Bible Passage for the Week
Proverbs 29:1-10
1 Timothy 3
Acts 5:17-32
Psalm 3
Verse to Memorize
Romans 5:1
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
Who to pray for
Church: Holy Trinity Reformed Church
James Brown Jr
Ministry: Sweetwater Research
Civil Magistrate: The Governor Elect Mike Braun
Notes for Parents:
Proverbs 29:1-10
Verse 2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
Verse 4 The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
Election Day has come and gone, and we are breathing a sigh of relief. In His sovereign wisdom, God did not allow Kamala Harris to ascend to the presidency. Scripture is clear: "It is a curse when women rule over the people" (Isaiah 3:12). Furthermore, by God’s providence, the election has resulted in a decisive victory for President Trump and the Republican Party. This is no small mercy. The Democratic Party’s platform openly advocates for the slaughter of unborn children and the indoctrination of youth with wicked ideologies. For the past four years, the nation has groaned under the leadership of President Joe Biden—a ruler whose policies have embodied corruption and godlessness. Now, we give thanks to God for His hand in this election, which has brought change.
Paul exhorts us in 1 Timothy 2 to give thanks for civil authorities. But he also commands us to pray for them. This is not a time to relax or rest on political triumphs.
Yet let us not deceive ourselves. Political victories, while significant, are not the ultimate battleground. This election outcome does not mean righteousness is increasing in our land. God’s Word teaches us that true stability, justice, and peace flow from His rule, not from a political party or leader. Government has a role—yes, a God-ordained role—but it is the Church that proclaims the righteousness of Christ. Only the kingdom of God offers the lasting change we long for. It is not Trump’s kingdom come, we pray, but Christ’s.
Yes, we thank God for President Trump’s leadership. But our battle is far greater than political opponents. Our true enemies are the devil, the flesh, and the world. These foes will not be defeated merely with ballots or policies but with the unyielding proclamation of the gospel, the sword of the Spirit. Men of God must take up their calling with seriousness—raising their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, leading their homes in godliness, and living faithfully in every aspect of life.
So, as you reflect on this moment, offer prayers of thanksgiving to God for His mercy. But do not stop there. Pray for the advance of Christ’s kingdom. Ask Him to equip you for the battle ahead, to strengthen your resolve, and to deepen your faith. Live in the reality that we will all stand before the Judge who hates bribery and delights in justice.
Jesus Christ is King. His reign is coming in fullness. Long for that day and labor faithfully until He returns.
Psalm 3
Vs 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be upon Your people!
King David penned this psalm in the midst of one of the darkest chapters of his life. His own son, Absalom, led a coup to overthrow him. David, stripped of his throne, fled for his life. This rebellion was not born in a vacuum—it was the bitter fruit of David’s sins. His adultery with Bathsheba, the murder of her husband, and his failure to discipline his children had sown the seeds of this calamity.
Yet David, though a sinner, was also a man after God’s own heart. He confessed his sins with humility and trusted in God’s mercy. Scripture praises him as a model of faithfulness, even as it does not shy away from his failures. But David’s sins carried consequences. His life was marked by trials, and his enemies multiplied.
We can identify with David. Like him, we are sinners forgiven by God. And like him, we often face the fallout of our own sins and the sins of others. At times, the weight of these consequences feels overwhelming, as if we are surrounded by enemies too numerous to count. It is in these moments of anguish that the Devil strikes hardest, whispering his cruel lies: “There is no deliverance for you in God” (v. 2). He wants us to despair, to believe that forgiveness is out of reach and all hope is lost.
But these are lies. God is our shield. He hears the cries of repentant sinners and answers with the declaration of His love: “This is My child. I am well-pleased in him.”
As Christians, we do not face the trials of life with cowardice or unbelief. We deal with them by faith, confident in the promises of God. Surrounded by enemies, we do not falter. We can even sleep in peace, for we know that if God is for us, no one can stand against us.
God was with David. He dealt with Absalom’s rebellion and restored David to the throne. David’s enemies fell before him because God fought for him. The enemies’ teeth were shattered. Now, that’s a powerful punch.
And God has done more for us. In Christ, He has crushed the head of the serpent. It’s fang’s shattered. The sting of death is gone. Though trials and enemies remain, though death itself looms on the horizon, we have the assurance of eternal life, joy, and every blessing in Christ.
Struggle is our lot in this life, but salvation belongs to the Lord. He will not abandon His people. Trust Him in the battle. Rest with a clear conscience, knowing that your sins are forgiven. Pray with boldness that God will destroy His enemies and ours. And look forward to the day when we will see our Savior face to face, triumphant and victorious forever.
