“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin” (1 Peter 4:1).

How far will you go to follow Christ?  There are some who will fall away at the first sign of adversity.  There are some who will go a short distance.  But you, how far will you go?  The Lord gave His all and if we are to reach the prize, eventually we too will have to give our all.  Come then and live into the faith which has been given you through Christ our Savior.  He will lead you to become sinless.

Lord, this journey of faith is hard.  I am tempted to step off of the path and walk in a different way.  But Lord, You have given me the words of eternal life, where else can I go?  I need Your help to walk this life of faith which You have given me.  Guide me dear Lord so that I may now and always walk the narrow road that You have set before me.  Lead me in the upward way of righteousness.

Dear Lord Jesus, You gave Your life as a ransom for us all.  You suffered for us all.  Should I complain if I suffer a bit for you?  Guide me in the journey of faith so that I do not consider any cost, but the privilege that comes from a wicked world upon those who walk the way of righteousness.  Help me now and always to learn from You and walk the way You would have me walk.  Amen.

“[W]ho has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Peter 3:22).

Only He who descends can ascend.  The Lord has come so that all who join in and through Him may join with Him in a resurrection like His.  All authority in heaven and upon earth belong to Jesus.  Do you see who it is that has come enabling you to have the abundant and eternal life?  This same Lord has called you by name in order that you may be where He is.  Join with Him and live true life.

Lord, You know the struggle of living in this age.  There are those all around me – and sometimes it is me – who fight against the godliness You have established.  Lead me, O Lord, to be grounded in You knowing that all authority is Yours.  You have descended that we may ascend.  You are the way to joining in eternity and live the life we were meant to live.

Lord Jesus, You have told us that You are the way, truth, and life.  Guide me always to see You more clearly each day and follow as You lead.  The world may tug at me, but Your promises are always before me.  Lead me in the promise of the salvation You have given in order that I may humbly walk with You, my Lord and Master, all the days of my life, living into the eternal life You have given me.  Amen.

“[A]nd this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.  It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21)

The pledge of a clear conscience: this is what we are striving for in the salvation which is ours in Christ.  Are you paying attention to what you are doing?  Do you have a clear conscience?  We all make mistakes and do things we later regret.  The cleansing we are receiving is from the inside out.  Are you in the promised cleansing of our Lord?  Are you walking with Him now and always? Do you hear and obey when He says, “go and sin no more”?

Lord, I do defend, refute, and pretend that all is well inside when it is not.  Guide me out of this darkness and into the light where I am truly working for all that is right and good.  You know me better than I know myself.  Help me come to the place where I have a clear conscience.  Help me live as You would have me live.  Guide me in Your goodness to be honest with myself and others.

Dear Lord Jesus, sometimes I think I am starting all over again in the faith.  You have led me thus far and I am still in Your promise.  Help me to see the benefit of doing good so that by bedtime I may have a clear conscience and sleep the sleep of the just.  In Your goodness, lift me up so that I do things that are good simply because they are good.  When I fail, help me to be quick to confess and repent.  In all things, keep my focus on You.  Amen.

“[T]o those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water” (1 Peter 3:20)

Always, the Lord has made a plan for those who were called beyond the wickedness of this age.  For Noah and for all the righteous throughout the ages, the Lord has given grace and mercy.  You think in terms of time, but God is beyond all time and regardless the time, sees you doing what you do.  He calls to all, that those who hear His voice might repent and turn to His grace and mercy and see true life.

Lord, I have chased after things that do not matter and have not paid attention to the things that do matter.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life so that I would now and forever look to You, the author and finisher of my faith.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy in order that I, like Noah, would be kept on an ark through the rough waters of this age.  Do not drown me with the wicked but grant life in and through Christ my Savior.

Lord Jesus, in every generation, You have been there to call out those who have ears to hear and eyes to see.  You are the Savior of all who journey to the Father in hope.  Do not let me fall off the path You have set that through all that comes I may live into the life You have given me through grace.  Keep guiding me and help me to see on those cloudy days that dim my view.

Holy Spirit, You are in me and leading me always.  Do not let my ears grow dim, or my willingness grow slack.  Help me take each step that comes so that I may journey as You would have me journey in this way I call faith.  Help me to have the stamina and courage to face each day, that by Your leading, I may overcome all the obstacles that stand in the way of living this life of faith which You have breathed into me.  Amen.

