Daily Readings for December 3 - 8

Monday:
Matthew 21:1-9
Matthew 11:25-30

Tuesday:
Genesis 27:30-45
Acts 3:22-26

Wednesday:
Genesis 27:46--28:22
Colossians 1:15-29

Thursday:
Genesis 29:1-30
Hebrews 1:1-4

Friday:
Genesis 29:31--30:24
Hebrews 2:1-4

Saturday:
Romans 15:4–13
Luke 21:25–36

Small Catechism for Memorizing - Advent I (December 2)

The Third Article of the Apostles' Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the X life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

Bible Verse for Memorizing - Advent I (December 2)

"This is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jeremiah 23:6)

Daily Readings for November 26 - December 1

Monday:
Matthew 25:1-13
2 Peter 3:1-18

Tuesday:
Genesis 24:1-24
Isaiah 65:17-25

Wednesday:
Genesis 24:29, 32-38, 42-49, 58-67
1 John 3:1-12

Thursday:
Genesis 25:19-34
1 John 3:19-24

Friday:
Genesis 27:1-29
John 1:35-42

Saturday:
Romans 13:8–14
Matthew 21:1–9

Small Catechism for Memorizing - Last Sunday of the Church Year (November 25)

The Third Article of the Apostles' Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

Bible Verse for Memorizing - Last Sunday of the Church Year (November 25)

"The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." (1 Thessalonians 5:2)

Issues, Etc. Interview

Lutheran radio program Issues, Etc. interviewed me yesterday, and the host, Rev. Todd Wilken, specifically asked me to thank Immanuel for its support of the program the last few years.

You can listen to the interview on-demand at www.issuesetc.org - click "listen online," then go to the archives for Nov. 19, first hour. You can read my reflections on the experience here.

Daily Readings for November 19 - 24

Monday:
Matthew 9:18-26
Matthew 24:29-51

Tuesday:
Genesis 22:1-19
Matthew 22:23-33

Wednesday:
1 Corinthians 15:11-50
Luke 17:11-19

Thursday:
Ezekiel 38:1-23
Hebrews 3:7—4:13

Friday:
Ezekiel 39:1-29
Hebrews 11:8-16

Saturday:
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Matthew 25:1–13

Small Catechism for Memorizing - Trinity XXIV (November 18)

The Second Article of the Creed: What does this mean? I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Bible Verse for Memorizing - Trinity XXIV (November 18)

"[The Lord Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." (Colossians 1:15)

Immanuel to Host Divine Service before 2008 March for Life

The Reporter, Synod's newspaper, has a nice article in anticipation of the 2008 March for Life coming up in January. Immanuel is mentioned as hosting the Divine Service beforehand, and the dinner for participants afterwards. The last few years that I have participated, I have been astonished at the Roman Catholic presence on the Mall, and how sparse the Lutherans are by comparison. How wonderful it would be to get a great turnout For Life!

Daily Readings for November 12 - 17

Monday:
Isaiah 10:5-27
1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Tuesday:
Matthew 22:15-22
Matthew 19:16-30

Wednesday:
Genesis 18:16-33
Luke 14:12-15

Thursday:
Genesis 19:1, 12-29
Mark 13:1-37

Friday:
Genesis 21:1-21
Matthew 25:14-30

Saturday:
Colossians 1:9–14
Matthew 9:18–26

Small Catechism for Memorizing - Trinity XXIII (November 11)

The Second Article of the Creed: And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean? I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Bible Verse for Memorizing - Trinity XXIII (November 11)

"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21)

Daily Readings for November 5 - 10

Monday:
Genesis 15:1-6
Matthew 18:1-22

Tuesday:
Genesis 16:1-16
Mark 9:33-50

Wednesday:
Genesis 17:1-11
Luke 17:20-37

Thursday:
Genesis 17:15-27
Romans 8:24-39

Friday:
Genesis 18:1-15
Mark 12:1-12

Saturday:
Philippians 3:17–21
Matthew 22:15–22

Small Catechism for Memorizing - All Saints' Day/Trinity XXII (November 4)

The First Article of the Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

Bible Verse for Memorizing - All Saints' Day/Trinity XXII (November 4)

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)