Example Prayer
Heavenly Father, Creator, Sustainer, and Savior,
We come before You in worship, acknowledging that You alone are God. You are the sovereign King of the universe, the One who spoke the heavens and earth into existence and upholds them by Your mighty power. We praise You for Your unchanging nature, Your boundless mercy, and Your perfect justice. You are holy, and there is none like You. Forgive us, Lord, for our many sins. We confess that we have fallen short of Your glory. We have loved the things of this world more than You and have neglected to walk in Your ways. Wash us clean through the blood of Christ, our Redeemer, and renew in us hearts that hunger for righteousness. We proclaim that our hope is in Christ alone, who died for our sins and rose again in victory. He is our great High Priest, our Mediator, and our coming King.
Lord, we lift up the expectant mothers in our church family: Emily Leupp, Christina Puryear, Vivian Tocci, Courtney Parkes, Caitlin Govanus, and Isabelle Hargiss. We pray for Your hand of protection over them and their unborn children. Grant these mothers strength, health, and peace as they await the gift of life You are knitting together in the womb. May these little ones grow to know You, love You, and serve You all the days of their lives. Sustain these families, and may Your Word dwell richly in their homes, guiding them in the paths of righteousness.
We pray for Pastor James Brown Jr. of Holy Trinity Reformed Church, who is recovering from prostate cancer surgery. Lord, we ask for Your healing hand upon him, that his recovery would be swift and complete. May every trace of cancer be removed, and may he return to his pastoral work with renewed strength and vigor. Comfort his wife and children during this trial, reminding them of Your faithfulness and sovereignty. Strengthen the church he leads, that they would stand firm in the faith, united in Christ, growing in number and spiritual maturity. Use this season to draw them closer to You and to shine the light of the gospel in their community.
We also bring before You the work of Sweetwater Research. Father, grant them wisdom, insight, and discernment as they pursue their endeavors. Let their efforts be guided by Your truth, and may their work glorify Your name and align with Your purposes. Keep them grounded in righteousness and integrity, and use their findings to advance what is good, true, and noble in Your sight.
We pray for Indiana Governor-elect Mike Braun. As the Apostle Paul exhorted, we intercede for those in authority, asking that You would grant him wisdom and humility as he assumes his office. Open his eyes to the Lordship of Christ, and convict him by Your Spirit to govern with integrity, justice, and in submission to Your Word. Lead him to repentance and faith in Your Son, that his leadership might reflect Your righteousness and bring blessing to the people of this state. May his decisions uphold the truth and honor You above all.
Finally, Lord, we lift up the families of our church. Strengthen the husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church, leading their homes with courage and godliness. Grant wives a heart of submission, filled with love and respect for their husbands. Help children to honor and obey their parents, and may fathers train their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Build homes that stand as beacons of Your truth in a world of darkness.
We pray for the nations, Lord. May every tribe, tongue, and people come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Bring the Jewish people back into the fold. Break the chains of idolatry and false worship, and let Christ reign in every heart. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, we pray. Amen.
Church History Lesson: Clement of Rome
Clement of Rome, counted as the third bishop of Rome after the apostles, was a key figure in the early church and is most well-known for his letter to the Corinthians (commonly referred to as 1 Clement). Written around 96 AD, this letter emphasizes Christian unity, humility, and obedience to God’s commands. Clement's writings reveal his deep understanding of Scripture and his pastoral concern for the church. He lived during a time when divisions and conflicts threatened the harmony of the body of Christ, and he called believers to repentance and love.
One of the central themes of his letter is the power and beauty of divine love. He writes,
"Let the one truly possessed by the love of Christ keep his commandments. Who can express the binding power of divine love? Love unites us to God; 'it cancels innumerable sins,' has no limits to its endurance, bears everything patiently."
This call to love and unity resonates with the teachings of the apostles and remains vital for the church today.
Tradition holds that Clement was martyred by being tied to an anchor and cast into the sea. He serves as an example of steadfast faith and unwavering devotion to Christ even in the face of persecution.
Key Bible Verse:
"By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
—John 13:35
Discussion Questions:
We thank You for raising up faithful servants like Clement of Rome, who proclaimed Your truth with boldness and called the church to love and unity. We praise You for the wisdom and courage You gave him to guide believers back to Your commands and to the example of Christ. Thank You for his steadfast faith, even unto death, which inspires us to persevere in our walk with You. Help us to imitate his love for Your Word and his commitment to the unity of Your church. May we, like Clement, always fix our eyes on Christ, our Savior and King. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Family Challenge:
This week, discuss how your family can show Christ-like love to one another and to your neighbors. Consider ways to strengthen unity within your local church, and pray together for the peace and growth of the body of Christ.
