Author: admin

I Kings 19:3-8

3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life… and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

No one wants to be the person who ran away.  It seems that Elijah felt very discouraged about his behavior.  He had just called down fire from heaven and witnessed God’s victory over the false prophets of Baal.  Yet, the threats of a wicked queen were just too much for him.  Elijah ran away, and found himself in prayer in the middle of nowhere.  He confessed his weakness and was so broken that he asked that God would take his life.  He couldn’t go any farther.

See the mercy of God for Elijah and God’s understanding of our human condition.  True, Elijah had witnessed the power of God.  True God would deliver His people from their wicked King and Queen.  But, humanly, Elijah was done.  He had no strength left physically or spiritually.  So, what did God do?  God helped Him.

God sent His angel to bring nourishment to the prophets body and soul.  He brought both food and God’s Word which communicated God’s love for Elijah and God’s plan for His people.  Strengthened by the Lord, Elijah continued to the mountain of God, mount Horeb, where God would instruct His prophet.

The prophets of God all pointed to Jesus who met Satan and all evil, even our sins, on the cross of Calvary.  Through faith in Jesus God still shows His mercy and love.  He forgives those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  God also overrules the deadly threats of the evil one, be those the threats of individuals or evil governments today.  God sustains us with the heavenly food of the Lord’s Supper and His Word in the Holy Bible.  On the last day we will be raised to life with Jesus.  The love of God in Jesus will last forever.

Let us pray

I thank you Lord for continuing to bear with my weaknesses, especially when I am frightened or anxious about the situation in the world around me.  Restrain all evil governments and world leaders.  And, bless your church with faithfulness and boldness to proclaim your truth in all nations.  In the name of Jesus I pray, AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

I Kings 19:1-3

Elijah Flees Jezebel

19 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life…”

God gives many blessings.  Some of these blessings are the great miracles that have become so commonplace that we don’t recognize them.  For instance, your physical life, our bodies, and the entire natural world are often nothing more than a background to our busy preoccupied lives.  Spending quiet moments in prayerful thanksgiving helps us to see these blessings and find profound joy in God’s faithful love.

There are also blessings that are so astonishing that they can’t be missed.  One such blessing was a victory of God over the false prophets of Baal.  The prophets of Baal were a wicked, murderous cult of human sacrifice. They were supported by the government.  No one would have thought that there could be any salvation from such a horrible situation.  Anyone would think that the nation was doomed.

But, human power (whether it is in the form of governments or false prophets) cannot overrule the Lord and His Will.  At the right time, God demonstrated His power and overcame the false prophets and the murderous king and queen.  It is important that we remember this example of God’s mercy and pray earnestly that the Lord would restrain evil in our day as well.

But, what happened next is also important for us to see.  Elijah, after seeing the power of God over evil, was terrified by the threats of the government who did whatever it wanted.  The queen, in particular, lived as if God didn’t exist.  Her threats were real to her.  She intended to kill Elijah.  This struck terror into Elijah. So, Elijah ran away.

What can we learn from this?  We should expect that satanic evil, especially in the form of wicked governments, will continue to cause great suffering in this world.  But, just because human wickedness can cause so much suffering, it doesn’t mean that God’s plan of eternal salvation in Jesus no longer stands.  Not at all.  God’s plan of salvation will continue to the very end.  We have the witness of the whole Bible to see that this is true!

Therefore when we are terrified by the wickedness of the world, we are not alone.  We stand with Elijah, who confessed his sins and prayed to the Lord.  We are be sustained by Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins and rose again for our salvation.  Therefore, even the darkest day of setback in this life will not change the fact of Jesus’ forgiveness of your sins, your eternal future at the resurrection of the dead, and the presence of God the Holy Spirit to sustain your faith today and always.  

Let us pray

I thank your Lord for the great miracles that you work every day.  I especially thank you for restraining the evil and maintaining the witness of your church around the world.  Help me to be faithful, brave, and joyful in your service.  In your name I pray, AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

John 6:35

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Hunger and thirst are physical.  Through hunger and thirst we become aware of the needs of our bodies.  The needs of our physical bodies are important.  Where would you be without your body?  Your body is important. When God created humanity, He made us to be creatures with a physical body and a soul.

More than that, to simply say that the body isn’t important, or to say that all that “matters” is the soul, denies the importance of Jesus coming into the world to save us, body and soul.  Jesus came into the world and became fully human. Yes, God Himself now has a body.  How did God do this?  Jesus came to save us by facing physical death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and then physically rising from the dead.  Our salvation is both spiritual and physical. At the last day, God promises that we will rise from the dead, a new creation in Jesus.

