Daily Lutheran Sermon Quote - Rogate - "In Like Manner, St. Paul Says That God’s Ability Is Thus Proved, In That he does exceeding abundantly above and better than we ask or think. Ephesians 3:20.

 

Link to Luther's Rogate Sermon - 

7. In the fifth place, one should so act in this confidence of prayer as not to limit God and specify the day or place, nor designate the way or measure of the prayer’s fulfillment; but leave all to his own will, wisdom and almighty power. Then confidently and cheerfully await the answer, not even wishing to know how and where, how soon, how long, and through whom. His divine wisdom will find far better ways and measures, time and place, than we can devise, even should we perform miracles. So, in the Old Testament, the children of Israel all trusted in God to deliver them while yet there was no possible way before their eyes, nor even in their thoughts; then the Red Sea parted and offered them a way through the waters, and suddenly drowned all their enemies. Exodus 14.

8. Thus Judith, the holy woman, did when she heard that the citizens of Bethulia wished to deliver the city to their enemies within five days if God, in the meantime, did not help. She reproved them and said, Now who are ye, that have tempted God? They are not designs by which one acquires grace; but they awaken more disgrace. Do you wish to set a time for God to show you mercy, and specify a day according to your own pleasure?

Judith 8:10-12. Then the Lord helped her in a wonderful manner, in that she cut off the head of the great Holofernes and dispersed the enemies.

9. In like manner, St. Paul says that God’s ability is thus proved, in that he does exceeding abundantly above and better than we ask or think. Ephesians 3:20. Therefore, we should know that we are too finite to be able to name, picture or designate the time, place, way, measure and other circumstances for that which we ask of God. Let us leave that entirely to him, and immovably and steadfastly believe that he will hear us.

KJV Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us [GJ - dynamo in Greek for power; energy or efficacy for the Greek word for worketh in us - την δυναμιν την ενεργουμενην]

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Daily Lutheran Sermon Quote - "Our Prayers Must Not Be Founded Nor Rest Upon Ourselves Or Their Own Merits, But Upon the Unshakable Truth of the Divine Promise"

 

Link to Luther's Rogate Sermon - 

5. In the fourth place, some say: Yes, I would gladly trust that my prayer would be heard, if I were only worthy and prayed aright. My answer is: If you do not pray until you know and experience that you are fit, then you will never need to pray. As I have said before, our prayers must not be founded nor rest upon ourselves or their own merits, but upon the unshakable truth of the divine promise. Where they are founded upon anything else, they are false, and deceive us, even though the heart break in the midst of its great devotions and we weep drops of blood. The very reason we do pray is because of our unworthiness; and just through the fact that we believe we are unworthy and confidently venture upon God’s faithfulness to his Word do we become worthy to pray and to be heard. Be you as unworthy as you may, only look to it, and with all earnestness accept it as true, that a thousandfold more depends upon this, that you know God’s truth and not change his faithful promise into a lie by your doubting. Your worthiness does not help you, but your unworthiness is no barrier. Disbelief condemns you, and trust makes you worthy and sustains you.

6. Therefore, be on your guard all through life that you may never think yourself worthy or fit to pray or to receive; unless it be that you discover yourself to be a freebold character risking all upon the faithful and sure promises of your gracious God, who thus wishes to reveal to you his mercy and goodness. Just as he, out of pure grace, has promised you, being so unworthy, an unmerited and unasked hearing, so will he also hear you, an unworthy beggar, out of pure grace, to the praise of his truth and promise. This he does in order that you may thank, not your worthiness, but his truth, by which he fulfils his promise, and that you thank his mercy that gave the promise, that the saying in Psalm 25:8-10 may stand: “Good and upright is Jehovah: Therefore will he instruct sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in justice; and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of Jehovah are loving kindness and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” Loving-kindness or mercy in the promise; faithfulness and truth in the fulfilling or hearing of the promises.

And in another Psalm he says: “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10. That is, they come together in every work and gift we receive from God through prayer.

Another Thursday Rain - How the Rain and Snow Green Up the Landscape

 

 Honeysuckle

Thursday seems to be destined for rain, week after week. A heavy rain means slogging through mud to pull the barrels out to the front. Today is an all day rain, so procrastination is not doing anything more than add to the rain from last night. When the mud gets tough, the tough take the barrels through the kitchen and living room.

I have two honeysuckle vines starting to grow, planted last fall. Or - they are identical weeds in two places, each protected with a plastic collar. My confidence is growing with those two plants. Adults and children consider honeysuckle essential to the South - the edible berries and the intoxicating fragrance

My favorite chore is pouring rainwater on plants that need help or promise to be the most bountiful. A crepe myrtle has been given extra rainwater ever since I planted it, and it will be a great bird sanctuary this summer.

Last year's drought made it seem impossible to keep the plants growing. As bad as the winter was, the struggling plants of last autumn became the superstars of 2023. Root systems grew all winter long, prospering from the snow, rain, and sleet.

Rainwater is life-giving, not only for the moisture needed in all of life, but also for the rain's usable nitrogen compounds. One garden author taught me that ideal soil is a combination of constantly moving, living and dying exchanges of nutrition and water. They are the bank from which all others draw interest and pay dividends. 

Some gardeners argue for carbon, others for nitrogen, still others for manure and earthworms. The garden is a liturgical spectacle where each element takes its turn, delivers the benefit, and humbly departs for the next round of life.

 Enchanted Peace

Many garden sorrows turned into joy this spring. Lilies came up strong. Bee balm spread to serve the butterflies, birds, and hummingbirds. Most roses kept their health and began budding. Joe Pye and Clethra began, shy and late, soon shooting upward from the earlier rain and sun. 

The key pollen producers now are the cat mint and the borage. Two bumble bees work  those flowers all day long - or maybe switch to a new team every hour. The bee team comes up to the porch and circles around, as if there is another source of pollen. Soon the various mints and Clethra will mix their fragrances together for a butterfly jamboree.