Proverbs 29:1-10
1 Timothy 3
Acts 5:17-32
Psalm 3
Verse to Memorize
Romans 5:1
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
Who to pray for
Church: Holy Trinity Reformed Church
James Brown Jr
Ministry: Sweetwater Research
Civil Magistrate: The Governor Elect Mike Braun
Notes for Parents:
Proverbs 29:1-10
Verse 2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
Verse 4 The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
Election Day has come and gone, and we are breathing a sigh of relief. In His sovereign wisdom, God did not allow Kamala Harris to ascend to the presidency. Scripture is clear: "It is a curse when women rule over the people" (Isaiah 3:12). Furthermore, by God’s providence, the election has resulted in a decisive victory for President Trump and the Republican Party. This is no small mercy. The Democratic Party’s platform openly advocates for the slaughter of unborn children and the indoctrination of youth with wicked ideologies. For the past four years, the nation has groaned under the leadership of President Joe Biden—a ruler whose policies have embodied corruption and godlessness. Now, we give thanks to God for His hand in this election, which has brought change.
Paul exhorts us in 1 Timothy 2 to give thanks for civil authorities. But he also commands us to pray for them. This is not a time to relax or rest on political triumphs.
Yet let us not deceive ourselves. Political victories, while significant, are not the ultimate battleground. This election outcome does not mean righteousness is increasing in our land. God’s Word teaches us that true stability, justice, and peace flow from His rule, not from a political party or leader. Government has a role—yes, a God-ordained role—but it is the Church that proclaims the righteousness of Christ. Only the kingdom of God offers the lasting change we long for. It is not Trump’s kingdom come, we pray, but Christ’s.
Yes, we thank God for President Trump’s leadership. But our battle is far greater than political opponents. Our true enemies are the devil, the flesh, and the world. These foes will not be defeated merely with ballots or policies but with the unyielding proclamation of the gospel, the sword of the Spirit. Men of God must take up their calling with seriousness—raising their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, leading their homes in godliness, and living faithfully in every aspect of life.
So, as you reflect on this moment, offer prayers of thanksgiving to God for His mercy. But do not stop there. Pray for the advance of Christ’s kingdom. Ask Him to equip you for the battle ahead, to strengthen your resolve, and to deepen your faith. Live in the reality that we will all stand before the Judge who hates bribery and delights in justice.
Jesus Christ is King. His reign is coming in fullness. Long for that day and labor faithfully until He returns.
Psalm 3
Vs 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be upon Your people!
King David penned this psalm in the midst of one of the darkest chapters of his life. His own son, Absalom, led a coup to overthrow him. David, stripped of his throne, fled for his life. This rebellion was not born in a vacuum—it was the bitter fruit of David’s sins. His adultery with Bathsheba, the murder of her husband, and his failure to discipline his children had sown the seeds of this calamity.
Yet David, though a sinner, was also a man after God’s own heart. He confessed his sins with humility and trusted in God’s mercy. Scripture praises him as a model of faithfulness, even as it does not shy away from his failures. But David’s sins carried consequences. His life was marked by trials, and his enemies multiplied.
We can identify with David. Like him, we are sinners forgiven by God. And like him, we often face the fallout of our own sins and the sins of others. At times, the weight of these consequences feels overwhelming, as if we are surrounded by enemies too numerous to count. It is in these moments of anguish that the Devil strikes hardest, whispering his cruel lies: “There is no deliverance for you in God” (v. 2). He wants us to despair, to believe that forgiveness is out of reach and all hope is lost.
But these are lies. God is our shield. He hears the cries of repentant sinners and answers with the declaration of His love: “This is My child. I am well-pleased in him.”
As Christians, we do not face the trials of life with cowardice or unbelief. We deal with them by faith, confident in the promises of God. Surrounded by enemies, we do not falter. We can even sleep in peace, for we know that if God is for us, no one can stand against us.
God was with David. He dealt with Absalom’s rebellion and restored David to the throne. David’s enemies fell before him because God fought for him. The enemies’ teeth were shattered. Now, that’s a powerful punch.
And God has done more for us. In Christ, He has crushed the head of the serpent. It’s fang’s shattered. The sting of death is gone. Though trials and enemies remain, though death itself looms on the horizon, we have the assurance of eternal life, joy, and every blessing in Christ.
Struggle is our lot in this life, but salvation belongs to the Lord. He will not abandon His people. Trust Him in the battle. Rest with a clear conscience, knowing that your sins are forgiven. Pray with boldness that God will destroy His enemies and ours. And look forward to the day when we will see our Savior face to face, triumphant and victorious forever.
