Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

Do not worry about when the moment will come. Whether it is at the end of the age or not, because for you who sleep, it will all be at the same moment, and just a moment away after death. Rather than worry about the when, think upon the Whom who is doing this. Look to Him and see that He will accomplish all that has been promised. In Him alone is all goodness.

Lord, this world scrambles to figure things out in a universe that is temporary. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would not live in this world only, but know that the moment will come when I shall be changed and truly be like Christ. Guide me, O Lord, now and always upon this narrow way to live into the life for which You have created and called me. Keep my eyes upon You.

Come, Holy Spirit, and in the power unleashed in this world through Christ, guide me along the upward path moment by moment and day by day until that time I stand before Christ face to face. Help me when I struggle that I would not falter and fail, but that I may learn and grow. In all things, lead me according to Your goodness to see through the false things of this world. Amen.

Prayers for a Time of Turmoil

Galatians 5: 13-26: For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

Let us pray for the Church, our nation and communities, and all people throughout the world according to their need.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, we confess to You our sin. We lay before the Cross of Your dear Son Jesus all our brokenness, anger and anguish. We lay before His wounded hands and feet all our fear and despair, our hatred and suspicion of one another, our insistence upon taking law and punishment, protest and retribution, into our own clenched fists. We lay before His pierced heart all our hardness of heart and wanton self-centeredness. We lay before His thorn-crowned head all our prideful notions, stupid and hurtful words, and evil intentions. We are poor, wretched, sinful creatures. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

We confess that we are slaves to sin, to self-centered, self-righteous, self-indulgent words and actions. We are not slaves to each other, anxiously seeking Your good for our neighbor.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

We confess that in small ways and great, we bite and devour one another: with hateful actions or apathetic refusal to act; with inflammatory words, or refusal to speak Your truth in love.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

We confess that the “works of the flesh” tempt, debase, and destroy our lives and communities, but we are afraid even to name them amongst ourselves lest we offend someone. Yet when we speak and act according to those works of the flesh, we truly offend You and the people you love and long to heal, save and redeem.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

We confess that our lives, communities, public institutions, and cultural habits are desperately in need of repentance, transformation, healing, and renewal through Your Holy Spirit. Where You desire love, there is hatred, suspicion, prejudice, and contempt. Where You intend joy, there is despair. Where You counsel patience, we are reactive and impulsive. Where You desire kindness, there is callousness. Where You ask us to respond to Your goodness and to human need with generosity, we are too often selfish. Where You command faithfulness, we shy away from commitment and loyalty. Where You seek gentleness, we act with harshness. Where You counsel self-control, we “express ourselves” in hurtful, dangerous ways.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

We confess that we deserve from You the very things we have inflicted upon ourselves and one another. But for the sake of your crucified, risen, and ascended Son, who did not refuse the title Friend of sinners, have mercy on us. Pour out Your Spirit upon all of us. Pour out His healing unction, wisdom, purity, and holy love. Pour Your Spirit upon everyone – black, white, brown; male, female, and those who aren’t sure; poor, wealthy, or in-between; progressives, conservatives, independents; Christians, Jews, Muslims, other people of faith, and those who profess none, and upon every other sort and category of person we could imagine. We so desperately need the Spirit’s gentle balm, like oil and wine on our wounded hearts!

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

With humble, hopeful hearts, with empty hands lifted in supplication, we plead: Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit, thrice holy, mighty, immortal God, come speedily, and turn not away from our plight. Enlighten our minds. Purify our wills. Cheer our hearts. Speed our feet and strengthen our hands to serve our neighbors. Open our lips to declare Your praise – and to speak, in word and deed, Your Word of Law and Gospel to people whose hearts are starved and whose lives cry out for You.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.

“Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:49-50).

Do you see what is being said? We are physical bi-pedal creatures. We are being made into heavenly creatures through the grace of God. It is not one or the other, but both. What we will be we do not know, but this we do know, that we will be like Christ. Therefore, focus upon what the Lord is doing in You knowing that He is making something new of You for the age to come.

Lord, I so focus upon this world that I am unable to see beyond what is in front of me. Lead me, O Lord, to see through this that I may live into the life for which You are making me new. Let me see the beauty of both and see that You, who are the author and finisher of my faith, leads me into all godliness. Guide me, O Lord, according to Your grace and mercy that I would become what is pleasing to You.

Lord Jesus, You have always known what You are doing amidst a world that has no clue what is really going on. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would walk humbly wherever You lead me. Help me to see that only in You is there hope and a future. Guide me According to Your goodness to see through the pitfalls of this world that I may become like You. Amen.

Dear Friend in Christ –

“The Last Full Measure” is a 2019 American war drama film that tells the story of William H. Pitsenbarger, a U. S. Air Force Pararescueman who was killed while aiding and defending a unit of soldiers who were being pinned down by enemy assault.  Before his death he helped save over sixty men. 

