Category: Moments of Meditation

May 30, 2025

Broadcast

                        Ask in My Name - Part 5
                             John 16:23-24
                              05/30/2025


        23   In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
             truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
             Father in my name, he will give it to you.
        24   Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
             and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
             (ESV)

        [Jesus said:] In that day you will ask nothing of me.
        Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
        Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now
        you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will
        receive, that your joy may be full.


        We are looking at the five aspects of true prayer.  First,
   we must trust in God's promise to hear our prayer.  Second, we
   pray is faith knowing that God keeps His promises.  Third, we
   pray for specific things, something we definitely name.  Fourth,
   we must truly desire that the petition be granted.  Finally, we
   ask for all things in the name of Jesus Christ.

        We are reconciled to the Father by the suffering, death, and
   resurrection of Jesus.  Only by the blood of Jesus can we come
   into our heavenly Father's presence with our petitions, with our
   praise, and with our thanksgiving.  Without Jesus, we flee from
   God, ashamed and afraid.  Joined with Jesus through the Word and
   Sacraments, we are bold to pray, to come into God's presence at
   His invitation.

        Our Lord Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven where He sits
   at the right hand of the Father.  While we await His return, and
   gather to listen to His Word, and to receive the blessings given
   through the Sacraments He has given the Church.  Please join us
   each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church to
   learn more of salvation by God's rich grace and love alone, which
   we receive through faith in Jesus Christ alone, given to us
   through God's holy Word.

        May our Lord grant us faith to believe His promises, that we
   come to Him in prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Broadcast

                        Ask in My Name - Part 4
                             John 16:23-24
                              05/29/2025


        23   In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
             truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
             Father in my name, he will give it to you.
        24   Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
             and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
             (ESV)

        This evening Trinity Lutheran Church and Saint Paul Lutheran
   Church in Fulda will be celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ's
   ascension into heaven.  Please join us at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Paul
   in Fulda as we hear of Jesus' last actions before He joined His
   Father at His right hand.

        [Jesus said:] In that day you will ask nothing of me.
        Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
        Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now
        you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will
        receive, that your joy may be full.


        In this week's Gospel, Jesus gives us instructions on how to
   pray, how to be certain our prayer is heard.  First, we must
   trust in God's promise to hear our prayer.  Second, we pray is
   faith knowing that God keeps His promises.

        Third, we pray for specific things, something we definitely
   name.  This may be a prayer for peace, for faith, for stronger
   love, or for the comfort of our neighbor.  When Jesus says,
   ``whatever you ask,'' He directs us to make our petitions known.

        Fourth, we must truly desire that the petition be granted.
   Our prayers are offered in faith, that God will do that which is
   most appropriate, that He will grant us the wisdom to see His
   loving hand in everything.  Especially in times of tragedy and
   trouble, we pray that God shows us how He uses those things which
   are unpleasant for the good of those who trust in Him.
   Frequently we look back and see the tragedies of our life are
   when we received the greatest blessings.

        May our Lord grant us faith to believe His promises, that we
   pray for those things He would have us ask, for His glory and for
   the good of our neighbors.  Amen.

May 28, 2025

Broadcast

                        Ask in My Name - Part 3
                             John 16:23-24
                              05/28/2025


        23   In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
             truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
             Father in my name, he will give it to you.
        24   Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
             and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
             (ESV)

        [Jesus said:] In that day you will ask nothing of me.
        Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
        Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now
        you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will
        receive, that your joy may be full.


        In this week's Gospel, Jesus gives us instructions on how to
   pray, how to be certain our prayer is heard.  First, we must
   trust in God's promise to hear our prayer.  Faith is knowledge,
   agreement, and trust.  Therefore, the second part of true prayer
   is faith, that we do not doubt that God will give us what He
   promises.

        When we pray for temporal blessings, we do so by saying,
   ``Your will be done.''  As children of the heavenly Father, we
   know that our desires are not always in our best interests.
   Because we admit that we do not know all the implications and
   unintended consequences of our prayer, we defer to God's wisdom.
   We are willing to accept an answer of ``no'' or ``wait.''

        When praying for spiritual blessings such as the forgiveness
   of our sins, for wisdom, for a stronger faith, we already know
   those are according to God's holy will.  For God has said in His
   Word that He does not delight in the death of the wicked, but
   that the wicked turn from his sin and live.  God desires that all
   people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
   Therefore we are bold to pray, ``forgive me, Lord, for I have
   sinned,'' knowing that for the sake of the death and resurrection
   of Jesus we have the gift of everlasting life.

        May our Lord grant us faith to believe His promises, to come
   to Him with both our temporal and spiritual prayers.  Amen.

