“But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully” (1 Timothy 1:8)

The Law is good.  The problem for sinners is using the law as it is supposed to be used.  We often put twists on it and call ourselves good.  Rules are rules and they apply to everyone or they are useless.  Therefore, subject yourself to the law knowing that it is good.  Submit to Christ knowing that the grace He gives is what is needed.  The law is good, but grace is what saves you.

Lord, I watch and see that so many are living as though the law was what saved them.  I know it is not.  Your grace through faith is what saves.  Help me to see that I have been freed from striving to get it right, in order to learn from Christ how to be like Him and from the heart live what is right.  Guide me by Your Spirit that I would understand this significant difference and live according to grace.

Lord Jesus, You did not come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it.  Help me, Lord, to understand that apart from You I can do nothing, but with You I can do all things.  Guide me, Lord, in Your mercy and grace to live the life You have given me.  Lead me to do what is right in love and not by obligation.  Teach me to do all things lawfully and not as the world does them.  Amen.

“For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions” (1 Timothy 1:6-7).

Please note that this is also what is happening today, Timothy was instructed by Paul to avoid some others.  Solomon was right, there is nothing new under the sun.  The law does its job when we are rightly convicted and come under the condemnation that is rightly ours.  We then repent and fall upon Jesus, and in Him and Him alone we have hope.  We are saved by faith, not works.  Avoid those who wrangle over the law.

Lord, this sounds so simple until I too start wrangling over the law.  You have come to save us, and we all need saving.  Lead me, Lord, so that in You I would have the hope which is mine through grace.  Guide me now and always to see through all those who do not tackle the real issue – our sin – but seek to justify sin with legal pronouncements.  Guide me in the Gospel truth always.

Lord Jesus, You alone have been able to lead the perfect life.  You alone were able to perfectly do the Father’s will.  You alone were able to pay the price, not for Your sin, but ours.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of the Gospel so that I would not fall into the temptation of telling others how you do this, but would tell them that You have done this for them.  Lead me to be a witness to the Gospel and hold to the Truth of Your testimony.  Amen.

“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).

The goal of our faith is to become like Jesus.  The way toward that goal is from a pure heart and a good conscience.  With faith, one can hold fast and stand firm.  It is important to learn what this means and to apply it in your life of faith.  It has been the same since the beginning for everyone.  Come therefore and listen as the Word gives you good instruction.

Lord, You know all that is needed.  You know what I need.  Lead me by Your word so that I would understand, know, and follow the instructions of what You tell me and do them.  Help me to have ears that hear and a heart that is willing to receive so that I would go in the direction of Your leading on the narrow road.  Through all things, keep me firm and steadfast in the way of faith, with a good conscience and a pure heart.

As the Psalmist said: dear Savior, “Create in me a clean heart and renew in me a right spirit.”  I want what I want, but You are Lord and it must be as You determine.  Lead me this day to do what is right.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I would humbly follow where You lead.  In and through all things, teach me by Your word the upward way of truth in order that I may live into the life You have given me.  Amen.

“As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith” (1 Timothy 1:3-4).

By grace through faith we are saved.  So many want an explanation when the mysteries of the Lord remain mysteries.  The Lord has saved us by grace and we are called to live in that faith.  Yes, people have come and gone, and they will in the future.  Yes, events have happened and there are more to come.  Listen to what the Lord has done for you and live into the life which is Yours in Him.

Lord, why do we make things so complex?  Why do we always look for answers that will change nothing, though they may satisfy our curiosity?  Guide me, Lord, to know that in You is all hope.  In You is salvation.  Teach me what it means to live by faith.  Lead me to trust You above all things and, even if I enjoy the seeking of answers, to never let that search replace the faith You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You have come to set me free from the captivity of this age.  Help me to not replace one captivity for another.  Guide me in the way of life so that I would learn to be satisfied with all that You have given me.  Teach me to not follow the way of the world, but the narrow way that You set before me.  In and through all things, lead me, O Lord, into this new life You have given me.  Amen. 

November 28, 2021: 1^st Sunday of Advent

Jeremiah 33:14-16 (The righteous branch of David will spring up)

 Psalm 25:1-10 (Be mindful of your mercy, instruct sinners in your way, do not let enemies exult)

 1 Thessalonians 3:8-13 (The Lord make you abound in love, and strengthen hearts in holiness, that you may be blameless at the coming of Jesus)

 Luke 21:25-36 (The Son of Man comes; heaven and earth will pass away, but not my words)

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For the Church, the world, for one another, and for the sake of all people, let us pray to the Lord.

A brief silence

How precious is your love, dear Father, and how vast your mercy! You made solemn promises to Israel – and through them, to the world. In Jesus, your promises find their eternal Yes. Prepare our hearts for his threefold coming among us: As the Babe of Bethlehem, veiled in human flesh. As Head of the Church, veiled in word and sacrament. And as King of the universe, veiled only in robes of light and love, the glorious Yes who fulfills your ancient promises, and our eternal heart’s desire.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill your Church with your Holy Spirit, so it may instruct sinners in your way. Strengthen it in holiness. Give it boldness to proclaim your Word that shall never pass away. Make it abound in love, especially when persecuted, so that its enemies do not exult, but instead repent and believe the Good News.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the Jews, the flesh and blood kindred of Jesus and our elder brothers and sisters in faith. Banish hatred of them from every heart. Unite us with them in faith toward you and fervent love for one another, under the glorious and gentle rule of the Messiah.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Adorn this congregation with faith, love, mercy, generosity, and holiness. Turn our hearts and hands to adorn with these gifts all who are suffering.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach us to live at peace with each other. Help seek your will, not our own. Let us use whatever power and authority we have for the common good. Give wisdom, integrity, and common sense to our elected and appointed leaders, and to all who risk their lives in defense of liberty, justice, health, and peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We plead on behalf of everyone who needs your merciful care and glorious deliverance – especially: {List}. Gladden their hearts, heal their bodies, uphold their spirits with your own Holy Spirit. Surround them with the love and care of all who hold them dear.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, we entrust into your never-failing care our beloved dead, especially: {List}. Ease the sorrow of those whose grief runs deep. Revive our spirits, direct our days and our deeds in your peace, and make us abound in love and in every good work. Strengthen our hearts with the gift of your Spirit, so that we may be blameless at the coming of Jesus. And gather us, with all the redeemed, into your eternal Kingdom, where we shall rejoice in your goodness and righteousness forever.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 For all these things; for all we lift before you in the silence of our hearts; and for everything that you know we need, we pray in the name and power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and commend into your mighty and merciful hands.

