Thursday Psalms: Walking in God's Faithfullness!

In our Psalm for today, David speaks a lot about how he has walked his daily life.  Of course, neither David nor any of us walk perfectly, but David highlights what is God-pleasing.  His list includes walking with integrity, trusting in the Lord, being tried and tested by God, and others.  David also encourages us to avoid sinfulness in verses four and five.  All of us join David, trying to walk in God-pleasing ways every day.

PSALM 26   Of David.

¹ Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,

      and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

² Prove me, O Lord, and try me;

      test my heart and my mind.

³ For Your steadfast love is before my eyes,

      and I walk in Your faithfulness.

⁴ I do not sit with men of falsehood,

      nor do I consort with hypocrites.

⁵ I hate the assembly of evildoers,

      and I will not sit with the wicked.

⁶ I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, O Lord,

    ⁷ proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all Your wondrous deeds.

⁸ O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house

      and the place where Your glory dwells.

⁹ Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,

      nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

¹⁰ in whose hands are evil devices,

      and whose right hands are full of bribes.

¹¹ But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;

      redeem me, and be gracious to me.

¹² My foot stands on level ground;

      in the great assembly I will bless the Lord. 

But our most important walking is not found in the choices we make, what we do, nor where we walk.  Verse three tells us about this walking, but what does it mean for us to walk in God's faithfulness?  

Because God loves you, me, and all of His creation far more than we can understand, God is faithful to Himself and all His promises.  God's most important promise was made to Adam & Eve just after their first sin.  God promised to send a Savior, to redeem all people from the sins we inherit and those we commit ourselves.  Jesus, God's only Son, was born a human baby and lived a sinless life on this earth.  Furthermore, Jesus allowed Himself to suffer and be killed, so He could be faithful to His Father's will and take the sin punishment you and I daily deserve.  That's faithfulness beyond what we can even imagine!

In verse eleven, David was looking forward to the promised Savior as he prayed that God would redeem him and be gracious to him.  You and I are even more blessed, that we can look back in time and point to Jesus, our Savior.  God HAS redeemed you!  God HAS been gracious to you, and still is gracious and loving and forgiving to you every day of your life!

Today, let's join David in God-pleasing walking, to the best of our abilities.  Best of all, since God was and continues to be faithful, we walk everyday in His faithfulness, His love and His forgiveness!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

     We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

        Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word." Psalm 119:114   

Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 27, 2023

  Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 27, 2023

We're thankful you've come here to watch our service and to worship the one true God!

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our 9:30 am Worship Service.  Afterward, we gathered for food, conversations, and Adult Bible study, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or later on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about today's worship service:

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY'S WORSHIP

   Old Testament:  Isaiah 51:1–6

                Psalm:  Psalm 138
               Epistle:  Romans 11:33–12:8
               Gospel:  Matthew 16:13–20

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
The disciples had been with Jesus for over two years when the conversation in today’s Gospel text takes place.  Jesus has led them to an area in which there were many idols of false gods, and then posed two questions to them.  The more important question was:  “But, who do you say that I am?”  This is the most important question you and I can ever be asked, and by God’s mercy we can join Peter in responding “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

To watch the video of today's service, please click HERE.

Peace in Christ, your Savior,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

       Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save"  Zephaniah 3:17        

Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 20, 2023

 

  Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 20, 2023

We're thankful you've come here to watch our service and to worship the one true God!

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our 9:30 am Worship Service.  Afterward, we gathered for food, conversations, and Adult Bible study, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or later on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about today's worship service:

BIBLE READINGS FOR SUNDAY

   Old Testament:   Isaiah 56:1, 6–8

                Psalm:   Psalm 67
                Epistle:  Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32
               Gospel:   Matthew 15:21–28

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
Pastor Wayne Wentzel will be preaching and leading the Divine Service today while Pastor Mark is on vacation.  The sermon theme will focus on the treasures in our hearts, based on Matthew 6:21.

To watch the video of today's service, please click HERE.

Peace in Christ, your Savior,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

       Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save"  Zephaniah 3:17       

Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 13, 2023

  Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

August 13, 2023

We're thankful you've come here to watch our service and to worship the one true God!

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our 9:30 am Worship Service.  Afterward, we gathered for food, conversations, and Adult Bible study, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or later on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about today's worship service:

BIBLE READINGS FOR SUNDAY

   Old Testament:  Job 38:4–18

                Psalm:  Psalm 18:1–6
               Epistle:  Romans 10:5–17
               Gospel:  Matthew 14:22–33

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP TODAY
Reverend Wayne Wentzel will be preaching and leading the Divine Service this Sunday, while Pastor Mark is on vacation.  The sermon theme will focus on the Holy Trinity and be based on 2 John verse 3.

To watch the video of today's service, please click HERE.

Peace in Christ, your Savior,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

       Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save"  Zephaniah 3:17       

Thursday Psalms: God Is Gracious!

Especially for Lutheran worshipers, the first verse of today's Psalm may remind us of the familiar benediction spoken at the end of the Divine Service on Sunday mornings.  We're reminded of and pray for God's grace and blessing, because God loves each of us so very much.  But this psalm introduces another reason why God would be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us.

