“Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:11-13). Most everyone has all that they need.  Need, not want.  Mind you, we are reminded of those who do not have, but is it need or want?  Besides, if I had no home, no food, no extra clothing, but our Lord was with me, I would have all I need.  Sometimes we are too focused upon things and forget that our Lord delivers us from evil and grants us all that we need.  He redeemed us from the pit ..read more

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’” (Matthew 6:9). Your Father and not some distant figure.  Your father is to be hallowed.  Do you look to the Lord and trust Him?  Do you look to the Lord and revere Him?  His kingdom is in your heart.  He desires to do His will through you.  He wants you to learn to do things here and now as you will do them in heaven.  He has chosen to partner with you in the adventure of making you to be like Christ. Lord ..read more

“But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). The Lord knows you. Not only that, He sees all of your days.  He knows what you will do.  He who knows you offers you an open door to come and talk with Him.  He will lead you.  You cannot pretend and sneak, for He sees and knows.  Come to Him earnestly, no matter the state of your faith, and begin by placing yourself in His hands.  As He has led you, He will lead you alw ..read more

“And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” (Matthew 6:5). Is it show and tell? Or is it talking with the Lord?  When you pray, to whom will you pay attention? Just as it is rude to ignore someone next to you that is trying to talk with you, so it is extremely rude to pray for the sake of being seen and not to truly pray.  Come to the Lord and talk with Him and listen as He answers your prayers Seek the Lor ..read more

Lessons and Suggested Hymns, Easter Sunday – Trinity Sunday, Cycle B March 31 – May 26, 2024   NOTE: LBW – Lutheran Book of Worship (The Green Book) WOV – With One Voice (The Blue Book) LSB – Lutheran Service Book (The Maroon Book) ELW – Evangelical Lutheran Worship (The Cranberry Book)   There are versions of some hymns that are superior in LSB and I recommend using them if possible. Also, there are some superb hymns in LSB that aren’t available in the other hymnals. When I suggest one of the latter, I try to include an alternative from LBW or WOV. I recommend that a license and DVD ..read more

“But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4). It sure seems that sometimes people give for all the wrong reasons.  When you give, seek to be sure it is a good place to which you are giving and then let it go.  Do not be one who meddles in the outcome, but one who gives grace in the same way you have received it.  Our Lord has been overly generous to you.  Be overly generous with others in th ..read more

“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” (Matthew 6:2). When you do what you do to receive the approval of men, you will get what you are after.  This is temporary and fleeting.  The Lord desires for you to do what you do not just for His approval, but because it will make you to become like Christ.  The Lord created you to live a certain way.  When you live that way, you will find the joy that comes ..read more

“Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). Too often, sinful humans play show and tell.  I’ll let you see what I want you to see and believe what I want you to believe.  Jesus is interested in the heart of the matter.  You should do what you do because it is right.  You should do what you do because it is pleasing to the Lord.  Look to the Lord, be led by Him, and walk in His royal law.  In Him is all the goodness and the fulfilment you ..read more

“And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same?  Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:47). The Lord God Almighty is complete in Himself.  He will give us His integrity also.  We are called out of ourselves to live as we have been created to live.  We begin with selfishness, by the example of Christ, He will lead us also to be selfless.  All whom you meet were created in God’s image and have the same potential to be sons and daughters of the Lord ..read more

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same?” (Matthew 5:46) It is not so much that we must be different for our own sake, but that when we learn to love all of our neighbors, we begin to see the world as the Lord does.  Unbelieving sinners, evil men, and most humans love their families and friends.  We are called to be willing to give grace to those who do not deserve it.  Has not the Lord done the same for us?  The reward of giving grace is that you receive grace. As we sow we shall also reap. Lord God, te ..read more