This sermon was originally preached on 1.12.25 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. Text: James 1:19-26

1 John 4:9–15In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propi...

John 1:1–5In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the lif...

Luke 1:67–79And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,for he has visited and redeemed his peopleand has raised up a horn of salvation for usin the hous...

John 3:16–21“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be...

Psalm 138:4–8All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,for they have heard the words of your mouth,and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,for great is the glory of the LORD.For though the LORD is high, he...

Psalm 40:1–3I waited patiently for the LORD;he inclined to me and heard my cry.He drew me up from the pit of destruction,out of the miry bog,and set my feet upon a rock,making my steps secure.He put a new song in...

Psalm 33:4–8For the word of the LORD is upright,and all his work is done in faithfulness.He loves righteousness and justice;the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.By the word of the LORD the heavens were mad...

Psalm 119:65–68You have dealt well with your servant,O LORD, according to your word.Teach me good judgment and knowledge,for I believe in your commandments.Before I was afflicted I went astray,but now I keep your word.

Psalm 47:1–7Clap your hands, all peoples!Shout to God with loud songs of joy!For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared,a great king over all the earth.He subdued peoples under us,and nations under our feet.He chos...

Psalm 41:1–3 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him u...

Psalm 63:1–8O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you,as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,beholding your power a...

Psalm 32:1–5Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,whose sin is covered.Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit.For when I kept silent, my bones wast...

Psalm 31:3–4For you are my rock and my fortress;and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,for you are my refuge.Music by John Slates.Artwork by Tanya Celia&n...

Psalm 37:3–7Trust in the LORD, and do good;dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.Delight yourself in the LORD,and he will give you the desires of your heart.Commit your way to the LORD;trust in him, and he will act...

This sermon was originally preached on December 8, 202,4 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. 

Psalm 119:33–37Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;and I will keep it to the end.Give me understanding, that I may keep your lawand observe it with my whole heart.Lead me in the path of your commandments,for I del...

Psalm 39:4–7“O LORD, make me know my endand what is the measure of my days;let me know how fleeting I am!Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,and my lifetime is as nothing before you.Surely all mankind stands...

Psalm 9:1–2I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.I will be glad and exult in you;I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:9–11The LORD is a st...

Psalm 148:1–5Praise the LORD!Praise the LORD from the heavens;praise him in the heights!Praise him, all his angels;praise him, all his hosts!Praise him, sun and moon,praise him, all you shining stars!Praise him, ...

Psalm 117Praise the LORD, all nations!Extol him, all peoples!For great is his steadfast love toward us,and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.Praise the LORD! Music by John Slaten. Artwork by ...

Psalm 16:5–11The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;you hold my lot.The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;in the night also my hear...

Psalm 18:30–33This God—his way is perfect;the word of the LORD proves true;he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.For who is God, but the LORD?And who is a rock, except our God?—the God who equipped me with ...

Psalm 119:17–20Deal bountifully with your servant,that I may live and keep your word.Open my eyes, that I may beholdwondrous things out of your law.I am a sojourner on the earth;hide not your commandments from me!My ...

Psalm 10:16–18The LORD is king forever and ever;the nations perish from his land.O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your earto do justice to the fatherless and the ...