Lectio Concordia

The Word of the Lord – Monday

Preparing for Epiphany 3

Series: Lectio Concordia

January 20, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• Collect: Only you, O Lord, are my light and salvation. Therefore, I ask that you would have me as a houseguest, dwelling in your presence all the days of my life, so that I may perceive your beauty and goodness in this life and the one to come. Amen.

• Psalm 78:1–8

• Colossians 3:16–17

• To come to Christ is to believe that sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ. When we believe, our hearts are made alive by the Holy Spirit through the Word of Christ. Therefore, there are these two chief parts: contrition and faith. Christ says, “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). In the first part, he convicts of sins. In the second, he consoles us, and shows us the forgiveness of sins. For to “believe the gospel” is not that general faith which demons also have, but in the proper sense, it is to believe that the forgiveness of sins has been granted because of Christ. [The Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Repentance]

• Hymn: “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word,” Martin Luther Tune

Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word;
curb those who by deceit or sword
would seek to overthrow your Son
and to destroy what he has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, your pow’r make known,
for you are Lord of lords alone;
defend your Christendom that we
may sing your praise eternally.

O Comforter of priceless worth,
send peace and unity on earth;
support us in our final strife
and lead us out of death to life.

• Benediction: May the Word of the Lord sustain you, keeping you in a grace and peace that the world cannot deliver but which is freely yours through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.

• Memory Verse: For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(1 Corinthians 1:18)

• Memory Verse Aid: FTWOTC IFTTWAP, BTUWABS IITPOG.
(1C1:18)