Good morning and a most blessed Thursday to you.

Today I want to share with you the best news that we could ever have. Last night in our in midweek service, we talked about clinging to the cross.  There is no better news than the cross of Christ.

The cross of Christ is where our sins were forgiven, where we were reconciled, and atonement was made, where we are once again at one with God, blameless before him. We can enter the throne room, approaching the throne without shame and without guilt, because Christ has already carried all of that for us. He took upon himself our guilt and the punishment of our sin, so we can live in the freedom that we have through the cross.

I Peter 1:18-21

18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.

My brothers and sisters, your faith and hope are indeed set on God because we have been given complete life and forgiveness and mercy through God and God alone. Praise the Lord for his sacrifice. Praise the Lord that he has called you through Word and Sacrament to be his own. And praise the Lord that by his Holy Spirit he continues to lead us each and every day in his grace to grow in faith, and to continue to grow in relationship with him and with all of the saints. Praise be to him, and may we always cling to the cross.

Heavenly Lord, we thank you so much for this day. We thank you for the good news that we are saved through you and you alone. Lord thank you that before the foundations of this world, you already secured our salvation, through you and through the sacrifice that you made upon the cross. Lord thank you for giving us the victory. Thank you for calling us to be your own. And thank you for giving us the opportunity to share this good news with others. Keep this good news always upon our lips that we would be able to rejoice and share your love with everyone that we meet. We rejoice that we would in the fullness of time be joined with you together with all the saints to be in your glorious presence for all eternity. Lord, we lift this to you in the Saving and Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have an amazing rest of your week. I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday. God bless.

Pastor Malinak