, and a relationship with God that is more than just woke and latest-social-justice-cause oriented.

Verses 3, 4, 6, and 8 of Psalm 116 say –

“The snares of death entangled me; the anguish of the grave laid hold on me; I came to grief and sorrow.”

“Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, save my life!’”

“When I was brought low, He saved me.”

“You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.”

For all of us, it is only a matter of time until the snares of death entangle us, the anguish of the grave lays hold of us, and we come to grief and sorrow.  It is only a matter of time until we find ourselves being brought low, sinking into the waves, and – like Peter – crying out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14: 30)

In contrast, what do we see happening and what do we see being offered by and emphasized in much of the church today?

• In 2019 the ELCA posted a summary of actions that were taken at the Churchwide Assembly.  Many resolutions were passed against racism, sexism, and white supremacy, but Jesus was never mentioned.  Can you even imagine a church body meeting in assembly for several days but then never mentioning Jesus in their summary of actions?

• At the recent assembly of the ELCA synod in which I was rostered before I retired, hardly anyone ever mentioned Jesus.  Almost everyone gave their pronouns and advocated for diversity, equity, and inclusion, but they did not mention Jesus. 

• For that same ELCA synod, their weekly newsletter rarely ever mentions Jesus.  But they do talk about many ways in which I could fight for justice, advocate for “authentic diversity”, promote inclusivity, and combat world hunger.

• They talk about grace, but it is always grace without the cross.  It is a grace of my being more inclusive and accepting rather than a grace that tells me that Jesus paid the price for my sin and won the victory over death and the devil. 

And yet the truth of the matter is that if the Christian faith is mainly about what we do, the battles we fight, the social justice causes that we expend our energies on, sooner or later we will come to the realization that we cannot do enough.  The problems are too great.  Merely human resources are too few and too small.  Sooner or later the snares of death will entangle us.  The anguish of the grave will lay hold of us.  We will come to grief and sorrow.  It is only a matter of time until we find ourselves sinking into the waves and with Peter crying out, “Lord, save me!”

We all need a faith, a theology, and a relationship with God that tells us what God has done, what God can do, and what God will do to rescue us, and not just what we can do and need to do to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

Thank you for your prayers and financial support of Lutheran CORE.  It is because of people like you that we are able to continue to do such things as the following –

• Sponsor a week of Bible study, theological reflection, fellowship, and vocational discernment for high schoolers through the NEXUS program of Grand View University

• Provide a system of support for young adults who are serious about and want to share their faith, as well as a system of support for orthodox ELCA pastors and seminarians

• Work with congregations that are between pastors or whose pastor will soon retire or resign to take another call

• Work with and support pastors and congregational leaders who are seeking to show their congregations how the historic Christian faith is at risk

• Expose people to contemporary dynamics and movements that threaten the historic Christian faith, such as critical race theory

• Continue to challenge the ELCA to honor its commitment to also provide a place for traditional views and those who hold them

Thank you again for all your words of encouragement and your faithful prayer and financial support.  Click here for a form that you can use to let us know how we can be praying for you.  Your timely gift to Lutheran CORE will help enable us to continue to be a VOICE for Biblical Truth and a NETWORK for Confessing Lutherans.

In the Name of Jesus who will reach out and save us whenever we cry out to Him, 

Dennis D. Nelson

Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

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“For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:2).

You know the commandments and you know they come from Jesus.  Do you know Jesus?  This is not to ask if you know about Jesus, it is to ask if you know Jesus personally.  We tend to play games with what we do and do not know.  The Lord has revealed Himself so that we might know Him.  In Him is life.  Not just knowing about Him, but living in Him.  This is an intimate proposition that is the Gospel and it is salvation.

Lord, You know where I am and the games I play with myself.  This world is filled with pretense.  We are concerned with what others think.  Help me, O Lord, to see through the pretense and realize the depth, power, and reality of the Gospel.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth in order that I may now and always be guided by You and You alone to live into the Good News of great joy.

Lord Jesus, You have invited me to live in a relationship with You.  You said that I should abide in You and You in me.  Guide me, Lord, to do just this.  Help me to see Your desire and intent as I study the law, not seeing this as some test, but as the way of living in relationship with You.  Guide me Lord, for You know the way I need to go.  Let me not be hindered by this world but transformed by You.  Amen.