The problem that people had long ago, and that we still have today, is that we are tempted to think that our lives are only physical or spiritual, not both.  The people were chasing Jesus around because they recognized that He could meet their physical needs.  God can meet our physical needs!  But, we need more! Jesus is more! More than just a free lunch. More than just a physician.  Jesus is the one who can forgive sins, free us from death and the devil. Jesus is the Savior who will give the resurrection and eternal life to those who trust in Him.

In the end, at the resurrection, the nature of God’s salvation will be clear for all to see.  In the mean time, we must hear the teaching of Jesus so that we don’t forget the miracle that God has done in creating human life.  He has given us a body and a soul.  He has redeemed both body and soul through Jesus.  And through Jesus He will restore us to everlasting life.

All this God gives freely through faith in Jesus.  Therefore, both during times of ease as well as during times of trial and testing, we are called to faith in Jesus.  He is the world’s one Savior who is truly life.  Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord Jesus for supplying all my needs of body and soul.  Strengthen my faith each day, so that I will give thanks for your blessings, serve others after your example, and anticipate the resurrection to eternal life that you have promised.  In your name I pray.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

John 6:22-29

22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

In getting to know another person, it is common to ask the question, “What do you do for a living?”  A person’s daily work has a great impact upon his or her life and interests. A good followup question might be “Why do you do that for living?”  Even if you don’t ask that question directly, it isn’t long before the “why” comes out.  Sometimes people just fall into a job because of chance and circumstance.  Other times, a job is pursued in hope of wealth or because of personal aptitude or interest.  In most every situation, though, a job is how we hope to make a living!  We want to put food on the table. We want to live!

The people who were present at the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand had their worlds turned upside down.  They worked for a living, and Jesus showed that he could give them everything they needed to live.  They loved this idea.  They chased Jesus around to the other side of the sea of Galilee in hopes of a free lunch.  But, in doing this they also showed their need for correction.  Knowing God through faith is true life.  No earthly job can give what only God gives through faith.  In fact, every blessing that comes through our work, actually comes from God’s love.  The people were confused on this very point.

The people revealed their confusion when they were so distracted by the bread that they immediately forgot Jesus’ Words and only chased after His free lunch.  If they forgot Jesus over a lunch, how quickly they would overlook the greater gifts of forgiveness of sins, resurrection from the dead, and life everlasting.  So, Jesus directly addressed their error and called them to repentance.

True life doesn’t begin in us, but in the grace of God in Jesus.  God “made a living” when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and rise again from the dead.  The true gift of God is Jesus. The eternal life that we receive as a gift through faith in Jesus is true life. Jesus calls us recognize the difference between temporal blessings and the eternal gifts of God in Him.  When the people asked ‘What must we do?”  Jesus said clearly, “Believe in the one He has sent.”  Jesus directed them, and also now us to believe in Him for life. In Jesus, are found all the blessings we receive in this life, and the eternal life that is to come.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord Jesus for giving me life and sustaining my faith.  Help me to trust in you at all times, and acknowledge that you are my life now and forever.  Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Ephesians 4:15-16

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

There is much interest in knowing the truth.  Our present age is no exception.  Claiming to know “the truth” about this or that is a great way to get attention.  

The trouble is, in our sinful world, the truth is often only presented in the form of a half truth.  It is then used as a weapon to destroy others.  Love is absent and is made worse by a denial of accountability to God on the day of judgement.  What shall we do?

When it comes to the truth, we need to remember Jesus.  He spoke the truth, and often it was a very hard to truth to hear.  Jesus talked about sin against God and man, and called people to repent before it was too late.  What makes Jesus preaching different than what we hear in our culture today?

Jesus spoke the truth in love. His goal in speaking the truth was not to harm but to help, not to destroy but to heal, not to kill, but to bring to life.  Jesus spoke the truth, even to the point of the cross where He offered His life for ours and gained eternal life for all who trust in Him.  Through faith in Jesus, sinners can be forgiven and have the gift of eternal life.

We sinners cannot hope to be perfect in our speaking to one another. But, God is gracious and will guide us in our care for one another.  Therefore we pray for God’s guidance and in all things trust in Him to direct us.  

What might this look like? When we talk to one another, we shall remember how Jesus has loved us.  We shall speak in love by pointing to Jesus and His saving call to repentance.  We shall speak in love, and when confession or apology is offered, forgive one another from the heart as God in Christ has forgiven us.  We shall speak in love by not simply excusing sins, but removing them by the power of the Gospel.  In this way we grow up in the faith, as each part of the body of Christ does its work.

