TODAY'S VERSES FROM PSALMS

"May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, 'With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?' 

"'Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,' says the Lord; 'I will place him in the safety for which he longs.' The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." (Ps. 12:3-6) 

A DEFEATED ENEMY

"Jesus did little preaching or teaching about death. He didn't see death as a roadblock to our relationship with God. Jesus emphasized life & its fulfillment. His own death was overcome by His victorious resurrection. Jesus didn't say much about what happened to people after they died, but He promised everlasting life to all who believed in Him." Philip Williams, Men's Devotional Bible

WHEN DOES ETERNAL LIFE BEGIN?

Your eternal life does not begin when your earthly body fails & is laid into the grave; it begins in the waters of Holy Baptism. There you were tied to the death of Christ; in Christ, you died. And because you were united to His resurrection, you also have been raised to life (Rom. 6:3-5). For those baptized into Christ Jesus, you already live an eternal life, a blessed existence with Christ (Col. 3:1-3). Indeed, you await the final & complete fulfillment of this eternal life; to reach that fulfillment, either Christ will return or you will pass through the vale of death. But your eternal life has already begun, & even here & now, your eternal life centers on Christ & Him crucified for the sins of the world." Roy Askins, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

TODAY'S PRAYER

"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; & though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children & provide for all our needs of body & soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, & serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church bulletin

A LENTEN HYMN

Christ, the Life of All the Living, LSB #420, sts. 3-4

Thou has borne the smiting only That my wounds might all be whole; Thou hast suffered, sad & lonely, Rest to give the weary soul; Yea, the curse of God enduring, Blessing unto me securing. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus unto Thee.

Heartless scoffers did surround Thee, Treating Thee with shameful scorn And with piercing thorns they crowned Thee. All disgrace Thou, Lord, hast borne, That as Thine Thou mightest own me And with heav'nly glory crown me. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus unto Thee.