“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful” (Matthew 28:16-17).

There are always doubts.  We each have our way of being confronted by truth and we are not sure what to do with it.  The truth sometimes feels either too awful or too good to be true, but truth is truth.  Go where the Lord directs and, from the story of the disciples, you will see truth revealed more and more such that your unbelief goes away.  The Lord promises to lead us into all truth.

Lord, help my doubts and fears so that I am not rendered useless.  Life is to be lived, and in the living, I discover more about this gift of life which You have given me.  Guide me so that I seek the truth that You will reveal as I journey on the path of faith.  You have given me the gift of faith.  Help me to walk by that faith, and not by the ways of this world, so that I may become ever more like Christ.

Lord Jesus, You give clear instructions for steps of the journey of faith.  The faith You give requires that I step out and go where You send me.  Help me, I pray, to live by faith, trusting You each step of the way.  Guide me into all truth, for You are the way, truth, and life.  Lead me so that I endure through all doubts, doing what You give me to do, and help me now and always to trust Your word above any words of this world.  Lead me in faith, dear Savior, and help me finish the course You have set before me.  Amen.

“And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”  And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day” (Matthew 28:14-15).

The false story still goes forward.  Sinners prefer the lie over the truth.  If Jesus was raised from the dead, then what we hold onto in this world is false.  If He was not raised from the dead, then we die in our sin.  Everything else falls on one side or the other of this simple dividing line.  We all must make our choice as to what we will believe.  It is either this world’s lies, or else the hope that because Christ lives, we too shall live.

Lord, the equation is very simple.  You have been speaking over the ages through Your word of salvation.  Salvation is before all.  You took our iniquities and buried them in Your death.  But death cannot contain You.  You rose and gave us the promise that if we are united with You, we shall be raised with You.  Help me make the right choices and walk on the side of what is true.

Lord Jesus, the lies continue in our time.  There are lies all around me.  Help me to see truth.  Guide me in the way of hope.  Teach me to take Your hand of grace and follow You wherever You lead.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, for You have spoken the words of truth and have demonstrated them with the resurrection.  You live and because You live, I am filled with hope, not for this world, but for eternity.  Guide me into all truth.  Amen.

“And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep’” (Matthew 28:12-13).

Liars lie.  Those who have what they think is power will lie, cheat, and steal to retain their power.  There are those whose god is money.  They will take money and do whatever is requested for a few coins in their pocket.  And so the story which still moves forward to our day, is that somehow Jesus being raised from the dead is a hoax.  They sell the lie that these feeble disciples were able to overcome the authorities and make this up.

Lord, the truth always has that little something that reminds us that it is the truth.  The message of the resurrection has gone out into the whole world and nothing has stopped it.  Through faith, You have resurrected me to see and believe.  Help me to not focus upon what the world does, but to continue to look to You, through whom all worlds exist and continue a life which believes in and prepares for eternity.

Lord Jesus, what You encountered in this faithless world continues.  It hammers at me all the time.  Help me to shed myself of the unbelief that surrounds me, the false gods that tug at me, and live into the life You have set before me.  Guide me, Jesus, in the way and truth of eternal life and help me so that nothing gets in the way of living the faith You have planted in my heart.  Lead me through all of the lies and liars that I meet in this world to hold fast to the faith You have given me.  Amen. 

September 2025

“O Jerusalem, I have posted guardians on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually.”  (Isaiah 62: 6)

Dear Friends:

I am very grateful for all the people who are praying regularly for Lutheran CORE and for our work of alerting people to what is happening in the ELCA.  You are like the guardians in Isaiah 62: 6, who pray continually.

I am also very grateful for all the words of encouragement, support, and appreciation which I have received in response to my recent Review and Analysis of the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.  As I said, it was bad, but it could have been worse.  And I believe the 2028 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be worse.

Here are some of the responses I have received, which I experienced as uplifting and sustaining.

• “Thanks for the Summary and Analysis of the CWA.  It was great, and yet troubling.”
• “Thank you for sharing your detailed review and firsthand account of the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.  I truly valued your insights, especially since my experience attending online was no    substitute for being present in the room.  Your reflections captured dimensions and moods that simply don’t come through the virtual platform.”
• “Thank you for your articulate, insightful & spot-on eyewitness account of CWA ’25.”  
• “Thank you for the long and interesting report from the ELCA national gathering.  You went so we didn’t have to.”