During a rescue mission on April 11, 1966, Pitts (as he was called) willingly chose to leave the relative safety of the rescue chopper to aid people on the ground when he saw how bad the situation was below.  While others on his team declined to go, Pitts willingly put himself at risk.  After saving many, he was ordered to take an opportunity to escape on the last helicopter out of the combat zone.  But he stayed behind in order to defend and save many American lives, before making the ultimate sacrifice in one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam war.

His being willing to come down into a place of great danger reminds me of how Jesus was willing to leave the halls of Heaven in order to come to earth, even though He knew that He would be despised, rejected, and crucified here.  Jesus was willing to go through hell for us because He did not want to go to Heaven without us.

But there is also a brief moment of dialogue – which is included in the trailer for the movie – which speaks to me of how I have responded when people have asked me, “Why are you – and other people in Lutheran CORE – still fighting for orthodoxy within the Lutheran church today?”  One of the soldiers asked him, “Why are you here?”  Pitts responded, “Because you are here.”  The battle really was not his.  He was a part of the Air Force.  The people being attacked were in the Army.  He could have stayed in the relative safety of the helicopter.  But he willingly came down because of what was happening – because he could offer what was needed.

Many times people have asked me, “Do you really think you can get things to turn around?”  I always reply, “It would take a mighty intervention and work of the power of God to get things to turn around.  But I am here – and I continue to do the work of Lutheran CORE – because people need to be alerted to what is happening.  People need to be warned of how Biblical faith and moral values are being compromised.  And we need to be there for people when they do become aware.”   “Why are you here?” Pitsenbarger was asked.  “Because you are here,” he answered. The rescue work of William H. Pitsenbarger reminds me of the work of Lutheran CORE.

“Why are you here?”  “Because you are here.”  Among our newest efforts is the work that we are doing to develop a support system for orthodox ELCA students at ELCA seminaries.  We have orthodox pastors who are available to talk and pray with orthodox students.  We have a list of orthodox pastors and congregations that are willing to serve as internships sites for orthodox students.  Please pray that the ELCA seminaries will be willing to allow that to happen.  We are developing a list of Biblically and theologically faithful resources – books, newsletters, websites, etc. – to recommend to students.  Members of our board are writing responses to various publications from ReconcilingWorks in order to demonstrate in a clear and compelling way that the LGBTQIA+ agenda is in violation of the clear teaching of Scripture.  We are very grateful for the seminarians who are giving us help and guidance in knowing how we might be able to make connections and build relationships with other students.  Please pray that God will bless these efforts.

Thank you to all who are supporting our partnership with the NEXUS Institute, a program of Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa which is giving high school youth the opportunity to study the Bible and theology, engage in ministry, and consider a church-related vocation.

Your support also enables us to keep on doing the following –

• Provide a system of support for orthodox ELCA pastors

• Offer ministries specifically designed for these days of the COVID-19 pandemic – two new Facebook groups as well as a list of congregations that are livestreaming and/or posting recordings of their worship services

• Through our Congregations in Transition ministry initiative provide (mostly retired) Lutheran pastors who have been trained to be coaches for congregations where the pastor either already has or soon will be retiring or resigning to take another call

• Hold our annual Encuentro – a day of fellowship, inspiration, and resources for pastors, lay leaders, and congregations that are already involved in or are considering becoming involved in Spanish language and/or bi-lingual (English-Spanish) ministry 

• Provide on our website daily devotions and worship resources, including prayers and hymn suggestions

The reason we are able to do all of this work is because of your faithful prayer and financial support.  Please click on the button below to let us know how we can be praying for you.  Your timely gift to Lutheran CORE will help enable us to continue to be a VOICE for Biblical Truth and a NETWORK for Confessing Lutherans.

As a steward with you in the ministry of the Gospel, 

Dennis D. Nelson
Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

Visit our website www.lutherancore.org
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“The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly” (1 Corinthians 15:47-48).

The new creation is for those who will abide eternally with the Lord. Being born in earthly fashion, we are often unable to see things as they truly are. Yet, Christ has come to lead the way from the earthly to the heavenly. It is a matter of following the One through whom all things have their being in order to be lifted up with Him to be as He is. Come, follow the One who makes this possible.

Lord, You know what is needed and have provided that all who believe would not perish, but have everlasting life. Come and guide me as You know I need to be guided that I would abide fully in You. Lead me in my thinking and in all that I do that I would look to You for instruction, guidance, and action. Help me overcome this world by Your grace to be prepared for all that is to come.