May 27, 2025

Broadcast

                        Ask in My Name - Part 2
                             John 16:23-24
                              05/27/2025


        23   In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
             truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
             Father in my name, he will give it to you.
        24   Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
             and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
             (ESV)

        There seems to be a confusion among Christians about prayer.
   When asked to pray in public, many pastors and chaplains hesitate
   to use the name of Jesus because they are afraid to offend the
   non-Christians in the audience.  The prayer takes on a generic
   form, addressed to the unnamed Almighty, in the Almighty's
   precious name.  Yet that name is never given, so those who hear
   the prayer have no idea to whom the petitions were made.
   Unaddressed mail is never delivered.  The same is true of
   unaddressed prayer.

        Prayer is talking to God, not to the audience.  They listen,
   they can say ``Amen'' if they agree with the prayer, to whom it
   is addressed and for what the petitions ask.  Unless you are
   willing to call the offered prayer your own, remain silent at the
   end.  Your ``Amen'' says ``This most certainly true, and I agree
   with everything the pastor or chaplain asked God to do.''

        In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I
        say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name,
        he will give it to you.  Until now you have asked
        nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that
        your joy may be full.


        In this week's Gospel, Jesus gives us instructions on how to
   pray, how to be certain our prayer is heard.  First, we must
   trust in God's promise to hear our prayer.  Jesus says ``ask,''
   let your concerns be known, let God hear of your needs.  Without
   trusting in God's promise to hear our prayer, we will not be
   willing to pray.  Over the next several days we will look at the
   other instructins Jesus gave us concerning prayer.

        May our Lord grant us faith to believe His promises and to
   come to Him with our needs and our thanksgiving.  Amen.

May 26, 2025

Broadcast

                        Ask in My Name - Part 1
                             John 16:23-24
                              05/26/2025


        23   In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
             truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
             Father in my name, he will give it to you.
        24   Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
             and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
             (ESV)

        This week, the Sixth Week of Easter, the Church looks at the
   prayers of the faithful.  In addition, on Thursday we celebrate
   Jesus' Ascension into heaven where He sits at the right hand of
   the Father, from whence He shall come to judge the living and the
   dead.

        Our Gospel lesson records Jesus' final words directly spoken
   to His disciples on the night He was betrayed.  The following
   chapter of Saint John's Gospel is Jesus' prayer to the Father for
   the ongoing good of the Church and all who trust in Jesus.
   Therefore, the words Jesus spoke are especially important.

        In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I
        say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name,
        he will give it to you.  Until now you have asked
        nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that
        your joy may be full.


        What is most important?  Jesus did not exhort His followers
   to do great works of charity or daring deeds to show their faith.
   Rather, He told them to pray, to ask, to give their requests to
   the Father.  He taught them of the proper way to pray, something
   we need to learn again and again.

        May our Lord also teach us to pray, that we may know of our
   Father's love and the joy of knowing our sins are forgiven.
   Amen.

May 23, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 5
                             John 16:14-15
                              05/23/2025


        14   He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine
             and declare it to you.
        15   All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said
             that he will take what is mine and declare it to
             you.  (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that God is three Persons yet
   one God.  The Father created us and sent His Son to die and rise
   again to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
   The Son, Jesus, is both true God and true man, begotten of His
   Father from eternity, yet born of the virgin Mary.  The Holy
   Spirit brings us to faith in Christ Jesus, giving us the ability
   to hold to the promise of salvation earned for us on the cross of
   Calvary.

        The night Jesus was betrayed, while comforting His
   disciples, He also told them of the work of each person of the
   Trinity.
        He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and
        declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine;
        therefore I said that he will take what is mine and
        declare it to you.


        The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are of one will, even as
   they are one true God.  Their will is that all people accept the
   salvation earned by Jesus Christ, that all people come to the
   knowledge of the truth of salvation from sin and eternal death by
   God's rich love alone, for the sake of Christ Jesus alone.

        The Holy Spirit ensures that the Christian Church will last
   forever, even if individual congregations may open or close.  He
   causes the truth of God's love to be proclaimed.  Please join us
   at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday morning to receive the hope
   and comfort of God's rich love and mercy, the assurance of the
   forgiveness of your sins.

        God grant this for Jesus' sake.  Amen.

May 22, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 4
                             John 16:12-13
                              05/22/2025


        12   I still have many things to say to you, but you
             cannot bear them now.
        13   When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you
             into all the truth, for he will not speak on his
             own authority, but whatever he hears he will
             speak, and he will declare to you the things that
             are to come.  (ESV)

        Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night He was betrayed, spoke
   words of comfort and hope to His disciples to prepare them for
   His death, resurrection, and ascension.
        I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot
        bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
        guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on
        his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak,
        and he will declare to you the things that are to come.


        The disciples were not ready to learn, to accept the truth
   that Jesus would soon be arrested, tried, tortured, crucified,
   and die.  Even on Easter morning, the disciples did not believe
   the report of the women who had witnessed the empty tomb.  On the
   day that Christ Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples asked
   Him if He would restore the earthly kingdom of Israel.

