Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Romans 8:27 "And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." In the Lord's Prayer we say “Thy Will Be Done...” We study the Holy Bible to know GOD'S will better. Everybody's heart and mind is an open book to GOD. In addition to studying, we need to pray. And, GOD HELPS us with our prayers! The Holy Ghost prays to GOD for you and me! Even when our emotions are too intense for words. The Holy Ghost has your back. This is a VERY SPECIAL REVELATION!  We don't know what GOD'S plan is, but the Holy Ghost does! And, He works with GOD on our behalf! "And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." The Holy Ghost is our middleman. He helps us to understand and thrive in GOD'S will.

Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." In the Lord's Prayer we say “Thy Will Be Done...” GOD has given us SPECIAL REVELATION in the form of inspired Scripture. The Holy Bible. We study it to know GOD better. So far, this week we have read from the Book of Hebrews. Verses that give personal attributes to the Holy Scriptures. Teaching us that GOD is aware of all people's insincerity, unbelief, and hypocrisy. Everybody's heart and mind are an open book to GOD. We are rightfully afraid to be judged by GOD for our actions. We should also be taken aback that GOD will judge us on our motivations and desires. We need to redouble our efforts to align our hearts and minds to GOD'S will. Not only do we need to study the Holy Bible, we also need to pray. In today's verse, from the book of Romans, we lear...

Hebrews 4:13 "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." The Third Petition, from the Lord's Prayer is “Thy Will Be Done...” How do you know what God's will is? We have natural revelation, which we can discern by looking at the world around us and by looking within ourselves. GOD also gives us SPECIAL REVELATION. This comes to us in the form of inspired Scripture. In the Holy Bible, GOD shares knowledge we can only know if He tells us. For instance, the Trinity and justification by grace through faith in Christ would be impossible to “figure out” on our own. So, we read the Holy Bible. Is what you are doing consistent with the word of God? Check yourself with the Holy Scriptures. Your feelings will tell you one thing and may not be in line with God's plan. Where is God leading you? Where is God leading the church? Yesterday we turned to the Book of Hebrews. A g...

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The Third Petition, from the Lord's Prayer is “Thy Will Be Done...”  God is all knowing and all powerful. All creation is in His hands. Is there anything that happens against His will? Is this petition about what God hopes and dreams about? Or, is this about your heart and mind?  How do you know what God's will is? We have natural revelation, which we can discern by looking at the world around us and by looking within ourselves. Our thinking and logic can experience creation and understand some knowledge about God. BUT! Our good and generous GOD did not leave us with only natural revelation. GOD also gives us SPECIAL REVELATION. This comes to us in the form of inspired Scripture. In the Holy Bible, GOD shares knowledge we can o...

Matthew 6:10 "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." This week we will study “Thy Will Be Done...” The Third Petition, from the Lord's Prayer. Following the request for God’s Kingdom to come, it makes sense that God's will would be done. God is all knowing and all powerful. All creation is in His hands. Is there anything that happens against His will? These are questions that will make your brain hurt. Is this petition about what God hopes and dreams about? Or, is this about our hearts and minds? We usually ask God to bless what we want to do. We dream up some grand ideas and ask God to bless them. Perhaps we need to ask GOD what He wants us to do. Pray to God that we might do His will instead of our own.

2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." “Thy Kingdom Come.” The Second Petition, from the Lord's Prayer,  now is the time. We can open our heart and mind to fall under God's rule today. Don't wait for some future date. Submission to God.  A GREAT GOD who created us and gives us everything. God has withheld nothing from us. Not even His only Son, who died on the cross for you and me. Jesus is absolutely sinlessness. During His incarnation He resisted the many forms of sin and gained the experience of being human. All other people experience the power of sin in their lives. Even though Jesus resisted sin, He suffered the consequences of sin with His sacrifice on the cross. Because God's Son died on the cross for our sins we don't have to. Out of profound gratitude we should use our time and energy to further God's kingdom. Every day we need to strive to be faithfu...