Lord Jesus, You lived the human life and then rose from the dead to prepare the way for life everlasting. Lead me in the upward way that I may grow each day in the way of preparation. Help me to not be tempted by the earthly things, but to overcome them for the sake of what is eternal. Guide me O Lord in the way of life that I may now and always humbly walk with You. Amen.

“So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual” (1 Corinthians 15:45-46).

There is a progression and Paul points this out. There needs to be the death of Adam that the new life of one resurrected in Christ may become the new man. In the mystery of faith, what is before us is often not seen by those who have no faith. We do not do what we do to become, but do what we do because we are already becoming through the grace of the One who saves us.

Lord, this world is a mixed up mess and I hear many kinds of things. Help me to see and hear what You reveal that I would not be mixed up, but clear that You are the One who establishes the order of things. Guide me in Your goodness to simply live the life You have given me knowing that In You alone is all hope and that only by Your grace am I able to live into the new life You give.

Lord Jesus, You are the One who has overcome the old Adam and has made possible for us the way and life through Your death and resurrection. Grant that I would live into all that You offer and abide in You and You in me as You have spoken. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go that I would now and always live this new life by Your grace with the hope of eternity with You. Amen.

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

These seemingly simple words relay thoughts so profound that we are barely able to grasp them. We may be guilty of thinking along the lines that this existence is all there is. We may think that it is a single line going forward. Think about the depth and breadth of God, His creation, and the promises He has given You. Know that there is more, much more ahead for His people.

Lord, teach me to walk again that I would walk with You in a new way. Teach me to see again that I would see in a new way. Teach me to think again that I would think differently. Teach me to live as You are preparing me to live. Fill me from the inside out with all that is needed for what is to come. Help me to trust You each step of the way, knowing You are accomplishing all that is needed.

Lord Jesus, You know anxiety. You know all of the difficulties of this age and those things that get in the way of faith. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth, that following You, I would learn and grow in preparation for all that is to come. Guide me to see that You have come, experienced death and the resurrection in order for those who have faith to follow You in the way of truth. Amen.

“There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory” (1 Corinthians 15:40-41).

We like to think that we are able to figure things out. This has accelerated in the so-called age of science. But the mysteries of the Lord are deep and all of eternity is not enough to explore the depths of the Lord. Do not fall into the trap of thinking you know it all, but ponder over the glory you see and marvel at what God has done knowing that you know only a small part.

Lord, return to me the joy of a child that I would marvel at all of these things that are around me. You have created all things uniquely and they should be marveled at, for they are a small reflection of Your glory. Take me back and forward at the same time that I may mature in faith and regain the wonder of a child as I view creation and all that You have done with hope and faith.

Lord, all things have always been in Your hands. Guide me according to Your goodness to see through the nonsense of this age knowing that the mysteries run deep, but deeper still is Your love for those whom You have made. Lead me, Jesus, in the way of salvation that I may live as Your lead, go where You lead. And live in the wonder of all that You are constantly doing. Amen.

“But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish”(1 Corinthians 15:38-39).

Every seed that God creates does what He determines needs to be done. Do not marvel that the Lord does these things. All of creation is a marvel of the mighty work of the Lord. Marvel that God has planted His seed in you that you may become like Christ. Do not worry about what you will become, but focus upon what He has given you, that you may become like Christ in every way.

Lord, lead me in the way I need to go, for You know what You have planted in me. Let me not focus upon what I can do, but upon what You are doing in me. Let me look to You always and not ponder how You do what You do, but marvel that You are always at work in creating the perfect creation of eternity, Lead me away from myself and ever more deeply into You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way for all who come through You into the eternal promises You have given and made possible. Let me not linger over those things I do not yet understand, but help me pour myself into the very reality that is before me. Guide me in the upward way of salvation that I may now and always live into the life which You have set before me. Amen.

“But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else”(1 Corinthians 15:35-36).

Why do you worry about what God does? Who can tell the Lord what to do, let alone how to do it. God raises the dead and in this, He has raised you from the death of sin into the gift of grace which imparts true life. Come therefore and be not dead, but living. Live into the life which you have been given through Christ and live believing, not unbelieving. The seed already in you is always at work.

Lord, help me to not focus upon what is going on in me, but instead upon what You are doing. It is You who breathed Your Spirit in me and You who gives all life. Lead me in the way You show that I may walk humbly as Your creation. Let me not worry about death and life, but instead see that You have taken what needed to die and raised it to be what You have always intended.

Lord Jesus, Your act upon the cross is all that is needed. You, the Author and Finisher of faith have already done all that needs to be done. Guide me, Lord, in the way of salvation for I do not know the way, but You do. Keep my eyes upon You that I may not fall away, wander, or perish. Keep me close to You and teach me to hold You close to me. Empower me in all I do that it may be You who is at work in me. Amen.