“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

Follow the instructions.  How simple is that?  Yet, what we often find is that the instructions are modified.  We question each step of the way as to why something should be as it is.  Why are we doing it that way?  Learn again to follow the instructions and if the Lord tells you to do something, receive it even if He says, “Because I said so.”  The Lord knows what He is doing.

Lord, I do not understand why I want to question everything.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I may always be guided by You.  Help me when I do not follow instructions to follow where You lead.  Guide me, Lord, in order that each day I would become more like what You have always intended.  In Your goodness, lead me into all righteousness through and with You.

Without You, Lord Jesus, it would be impossible.  That is why I must be saved.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth.  You are Truth and Your word is truth.  Guide me, Word of life, so that I would take on Your image and become like You.  Help me to simply follow the instructions You give and not argue with You each step of the way.  Lead me now and forever, Lord God, so that I would fulfil Your design for me.  Amen.

“So that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:13).

“So that you may,” is the direction to which we are heading.  Do not think that somehow the ancient church accomplished this goal.  In eternity we shall be presented without spot or blemish, just as Christ was when He was crucified for us.  The journey of this life is one whose purpose is to put on Christ and become like Him.  We are to be wholly set apart for the Lord and live in Him.

Lord, You know where I am in this journey.  Help me to always see things in such a way that I know there is need to go farther, for in truth I know that I have many things in me which are not holy or blameless.  But some of those things are not as I imagine.  Help me to always look to You, for You are the finisher of my faith.  In You alone will all of this come to fruition.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way I need to go.

Today, Lord Jesus, be my complete guide.  In Your Spirit, lead me each step of the way so that I might be guided by Your example and in the way You have established.  Thank You for providing all that is needed.  Thank You for clearing the way so that all those who love You would be prepared to be with You forever.  Let me not rest until my time to sleep before the resurrection in order that I might be presented complete according to Your plan.  Amen.

“Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12)

The Lord commanded that we love one another and Him with all we are.  This has never stopped being the prime directive.  We are to love others as He first loved us.  We are to increase in love.  God is love and we were created in His image.  Therefore, increase in love and in the likeness of the Lord.  Know that He will accomplish this in all who love Him and believe in His promises.

Lord, continue to guide me in the way You know I need to go.  Help me now and always to see that in You there is all hope and glory.  Guide me, Lord, according to Your will and by Your Holy Spirit so that I would grow in love and therefore in Your likeness.  Let not anything hinder the way I need to go.  Lead me each and every day You give me to keep the prize in my mind and live according to the Father’s will.

Lord Jesus, You know all that is needed.  Through Your Holy Spirit, You know me better than I know myself.  Continue to lead me and remove from me all sin and from those acts by which I resist the cure that grace brings.  Guide me in all goodness to see that in You alone is there hope and the promised eternal future.  Do not let anything hinder the way I need to go.  Guide me now and always, Lord, to be in the Father’s will.  Amen.

“For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?” (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10)

All have places in their faith life where they are lacking.  We each need the help of the Lord and He often gives that help through others.  Be willing to receive what the Lord gives and be willing to receive those whom He sends.  Know that the Lord will not stop until He has done all that He intends to do that you, His bride, may be presented without spot or blemish on that day.

Do not resist the Lord, nor turn away from what He is doing.  Know that the Lord will accomplish these things according to His will. Come then and live in the hope He gives You and know that He will do all of this if You allow Him to. In this sense, the sooner the better.  Receive the earnest prayers of those who prayed for you and receive what the Lord will do for you in answer to those prayers.

Lord Jesus, You know how many over the years have been praying that I would live into this life of faith You have given me.  Do not stop until all the help I need has been given.  Then, turn me around and send me to help others in the way I have been helped.  Guide me to be a willing and freely-giving part of the bride You are shaping for eternity.  Lead me ever deeper in faith.  Amen.

“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,  for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 3:6-8).

There is something to this idea of standing firm.  It is strange, but it often seems as though the church is looking for relevance when, in fact, it has the truth.  The world on the other hand seems to be bold in declaring it has the answer when it is always changing because it is spitting in the wind and listening to the wicked one who is chasing those of the world and whipping them up in a lather of frenzy while chasing everything and nothing.

Lord, You have spoken the word of truth once for all.  Help me see that truth clearly.  Help me to hear the truth plainly.  Help me to apply the truth as it has been applied over the ages.  Guide me so that I may be one who lives the way of truth and does not falter from humbly walking with You.  Your Word is truth and You have given Your Word in order that all who believe could walk in salvation.

