Photo by Jenny Ellison
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
Proverbs 19:11
* * * * *
Keeping a cool head
in the heat of conflict
Turning the other cheek
when wronged
Lord, grant me such
wisdom today
to weigh my words
before I speak
to love
even as I am loved
by You.
Photos by Laura Jostes
“O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is your name in all the earth.”
You have set your glory above the heavens.”
* * * * *
“When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the
heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.”
* * * * *
“You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the sea.”
* * * * *
“O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name
in all the earth!”
Psalm 8:1,3-9
* * * * *
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
Hebrews 2:9
* * * * *
Lord God, Thank You for the Holy Spirit inspired words of the Psalmist who looked about him–at the star studded skies at night, the sheep studded fields by day–and recognized that all was created by Your Hand. Through eyes of faith may we also see your wonderful creation and give you thanks and praise. Thank You for the miracle of creating in us new hearts through the suffering and death of Your Son. Grant that we may be faithful stewards of all Your good gifts to us this day. For Jesus’ sake we pray, Amen.
Photo by Laura Jostes
Exodus 34:1-35:9; Matthew 27:15-31; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6
“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets in his hand as he came down the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking to God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses and behold, the skin of his face shone and they were afraid to come near him.
But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. Afterward, all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.
And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.”
Exodus 34:29-33
* * * * *
“But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
* * * * *
A holy glow shone on Moses’ face
not because He was holy–
he was a sinner just like us–
but because he had been in
the presence of our Holy God.
It’s hard to look–impossible to look–
into the face of God
when we stand before him
covered in sin.
He can’t bear to look at us!
* * * * *
That’s why He sent His Son,
the glory of God
wrapped in human flesh
that we might look upon Him
and see the face of God–
Jesus.
* * * * *
In Him we see and hear
Almighty God.
And by Christ’s death on the Cross
he wins for us
righteousness
which now covers us
by faith.
* * ** *
Photo by Laura Jostes
The Father now turns
His face to us.
His love shines on us
and one day we will behold Him
face to face
and bask in His Glory.
Lord God, we thank and praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ who lived a perfect life and who willingly became the sacrifice for the sins of the world on the Cross. By doing so, He removed the veil of sin and guilt from our lives. Through faith in Jesus we have hope of seeing You face to face one day in Heaven. And while we wait, we are able to come before you in prayer and you do not turn your face away. You come to us in Word and Sacrament to give us forgiveness of sins and to let Your love shine upon us. By the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, may our faces shine, remembering all that You have done for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”
Psalm 33:18
Judges 6:1-40; Luke 22:54-23:14; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 14:5-6
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our Salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.”
Photo by Laura Jostes
“For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker,
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.”
Photo by Laura Jostes
“For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
Splendor and majesty are before him,
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.”
Photo by Laura Jostes
“Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.”
Psalm 95 and 96, selected verses
Lord God, when our eyes see the breathtaking beauty of Spring’s treasures may we be reminded of the splendor and majesty that surrounds you–the splendor and majesty that IS you–King of Kings and Lord of Lords. What can compare to your glory? You who takes the ashes of our lives and turns them into sparkling white reflections of your life in us through faith. As we rejoice in the newness of life that we see in the physical world, let us rejoice in the new life Jesus won for us on the Cross. Let your name be praised! Amen!
Image by Kevin Carden
Joshua 22:21-23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89; Proverbs 13:17-19
“I will sing of the Lord’s great love
forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness
known through all generations.
I will declare that your love
stands firm forever,
that you established your faithfulness
in heaven itself.
Righteousness and justice are
the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are those who have learned
to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your
presence, O Lord.
They rejoice in your name all day long;
they exult in your righteousness.
For you are their glory and strength.
Once you spoke in a vision,
to your faithful people you said:
“I have bestowed strength on
a warrior;
I have exalted a young man from
among the people.
My hand will sustain him,
surely my arm will strengthen him.
He will call out to me, ‘You are
my Father,
my God, the Rock my Savior.’
I will also appoint him my firstborn,
the most exalted of the kings
of the earth.
I will maintain my love to him forever,
and my covenant with him will
never fail.
I will establish his line forever,
his throne as long as the
heavens endure.”
Selected verse from Psalm 89
O Most Holy God, we have celebrated the greatest battle defeat of all time–once and for all Christ took the power away from sin, death and Satan over our lives. His resurrection from the dead opened Heaven’s door for all who believe on His name. We rejoice in His victory and give you all glory, thanks and praise! Thank you for this Calvary Love which sustains us in our weakness and gives us strength to live for you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Easter triumph, Easter joy!
This alone can sin destroy;
From sins’ power, Lord, set us free,
Newborn souls in you to be.
Alleluia!
Daniel 2:24-3:30; 1 Peter 4:7-5:14; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 28:15-16
“The king asked Daniel, “Are you able to tell me about what I saw in my dream
and interpret it?”
Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain
to the king the mystery he has asked about,
but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.
He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come…
As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me,
not because I have greater wisdom than other living men,
but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation.”
Daniel 2:27-28, 30
Lord God, you still choose to spread the Good News through people like us, like Daniel. By your goodness and grace you enable us to excel using gifts you have given to us. Like J. S. Bach, who ended each music masterpiece with “To God Be The Glory!” may we end our work this day with the same. May all we say and do reflect you. Not me–always you! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
“Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
You established the earth and it endures.
Your laws endure to the day,
for all things serve you.”
Psalm 119:90-91
Photo credit: Dawn Lamper
Image by Sherman Jackson
Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12
Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be feared above all gods.
5 The gods of other nations are mere idols,
but the Lord made the heavens!
6 Honor and majesty surround him;
strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.
7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;
recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him.
10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
He will judge all peoples fairly.
11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise
13 before the Lord, for he is coming!
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with his truth.
Psalm 96
Lord God, it’s the end of another work week for many and the start of a weekend. Grant that we be ever mindful that you are Lord of our days. May we sing your praise! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Photo by Brandon Doss
Isaiah 19:1-21:17; Galatians 2:1-16; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 23:13-14
Nose to nose with the enemy,
getting pushed and tossed around.
I call for help and watch
and listen.
My Strength responds with active voice,
“Be gone” and “leave her be.”
For I am His; sealed with love
and spirit-born,
hidden safe within.
Gnash and snarl and slink
around,
but me, you cannot have.
I am the daughter of the King.
You have no claim on me.
My Savior’s got my blind side.
He’s moved death’s line to life.
This side of Heaven He’s got my back.
He’ll never let me down.
Thank and praise you, Lord of Lords.
Your love takes hold of me.
Mercy and compassion
lift me up.
Glory, glory be!
Oh Lord, on this day of rest, I worship and adore you! For you alone are worthy of praise. You alone are the Lord. You alone are the Holy One. You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ! My Rescuer, my Hiding Place. In Your name I pray, Amen.
“Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me. O my Strength, I watch for you; O God you are my fortress, my loving God. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God!” Psalm 59: 1,9,17
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