“After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits” (1 Peter 3:19)

In the mystery, of which we can only speculate, Jesus died once for all in order that all who believe, even those who believed before His appearing, would live into the eternal life He promises.  The Holy Spirit did not just appear on the day of Pentecost, but is eternal as the Father and Son are eternal, one God, now and forever.  The Lord has always been calling to Himself those who would come in faith that His grace would save.

Lord, I have been imprisoned by sin and death.  You have answered the prayers of all who cried out to You.  You hear and have saved as many as believe.  That is a great mystery beyond my ability to comprehend.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I would forever look to You, my Lord and God, as the One who truly is leading me in the way of righteousness.

Whether I have known it or not, You have been with us from the beginning, Holy Spirit.  Guide me always in the way of life everlasting in order that I would walk whatever path You set before me.  Help me to see more clearly each day the life You have promised.  Thank You for making the mysteries known to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, that Your kingdom would be of every tribe, tongue, and nation.  Amen.

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).

All of what you experience, is it perhaps that you might have the opportunity to come to God?  We know just enough to think that we know.  The most intelligent humans know nothing compared to the omniscience of God.  But we know that He desires that you come to Him.  He desires that you abide with Him and become what He is making of you.  Come then in faith and live into the life which is yours in Christ.

Christ indeed has accomplished what we could not.  He gave us His righteousness and He took our unrighteousness.  All of this so that the sin in you might be put to death in order that His life in you could live eternally.  Come then and live into the life which is yours in Christ and know that in His goodness and mercy you are a part of His eternal and glorious plan.  He has made you alive in Christ.

Lord Jesus, In You and You alone do I have hope and a future.  Guide me in the goodness of Your mercy and grace so that I would forever hold fast to what You have made possible – life in and through You.  Now and always, Lord Jesus, may I look to You as the One who leads me on the righteous journey You have set before me.  Bring me into Your eternal realm to abide with You forever.  Amen.

“For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17).

Those who follow the Lord are never to repay evil with evil.  Our Lord taught us to repay evil with good.  Putting on Christ is not just a slogan, but a spiritual reality.  With Christ leading, the Holy Spirit speaking, and the goal of pleasing the Father present, one begins to understand the Christian life. Walk with the Lord through the evil of this age that You may join Him forever.

Lord, everything is Your will.  There is nothing that passes by You without Your notice.  You have given the promise that everything has purpose in You.  Help me to understand this and in times of difficulty, guide me into the goodness of Your grace and mercy.  Lead me, O Lord, and teach me to humbly follow.  Speak to me, Lord, through Your preachers and teachers that I may understand all that You are asking me to do.

Lord Jesus, You modeled how to do this as You headed to Your own crucifixion.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life.  Guide me according to Your grace and mercy so that I would do good and not evil.  Help me to see how You handled situations and to imitate You in my reaction to the evil which presses in against me.  Lead me, Lord Jesus, in the way of life.  Amen.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

This is a powerful and difficult directive.  Yes, we are to worship the Lord and no other.  We are to have our hearts pointed to Him.  So also, the world will continue to slander us, but we are to guard our behavior so that we do not react badly to these things.  When the malicious lies come – and they will – do not overreact to them but look to the Lord who gave His life for you so that you may live.

Lord, You have made eternal life possible for a sinner like me.  Not only that, but You have set before me the promise of becoming like You.  Lead me on the journey of becoming in order that I would now and forever follow where You lead.  According to Your purpose, help me to walk through these difficult times where there are people who follow their father, the devil, and hate us, making it difficult for those who believe.

Lord Jesus, You know the territory well.  Both the place where You are taking us and this age and its difficult path.  You must lead Lord and I must follow.  Help me now and always to look to You and follow Your lead.  According to Your promises, help me when I am grieved by the wicked and malicious people of this age so that I do not lose heart, or fall away.  Amen.

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened” (1 Peter 3:13-14).

When you stand up for truth, it will cost.  The world is filled with those who want what they want and they will act in wickedness to try and get it.  We are tempted to look the other way to maintain peace, but that is no peace.  Do not be led by the world or its evil, but by the Lord and His goodness.  You are blessed when the world reviles you because of the One who saves you.

