Unity Lutheran Church

06/08/26
Our calling

We proclaim him [Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
— Colossians 1:28

The life of Jesus is transformational. The resurrection of Jesus is transformational. The Gospel of Jesus is transformational. Jesus' gift of the Spirit is transformational. The proclamation of Jesus is transformational. The work of Jesus is transformational. In other words, Jesus is the key, the center, the hub, and the heart of what we do and why we do it. Paul also reminds us that Jesus Christ is our goal.

Let us pray...... Father, please forgive me. I confess that in my zeal to help others, I have sometimes lost sight of Jesus' power to change their lives and relied on my own meager resources. As I seek to know Christ more perfectly and as I seek to be more like Christ in my daily character, please use me to lead others to him and to be like him. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the name above all names, I pray. Amen.

06/07/26
Humility is not a suggestion, it is a requirement.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death --- even death on a cross!
— Philippians 2:5-8

Lord, humble us gently. That is one of my friend/s favorite prayers. I like it, too. But thank God Jesus was not gently humbled. While I hate he had to go through agony, his self-emptying humility was stark, bold, drastic, and outrageous. But I am to have this same attitude when it comes to reaching God's lost children.

Let us pray...... God, you are all powerful and yet you emptied yourself to redeem me. May I be more selfless in my attitude and treatment of others, more like Jesus is with me. In Christ' name, I pray. Amen.

06/06/26
Bless others as you have been blessed.

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
— 1 Corinthians 9:19

Grace frees us from the law of sin and death. But, our freedom is not to be used for rebellion or for self-gratification. Instead, we are to use our freedom redemptively, just as Jesus did (cf. Philippians 2:5-11). We can voluntarily limit that freedom to help others still caught in bo***ge to sin and false ideas about God. We can use the freedom of the Spirit to be transformed to be like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Let's use our freedom to rejoice and to bless.

Let us pray...... Thank you, great and mighty LORD, for setting me free by your grace. I know, dear Father, that this gift was given to me at great cost - the humiliating torture, death, and burial of your Son, Jesus Christ. So use me, dear Father, to bless others who have not yet found their deliverance and freedom in Jesus. I pray this in the name of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.

06/05/26
How great is The Lord?

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
— Psalm 145:3-4

What we know about God is confined to our small brains, our limited experiences, our willingness to read about the great deeds of God in Scripture, and our hearing of his incredible work through the lives of older Christians. There is nothing quite like listening to older, grace-filled brothers and sisters in Christ who know our Lord and his power through worship, obedience, and experience.

Let us pray...... God Almighty, by your grace I call you Abba Father. Your majesty is beyond my ability to comprehend and your power is beyond my abilty to grasp. What I do know, dear Father, and what I do understand, Almighty God, brings me to my knees in humble adoration and reverent appreciation. Thank you for your love, your mercy, and your grace that makes your majesty approachable and my mortality redeemable. In Jesus' name. Amen.

06/04/26
With true forgiveness comes healing.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
— James 5:16

To confess is to do two things with our sin: 1) to recognize sin for what it is in God's eyes and 2) to get rid of our secrets and be honest with another Christian. James' language is powerful. He mentions that this confession doesn't just bring forgiveness. It also brings healing.

Let us pray...... Holy Father, I have sinned. I now confess my own personal sin of ____________. I ask for your forgiveness and for your Spirit to strengthen me in overcoming temptation. I want to live for you and not let my sin, any sin, entangle me and draw me away from you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

06/03/26
Let the Lord guide your direction.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
— Psalm 23:2-3

Some of us won't slow down for anything! Well, almost anything. When we get "too full of ourselves" and too caught up in our own plans, the LORD, our Shepherd, slows us down and makes us lie down. Our Shepherd knows we need rest, nourishment, and refreshment and helps us, yes and even sometimes makes us, find "green pastures" and "still waters." He then leads us in the direction of his righteousness and holiness once we are rested and refreshed. Isn't it interesting that God's order for our life is always grace and then glory.

Let us pray...... Thank you, dear Father, for slowing down my frantic life and leading me to times of refreshment, rest, and nourishment. I trust that you will lead me to what I need as you mature me to have more and more of your righteous character. Please forgive me for getting too busy to hear your voice and to respond to your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

06/02/26
Love conquers fear.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
— 1 John 4:18

Do you remember what Jesus said when he came walking on the water to his disciples during the storm? He literally told them, "Do not fear, I Am." In the presence of the holy and awesome Son of God, we don't have to be afraid. God's grace to us in Jesus takes away our need for fear because Jesus' sacrifice makes us holy, without fault, and free from any charge against us (Colossians 1:21-22). Our response? Love! We love our Father for who he is, for what he has done, for his great sacrifice for us, and most of all, for making us holy and taking away our fear.

Let us pray...... Dear Father in heaven, you are holy, awesome, and glorious. These are things I could never be without your grace, yet you have chosen to give me these blessings through the sacrifice of your Son Jesus. Thank you. I love you. In Jesus' name I praise you. Amen.

06/01/26
God promises are as sure as the new day.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
— Romans 8:28

The real issue in our lives is not God's faithfulness, but ours. The history of God's faithfulness to Israel and to his promises is found in the Scriptures. We can depend and rely on him to do what he promises, despite the apparent circumstances of our lives. The real issue is whether or not we choose to truly love him and live for his purposes when life becomes unbearable and faith becomes hard. This verse is no platitude, but the life-ring of hope for those with gritty faith who choose to persevere when there is no easy reason for doing so. Faith is rooted in a Savior who triumphed over death, Satan, and sin on the third day while we find ourselves caught up on the second day waiting for the dawn of our full salvation.

Let us pray...... Give me courage, faith, and character, O Lord, and may I never outlive my faith and hope in you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

05/31/26
Love like Jesus

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.
— 1 John 4:17

When we live lovingly like Jesus did, we can have the same confidence in the face of death and before God in judgment. Our confidence is not in our efforts, but in our Savior. His love has not only redeemed us, it has changed us. His love is not only a gift to us, but it is a gift through us. We can be confident because we know that Jesus' life is present in us until we can stand with him in the presence of our Father.

Let us pray...... Holy Father, thank you for the power to love others. Thank you for the confidence your love gives me. You have done so much to save me. Thank you for your loving grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

05/30/26
We belong to Him.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
— Romans 8:1

You are mine! My righteousness and glory are yours! Enter into your Father's eternal reward! If we are in Christ, we don't face judgment, only welcome, with God our Father! His Spirit lives in us. His grace has set us free from the power of sin and death. His Son has paid the price for our sins. We are children of God!

Let us pray...... I praise you, loving and gracious Father, for your mercy and grace. Your steadfast and redeeming love never ceases. Your mercies are endless. Your love is new and fresh every morning as your Spirit fills my life and your hope revives me to face another day. Thank you! In Jesus' name I praise you. Amen.