“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:23)

Here is the place of judgement.  There are those who walk with the Lord knowing Him, and those who, no matter what they are doing, do not know Him.  They will be separated, one from the other.  Heaven is filled with those who live outside of themselves and for others.  Hell is filled with those who live for themselves.  We have a little of both in this age, but there is the place of separation at the end of our days.

Lord, You know the direction I am heading.  I say I want to walk after You.  Help my words be the truth.  Then, let Your Word direct me so that I am not just one who hears the word, but one who actively cooperates with the Holy Spirit and does what You are saying.  You have made things very easy: listen to You, follow the narrow way, seek to do what is right in every situation and depend upon Your grace to complete all things.

Lord Jesus, what a mess we have made of things.  I too say and do many things that are not genuine and true.  Help me, Lord, to learn how to be more honest with myself this day.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You is all hope.  In You alone is my eternal future.  Help me to practice the law, learn how to love my neighbor, and humbly walk with You all the days of my life.  Amen.

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’” (Matthew 7:22)

Many do not see the Lord or think of him as someone real.  To them, He is just an idea.  People like this go through the motions, but they are so into themselves that they cannot see anyone but themselves.  They are not your friend either.  Sadly, too few die to self, take Jesus’ hand, and walk with Him.  It is not about performing miracles but walking with the Lord that matters.  Walk with the Lord.

Lord, there are times when all I can do is fake it.  Help me to come into a place of intentionality where I first engage with You and then I engage with my neighbor.  Help me to see that this is not some action, but a life that is to be lived in relationship.  Let Your truth permeate who I am and what I do.  Lord, You call for us all to be genuine and true to You and one another.

The hardest person for us to be truthful with is ourselves.  Lord Jesus, You are the truth and You have come to reveal all truth.  Open my heart.  I am afraid and I do not want to see the truth but open it up so that I can live in reality.  Help me to relate with You and others in truth.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I may humbly walk with You all the days of my life.  Be the One who leads me, Lord.  Amen.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21).

Many are baptized.  Many go to church.  Many do what they do for their own reasons.  We are not called to live for ourselves, but to put on the mind of Christ and live according to the Father’s will.  Yes, we are saved through faith by grace, but that grace does not free us to do as we please.  We are called to be renewed into the likeness of Christ and become children of the heavenly Father.

Lord, help me to see that fine line between freedom and the law.  I know You give all the grace that is needed, but You also call us to live in accordance with the law You have given.  Let the separation between these two positions be clear and apparent.  Open my eyes to see so that I may learn how to walk the narrow path that You have set before me.  I need to learn how to be faithful.

Lord Jesus, You were faithful in all things, even unto Your death on the cross.  Guide me to pick up my cross and follow You wherever You lead.  Help me now and always to live into the life You have given me through the baptism You provided me.  Lead me according to the Father’s will so that I may come to be with You in heaven.  You know all that is needed.  Thank You for providing for my salvation through Your precious death on the cross and glorious resurrection.  Amen.

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:19-20).

If you end up being good for nothing, what would you expect?  We act in a way that fits who we are and what we are after.  Should it be otherwise?  Even in the world, many of us have a hard time with folk that do nothing.  Do not be led by the broad ways of this world, but by the narrow way of the Lord.  He calls for us to follow Him and He tells us that the fields are ripe for the harvest.  Go then into the field and bear fruit befitting the kingdom of heaven.

Lord, help me to understand this clearly, not doing what I do for my own sake, but for Your sake.  Turn my heart so that it longs to be about the Father’s business.  Through all that comes my way, let me see the opportunities to do what is right.  Guide me in the way of righteousness, bearing the fruit for which I was created.  Let me dwell deeply rooted in You.

Holy Spirit, You know where those places in my heart where I am hindered.  I know the Father will prune the unproductive branches.  Guide me, whether being pruned or at work, so that in all I do, I may be faithful to the tasks You are giving me.  Lead me to be a vine that bears good fruit.  Guide me in all I do this day so that I may look for those places where You have assignments for me.  Amen.

“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:17-18).

At the end of this age, it will be very apparent who has produced what.  We have many examples of those who have gone before, both good and bad.  Nothing remains a secret, for the track behind us tells others who we are.  You have before you the narrow way of everlasting life.  Jesus has called you by name and tells you that either you will be one who produces good fruit or else one who produces bad fruit.

