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February 2018

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS February 2018

TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date Verse Reading Comments

Feb 1 TLH 603 Isaiah 25:1-9 The “shroud” that covers all people (death) is taken away by the Lord. He is our refuge.

Feb 2 TLH 277 Matthew 11:25-30 We are Christians because God has made it so, not by our own works or effort.

Feb 3 TLH 353/LSB 690; Romans 9:6-16 Our salvation depends on God’s great mercy.

Feb 5 TLH 379 Genesis 22:1-18 The Lord provided a substitute (a ram) so that Isaac would not be slain. Jesus is our substitute, also provided by God, so we need not face eternal death.

Feb 6 WS 746 Judges 2:11-18 God’s patience is on display here. He helped Israel in their distress even though they turned away from Him repeatedly.Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS February 2018

More Than a Feeling

COVER STORY – TRANSFIGURATION

Life on earth has been described as peaks and valleys. Even within a single day, we can feel euphoric one moment and despondent the next. While experiencing a joyful moment, we often long to extend it and make that time last just a little longer. Peter, upon witnessing Jesus’ transfiguration and the appearance of Moses and Elijah, wanted to act on that feeling. “Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Matthew 17:4) In that moment, life was good. Understandably, Peter wanted it to last as long as possible. His comprehension of Jesus’ mission on earth was incomplete, but he immediately recognized this as a special moment.

A few days earlier, Jesus had been teaching about his upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection, which Peter found objectionable for the Son of God. “Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’” (Matthew 16:22-23)

In both instances, Peter missed the point. Jesus’ purpose on earth wasn’t to heap blessings upon His followers. He became man to live a perfect life and die a gruesome death for the sins of the whole world. Until then, He spent much of His time preparing His disciples for the time when they would no longer be able to see and hear Him.Read More »More Than a Feeling

That’s the Way I Heard It

Most people have heard of, if not played, the telephone game. In this party pastime a leader whispers a tricky word or phrase to the next person in line. This message is then passed along until the last individual in line reveals what he believes he has heard. Hilarity may ensue as the garbled phrases are compared to the original. Whether the mix-ups were from poor diction, inadequate listening skills, or intentional misdirection doesn’t really matter. The goal of the game has been reached—message mangled.

Isn’t our world much like the telephone game? Oral histories passed down through the ages often bear little resemblance to the events that inspired them. Some important bits of history are forgotten, overlooked, or intentionally left out of textbooks because they may not fit with the agenda of the publisher. And, let’s face it, we often aren’t totally honest when we review our own pasts either.Read More »That’s the Way I Heard It

“Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared” LSB Hymn 622, TLH Hymn 306

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

Why “-y”?

In some cases converting an English noun into an adjective is as easy as adding a “y.” Sleep becomes sleepy. Dream dreamy. Silk silky. And yet, the addition of “y” in certain instances can actually reverse a meaning. Consider the word “rock.”

All by itself, “rock” conveys strength and stability. Add “y,” however, and everything changes. Things become rocky, unstable. Not all additions, it turns out, are pluses.

So also with God’s Word.Read More »“Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared” LSB Hymn 622, TLH Hymn 306