Amen.

“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Timothy 1:2).

Are you a true child of the faith?  This is a legitimate question.  It gets to the heart – literally.  Our prideful self says, “Of course.”  But do we really spend time in introspection and open to the Lord and seek to have the Holy Spirit search our soul?  Grace, mercy, and peace come from God.  Be led by the Holy Spirit to know this and to truly become a child not of Paul, but of the Father.

Holy Spirit, You know all that is before me and what yet needs to happen.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of true faith so that I would not avoid all the difficulties, but come fully into the faith by Your leading.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I be led today and help me face whatever I need to face tomorrow that I would grow in those directions where I need to grow.  Help me now and forever to truly live in faith.

By Faith, Scripture tells us, the men and women of old lived and became the examples we read about in Your Word, Lord.  Lead me, Lord, wherever You will lead me and help me to be content with wherever that is.  Through all that comes my way this day, help me to stand firm and be strong in You.  You alone are the Rock of my salvation and I need You to guide me each step of the way.  Amen.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1)

God our Savior, Christ our hope and the Holy Spirit our comforter, one God, now and forever: cuts through the misconceptions that many have.  God is our Savior.  The salvation that Christ proclaimed as sufficient is our hope.  In Scripture, hope is not wishful thinking, but the assurance of what is unseen.  We have not yet seen our final salvation, but we hope and trust in what God has promised.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the word of the Lord is forever.

Lord, these words are so simple, but they are so profound.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I learn to have hope as You give hope.  Teach me to take these things on Your authority.  Teach me to live into the understanding of the First Commandment in order that I would trust You above all things.  Teach me, Lord, so that I may truly be Your disciple and follow You.

Lord Jesus, You are my hope.  Until I see You face to face on the day of judgement I do not know You fully, but I do have trust and hope.  Yet, I also have faith.  Guide me, Lord, that I would forever hold fast to what You have said knowing that You are the One who saves.  Lead me in the way of truth and guide me to live into all that You have taught Your disciples.  In You alone, O Lord, is there hope and a future.  Amen.

“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3: 17-18).

Are there those who try to forge another’s message?  It sure seems so.  We do not know the particulars, for the distinguishing mark is on the original letter which we do not have.  But trust that these things came from the Lord through Paul.  One does well if they listen to the word of the Lord no matter from whom it comes.  Listen and learn what the Lord will teach you.

Be guided by the Lord and do not get into the habit of dismissing something either because you do not understand what they are saying or because they do not make sense to you.  Trust that the witnesses of the Lord, who have stood behind these things, are an authority enough.  You believe other things on much less authority.  The Word of God is forever and the other things you see around you are temporary.

Lord Jesus, You have given us an eternal promise.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I may be guided by You in and through all things.  Help me to understand that in You is all hope.  In You is all life.  In You is the way of living.  You are truth.  Guide me, Lord, in the way I need to walk in order that I would trust those whom You send and live into the life which I am being taught how to live.  Amen.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Peace in every circumstance?  Yes, peace in every circumstance.  The Lord’s peace is not that all will necessarily be well around you, but that it will be well in you.  You are in the Lord and His promise can never be taken from you.  Therefore, do not worry about the circumstances as much as the truth that you are living in the promise of the Lord.  He who is faithful will fulfil His promises.

Lord, I want what I want, but You grant what You grant and the two are sometimes not the same.  Lead me into Your peace so that above all things I will trust you.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that You alone are our hope and stay.  Guide me into the peace that surpasses all understanding that amidst this world’s trials and travails I may be at peace with You and my neighbor.

Lord Jesus, no matter what was happening, You kept Your cool.  Lead me to learn from You in order that, no matter the circumstances, I need never doubt the hope You give us through Your grace.  Guide me this day to not be anxious, but to live into the hope and promise which is ours through You.  You are with me Lord and in You I have hope upon hope.  Grant me Your peace that I may always know this in every circumstance. Amen.

“If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.  Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).

Paul makes this point to the Corinthians as well.  Sadly, what is being said is very delicate and many will go to one extreme or the other.  Our behavior matters.  For one who does not think so, do not listen to them.  But you still should love them.  Continue to remind them that our behavior does matter.  In discipline, behavior, morals, and attitudes, this principle applies and should be applied to all who call themselves Christian.

Lord, grant me the grace to better understand the reality of what You are saying here.  I know there have been abuses by the church, but that does not mean I should go the opposite direction.  Being like Christ is not a suggestion, but the goal itself.  Guide me Lord to know that in You alone is all hope.  You have come so that we may live into the life You give us through grace.

Lord Jesus, help me to live the new life You have given me.  Guide me to see what is meant here and then lead me in grace to put this into practice.  According to Your Word, you love everyone, but there are those who will continue to do things the way they wish.  Lead me, O Lord, to know that it cannot be this way with me either.  Teach me how to behave both in private and in public.  Amen.