Example Prayer
Heavenly Father, Creator, Sustainer, and Savior,
We come before You in worship, acknowledging that You alone are God. You are the sovereign King of the universe, the One who spoke the heavens and earth into existence and upholds them by Your mighty power. We praise You for Your unchanging nature, Your boundless mercy, and Your perfect justice. You are holy, and there is none like You. Forgive us, Lord, for our many sins. We confess that we have fallen short of Your glory. We have loved the things of this world more than You and have neglected to walk in Your ways. Wash us clean through the blood of Christ, our Redeemer, and renew in us hearts that hunger for righteousness. We proclaim that our hope is in Christ alone, who died for our sins and rose again in victory. He is our great High Priest, our Mediator, and our coming King.
Lord, we lift up the expectant mothers in our church family: Emily Leupp, Christina Puryear, Vivian Tocci, Courtney Parkes, Caitlin Govanus, and Isabelle Hargiss. We pray for Your hand of protection over them and their unborn children. Grant these mothers strength, health, and peace as they await the gift of life You are knitting together in the womb. May these little ones grow to know You, love You, and serve You all the days of their lives. Sustain these families, and may Your Word dwell richly in their homes, guiding them in the paths of righteousness.
We pray for Pastor James Brown Jr. of Holy Trinity Reformed Church, who is recovering from prostate cancer surgery. Lord, we ask for Your healing hand upon him, that his recovery would be swift and complete. May every trace of cancer be removed, and may he return to his pastoral work with renewed strength and vigor. Comfort his wife and children during this trial, reminding them of Your faithfulness and sovereignty. Strengthen the church he leads, that they would stand firm in the faith, united in Christ, growing in number and spiritual maturity. Use this season to draw them closer to You and to shine the light of the gospel in their community.
We also bring before You the work of Sweetwater Research. Father, grant them wisdom, insight, and discernment as they pursue their endeavors. Let their efforts be guided by Your truth, and may their work glorify Your name and align with Your purposes. Keep them grounded in righteousness and integrity, and use their findings to advance what is good, true, and noble in Your sight.
We pray for Indiana Governor-elect Mike Braun. As the Apostle Paul exhorted, we intercede for those in authority, asking that You would grant him wisdom and humility as he assumes his office. Open his eyes to the Lordship of Christ, and convict him by Your Spirit to govern with integrity, justice, and in submission to Your Word. Lead him to repentance and faith in Your Son, that his leadership might reflect Your righteousness and bring blessing to the people of this state. May his decisions uphold the truth and honor You above all.
Finally, Lord, we lift up the families of our church. Strengthen the husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church, leading their homes with courage and godliness. Grant wives a heart of submission, filled with love and respect for their husbands. Help children to honor and obey their parents, and may fathers train their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Build homes that stand as beacons of Your truth in a world of darkness.
We pray for the nations, Lord. May every tribe, tongue, and people come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Bring the Jewish people back into the fold. Break the chains of idolatry and false worship, and let Christ reign in every heart. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, we pray. Amen.
Church History Lesson: Clement of Rome
Clement of Rome, counted as the third bishop of Rome after the apostles, was a key figure in the early church and is most well-known for his letter to the Corinthians (commonly referred to as 1 Clement). Written around 96 AD, this letter emphasizes Christian unity, humility, and obedience to God’s commands. Clement's writings reveal his deep understanding of Scripture and his pastoral concern for the church. He lived during a time when divisions and conflicts threatened the harmony of the body of Christ, and he called believers to repentance and love.
One of the central themes of his letter is the power and beauty of divine love. He writes,
"Let the one truly possessed by the love of Christ keep his commandments. Who can express the binding power of divine love? Love unites us to God; 'it cancels innumerable sins,' has no limits to its endurance, bears everything patiently."
This call to love and unity resonates with the teachings of the apostles and remains vital for the church today.
Tradition holds that Clement was martyred by being tied to an anchor and cast into the sea. He serves as an example of steadfast faith and unwavering devotion to Christ even in the face of persecution.
Key Bible Verse:
"By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
—John 13:35
Discussion Questions:
- What does Clement teach about the importance of love in the Christian life?
- How does his letter remind us of the importance of unity in the church?
- What can we learn from Clement’s example of faith and courage.
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
We thank You for raising up faithful servants like Clement of Rome, who proclaimed Your truth with boldness and called the church to love and unity. We praise You for the wisdom and courage You gave him to guide believers back to Your commands and to the example of Christ. Thank You for his steadfast faith, even unto death, which inspires us to persevere in our walk with You. Help us to imitate his love for Your Word and his commitment to the unity of Your church. May we, like Clement, always fix our eyes on Christ, our Savior and King. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Family Challenge:
This week, discuss how your family can show Christ-like love to one another and to your neighbors. Consider ways to strengthen unity within your local church, and pray together for the peace and growth of the body of Christ.