Lord, it is so hard when all you want is for us to get along with You and others.  Lead me, Lord, in order that I may worship You and truly have You in the top position in my life.  Even if that means that I suffer because of it, guide me to do the right and godly thing.  Lead me so that I would forever hold fast to Your Word of truth.  Lead me and help me to never fear, for You are always with me.

Lord Jesus, You walked the way of suffering so that all who come to You for Your salvation would be assured in the hope that only You can give.  Guide me this day and help me to forever hold fast to Your goodness and mercy.  The world threatens; You give hope and promises.  The world hates; You love.  The world is temporary; You are forever.  Help me to trust in You always.  Amen.

Dear Friends:

One of the most enjoyable parts of my work as executive director of Lutheran CORE is the group of young adults that I meet with via zoom once a month.  One of them, Ethan Zimmerman, has just begun his seminary studies at the North American Lutheran Seminary (NALS) and Trinity School of Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.  He writes –

“My first week in seminary has been exactly what I hoped for and more! The professors are all

filled with genuine faith and have a desire to rightly teach orthodox Christianity, which is in stark contrast to the time spent at my undergrad, where the religion professors approached the classes with a cold and scientific outlook, using various critical methods to teach. The other students are also genuine, orthodox Christians, with similar interests and temperaments, which has made it easy to make friends. Trinity School for Ministry is filled with amazing people who love God, and if the rest of my time here is as great as the first week, then seminary will be one of the best times of my life!”

Two others in our group also are planning on enrolling in the North American Lutheran Seminary after graduating from college.  I told them, as Ethan was sharing his experiences starting seminary, that I was reliving my own days starting seminary fifty-three years ago.  How much I would love to be able to enroll once again in seminary and learn many things I did not learn the first time.

Thank you for your faithful prayer and financial support of the work of Lutheran CORE, including your gifts to our Pastoral Formation Fund, so that we are able to provide financial assistance for these outstanding young people who are preparing to be pastors.

As I am contacted by many churches who are unable to find an orthodox pastor, and as I watched the recent ELCA Churchwide Assembly and heard many people speak at the microphone that I would never want to have as my pastor, I am convinced even more of the importance of the work of Lutheran CORE.  Because of you we are able to –

• Resume our in person Spanish language and bi-lingual ministries Encuentro, which had to be cancelled twice because of the pandemic.

• Through our Congregations in Transitions ministry initiative provide assistance, guidance, and support for now a total of twenty-four congregations that are between pastors, will soon be losing their pastor, and/or are not able to find or afford a pastor.

• Alert the faithful within the ELCA to actions taken by the recent Churchwide Assembly, including the motion to authorize revisions to the 2009 social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” and to explore a “reconsideration of the four stated positions of ‘bound conscience.’”  This is nothing less than a blatant, complete breach of trust and the next step in the ELCA’s rapidly and intentionally becoming a “church body” that will have no place for those who hold traditional views.  We will certainly continue to monitor the situation leading up to the ELCA’s next triennial churchwide assembly.    

A couple years ago – because of your generosity – Lutheran CORE was able to make a contribution of $15,000 towards the NEXUS program of Grand View University.  This outstanding ministry provides a week of Bible study, theological reflection, fellowship, service, and vocational discernment for high schoolers, challenging them to consider attending seminary and/or pursuing some other form of Christian service. 

Lutheran CORE would like to be able to make another gift of that same size in support of NEXUS in 2023.  Please find below a link to a flier which contains testimonies from some of the high school participants and college-aged mentors in past years, as well as a description of the way in which the leadership would like to be able to expand NEXUS through a retreat for past participants and mentors. 

Please also find below a link to a form which you can use to designate a gift either for our regular operating expenses or to help us reach our goal of financial support for NEXUS during 2023.  Any donations not designated will be given to the fund for our regular operating expenses.  Please also let us know how we can be praying for you and for your prayer concerns.

I am reminded of how the apostle Paul wrote to his young friend Timothy, “What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well” (2 Timothy 2: 2).  Thank you for helping us be a Voice for Biblical Truth and a Network for Confessing Lutherans today, and to raise up pastors and other church leaders for tomorrow.

In Christ,   

Dennis D. Nelson

Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

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