Lord God, You have established the order of things.  We may argue in our speculations, but things will be as You have determined them to be.  Lead those who are on the journey of becoming like Christ to focus upon walking the path You have set before us.  Let us not be distracted by this world’s incessant measuring of results, but instead put all our energy into following You each day.

Lord Jesus, You say to each of us, “Come, follow me.”  Lead me this day so that You are the center of of my attention.  You will grow in me what You will grow in me.  You will produce from my life what You will produce.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Help me to keep my eyes upon You, my Lord and Savior.  Help me to make each step forward one that is taken with Your guidance.  Amen.

“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?” (Matthew 7:16)

Behavior matters.  It is not about being saved; Jesus does that.  It is about the sanctified character the Lord is creating in you.  If you are only outwardly a Christian, then you are not a Christ follower.  What you do reflects what you believe, and what you believe guides what you do.  Jesus tells us to bear fruit befitting the kingdom of God.  If you follow Christ, your acts will reflect the character of Christ.

Lord God, You have created all things, each according to their kind.  By Your grace, through faith, You are producing those who are being conformed to the image of Christ.  Help those who are on this journey to bear the good fruit You intend.  Let not the way of the world interfere or distract from the narrow way You have placed before all who are on the path of salvation.  Lead Your people in the way of Christ.

Lord Jesus, what You say is clear and makes sense.  I know these things in my head, but often become distracted and take side trails away from what You have said.  First, forgive my transgressions and second, lead me back onto the narrow way You have established.  Help me to keep my eyes upon You and not upon what is being produced.  Grow in me the good fruits of Your kingdom.  Amen.

Prayers of the Church, Lessons, Hymns , June 30: 6^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8

Lamentations 3:22-33 (God’s steadfast love & compassion never cease)

Psalm 30 (I cried to you for help; you healed me; what profit if I go into the Pit?)

2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15 (Be generous in giving to needs of the saints)

                RCL/ELW: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (Omits example of Macedonians)

Mark 5:21-43 (A girl restored to life; a woman with flow of blood healed)

Opening hymn: Great is Thy Faithfulness: WOV 771, ELW #733, LSB #809

Hymn of the Day:  I Know that My Redeemer Lives, v. 1-4: LBW #352, ELW #619, LSB #461

OR (If preaching on Corinthians): Take My Life, That I May Be: LBW 406, ELW #585 (A nice Hispanic tune), #685; Take My Life, And Let It Be: LSB #783, 784

OR (If celebrating Independence Day this weekend, put closing hymn here):

                I Know that My Redeemer Lives, v. 5-8: LBW #352, ELW #619, LSB #461

Communion Hymn #1: Precious Lord, Take My Hand: WOV #731, ELW #773, LSB #739

OR How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds: LBW #345, ELW #620, LSB #524

Communion Hymn #2: Day By Day: WOV #746, ELW #790

OR Give Me Jesus: WOV 777, ELW #770

OR (If you didn’t use it last week) I am Trusting You, Lord Jesus: LBW #460, LSB #729

Closing Hymn: (If celebrating Independence Day next weekend): I Know that My Redeemer Lives, v. 5-8: LBW #352, ELW #619, LSB #461

                OR (If celebrating Independence Day this weekend): My Country, ‘Tis of Thee: LBW #565

OR God Bless Our Native Land: LBW #569, ELW #891, LSB #965

THE PRAYERS 

Let us come before the Throne of Mercy with our prayers for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Dear Father, thank you for the compassion and healing you give us in Jesus! Thank you for your grace, mercy, and steadfast love! Give us the courage and wisdom to share these wonderful gifts with others, especially those who need them the most.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have compassion on your Church. Heal it from false teaching, unkind acts, and unfaithful witness. Raise it up from sloth and sin. Provide for its needs so it may generously share your grace with others. Make it lovely in righteousness, to draw many people to their Beautiful Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Incline your ear to your persecuted Church, so that they may never despair of your goodness. May they give thanks to you forever for your great mercy. Shield and defend your missionaries, especially when they are met with hostility and rejection.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill the people of this congregation with gentleness, generosity, and compassion. Help us reflect Jesus’ goodness to everyone we meet. Let our church becomes a haven of grace to everyone.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Keep this nation under your guiding eye, and knit us together in the common purpose of knowing we are intended to be “one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.” Bestow wisdom, prudence, and goodness on all earthly rulers, especially in our own land. Inflame them only with the earnest desire to love justice, seek mercy, and walk humbly before you, their Lord and King.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Clothe all who wear the sackcloth of suffering with the clean linen of your salvation and joy. We lift before you the needs of: {List}. Give them such confidence in you that they constantly turn to you for help. Grant skill and tenderness  to all who love and care for them. Use them to ease suffering, restore hope, and strengthen faith.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