Let us pray

I thank you Lord for bringing me back to life through faith through the Gospel and enabling me to speak the truth in love.  Grant me courage to care for those in my family and congregation so that relationships can be restored and strengthened.  I ask this in your name, AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Ephesians 4:11-14

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

In raising children, one of the seemly least effective things to do is to assign them a share in household chores.  Children usually don’t want to do chores any more than adults.  They can complain and drag their feet.  It is easy for a parent to think, “Why am I trying to get my kids to do chores?  It would be easier for me to just do them myself!” 

If the only goal is getting a task done, doing it yourself is often much quicker. You know the saying “if you want something done right, you need to do it yourself.” But, in this case, the chore isn’t the goal. The parents’ goal is raising children to be mature, wise, and loving.  The chores are only a teaching tool.  By participating in the work of the household, a child comes to know what it means to be part of a family and community.  A child learns to develop respect for others, their work in the family, and his or her own role and calling.  This is how children learn to actually be a part of a family.

God gave various chores, or callings, in His church.  Not everyone has the same role, but all have a role, because God cares that we grow to be mature, wise, and loving.  In following God’s will and faithfully caring for one another, the will of God is accomplished.  As grow up, we are not easily fooled by satanic temptations and lies.  We support one another and most of all, we recognize that God, as the head of HIs body the church, has placed us all where we need to be for the good of all.

Jesus is the world’s one Savior.  He is the one who could offer the perfect sacrifice that forgives the sins of the world.  Jesus is the one who rose from the dead and now offers eternal life to all people through faith.  Jesus fulfilled His calling, and will come again on the last day as judge of the living and the dead.

In the mean time, God cares for you and is helping you to grow up in the faith through the various callings in His church.  As God gives us opportunities to serve one another in love, God causes us to become mature and grow in wisdom and love.  

Let us pray,

Thank you Lord for patiently caring for me throughout my life and involving me in my place in your body the church. I thank you for the care that you have provided through others in my congregation who teach and care for me.  I ask you to help me likewise to serve others with joy.  In your name I pray,  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Ephesians 4:4-7

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Diversity is a hot topic in secular society today.  Oddly, the topic of unity is largely ignored.  This very passage in Ephesians talks of how there is great diversity in the church, the body of Christ.  However, the foundation of our diversity is our unity.  We are, by God’s design, one body and are brought to life by one Spirit.

We were rescued from the most horrible kind of diversity.  What is that?  Diversity without unity leads to the isolation and brokenness of Sin.  God came to remove our separation from Him.  He did this when Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  Through faith in Jesus, we are one with our heavenly Father.

Where we had nothing but futility and the grave in front of us, Jesus gave us the forgiveness of our sins, the resurrection from the dead and life everlasting.  He also shows us that in our connection to Him, we have connection to one another.  We all have a calling.  Each person’s calling is given according to God’s Will in keeping with the measure of Christ’s gift.  Each gift is given for the common good and serves to unite those who believe in the Lord Jesus.

Therefore, united in the one body of Christ, and made alive by the Holy Spirit we are blessed with the divine gift of unity.  One hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.  God grant us joy as we abide in Him through faith and grant us encouragement as we care for one another in His Love.

Let us Pray

I thank you Lord Jesus for calling me out my isolation in sin into the unity of your church.  Guard all your servants in faith so that they may experience your joy through unity in your church.  Help me to use the gift that you have given to me in a way that is pleasing to you. By your grace, may I be a blessing to my congregation.  In your name I pray, AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Jesus brought peace between God and mankind to the world.  Even though humanity’s hatred poured out upon Him on the cross, to this day, through His church, Jesus still offers forgiveness to all who repent and trust in Him alone. Through His death on the cross Jesus created forgiveness for all nations, all people.

Those who believe in the Lord Jesus are now His people and are raised to His new life through their baptism.  Baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Christians belong to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and are given the Holy Spirit.  Because of this high calling, we are taught to remember how Jesus has treated us, and in like manner have His heart for one another.