2 Corinthians 5:20 "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." As we are studying the Second Petition, from the Lord's Prayer, “Thy Kingdom Come.” Now is the time. We can open our heart and mind to fall under God's rule today. Don't wait for some future date. Submission to God. We can use our time and energy to further God's kingdom. It needs to be evident to all that Jesus rules our lives. Every day we need to strive to be faithful, obedient, authentic, and effective Christians. Words are good and nice, but it's our actions and the observable qualities of our character that our friends and neighbors KNOW. We want to be effective ambassadors for our King. Like a political ambassador who lives in a foreign land, representing the interests of their home country and boss, Christians represent Jesus and His message to the world. A concept taught to us by the Apostle ...

Matthew 6:13 "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." This week we are studying the Second Petition, “Thy Kingdom Come.” From the Lord's Prayer. This reminds us to focus on the Holy Trinity; the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. “Thy” way not my way. “Kingdom” Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He is our Monarch, our King. In charge of you. You don't get a say in the matter. “Come” for God to be here now! Not later. Rescue us from this sin-filled life. Don't put it off. Now is the time. We can open our heart and mind to fall under God's rule today. Don't wait for some future date. Submission to God. Let God be the pilot and you can be the co-pilot. Each of us has the opportunity for GOD to rule our hearts and minds. We can use our time and energy to further God's kingdom in our lives. It needs to be evident to all that Jesus rules our lives. Every day we need to strive to ...

Matthew 6:12 "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Don't take The Lord's Prayer for granted. Don't say it by rote. Mean it when you say it. This week we are studying the Second Petition, “Thy Kingdom Come.” This reminds us to follow GOD'S way. We want to focus on the Holy Trinity; the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. “Thy” way not my way. “Thy Kingdom...” Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He is our Monarch, our King. A Lord who is dominant over you. In charge of you. You don't get a say in the matter. “...Come” for God to be here now! Not later. Rescue us from this sin-filled life. Don't put it off. Now is the time. We can open our heart and mind to fall under God's rule today. Don't wait for some future date. Submission to God. Let God be the pilot and you can be the co-pilot.

Matthew 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread." The Lord's Prayer is the ultimate guide to how to pray. Don't take this prayer for granted. Don't say it by rote. Mean it when you say it. This week we are studying the Second Petition, “Thy Kingdom Come.” Here the Lord’s Prayer reminds us to follow GOD'S way. We are very often self-centered. We compromise our faith by doing what we want and NOT what God wants. We want to focus on the Holy Trinity; the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. “Thy” way not my way. “Thy Kingdom...” Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He is our Monarch, our King. We love to receive the benefits of a Savior. But, do we really want a KING? Someone who is RULING over us. A Lord who is dominant over you. In charge of you. You don't get a say in the matter. In a kingdom the Lord rules your life. It's not a democracy. It's a monarchy.

Matthew 6:10 "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." The Lord's Prayer is a gift from God. And, the ultimate guide to how to pray. Don't take this prayer for granted. Don't say it by rote. Mean it when you say it. Last week we studied The First Petition, "Hallowed be Thy name." A plea for God’s name to be revered and honored. This week we turn to the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus is teaching the Lord's Prayer to His disciples. In today's verse we read the Second Petition, “Thy Kingdom Come.” Here the Lord’s Prayer reminds us to follow GOD'S way. We are very often self-centered. We compromise our faith, like we studied last week. We focus on "my" will not "THY" will. We are sinners who want to do things our own way. (We even sing songs about doing things "My way!") That's the unholy Trinity… me, myself and I. We want to focus on the Holy Trinity; the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. “Thy...

