Living With Thankful Hearts
Sunday’s Verses:
From Revelation 14:6–7 ESV
“Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
This Reformation Sunday (we celebrate it today; the actual date is October 31), we read of the angel who proclaimed “the eternal gospel”—the Good News of salvation in and through Christ alone. This was more than a promise of heaven for Martin Luther and the reformers. It was also a call for the Gospel of Christ never to be buried by man-made traditions, fears, or works, but to fly freely, proclaimed to “every nation and tribe and language and people.”
The voice of this angel rang out in the 16th century when the glorious truth of God’s grace in Christ was rediscovered and proclaimed afresh. The eternal gospel is not new; it is the same good news that saved Adam, Abraham, Peter, Paul, and you: that sinners are justified by grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Reformation Day is a reminder that this Gospel is still soaring across the globe by faithful preaching, teaching, and living. The call is the same: “Fear God and give him glory.” To fear God is to stand in holy awe of His holiness and mercy, and to trust in His Son who took our judgment on the cross. To give Him glory is to live each day with thankful hearts, serving Him and our neighbor in love.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Gracious Lord, thank You for sending the eternal Gospel into our hearts. Keep us steadfast in Your Word, firm in faith, and bold in proclaiming Your grace to all people. Let the Reformation that You began in Your Church continue in us today, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. 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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