In about a month and a half (gasp) we will, as a nation, celebrate Thanksgiving Day. As Christians we don’t only give thanks to God one day a year, but every day. It is proper to give thanks to God…like Noah, after spending nearly a year on the ark. It is proper to give thanks … [Read more…]
This past week we saw again the kinds of evil that proceed from the hearts of sinful human beings…in the senseless stabbing of a young Ukrainian woman and the shooting of a political activist. The wickedness of fallen humankind and the mercy of God are contrasted in our scripture lessons this week. God didn’t write … [Read more…]
From little on, we human beings tend to think that we are stronger than we really are and able to do what we can’t actually do. The Israelites probably thought it would be easy to follow the LORD and keep His Word. They would never forsake Him for idols…until they did. Would it be easy … [Read more…]
…so said the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. Jesus had revealed that He came to reveal the truth about how one is saved from sin and death eternal. Many today reject the idea that there is wrong and right, true and false. Some say that each person can decide for themselves what is true for them … [Read more…]
Faith is something that people like to talk about…but is sometimes difficult to define. Some maintain, ‘My Faith is Strong’ which sounds like faith is something personal that stands and falls on its own. Faith doesn’t stand alone; it has an object, something or someone one it believes or trusts in. So it matters what … [Read more…]
Focus is important when driving. If you are texting or talking on the phone you are much more likely to have an accident. Focus is important as a Christian. We are often distracted by the things of this world when we should keep our eyes fixed on Christ. We are refocused by our Bible Readings. OT … [Read more…]
It’s a word that we use to describe people that are like us. We strive to be normal. God doesn’t want us to be NORMAL if that means conforming to this world. He wants us to be different. He wants us to pray for those caught up in sin. He wants us to pray for … [Read more…]
We might think of God’s Word as a collection of Promises with power. In our OT Lesson we hear God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah, which was fulfilled by God a year later. God’s Promises in Christ had worked faith in the hearts of the Colossians and would enable them to live as Children of … [Read more…]
In our Scripture Lessons this morning we see examples of Faithfulness. Ruth (a foreigner) was faithful to Naomi and to God and God provided for her. Faithfulness to God comes by faith in Jesus and results in fleeing from sin and keeping in step with the Spirit. We cannot be perfectly faithful to God’s Law, … [Read more…]
Leadership is important in government and in the church. Even as God has established and appoints leaders in government, God also calls men to serve his people in the church. Our Scripture Lessons this Sunday show that…Ezekiel was called to proclaim God’s Word…even if it was rejected. 1 Peter reminds elders (pastors) and church leaders … [Read more…]