        Only after the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of
   Truth, did the disciples understand the work of Jesus Christ.
   His kingdom is not of this world, but is a kingdom of grace and
   mercy given to those who trust in His sacrificial death and His
   glorious resurrection.  The Holy Spirit inspired the prophets and
   evangelists who recorded God's Word for our salvation.  The Holy
   Spirit calls each of us to faith in Christ Jesus through the
   spoken Word, and through the visible Word of the Sacraments.

        May our Lord grant that we hear the Spirit of Truth, that we
   know He speaks of Christ Jesus for our salvation from sin and
   death.  Amen.

May 21, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 3
                             John 16:8-11
                              05/21/2025


        8    And when he comes, he will convict the world
             concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
        9    concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
        10   concerning righteousness, because I go to the
             Father, and you will see me no longer;
        11   concerning judgment, because the ruler of this
             world is judged.  (ESV)

        The Holy Christian Church is not called holy and perfect
   because the members of the Church are perfect.  Far from it.  The
   Holy Christian Church is called holy and perfect because Jesus
   Christ died and rose again to pay the price of the sins of all
   people.  It is the work of the Holy Spirit to make the Church
   perfect in God's sight by bringing each member of the Church to
   faith in Jesus Christ.

        Our Lord spoke of the work of the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
   on the night He was betrayed.
        And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning
        sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin,
        because they do not believe in me; concerning
        righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will
        see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the
        ruler of this world is judged.


        This sin which condemns the world is rejecting the grace,
   love, and mercy of God as found in Jesus Christ.  Those who have
   faith in Jesus, those who have knowledge of His saving work, who
   acknowledge the truth of the revelation about Jesus, and trust in
   Him for their salvation have eternal life.  The Holy Spirit
   reveals the righteousness of God and the righteousness of faith
   through the Word and Sacraments.  Had Jesus not ascended, had
   Jesus not sent the Holy Spirit, the world might not have learned
   the truth of the Gospel.  Finally, the Holy Spirit, as He causes
   the mirror of God's Law to show us our sin, also shows the
   judgment of those who reject God's mercy.  The devil, the world,
   and our own sinful flesh stand condemned by the law.  Only
   because of the love and grace of God do we find that Jesus has
   fulfilled the law on our behalf.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to hear His Word, that the Holy
   Spirit may create and sustain us in faith in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

May 20, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 2
                               John 16:7
                              05/20/2025


        7    Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
             advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
             the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I
             will send him to you.  (ESV)

        Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, ``Are you a king?''  ``Jesus
   answered, `My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of
   this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might
   not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the
   world.'''[1] This spiritual kingdom is the Church, those who
   believe and trust that Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to
   pay the price of their sin.  Although Jesus would no longer be
   visible to the Church, He made a promise to the disciples.
        Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
        advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the
        Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send
        him to you.


        Once Jesus had accomplished His mission of paying the price
   for all sins, once He gave His life for the salvation of all
   people, the Holy Spirit caused that message of hope to be spread
   throughout the world.  For forty days after Easter, Jesus proved
   to His disciples and many other witnesses that the bonds of death
   are broken, the tomb is empty.

        The Kingdom of God is not found in the visible things of
   this world.  The Kingdom of God is the truth that the Father sent
   His only-begotten Son to redeem and deliver us from the power of
   the devil.  He governs us as a King of Righteousness, life, and
   salvation against sin, death, and an evil conscience.

        It is the work of the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to call,
   gather, and enlighten the Church with the truth of God's grace,
   love, and mercy.

        May our Lord grant us the faith to recognize Jesus as the
   Lord of the Church, the one who has reconciled us to God the
   Father.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. John 18:36 (ESV)

May 19, 2025

Broadcast

                          The Helper - Part 1
                              John 16:5-7
                              05/19/2025


        5    But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of
             you asks me, Where are you going?
        6    But because I have said these things to you,
             sorrow has filled your heart.
        7    Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
             advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
             the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I
             will send him to you.  (ESV)

        This week's Gospel lesson records Jesus' words on the night
   He was betrayed.  As Jesus and His disciples walked from the
   upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane, He reminded them of God's
   grace and mercy.  Within a few minutes everything would change
   for the followers of Jesus.
        But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you
        asks me, Where are you going?  But because I have said
        these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
        Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
        advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the
        Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send
        him to you.


        Jesus was going away.  His first departure would be when
   Judas betrayed Him.  Before the next evening, Jesus would lie
   lifeless in the tomb, seemingly gone forever.  Yet, on Easter the
   tomb was empty, Jesus rose from the dead.  But for the good of
   the Church, Jesus had to ascend to His Father.

        Jesus' words to the disciples the night He was betrayed did
   bring them sorrow.  They were not certain what to make of this
   news, and they certainly did not realize how quickly Jesus would
   be taken from them.  But Jesus promised they would not be alone,
   for He promised them the Holy Spirit.

        This week we will be looking at the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
   who brings the Church to faith in Jesus Christ as the way, the
   truth, and the life.

        May our Lord give you comfort and hope in times of sorrow
   and confusion.  Amen.