Matthew 6:9 "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name." We are studying the Lord's Prayer. This prayer is a gift from God. And, the ultimate guide to how to pray. Last week we studied The First Petition, "Hallowed be Thy name." A plea for God’s name to be revered and honored. We want to put God ahead of our GREAT POSSESSIONS. We spend a lot of our time and energy acquiring our GREAT POSSESSIONS. And, most of the time, we do not realize that our GREAT POSSESSIONS are standing in between us and Jesus Christ. The young man in last week's study went away sad that he did not want to put God ahead of his possessions.  We don't want to be like this young man. We want to put God first. Don't take this prayer for granted. Don't say it by rote. Mean it when you say it. This week we turn to the Gospel of Matthew's record of the Lord's Prayer. In today's verse we read the introduction and the First...

Mark 10:22 "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." We pride ourselves on our GREAT POSSESSIONS. We spend a lot of our time and energy acquiring our GREAT POSSESSIONS. And, most of the time, we do not realize that our GREAT POSSESSIONS are standing in between us and Jesus Christ. This young man came to Jesus to ask Him how to get to heaven. When Jesus told him to follow the Ten Commandments, he said he'd done that. Then Jesus told him to sell everything he had and follow Him. Read his response in today's verse. "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." This young man really embodies the spirit of our age. He demonstrated an enthusiasm for FAITH in GOD. But, when faced with what it takes to follow Jesus, he THINKS the price is too high. I believe that a lot of people see the cost of following Jesus and turn away from it, like this young man. Even though the price for not ...

Mark 10:21 "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." This young man came to Jesus to ask Him one question. It looks like this young man treats the Ten Commandments like a checklist. His eyes have not been opened to the more challenging level of there being issues with our hearts and minds. In this public setting where Jesus is teaching, the young man is pointing out to all listening that he is a good man. He is worried about how he looks in the eyes of other people. In today's verse we read that Jesus looked at him and loved him, before responding. It is awesome to learn that we can come to Jesus ignorant and naive, and He will still love us! AND! He invites us all to "...come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

Mark 10:20 "And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth." Oofta! This young man asked Jesus, "...what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" After pointing out that ONLY GOD is good, Jesus points to the Ten Commandments. Jesus came to fulfill the Law. AND! In today's verse we read that this young man thinks he has kept all the commandments! (He has not been following Jesus's teaching. Admittedly, it would have been challenging for just some guy to follow Jesus's teaching at the time.) This young man came to Jesus to ask Him one question. It looks like this young man treats the Ten Commandments like a checklist. His eyes have not been opened to the more challenging level of there being issues with our hearts and minds. In this public setting where Jesus is teaching, the young man is pointing out to all listening that he is a good man. He is worried about how he looks in the eyes of other people...

Mark 10:19 "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother." A young man asks Jesus, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" It's almost like the idea crossed his mind and he blurted it out. It's like he is asking "What about ME?" Jesus responded with a question to get the young man thinking about only GOD being "good." If he had been following Jesus, maybe he would have known that Jesus is GOD!  After pointing out that ONLY GOD is good, what did Jesus turn to next? Today's verse: the Ten Commandments. Jesus did not come to abolish the law. Or, even change the law. Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Jesus lifts and praises the Old Testament. Jesus emphasized His mission and GLORIFIED GOD every chance He could.

Mark 10:18 "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." We are studying The First Petition of the Lord's Prayer, "Hallowed be Thy name." We are in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus is teaching, and a young man runs up to Jesus to ask Him the question, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" It seems almost spontaneous. It's like the idea crossed his mind and he blurted it out. It's like he is asking "What about ME?" In today's verse Jesus responds with a question. It's a way to get the young man thinking. If he had been following Jesus, maybe he would have known that Jesus is GOD!?!?

Mark 10:17 "And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" We are studying the Lord's Prayer. This week we will study The First Petition, "Hallowed be Thy name." A plea for God’s name to be revered and honored. (Something our world NEEDS today.)  To learn a lesson from Jesus on honoring GOD we turn to the Gospel of Mark. At the height of His ministry, Jesus is traveling, teaching every chance He gets. In today's verse, a young man runs up to Jesus to ask Him a question. The young man asked "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" This is not unlike so many people who pop into church or a Bible study and ask a question that's on their mind. It's not that they have been studying and meditating on this subject. It's more like the idea crossed their minds and they blurt it out. It's like asking ...