Lord Jesus, Word of Truth, guide me today and everyday so that I would walk with You and apply all that You taught Your disciples to my life.  Let me be neither haughty, nor fearful, but firm in the conviction You have given me.  Your Word is truth and You have shown us the way to live.  You have provided grace upon grace in order that we would be free to live in the right way.  Lead me now, Lord, to live the life You have given me.  Amen.

“For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain” (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

Can a fellowship be led astray?  Read for yourself: yes, it can.  The tempter will temp with whatever can lead people astray.  Do not think it could not happen to you.  Look around you.  Many who once displayed faithfulness now act as if there were no faith at all.  This does not mean being paranoid, but only diligent and steadfast.  Hold to the truth delivered once for all in Christ.

Lord, where there are errors in my thinking, correct them.  Where I have wandered, bring me back to the safe ground.  Where I am waffling, show me the firm place to stand my ground.  Let my response be “no” every time to the tempter and “yes” every time to You.  You have bought me and brought me through grace to this place.  Guide me Lord in the way of truth You have established.

Holy Spirit, You know my heart and where I have wandered.  Keep bringing me back to the safe place established by Christ that I call grace.  Guide me in Your goodness to flee from the wicked one and run into Your arms of grace and mercy.  Through all things, help me to hold fast to the truth which has come down through the ages.  Be my guide and direction and keep me in the narrow way of truth.  Amen.

October 17: 21^st Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 24

Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 (Pointlessness of amassing wealth)

      RCL/ELW: Isaiah 53:4-12 (Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows)

 Psalm 119:9-16 (How can young remain pure? Follow God’s commandments)

      RCL/ELW: Psalm 91:9-16 (God promises deliverance to those whom he loves)

 Hebrews 4:1-16 (Don’t harden your hearts against God. God’s word sharper than 2-edged sword; we confidently approach High Priest who was tempted but didn’t sin)

      RCL/ELW: Hebrews 5:1-10 (Great high priest is gentle with us: he suffered too)

 Mark 10:23-31 (Hard for rich to enter Kingdom; disciples promised much, with persecution)

      RCL/ELW: Mark 10:35-45 (James and John want special honors; true greatness is in suffering and serving as Jesus does)

THE PRAYERS 

Let us intercede before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sake of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Father, thank you for the wealth and pleasures we have. Help us not get too attached to them. Thank you for Jesus’ hard words and loving example. Help us stay forever attached to him.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make your Church rich in faith, generosity, humility, compassion, and witness. Impoverish it with regard to pride, heresy, ingratitude, and fearfulness. Fill it with your Spirit. Conform it always to Christ, your righteous Suffering Servant, and our great High Priest.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Increase the faith, hope, and joy of your persecuted Church. Let the radiance of its faithful witness illuminate the hearts of its foes with your divine mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Protect our congregation from being tempted to cling to treasures instead of sharing them, to your glory and for the benefit of our neighbors. Help us to prefer nothing whatsoever to Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for young adults in our congregation and community. Let them not be preoccupied with possessions or prestige, but seek to please you each day in self-forgetful service and love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We remember before you the poor of the earth, that their suffering might be eased. We pray for the wealthy and powerful, that they may use their gifts wisely and generously. Lead the rulers of the nations in the pathway of your commandments. Teach everyone to find true contentment in seeking and doing your will.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you for all who stand between us and the threatening dangers of this world. Keep them faithful, true, and bold. Help them to heal rifts caused by violence and suspicion. Use their gifts to protect justice and freedom. Strengthen them when they falter; support their loved ones; and bring them home safely and soon.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that all who suffer find hope and refreshment in Jesus’ mercy. We pray this day for {List}. We also plead on behalf of the poor, homeless, and unemployed. Give them the resources and courage they need to succeed. Let us display caring hearts, sound judgment, and practical assistance. Together let us flourish, and serve and glorify you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you, dear Father, for receiving all who have died in the covenant of their Baptism. Keep us always in that covenant. Help us to encourage one another and bear each other’s burdens. Help us to guide our neighbor into Jesus’ presence. Together with all of your redeemed people of every time and place, let us forever rejoice in your goodness, and see you face to face.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Incline your ear to our prayers, dear Lord; and answer them according to your most gracious and holy will, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.