Today’s Bible Verses:
James 1:2-3 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Some of you know that I’ve been struggling recently. There have been days when I don’t want to get out of bed. A friend reminded me that we cannot take our eyes off an important part of life - the cross of Jesus Christ. It is there He won for us the victory of our enemies of sin, death, and Satan. It is at the cross where Jesus gave up His life for ours. The cross, for us, is not just a symbol; it is our life. My friend said no matter what we’re challenged with in this life, we know God has won our battle against this world. He beat back sin so we can live eternally with Him. Going through struggles, we all need to live in the joy of Jesus and His sacrifice for us. Keep the faith.

PRAYERS

Keep in Your Prayers:

1. Those struggling to make ends meet.

2. All people dealing with cancer

3. Those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

A Prayer for Today:

Gracious heavenly Father, when I find myself in trying times, give my faith an extra boost so I never lose sight of the cross of Your Son, my Lord Jesus Christ, from where my salvation was won. In Jesus’ name, I pray. 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.

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.

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A Song for Today