When St. Paul was in prison, his greatest wish for his fellow believers is that they would remember Jesus and their high calling.  And how should they do that?  By living in a manner worthy of our calling in Jesus.  Through faith in Jesus our lives will be characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with each other in love and eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Whenever this Christian character is seen among God’s people, there is reason for high praise to God.  For God alone is certainly the cause of this great transformation.  God grant us faith and His Holy Spirit so that in all things the life of Jesus shall be seen in our relationships towards one another and all others.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord Jesus for your forgiveness.  Please strengthen my faith and remind me of my calling when my relationships with others become difficult.  By your strength I was forgiven, and blessed with eternal life.  By your strength, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, these will be see in my life.  I thank you for this great blessing.  In your name I pray, AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Matthew 27:57-61

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

Tomorrow is Saturday, July 31st. While this day may remarkable for many things, it is also the day that the church remembers Joseph of Arimathea, the man who took responsibility for the burial of Jesus’ body after his crucifixion.  What do we know about this man?

Joseph was a man of some means and social standing.  He is called a disciple of Jesus and one who didn’t approve of the council’s action in condemning Jesus to death.  He saw to it that Jesus body was not desecrated.  Since time was short, due to the sabbath, he put Jesus body in his own new tomb and rolled a great stone over the entrance.

Many other stories and traditions surrounding Joseph have been told over the years, but this core of His witness as recorded in the Bible still stands as the most significant.  What is significant about Joseph’s witness?  When all were hiding in fear, Joseph stood up publicly for the Lord and did what was right and proper.  

This is a profound witness for us to commemorate today.  In our would fear still reigns.  And those who would oppose and desecrate the name of Jesus still use intimidation and threats to silence the Gospel.  Today this is called self-censorship.  Yet, God is greater than all threats and will continue to provide faithful servants to point the world to Jesus.

The enemies of Jesus were certainly frightening.  They did manage to orchestrate Jesus’ crucifixion.  But, God used their actions to work out the forgiveness of sins for all who trust in Jesus.  Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross stands as the one salvation for all and is offered to all through faith alone.  

Actually, Joseph’s faithful act of burial endured but for a few days.  But, this wasn’t due to the threats of Jesus’ enemies.  Not at all!  In the end the guards would be scattered and the heavy stone would be cast aside at the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  Jesus enemies, along with sin, death, and devil would themselves be defeated.  

May God grant each of us a bold faith like Joseph of Arimathea.

Let us pray

Lord I thank you for preserving in your Holy Word the faithful actions of your servant Joseph.  Help me to be faithful and bold as I pursue the calling you have given to me.  I ask this in your name.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

John 11:1-4

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Today, June 29, the church remember Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  They are mentioned a few times in relation to Jesus’ ministry.  In fact, it is just a little confusing because, especially the name Mary, is common and sometimes there is a question if all the references are to the same person.  However, in John 11 we have all three noted together, and so today I will use this text for our meditation.

There are a few things that are a little troubling about this text.  First of all, though it seems that this family is special to the Lord, Jesus didn’t seem alarmed when He heard of Lazarus’s serious illness.  Instead, He lingered for two more days where they were.  At last, when they came to their town, Bethany, Lazarus had already died.  They were too late!

Disappointment could not be avoided.  Sorrow was everywhere.  Lazarus was already buried.  Still, Mary and Martha believed in the Lord Jesus.  The disciples who had followed Jesus to Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem, feared what might happen because Jesus had been predicting His death.   So, in the midst of this hopeless situation, God brought a miracle of life.  Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

This miraculous sign was a joy to Mary and Martha, and certainly amazed all the people who came to mourn a death and not witness a resurrection.  But, to others, the challenge of God’s power in Jesus was the last straw.  Jesus’ enemies saw in this miracle the most compelling reason yet to arrest and execute Jesus.

This pattern continues to this day.  Whenever the gifts of God are received in faith, the evil one is enraged.  But we shall not fear.  For the evil one is defeated already through Jesus resurrection and will be utterly defeated at Jesus’ return.  For this reason all that the evil one does (frightening as it often seems) will only serve to further God’s plan of salvation.

This is what we witnessed in Jesus’ ministry. His enemies plans, including Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and death became the centerpiece of our salvation.  Through faith in Jesus our sins are forgiven.  Through the baptism that Jesus commanded, we are made one with Him and His resurrection on the third day.  

We rejoice today, that as God’s baptized children we will stand together with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus at the resurrection.  And we give thanks also today as we remember these fellow believers.  They continued steadfast through great trials and were sustained by their Lord Jesus.  And as they remained faithful, may God also grant us His Grace and faith throughout our lives.  

Let us pray

I thank you Lord Jesus Christ for your faithful love for your saints, and especially for the witness of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  Help me to bear witness to your Gospel in all seasons of my life.  Especially help me to glorify you during times of mourning, for I know that in you is resurrection and eternal life.  

In your Name I pray, AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.