THE LORD'S PLAN

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good & not for evil, to give you a future & a hope.” The Living Bible

THE PROBLEM OF DEATH

"The 'problem of death' becomes a great opportunity to confess Jesus & to show one's loved ones how to die in Christ & live in the certainty of a resurrection just like His." Rev. Matt Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, Sept. 2021

ALUTHORITY

"It is no wonder that there are so many pitfalls in the exercising of authority:  he who wields authority wields a God-given weapon, & he must constantly be on guard lest he misuse it for selfish ends.  Authority must never be exercised in an arbitrary, unreasonable manner." J.H. Waterink, Men's Devotional Bible

THE FESTIVAL OF ASCENSION *

* We celebrated Ascension on May 26.

"The Festival of the Ascension bears testimony to the fact that Jesus was truly raised from the dead. Death is forever behind Him. The crucified & risen Christ Jesus is now received into the Father's presence. Jesus alone is enthroned. Satan is cast out of heaven, never again to accuse us before God the Father (Rev. 12:10).

"We live in the age between the Lord's ascension & His return in glory on the Last Day. During this time, Jesus is hidden from our physical sight, but He is not absent. The Lord's promise of His continuing presence concludes the Gospel according to St. Matthew:  'Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age' (Matt. 28:20). Jesus is ascended, but He is still present. He is with us in His Word, in His Baptism & in His body & blood. He has 'ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things' (Eph. 4:10). Jesus is still Immanuel--'God with us' (Matt. 1:23). 'God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet' (Ps. 47:5). Even so, 'come Lord Jesus'" (Rev. 22:20)!

A PRAYER FOR PENTECOST *

* This coming Sunday is celebrated as Pentecost.

"Holy Spirit, who on that first Pentecost established the Christian Church by Your outpouring upon the disciples in Jerusalem, I thank You that through Word & Sacrament You have continued Your Church through the ages & preserved the fellowship of the faithful throughout the years. Grant me so firm a faith in the Redeemer & so steadfast a faithfulness in Your means of grace, that through our generations You might build Your Church among the children of men. Protect us from all falsehood & error. Heal all controversy, dissension, & schism, & foster God--pleasing unity among all Christian people. Grant to me the grace to be loyal to Your Word, resisting all efforts to set aside Your revealed truth. Remove the indifference of our hearts, & make for Yourself zealous workers for Your Church, that many souls may be added to Christ's kingdom through our confession Give to both the young & the old Your grace, that through our words & deeds we may faithfully bear witness to the Lover of our souls, & on His account, the glorious hope that lives within us; in Jesus' name. Amen." Lutheran Book of Prayer

A PENTECOST HYMN

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest (LSB #499, St. 1

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, And make our hearts Your place of rest; Come with Your grace & heav'nly aid, And fill the hearts which You have made.