PSALM 67

¹ May God be gracious to us and bless us

      and make His face to shine upon us,

² that Your way may be known on earth,

      Your saving power among all nations.

³ Let the peoples praise You, O God;

      let all the peoples praise You!

⁴ Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

      for You judge the peoples with equity

            and guide the nations upon earth.

⁵ Let the peoples praise You, O God;

      let all the peoples praise You!

⁶ The earth has yielded its increase;

      God, our God, shall bless us.

⁷ God shall bless us;

      let all the ends of the earth fear Him! 

We find this reason in verse two:  [so] that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.  God's blesses His people, so all peoples would learn of Him and believe in Him.  With this in mind, we should always give thanks to God for His blessings.  But we also must ask ourselves "How can I use the blessings God has given to me, so that others will come to know God and glorify Him?".  

God is gracious and blesses us greatly; may He lead us to be the same to others!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

     We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

        Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word." Psalm 119:114  

  

Thursday Psalms: The Lord IS Your Strength!

I always feel uplifted and encouraged when I read the first six verses of Psalm 18, and I pray you will too!  By faith given to us, God reveals that He IS our strength, our rock, our stronghold!  

PSALM 18:1-6

¹ I love you, O Lord, my strength.

² The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

      my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

               my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

³ I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,

      and I am saved from my enemies.

⁴ The cords of death encompassed me;

      the torrents of destruction assailed me;

⁵ the cords of Sheol entangled me;

      the snares of death confronted me.

⁶ In my distress I called upon the Lord;

      to my God I cried for help.

  From His temple He heard my voice,

      and my cry to Him reached His ears. 

No matter what enemies we face in life, including death itself, the Lord saves us from our enemies and is our stronghold.  Through Jesus' death and resurrection, God has saved you even from death by whatever enemy [sickness, accident, decay...]!  And so, we can join the psalmist and confidently praise & thank God, knowing that He has heard our prayers!

Today, join me in being comforted by the Lord, your strength!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

     We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

        Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word." Psalm 119:114  

 

Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 6, 2023

 

  Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 6, 2023

We're thankful you've come here to watch our service and to worship the one true God!

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our 9:30 am Worship Service.  Afterward, we gathered for food, conversations, and Adult Bible study, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or later on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about today's worship service:

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY

   Old Testament:   Isaiah 55:1–5
                Psalm:   Psalm 136:1–9, 23–26
               Epistle:   Romans 9:1–5 (6–13)
               Gospel:   Matthew 14:13–21

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
Where do you fit in today's Gospel text?  Jesus feeds more than 5,000 people who are in the deserted wilderness.  Are you in the crowd, pressing & chasing after Jesus, needing healing and food?  Are you one of Jesus’ disciples, unsure that Jesus can miraculously provide for your problems?  Like the disciples, do you really just want others and their problems to just go away?  Come and receive what Jesus gives to you, come and be satisfied!

To watch the video of today's service, please click HERE.

Peace in Christ, your Savior,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

       Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save"  Zephaniah 3:17      

Thursday Psalms: Give Thanks to the Lord!

The psalmist has written 26 verses in Psalm 136, each ending with a common response to who God is and what God has done for us.  It's not hard to come up with a theme and title for this psalm!  Knowing this psalm and every word of Scripture is God-given, here we have God Himself reminding us that His steadfast love endures forever.  Since I haven't included all verses, you may want to open your Bible and read through all of them.  While the repetition may feel tedious, it's a great reminder of God's never-ending love and forgiveness for YOU.  God is always faithful in His mercy, and gives it to YOU over-and-over-and-over!

PSALM 136:1–3, 23–26

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,

     for His steadfast love endures forever.

² Give thanks to the God of gods,

     for His steadfast love endures forever.

³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

     for His steadfast love endures forever;

²³ It is He who remembered us in our low estate,

     for His steadfast love endures forever;

²⁴ and rescued us from our foes,

     for His steadfast love endures forever;

²⁵ He who gives food to all flesh,

     For His steadfast love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven,

     for His steadfast love endures forever. 

In the first three verses God calls us to be thankful, not only that the Lord is good, but also that He is God and Lord over all nations, kings, and all people.  In verses 4-9 we are reminded that God shows His steadfast love by the great wonders in His created natural world.  In verses 10-22 the psalmist reminds us of God's steadfast love and faithfulness shown as God rescued His children from slavery in Egypt and established them in the land He promised to give them.  

In the final section of this psalm [verses 23-26 above], the focus becomes more personal.  The one true God, who created and is Lord over all things, remembers YOU!  You're not just one of billions of people currently breathing air on this earth; YOU are a loved and remembered child of God, whose steadfast love for YOU endures forever!  Give thanks to the Lord, who rescues YOU from many earthly disasters, struggles and foes.  And even better, God ALWAYS rescues you from the evil foe, the devil and all the sins he tempts you to commit.  Give thanks to the Lord, who gives to YOU food and all other needs and comforts of your life!

Let's all pause many times today to commit verse one of this psalm to memory, and actually do what it says!

Giving thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

     We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

        Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word." Psalm 119:114