Getting into God's Word
Written by Pastor Tim Swenson
Solapublishing.com
May 7: 5th Sunday of Easter
The Common Thread
“Is that the way you were raised?” parents sometimes wonder aloud. We too, as children of God, are being raised in a very specific way. We are to grow up into the salvation God has given, “work[ing] out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). The Catechism says it a little differently: that we are to “fear, love, and trust God above all things.” There is no other way to grow up in the faith, for God in Christ is that way. We grow into our salvation by living in him, being fitted in this life for heaven where we will be with him in the place he has prepared for us. This is the sure hope of his children, a confident expectation because it is based on the truth who is him who keeps faith forever. (solapublishing.com)
Acts 6:1-9, 7:2, 51-60
Psalm 146:1-10
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
May 14: 6th Sunday of Easter
The Common Thread
Have you been led into trouble lately? Have you felt your security slip? All of our readings today deal with this issue: being surrounded by a culture of idols, the crushing burdens and refining tests of the psalmist, suffering for righteousness, losing a loved one. God will not let you slip altogether. He has given you his Spirit so that you may have confidence—in the day of judgment, but also now, when you need peace. Listen! The Holy Spirit is reminding you of all of God’s promises in Christ, including his promise of peace in troubled times. (solapublishing.com)
Acts 17:16-31
Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
May 18: Ascension of the Lord
The Common Thread
“God has gone up with a shout!” proclaims the psalmist. This is our hope: that Christ is seated in the heavenly places at the right hand of the Father. The Spirit enlightens our hearts with such hope, for without it, we have no hope of ascension. If Christ has not gone up with a shout, we remain with a whimper. When Jesus opens our minds to understand the Scriptures, we see that he has been carried up into heaven and will come again to take us to the place he has prepared for us (John 14:1-2). (solapublishig.com)
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47:1-9
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53
May 21: 7th Sunday of Easter
The Common Thread
One might have thought that the followers of Christ would fade away. After all, his opponents had seen to it that he was crucified. Surely his disciples would die out too. But, devoting themselves to their Lord through prayer, they understood that Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ death had been foretold in Scripture. What is more, they knew that their Lord was still with them, and they cast their anxieties upon him so that he would help them go through similar sufferings. They were able to stand firm in the faith, knowing that in the end, God would drive away their enemies—sin, death, and the devil—graciously receiving those who believe into eternal glory. (solapublishing.com)
Acts 1:12-26
Psalm 68:1-10
1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
May 28: Day of Pentecost
The Common Thread
One might have thought that the followers of Christ would fade away. After all, his opponents had seen to it that he was crucified. Surely his disciples would die out too. But, devoting themselves to their Lord through prayer, they understood that Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ death had been foretold in Scripture. What is more, they knew that their Lord was still with them, and they cast their anxieties upon him so that he would help them go through similar sufferings. They were able to stand firm in the faith, knowing that in the end, God would drive away their enemies—sin, death, and the devil—graciously receiving those who believe into eternal glory. (solapublishing.com)
Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 25:1-15
Acts 2:1-21
John 7:37-39