Luke 11:2 "2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." We are studying prayer. Specifically, the Lord's Prayer. Last week we read from the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus is teaching His disciples The Lord's Prayer. This prayer is the ultimate guide to how to pray. God is the source of everything we have and enjoy. We have so much to be grateful for from GOD. All Praise and All Glory to our Lord and Savior! This week we will study The First Petition, Hallowed be Thy name. A plea for God’s name to be revered and honored. (Something our world NEEDS today.)  The Lord’s Prayer consists of six petitions, which can be categorized into two groups: three “Thy-petitions” (directed towards God’s glory) and three “us-petitions” (directed towards our good). We will be studying each one. Join me in this daily devotional journey. 

Matthew 6:13 "13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Jesus is teaching His disciples The Lord's Prayer. This prayer is the ultimate guide to how to pray. Every living soul needs what this prayer offers. It's part of the reason the Lord's Prayer spans the world. It is said by more people than any other prayer. Everyone needs to know this prayer. Teach your children and anyone who will listen. It becomes a part of who we are! We will always know it, even on our deathbed. Even with dementia, people remember the Lord's Prayer! Pray it frequently! It is soothing to the soul.  Today's verse closes the Lord's Prayer with "...For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." It's the greatest prayer. It's an incredible gift from God! It's also a confession. In it, we admit we need help and come from a lowly position. God ...

Matthew 6:11&12 "11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. First two guiding principles. One, don't show off. Two, do not use vain REPETITIONS. Then Jesus begins giving His Disciples what we now call The Lord's Prayer. This prayer is the ultimate guide to how to pray. Use it as your template. For in depth information on what each statement means, read Luther's Small Chatechism. The link is in yesterday's daily devotional. Today's verses touch on our daily needs, nourishment and forgiveness. Every living soul needs this. It's part of the reason the Lord's Prayer spans the world. It is said by more people than any other prayer. Everyone needs to know this prayer. Teach your children and anyone who will listen. It becomes a part of who we are! We will always know it, even on our deathbed. Even with dementia, people remember the Lord's Prayer! Pray ...

Matthew 6:9&10 "9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. His first lesson is don't show off. In fact, we want to shut ourselves away, free from distractions and external pressures, to focus on communicating with our heavenly Father. Jesus's second lesson, do not use vain REPETITIONS. Do not focus on style over substance, God is looking into our hearts. God is most concerned with what your motivations are. Next, Jesus begins giving His Disciples what we now call The Lord's Prayer. "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." This prayer is the ultimate guide on how to pray. Use it as your template. For in depth information on what each statement means, read Luther's Small C...

Matthew 6:7&8 "7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. His first lesson is don't show off. Your prayers are communication with God. You want to have a heart-to-heart with God. In fact, we want to shut ourselves away, free from distractions and external pressures, to focus on communicating with our heavenly Father. Anytime we mouth words towards God, but we are really trying to impress other people, we are insulting God. Jesus's next lesson on prayer is in today's verses. "But when ye pray, use NOT vain REPETITIONS, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." Theo...

Matthew 6:6 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." We are studying prayer. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. His first lesson is don't show off. Don't make your prayers into a show. Your prayers are communication with God. You want to have a heart-to-heart with God. If you're praying so others around you will hear and have some kind of reaction, then you are not really having an intimate conversation with God. And, whatever reaction you get from other people to your prayers is all the answer you will receive. In today's verse, Jesus teaches the right way to pray. "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is IN SECRET; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Jesus is radical...

Matthew 6:5 "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." This week we begin our study of prayer. We want to become as prayerful as we can! Prayer is featured and encouraged throughout the Holy Scriptures. Yesterday we read in the Psalms where God spoke through His prophets telling people to pray to Him. Clear instructions to call upon the Lord. A promise that He will answer our prayers. And rightly we should GLORIFY GOD! Today we return to the Gospel of Matthew to read Jesus's teaching on Prayer to His disciples. "And when thou prayest, thou shalt NOT be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be SEEN of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Jesus's LESSON is don't show off. Don...