Those who are determined to make dismantling racism and promoting DEIA as the heart of who the ELCA is and what the ELCA does have yet to fully accomplish their goals, but they are well on their way.  They have made major strides forward.  During the assembly we saw clearly that there are powerful and powerfully positioned people who will not stop until ELCA governance and structure are changed so that their agenda can be made mandatory at all levels of the ELCA.  And those who are determined to eliminate bound conscience will be working tirelessly through the task force that is reconsidering the 2009 human sexuality social statement.  They are determined that the newly revised social statement will have no room for traditional views and those who hold them.  As I mentioned in my article, I believe we saw a preview of what is to come in the vote that was taken towards the end of the 2025 assembly to eliminate the words “between a man and a woman” in the social statement’s description of the church’s historical view of marriage.  The argument was that the words “between a man and a woman” are hurtful and harmful to the LGBTQ+ community.  Therefore, they must be removed.  If the ELCA will not even tolerate an accurate description of the historical view of marriage because some people experience that description as harmful and hurtful, how do we think that bound conscience has any chance to survive?  The major question is, Why will it take a full three years for the task force to eliminate bound conscience?   

And we have yet to see how all this will be impacted by the election of a new Presiding Bishop and Secretary. 

Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement, which give us strength and spiritual protection as we continue our work.  And thank you for your faithful and generous financial support so that we can continue to provide the following –   

• Resources on our website, including daily devotions, worship aids, lectionary-based Bible studies and children’s messages, and videos on books and topics of interest and importance 
• Financial support for several seminarians  
• Sponsorship of the local and cross-country, intergenerational, multi-denominational mission trips organized and held by River’s Edge Ministries in Mt. Airy, Maryland 
• Support and guidance for congregations that are between pastors or will soon be losing their pastor, as well as for smaller and/or more remote congregations that are facing the real possibility that there might not be a seminary-trained pastor available for them 

Please find below a Printable Response Form or other links which you can use to give a gift towards our operating expenses.  Please also let us know how we can be praying for you.  Your prayers are especially important for us during the next three years as we continue to monitor and alert you to the relentless efforts being made to take the ELCA further and further away from the historic Christian faith.        

As a guardian with you on the wall,

Dennis D. Nelson
Executive Director of Lutheran CORE
P.O. Box 1741
Wausau WI 54402-1741

“Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened” (Matthew 28:11).

There are always those who are opposed to what the Lord is doing.  Count on it.  Some seed falls on rocky soil.  Go ahead anyway and share what the Lord has given you.  The only One to fear is the Lord.  Though some may seek to take Your life, they can never take what Jesus has given you, for you have the promise of the resurrection, having been eternally connected with Jesus.

Lord, You know that I do fear in this age. I fear those who can destroy my body.  I also know that this body will wear out.  Lead me so that I do not fear what may come.  Grant me prudence to not be reckless, but help me so that I remain bold in the faith You have given me.  Others will report all kinds of things, but You have shown me the truth and spoken the words of eternal life.

Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the steps that are needed.  As You instructed the first witnesses to share love with others, help me to love those around me.  Grant that I not fear those who give other messages in this world who mean You harm.  Lead me where You would have me share the good news.  Guard my mouth and actions so that I am consistent in the message You would have me give.  Grant me boldness to be firm in conviction.  Amen.

“And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.  And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me” (Matthew 28:8-10).

He is not dead but risen!  This message has resonated since that day when, as Jesus said He would, rose from the dead.  We are not to be afraid of the message of truth.  Because Jesus lives, we too shall live.  There are sisters and brothers everywhere and you and I must go and tell them so that they may hear the voice of the Master and awaken from the curse of this age to follow where He leads.

Lord, I was awakened by those who came and spoke the message of truth which You have revealed through Your death and resurrection.  You send us into an unbelieving world so that those who will hear Your voice may do so through the words You give us to speak.  Teach me to speak that others may hear and then see that You have risen and conquered the grave.  In awe for what You have done, but with joy, equip me as You intend.

Lord Jesus, I shall never fully comprehend all that this means.  The task You undertook or the cost You bore for our sake is more than I can fathom.  But You have conquered the grave and offered to me and through me to others the truth of eternal life.  Lead me in this life You have made possible so that I may walk in Your way, going where You send me, and living the life You intend.  Grant me the words to speak that others may hear the good news of great joy.  Amen.

“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.  Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you” (Matthew 28:6-7).

He is not in the grave.  He has risen, just as He said He would.  Jesus speaks the truth.  The world may argue about whether or not the words of Jesus are true, but Jesus speaks truth.  Listen to the truth, for the truth will set you free.  Be guided by the One through whom all things have their being.  He is going ahead of you and He will lead the way.  You have been told.  Will you hear, trust and obey the One who is calling you?

Lord, help me to hear Your call as You call me into the future You have planned for all who believe.  Guide me ever deeper into the faith You have given me.  Help me to not waver, nor become still, but continue on the path which You have laid before me.  Guide me, dear Jesus, so that I go to those places which You set before me, doing what is the Father’s will, and learning obedience from You.

