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January 2020

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS January 2020

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

Date Hymns Reading Comments
Jan 1 TLH 529 (LSB 719) Judges 1:1-3 When the Israelites did not know what to do, they asked the Lord. Judah followed the Lord’s direction, as should we in this new year.
Jan 2 WS 706 (LSB 388) Judges 2:8-18 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites fell away from the Lord in just a generation. It reminds us how important it is to teach our children to fear of the Lord.
Jan 3 WS 714 (LSB 378) Judges 3:7-11 Israel had done evil, yet when they turned to the Lord for mercy He was merciful and gave them a leader to lead them away from their sinful ways.Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS January 2020

The Big Unveiling

COVER STORY – Epiphany

How often in our world of self-centered people don’t we hear promises of big things, soon to come. Coming soon, we are told, is the newest, greatest breakthrough in automotive excellence. Coming soon is the ground-breaking, sure-fire, Oscar-winning movie.
But in the world of man, it sometimes happens that a big, public unveiling is merely a moment of frustration and shame. The big movie is a flop. The automotive breakthrough proves a disappointment. Do you remember, some years ago, when the biggest name in electronic devices publicly demonstrated his latest invention—and was embarrassed by a series of glitches? More recently a highly touted inventor was demonstrating breakthrough technology in bullet proof auto glass—and a hand-thrown steel ball cracked and dented the windshield.
We live in a world where hype is normal but is viewed skeptically by careful people. The bigger the noise, the greater the skepticism. We prize the times when good news comes in confident but understated tones. That we can trust.
What about in God’s world? Read More »The Big Unveiling

Jesus, Baptized for Us

DEVOTION – JESUS’ BAPTISM

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:19

We who have been baptized know the power and purpose of Baptism. It was our lost and sinful condition from conception which prompted our Triune God to give us this blessed sacrament. From birth we cannot, nor do we even have the desire to, follow our Lord or keep His commands. Our hearts needed a transformation—a conversion. The Holy Spirit alone can give that change of heart and create saving faith. Often—as is the case with infants—it is the Spirit working through the water and Word of Baptism that effects conversion.Read More »Jesus, Baptized for Us

It’s All About Having the One Thing

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

(Read Psalm 27)
In this psalm King David expresses an awareness of the reality that all believers face in this world: we have enemies who are determined to harm us. They’ll destroy us if they can. Ephesians 6 describes them as principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this age. Our soul is the ultimate target of their attacks.
We can attempt to spare ourselves the distress of this truth by pretending we have no such enemies or by staying very busy in order not to think about it. Neither mitigates the reality of the dangers facing our souls.
On the other hand, always thinking and worrying about it can make us so weary that we feel like giving up. Even the prophet Elijah went through a time when he was ready to just quit and die.Read More »It’s All About Having the One Thing