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October 2017

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS October 2017

Date Verse Reading Comments

Oct 2 TLH 278 Matthew 5:21-26 The Law reveals our inward sins as well as our outward ones, sins such as anger in the heart.

Oct 3 TLH 623/LSB 860; Matthew 5:27-32 The marriage relationship is to be guarded and protected at all costs.

Oct 4 TLH 279 Matthew 5:33-37 Needless swearing is a misuse of God’s holy name.

Oct 5 TLH 402 Matthew 5:38-42 When someone hurts us, our sinful nature wants revenge, but the Spirit leads us to show love “above and beyond”—even for our enemies.Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS October 2017

Faith Alone: No Asterisks

COVER STORY

SOLA fide

Every year a debate rages in the baseball world: who should be admitted into the Hall of Fame? In the last few years, the debate has been particularly centered around players from the so-called “Steroid Era.” Should those who broke the rules and enhanced their performances with drugs be let in? Some voters and writers have proposed a solution: let those players into the Hall of Fame on the basis of their accomplishments, but add an asterisk to the record books to show that those accomplishments were marred by the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

As detailed in a recent issue of the Spokesman (July 2017, page 7), Hebrews 11 gives us God’s Hall of Faith. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of the members, but a small sampling of both faithful people and actions from the Old Testament. However, Hebrews 11 seems to omit much of the important information we know about these Old Testament people. Instead of painting portraits as these people were, God presents us with His glorified saints as He now sees them.Read More »Faith Alone: No Asterisks

Divine Treasure Map

DEVOTION

SOLA Scriptura

Anyone who has ever heard of the Superstition Mountains of Arizona has most likely also heard of the Lost Dutchman’s Mine. This legend, which most experts agree is based on distorted facts, is the stuff of movie plots and fantasy. Many have searched for the riches of this lost mine, some even losing their lives in the effort. However, without a clearly marked map (“X” marks the spot) the mine, with its promise of wealth, is still lost to all.Read More »Divine Treasure Map

TLH 377, LSB 555 “Salvation unto Us Has Come”

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-Third IN A SERIES)

SOLA Gratia

Although there was some congregational singing before Martin Luther’s time, there is no disagreement that during the Reformation in Germany, the laity were transformed into the “singing church.” New hymnals were published as fast as printers could set up their Gutenberg presses. New hymn texts were written at a rapid pace as the treasure of the Gospel, God’s grace in Christ Jesus, was revealed to those who had long been in darkness.Read More »TLH 377, LSB 555 “Salvation unto Us Has Come”