Lord Jesus, my Savior, You have accomplished all that is needed so that I may humbly walk with You wherever You lead.  Guide me this day to listen and obey as You guide my footsteps.  Help me to walk through the obstacles that will come.  Help me to see things as they are and trust that You have spoken the words of everlasting life.  Come, Lord Jesus, and help me to be Your guest in the journey You have placed before me.  Amen.

Scripture: John 3:13-17

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Hey Pastor. I was paying attention to the gospel reading today. Jesus said the Son of Man must be lifted up. I’m not really sure what he means by that. Did they have to lift him up really high in the sky?

Pastor: Kind of Sammy. Before I answer that question. Have you seen any crosses around the church.

Sammy: Yes, I have seen them all over the place. Boys and girls, do you see any crosses around the church?

Wait for answers

Pastor: Thank you for answering everyone. I am really glad that you can find all those crosses. They seem to be everywhere. Even in places you wouldn’t expect them.

Sammy: Okay Pastor, but what does the cross have to do with the son of man being lifted up? That doesn’t seem to make sense to me.

Pastor: Well, the son of man is Jesus and sometimes when we see crosses, we see Jesus on them.

Sammy: Oh yeah, I have seen that before. You have one of those in your office. So, Jesus was lifted up on a cross?

Pastor: Yes he was Sammy. He was lifted up high on the cross on top of a mountain and many people could see him.

Sammy: That does not seem very nice. Who would do that do Jesus?

Pastor: Some very mean people hurt Jesus like he did something bad, but he did not do anything wrong. He ended up dying.  

Sammy: That makes me sad pastor.

Pastor: It made a lot of people very sad. His closest friends couldn’t even bear to watch it.

Sammy: But Pastor. You always say Jesus is alive.

Pastor: That’s because he is Sammy. Even though he died on the cross. He rose up from the dead and he was alive again. And he is still alive today.

Sammy: That makes me happy. But why did he have to die at all.

Pastor: He died to save us. Only he could save us from our sin and he did so by dying on the cross. He became a sacrifice and suffered death so we could live with him forever.

Sammy: Wow pastor. It sounds like God loves us a lot.

Pastor: He does Sammy. Jesus said,  ¹⁶ “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

Sammy: Thank you for explaining all of that to me pastor. That all makes more sense now. Boys and girls can you pray with me? Dear Jesus, Thank you for loving us so much. That you would die for us. Thank you lord for forgiving our sins. And thank you for your love. Amen.

Pastor and Sammy: Bye Everyone!

“The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.  The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified” (Matthew 28:4-5).

What would you do if someone dead walked out of a grave?  This world is filled with fear and then terror.  Our minds say this cannot be.  We do not believe.  But the Author of this world cannot be contained in a grave.  People may shut Him up in a dark place in their minds, but He cannot be contained.  Come then and follow the One who has accomplished all that is needed that you might be with Him forever.

Lord, help me to hear the message of Your messengers.  Help me to not be afraid in this world nor live by unbelief.  Many are looking; help me to find.  Or should I say, find me where I am and lead me to where You know I need to be.  The world may not listen, but Lord, You have given me the words of everlasting life.  Help me to listen to You and live into the eternal life which is my hope and that which You have promised.

Lord Jesus, lover of my soul, guide me in the way of everlasting life.  Lead me according to Your grace and mercy to not stand still, nor live as one dead, but instead, become alive and live into the life which You have promised.  Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear so that I may be guided by You, the One who is leading the way that I may remain in Your love for all eternity.  Amen.

“And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.  And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow” (Matthew 28:2-3).

The Lord makes known what He shows to those who are His, and it is for His purpose.  The most important thing to understand is that the stone was rolled away.  No grave can contain God.  The world may want to think that God is dead, but the Creator of all things is alive forever.  All things exist through Him.  The wicked stop short of the simple truth that if God did not exist, we would not be.  He through whom all things were made was not kept down by the grave.

Lord, the simple truth of the resurrection is the pivotal point of the hope we have in faith.  He, having been raised from the dead, shows us that all He said is true.  Our sins are forgiven, we have hope of eternal life with Him.  There is the peace which surpasses all understanding.  Help us to open up the grave of our hearts by faith to know the reality of what the resurrection means so that we may live by faith and not by sight.

Lord Jesus, You have done all that is needed for our salvation.  Guide me in the way of living that I may see the things You have done and understand their meaning.  Help me to trust in You, the author and finisher of my faith.  It is through You alone that we have hope, eternal hope, and the promise of Your life being poured into us.  The stone is rolled away and the will of the Father has been done.  Amen.