All-American. Saved By God.
Monday’s Verse:
From Mark 12:17 ESV
(Jesus said) “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Instead of watching the Super Bowl Halftime Show last night on NBC, I tuned into Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show. While it played in the background, I couldn’t help thinking about how appropriate it was to be thankful for the blessings we have in this country and call ourselves “Americans” - the ability to worship freely, to serve our neighbors, and to enjoy the peace and stability that others around the world are praying for right now. Lutherans know this: government and country are God-ordained institutions to restrain evil, establish justice, and advance the common good.
America is a blessing. So many have come here and been able to freely worship God, start families, and live out their vocations serving others. We get to see a genuine outworking of the commandment to love your neighbor — not some theoretical idea, but in the everyday lives of our neighbors. Too many Christians I know have ignored their responsibility to help care for the world God gave us to love.
At the same time, we Lutherans know that we are citizens of His Kingdom first, and that Kingdom was purchased for us through Jesus Christ by grace alone. Our patriotism for America must never take the place of our love for God, or cause us to turn a blind eye to the gospel’s command to love our neighbor. The church does well to distrust any rhetoric that claims you can’t be a “real American” if you’re not the “right kind” of Christian or person.
No, instead we celebrate that we can all live as neighbors here — from every culture and faith — and love each other like God commands us to.
Happy Monday. Let’s give thanks. Thank God for the freedoms you have. Thank Him for being able to serve others here. But remember, keep your eyes on Christ. He is still King. His Kingdom is bigger than any country on earth, and brings together all who believe in Him.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, we thank You that we get to live in this country. Thank You for the peace we enjoy. Thank You for our freedom and the opportunities we have to love and serve our neighbors. Give us wisdom to live as faithful citizens in a way that honors Your name. Keep our hearts faithful to Your Kingdom first and foremost. Direct us to honor You in all we say and do, by loving You and our neighbors as ourselves. 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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