“God is the God of the humble, the miserable, the afflicted, the oppressed, the desperate, and of those who have been brought down to nothing at all. And it is the nature of God to exalt the humble, to feed the hungry, to enlighten the blind, to comfort the miserable and afflicted, to justify sinners, to give life to the dead, and to save those who are desperate and damned.”

[Martin Luther, Lectures on Galatians (1553), American Edition LW, 26:314

It is important that we remain strong in Christ, depending upon the gifts Christ gives in the Divine Service, to be instructed, comforted, absolved, fed, and strengthened in the fellowship of the Church to remain strong amid the culture-political, as well as the dark spiritual enticements, pressures, and attacks the Church in the world increasingly endures in these latter days of the old creation. Ponder and pray upon these biblical passages as you consider how the Lord Himself is with you and bestows upon you all that you need in what He provides for body and soul. Christ has already won the victory over sin, death, and the devil!

Jude 3 —  Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

I Peter 3:13-17 — Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

James 5:7-11 – Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Hebrews 10:30-39  — For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For,“Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;
38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

I Timothy 6:17-19 — As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 – As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Colossians 3:1-4 – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Philippians 4:6-7 – …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:27-30 – 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Romans 1:16-17 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Acts 2:42 – And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship in the breaking of the bread and in the prayers.

“The Book of Concord should be in every Lutheran home. If a person isn’t familiar with this book, he’ll think, ‘That old book is just for pastors. I don’t have to preach. After working all day, I can’t sit down and study in the evening. If I read my morning and evening devotions, that’s enough.’ No, that is not enough! The Lord doesn’t want us to remain children, blown to and fro by every wind of doctrine; instead of that, He wants us to grow in knowledge so that we can teach others.”

Walther, Essays for the Church vol. 2, 51

If you would like to order a copy of The Book of Concord for your study and growth go to CPH and order here (various sizes and cover types available at different price points).

This year at Trinity we are trying a different schedule for midweek services. We will be having morning services instead of evening services as we had in the past. Please note and join us:

Ash Wednesday Divine Service with voluntary imposition of ashes & the Lord’s Supper

February 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM

Midweek Lenten Matins Service – sermon series – “The Passion of the Christ According to St. Luke”

Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at 11:00 AM.

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service – 4:00 PM

Christmas Day Divine Service – 9:00 AM

Our midweek Advent schedule for this year will be”

Simple Supper at 5:30 PM

Vespers at 6:00 PM

November 30; December 7, 14, 21

Perhaps you say, I have listened to the Word enough. I have gone to church. But it seems all the more hopeless. I find so many omissions in precisely the questions about all this that I ought to do for all the multitudes who are in distress, sick, and old in my closest surroundings, isolated and forgotten and awkward family members—not to speak of the millions out there in the world who I have only bothered thinking about once. How many hundreds of times have I gone past my Lord Christ without seeing Him or once concerning myself to ask whether He was hiding in all this distress? Then the Word answers: Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. He knows all there is. This is why He died for you. You do not receive God’s forgiveness through frequent and large payments. You receive forgiveness for the sake of Jesus, completely and wholly. Believe in Him and you will be saved.”

[Bo Giertz, a sainted bishop of Lutheran Church in Sweden, “A Year of Grace, v. 2,” p. 176 (1517 Publishing)]

Join us for Thanksgiving Eve Vespers – Wednesday, November 23rd at 6:30 PM.