There is no profit if we go down to the pit; nor shall dust praise your faithfulness. So we praise you for your Son’s triumph over sin and death. We bless you for the eternal life you bestow for his sake. Give us the full measure of your Spirit. Help us to trust you when we are surrounded by our ancient enemies. Equip us to encourage one another along our common pilgrimage. Make us cling to Jesus until he unbars the gates of your Kingdom, and you welcome us home.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers as may be best for us and give you the greatest glory, for the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, Lessons, Hymns, June 23: 5^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 7

Job 38:1-11 (God answers Job from whirlwind)

Psalm 124 (If the Lord had not been our own side, the flood would have taken us)

                RCL/ELW: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 (God delivered those in peril on sea; praise him!)

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (Now is the acceptable time: accept God’s grace! Paul’s suffering)

Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus stills the storm)

Opening hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty:  LBW #543, ELW #858, LSB #790

Hymn of the Day: Eternal Father, Strong to Save: LBW #467, ELW #756, LSB #717

Communion Hymn #1: Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me: LBW #333, ELW #767, LSB #722

Communion Hymn #2: Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me: LBW #334, ELW #755, LSB #715

                OR I Am Trusting You/Thee, Lord Jesus: LBW #460, LSB #729

Closing Hymn: In Thee is Gladness: LBW #552, ELW #867, LSB #818

OR How Firm a Foundation: LBW #507, ELW #796, LSB #728

THE PRAYERS 

Let us come before the Throne of Mercy with our prayers for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

O Eternal Father, you are indeed strong to save! Give us faith to cling to your dear Son in every danger that threatens to undo us. We bless and adore you for your strong, saving love!

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Still the storms of division, heresy, and ambition among your people. Make your Church an ark of safety against floodwaters of sin and suffering. Make it a rock against which faithless words and evil deeds are dashed. Let many find a refuge there, and turn to you, and be saved.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Like Job, your persecuted servants long to know their suffering has meaning, their faithfulness is precious, and their Redeemer lives. Deliver them from evil. Reveal your mighty arm and never-failing love. And cause their tormentors to repent and believe in you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Speak your word of peace among the people of this congregation. Keep us steadfast in faith, fervent in worship, and persistent in prayer. Make us tireless in loving service to all are overwhelmed by waves of suffering, sorrow, or shame.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for seafarers, fishermen, our Navy and Coast Guard, and all they protect, defend, and rescue. Still the storms and deliver everyone in peril from wind, wave, and death.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bestow wisdom and righteousness to our nation’s elected and appointed leaders. Teach them to prize integrity over re-election; justice over special interests; and attentiveness to your will over expediency.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Son chided his disciples for their little faith, yet he saved them from the storm. He sent them into a storm-tossed world, to share the Gospel of salvation. Bless everyone, even those of little faith, who strive to share the Lord Jesus with another shipwrecked soul! Lead them to safe harbor in your care.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are overwhelmed by waves of suffering and sorrow; who have been shipwrecked by abuse, abandonment, or injustice; who have been cast adrift in pathless seas of confusion, delusion, or doubt; and who cry out, fearing that you neither hear nor care that they are perishing. Extend your mighty hand and outstretched arm, and deliver them. This day we name: {List}.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you for delivering all who died trusting in you. Give us ears to hear Jesus’ words, “Peace; be still” when all we hear are the wind and waves of turmoil and fear. By his merits, bring us into your Kingdom, where with you and all whom you have redeemed, we may dwell in joyful and blessed peace forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers as may be best for us and give you the greatest glory, for the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, Lessons, Hymns, June 16: 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 6, Father’s Day

