The Daily Plunge!

Essential Shema Confession (Deuteronomy 6:1–9). Listen to the voice of God Israel. The core confession is that the LORD is our God. We are to be devoted to God with all our lives. Even more, we are to teach the faith to our children from sun-up to sundown. Our thoughts and deeds bound to His Word.#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Deuteronomy

Wise Living Nation (Deuteronomy 4:1–9). Moses helps Israel to understand that the teaching of LORD is a gift. They will be seen as a wise, right living nation not governed by their passions and strife, but principles and values that guide them to live honoring God and honoring one another. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Deuteronomy

Seeing From Afar (Deuteronomy 3:18–28). Moses tells Joshua God is fighting for you and giving you victory. Moses asks the LORD to reconsider now that things are coming together. Who does he blame when God says not to bring up the matter again? Often we sow for others to reap. (cf. Deut 2:14-14, Mt 13:17)#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Deuteron...

Retelling Faith Failure (Deuteronomy 1:1–18). Moses expounds upon the Torah, which means teaching, not law. An eleven day trip took more than 40 years because they doubt God and accuse God of hating them! The LORD lets them have their cowardly way. Moses retells it as a warning to the new generation. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Deuteronomy

Faith Praying Life (James 5:13–20). Our misfortunes and our victories are to go through the prism of prayer. Don’t live your life on your own. All of your life is in God’s hands. Sin impairs our lives, so we end up getting sick. Don’t hold onto sin. Repent, be forgiven and be healed. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJames

Lord’s Coming Confidence (James 5:7–12). Everything is defined by the Lord’s return. Our patient suffering is encouraged by his return. We have an unshakeable confidence in God’s faithfulness to his promises. He is the one who determines the future and the end. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJames

Present Gospel Certainty (James 4:13–5:6). Rather than relying on our hallucinatory striving to produce the future, the present is given to us as a gift where we can live in God’s will. Do you live your life by faith or by striving? Hoarding wealth by defrauding others will be punished by God. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJames

Doubleminded Believers Humbled (James 4:1-12). Fights and quarrels among believers shows they are slaves to their passions. We are adulterous if we love the world and ourselves more than God. Repent and turn from the devil and turn towards God, you recovering sinners!#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJames

Spiritual Wisdom Manners (James 3:13–17). The world is neither wise or understanding. The wisdom of God is shown in our lives (Mt 11:19). Whereas earthly wisdom results in disorder and wickedness, a Christ-centered faith has the power to transform our lives to make us holy, kind, humble and obedient. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJam...

Goes For The Mouth (James 3:1–12). We all stumble in many ways and cannot conquer our bodies or wills. Our tongues spew deadly poison. We blaspheme against God when we curse other people. When Christ is the spring of our life we produce freshness. What fruit is being produced? (cf. Mt 7:16-20)#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJames

Faith Shaped Believers (James 2:14–26). If you say you love Christ, then live an active faith. James challenges us to live out the implications of our relationship with God. Can a living faith be dead? Your faith always depends upon God. So, does faith shape your life? (cf. 1 Jn 3:17-18) #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJames

Mercy On Blasphemous Lawbreakers (James 2:1–13). Drop living by the tainted standards of the world. You break one law you break them all. So we are all lawbreakers. Yet God choses the weak and poor to be rich in faith God promises kingdom to those who love him. (cf. 1 Cor 1:26-28)#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJames

Speaking Choosing God (James 1:16–27). Don’t be deceived thinking we create good on our own. Every good comes from God. God choses you and gave you faith through the Word. Let the Word take hold of you and live it out. Are you living out your salvation or working for your salvation? #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJames

Theological Foundation Assumptions (James 1:1–15). The letter of James is the writing of a practical pastor that assumes a short hand theological foundation. We are elevated by our faith in the Lord, not by any earthly status. We who love Christ have the promise rather than death. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #LetterofJames

Not Going Alone (Colossians 4:2–18). Dedicate yourself to pray for your pastor and your church. Ask God to open people’s lives to the amazing gospel of Christ. Your pastor struggles in prayer for you, do you pray for them? Do you make sure your pastor is not going it alone?#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Colossians

Tiny Church Family (Colossians 3:18-4:1). All of our relationships are to be transformed by Christ. Even the most daily and difficult relationships are to be guided by our devotion to Christ. How are we displaying Christ in the tiny church - the family?#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Colossians

Christ Ruled Relationships (Colossians 3:12-17). In everything you do with other people call upon being clothed with Christ. Allow Christ’s peace, gratitude, and gospel to transform how you relate to others. Are you cherishing mundane relationships?#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Colossians

Abiding Not Hiding (Colossians 3:1–11). You are raised in Christ from sin death so set your hearts and minds on His power and glory. When your life is folded into Christ, you rid yourself of the earthly selfish behaviors. Do you see the new Christ self in your life?#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Colossians

Christ Nailed Sins (Colossians 2:8–23). Outside of Christ, you were dead in your sins. When your sins were nailed to the cross with Christ you were forgiven and given new life. Don’t buy into the various Christ-less religiosities of virtue signaling that cannot free you from sin-baked bondage.#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Colossians

Messianic Mystic Abiding (Colossians 1:24–2:7). Paul seeks to fill up his life on the Cross – the afflictions of Christ - so the church grows in faith. He contends so we will grow into the mystery of Christ dwelling in our lives, to be fully mature abiding in Christ.#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Colossians

(Colossians 1:15-23) Visible Concrete SupremeVisible Concrete Supreme (Colossians 1:15-23). Christ is the visible revelation of the invisible God. In the incarnate and crucified Christ you are redeemed and consecrated to be holy, unblemished and guiltless.#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Colossians

Already Rescued Saints (Colossians 1:1-14). Paul prays through faith and love we will grow in knowing God and God’s will. We already are transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of light with redemption and forgiveness.#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Wise Dirt Napper (Daniel 12:1–4, 13). Not even death will keep us from God’s judgment. Those who are wise in God will be raised from their dirt nap to eternal life, our allotted inheritance. Those who reject God will get to reject God with contempt for eternity. (cf. Rev 3:5, 13:8, 20:12-15)#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Broad Daylight Revelation (Daniel 10:10–14). Do we really want to encounter Christ in his full glory and majesty, without grace? The LORD touches Daniels lips to speak because Daniel doesn’t speak out of his own strength. How does God strengthen us to speak? (cf. Rev 1:12-15, Jer 1:9) #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Word of God Petitions (Daniel 9:1–10). “Great and Awesome God” acts righteously with sinners both with wrath and redemption because God is all mighty. The answer to Daniel’s prayer is on its way even before he ends his prayer! #dailydevotion , #Lutherandevotional , #DailyPlunge , #DailyLectionary , #DailyScripture , #ProphetDaniel