Key resources for your Christian walk

by Judy Obelnycki

Anyone who knows me knows how much I appreciate Facebook. I have another reason for liking it so much. It is a great source of information. Through Facebook I became a fan of Concordia Publishing House (CPH) and met Pastor Paul McCain, CPH publisher. More than a year ago he sent out links to samples of The Lutheran Study Bible to everyone on the CPH fan list and followed up with a publication How to Use the Study Bible.

After carefully looking it over, I ordered my new Bible in October 2009. For years, I used the King James Version. I loved its poetic writing style. Although I tried other translations, I always returned to my well-worn KJV until….I received my copy of The Lutheran Study Bible English Standard Version. There is no turning back now!

CPH also published a one-page sheet listing the top 12 reasons to purchase The Lutheran Study Bible. Number one on that list, and the main reason I wanted TLSB, was that it was prepared by Lutherans, and, to quote in part, “…offer[ed] a uniquely keen focus on the proper distinction between Law and Gospel, shining a brilliant light on the heart and center of the Scriptures: Christ and Him crucified, risen and ascended for your salvation—it’s all about Jesus, in every way, for you.” Who could resist that?

A further attraction: everything is in one place. There are life application notes and prayers; cross references in the centre of the two columns of Scripture as well as cross reference overflow below Scripture; more than 26,500 study notes and application notes below the Bible pages; more than 120 diagrams and charts; more than 220 thematic articles; 31,000-plus concordance entries; and 36 maps linked from more than 880 references.

The Bible uses three icons to draw attention to key concepts. The Trinity icon marks passages referring to the triune God and Old Testament messianic prophesies. The Word and Sacrament icon marks passages about the means of grace, and the Mission icon marks passages about spreading the Gospel. Working my way through this Bible and its contents is proving an amazing adventure.

…and there was more!

In June of this year, I received a message with a link to check out the Treasury of Daily Prayer. I ordered it online and the book arrived in short order. This book is a blessing! It has 1,495 pages and some extras for notes at the back. The Treasury of Daily Prayer includes pages on how to use the book; an introduction; the Christian Church Year; a section on Encouragement to Pray; The Daily Office; Propers for Daily Prayer; the entire book of Psalms, selected canticles, liturgical canticles, various schedules for reading the Psalms, Luther’s Small Catechism (and Praying Luther’s Small Catechism), various sections for Confession and Absolution and Preparation for the Sacrament of the Altar.

As soon as it arrived, I began using it for my personal daily devotions. I even invited my non-churched husband to join me and he accepted!

Each daily devotion begins with Psalmody (a portion of a Psalm) followed by Old Testament and New Testament readings (both continuous so we are not jumping from one place/event to another).A Writing then expands on a Law and Gospel theme from one of the readings. These sometimes quote Martin Luther, the Book of Concord or other distinctive Lutheran authors/teachers and church fathers. This is followed by Hymnody (a verse from a hymn in Lutheran Service Book); Prayer of the Day and a reading from the Book of Concord. Together, we are making our way through the daily devotions and learning more about God’s love and grace for us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus.

Digital versions of the Treasury of Daily Prayer are available for iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle and other e-readers.

The Lutheran Study Bible and Treasury of Daily Prayer are available from Concordia Publishing House.

Judy Obelnycki is president of Lutheran Braille Workers-Canada and a member of Christ Our King Lutheran Church in Mississauga, Ontario.

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