Ezekiel 17:22-24 (God plants cedar sprig on mountain of Israel; all may find shelter)

Psalm 1 (Blessed is the man who meditates on God’s Law day and night)

ELW: Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 (Praise God always; righteous flourish like palm trees)

2 Corinthians 5:1-11 (We will be further clothed, in eternal life)

                ELW/RCL: 2 Corinthians 5:6-13 (Walk by faith, not sight; all must appear before

judgment seat; all done in Christ for others, not self)

Mark 4:26-34 (Parable of growing seed & mustard seed)

Opening hymn: Oh, Worship the King: LBW #548, ELW #842, LSB #804

Hymn of the Day: We Plow the Fields and Scatter: LBW #362, ELW #680 Spanish tune/ 681

OR Preach You the Word, and Plant it Home: LSB #586

Communion Hymn #1: Great is Thy Faithfulness: WOV #771, ELW #733, LSB #809

Communion Hymn #2: Our Father, By Whose Name: LBW #357, ELW #640, LSB #863

Closing Hymn: On What Has Now Been Sown: LBW #261, ELW #550, LSB #921

THE PRAYERS 

Let us come before the Throne of Mercy with our prayers for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Thank you, dear Lord, planting your Kingdom so humbly in our midst! Thank you for making it a place of welcome and shelter for all, even for nesting birds. Thank you for not overwhelming us with your glory and power. Make our faith and love grow like cedar sprigs and mustard seeds, to your glory and for the good of our neighbor.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Clothe your Church with the beauty, holiness, and righteousness of Christ. Make it a lovely dwelling-place for all people. Grant that its words and deeds may bear the fruit which you desire, and which last unto eternity.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We lift before you the plight of Christians around the world who are persecuted for your Name’s sake. Let their suffering yield a rich harvest of faith, love, and forgiveness. Shield and defend your missionaries, especially when they are met with hostility and rejection.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Plant this congregation firmly in Christ, our living water. May we abide in his love, share his forgiveness, teach his commandments, and share in his righteousness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In you, all good and faithful fatherhood finds its source, guide, and fulfillment. Bless all fathers, and all who act with a father’s love. Fill them with your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, and joy in your presence. Grant that in their care, all children find protection, guidance, and love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach our earthly rulers to walk not in the counsel of the ungodly; nor stand in the way of sinners; nor sit in the seat of scoffers. Teach them to delight on your Law; to meditate on it day and night; and to establish it as the source of justice, truth, and well-being among all people.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Keep in your care all who defend life, liberty, and justice. Teach them your commandments. Fill their minds with wisdom, their hearts with integrity, and their arms with courage and strength.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give to all who suffer the refreshing waters of your compassion and healing. Make them dwell in the safety of your care even in the midst of all that troubles them. Today we remember before you: {List}.  Help us to speak words of encouragement and offer deeds of kindness to them. Bring us, with them, into the unending joy of your Kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you for gathering into your heavenly Kingdom all the redeemed who have gone before us, especially those we love and miss the most. Let us always find refreshment in your Word, blessing in your Sacraments, guidance in your Spirit, and forgiveness in your Son. Gather us, with all your people, into the welcoming shelter of your embrace. Let us abide there in joy forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers as may be best for us and give you the greatest glory, for the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

Be careful whose word you trust.  Many slip a little garbage in the mix.  A little pollution is all it takes, and you are off and running in the wrong direction.  In a lifetime it may not seem to make much difference.  If one thinks about eternity, a false direction may cause you to miss the mark entirely.  Be led in the way of Christ alone, and not the way of Jesus and something else.  Look to the Lord alone for all things.

Lord, I am enamored by words that tickle my ears.  I have been led astray.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life.  Keep my compass and direct me as You know I need to be directed.  Keep me from wandering or wavering so that I may humbly walk in the way You are directing. Grant me ears that hear clearly so that I may walk in the way of truth.  Help me to understand when someone is slipping something else in.

Jesus, You alone give the words of eternal life.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go.  Help me always to understand that only by the power of the Holy Spirit can I discern what is right and true.  Lead me now and always to walk humbly with you, avoiding any who would lead me astray.  May I now and always walk in the way of everlasting life which You alone give.  Amen.