Together In The Faith
Today’s Verse:
Jude 1:3 ESV
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Doesn’t it seem like Lent has gone by fast this year? Palm Sunday is this Sunday, and Easter is only ten days away. People who gave up chocolate for Lent long for Easter morning so they can scarf up some chocolate Easter bunny or a Cadbury egg or two. Since we are coming close to the end of Lent, I thought this Thursday we could reflect upon something we haven’t focused on: our togetherness in the faith.
In our Lenten walk, we reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross. Jude’s words today remind us that our faith is not new or momentary—it is “once for all delivered to the saints.” The faith we cling to in Christ Jesus is the same that sustained the apostles, martyrs, reformers, and every believer who has gone before us.
To "contend for the faith" does not mean we get into physical altercations or scream angry words at those who don’t know of our Lord Jesus, but that we hold fast to Christ crucified, even in a world that often mocks or ignores Him. Lent calls us to repentance but also to confidence. Our faith rests not in our strength or performance but in Jesus—the One who walked the path of suffering, bore our sins on the cross, and rose victorious on Easter morning.
For all of us, let this Thursday be a day of renewed trust in the faith delivered to us by grace. The Holy Spirit sustains us in Word and Sacrament. As we walk toward the cross, may our hearts be anchored in our Savior's sure and certain hope.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, in this Lenten season, keep me firm in the faith once delivered to the saints. Strengthen me to trust in Your mercy, follow You in humility, and rejoice in the salvation You have won. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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