Psalms 50:15 "And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." We were studying the questions that Jesus asked. Last week, we went into Jesus asking if God would spare Him the agony on the cross. And then we heard the answer from heaven! GOD said "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." GOD gave the stamp of approval to Jesus and His mission. This moment is up there with Jesus's Baptism and the Transfiguration! Events like this should inspire us to glorify God in the little ways that we can. Take chances to help spread the Gospel. Work with Jesus in His mission field. Call on the Holy Ghost to inspire us and guide us in our lives. Pray to God. Read and study the Holy Scriptures. Worship in the Lord's house every chance we can. Weekly or more. Share God's love with a world that doesn't love GOD. Even way back in the Psalms, people understood this dynamic of our need to be thankful to GOD. Long befo...

John 12:28 "Father, glorify Thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." Jesus left His throne in heaven to become incarnate and walk among His creations. And, ultimately, He came to be Sacrificed on the Cross. Should He really ask to be spared from this? The question He asked in yesterday's verse. In today's verse we hear the answer from heaven! GOD said "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." In this event we hear, from an eternal perspective. GOD gave the stamp of approval to Jesus and His mission. This moment is up there with Jesus's Baptism and the Transfiguration! There is NOTHING we can do that will come close to this glorious pronouncement from heaven. Still, this needs to inspire us to glorify God in the little ways that we can. Take chances to help spread the Gospel. Work with Jesus in His mission field. Call on the Holy Ghost to inspire us and guide us in our lives....

John 12:27 "Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour." We understand that glorifying God is a little different. Jesus used the example of the grain of wheat being buried and dying to produce the new plant. Jesus also taught that we don't want to be overly careful or anxious, so we fail to live a full and rewarding life. And, Jesus tells us that we need to work beside Him. "where I am, there shall also My servant be:" Helping people come to faith in our Lord and Savior.  Keep all this in mind as we ponder today's verse. "Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour." Jesus left His throne in heaven to become incarnate and walk among His creations. And, ultimately, He came to be Sacrificed on the Cross. Should He really ask to be spared from this? No. Of course not.

John 12:26 "If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour." As we are figuring out what it means to glorify GOD. Jesus talked about the grain of wheat that must be buried. New roots form, then a blade. Which becomes a stalk and a full plant. That will in due time develop a head of seeds that will produce their own plants. In successive generations, the wheat plant multiplies and fills the whole field, providing an abundant harvest!  Then Jesus explained we can "lose" our lives not only in the future, but also in the present. When we value material things over heavenly reality. If we are too anxious and careful, we fail to live a full and rewarding life. We must dare to sprout and grow. Reaching our leaves toward the sun. Growing and maturing, producing our own grains that will be carried by the wind to fertile soil where they can grow. And, if we have any doubt about where our m...

John 12:25 "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." We are asking what it means to glorify GOD. A couple of verses ago Jesus said "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." Jesus is on His way to the cross. Where He is tortured and killed. The death and resurrection is the reason Jesus became incarnate. How is this brutality Glorifying God? Is this what GOD means? In yesterday's verse Jesus talked about the grain of wheat that must be buried. And, the seed itself "dies" so that the new plant may grow. New roots form, then a blade. Which becomes a stalk and a full plant. That will in due time develop a head of seeds that will produce their own plants. In successive generations, the wheat plant multiplies and fills the whole field, providing an abundant harvest! This natural order of reproduction and growth tells us something about life and the way GOD intends ou...

John 12:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." We are asking what it means to glorify GOD. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says it's our whole purpose for being alive! When we look at a modern definition of "GLORY" it says "Great honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent; renown." In yesterday's verse, Jesus said "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." Jesus is on His way to the cross. Where He is tortured and killed. The death and resurrection is the reason Jesus became incarnate. How is this brutality Glorifying God? Is this what GOD means? If we keep reading, in today's verse we get another piece of the puzzle. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." What Jesus is ...