When a Hollywood actor was asked why he had married and divorced several times, he replied that he could not imagine spending his entire life with only one partner. How could he know that there was not someone else more interesting, more fun, or better suited to him? Behind the thoughts of this actor is… KEEP FOCUSED ON THE LIFE TO COME Read More

“Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor” (Prov. 14:9). There is much mocking of sin these days. It is the subject of jokes for stand-up comedians. Sins are spoken of as things thoroughly delightful, as though the greatest pleasures in life are to be found in those things that God has… Gems From Proverbs Read More

A mother wrote to her state senator complaining about laws that allow women as young as eighteen to perform as dancers in bars. She had sent her daughter to Houston to go to college. To make extra money, the daughter got a job dancing in a bar. The money in this line of work was… Free Indeed Read More

What is your most precious possession? It is not hard to imagine the range of answers one would get to such a question. Some might name a treasured family heirloom, others a precious object they searched for and saved for. Those who are more thoughtful might say their spouse or children. Those more materialistic might… Holy Communion — An Endless Supply Of Forgiveness Read More

The Importance Of Fathers I complained to my wife that I couldn’t find any Father’s Day cards that I liked. Most of them were overly sentimental and gushy, sounding too much like a son’s or daughter’s desperate attempts to make up for a year’s (or more) inattention. They didn’t do a good job of expressing… Father’s Day Read More

When a well-known figure in organized crime died, the newspaper story on his death mentioned that during his life he had been quite generous in his gifts to his family’s church. He surely was not the first nor the last thief to salve his conscience by giving to a church or charity a small part… Does God Need Our Offerings? Read More

“That We Might have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Genesis Chapters Forty-Two Through Forty-Five The Problem Of Guilt The problem of guilt is a recurring theme in literature. A character in a novel commits a crime and seems to get away with it. The police have their suspicions but are unable to prove anything. The criminal at… LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Exodus Chapters One And Two GOD’S LITTLE FLOCK IN THE WORLD “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The Church in the world is the “little flock.” It has always been so. In the Old Testament it… LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Exodus Chapters Nineteen Through Twenty-four– THE VOICE OF GOD When you go to church on a Sunday morning, do you feel a shiver of terror as you pass through the door into the sanctuary and sit down in pew? This is an almost silly question. Of course we… LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Deuteronomy Chapters One Through Thirty-four Moses, Prophet Of God The word prophet is most commonly used of someone who is thought to be able to foretell the future. For example, Nostradamus, a French astrologer of the sixteenth century, has been called a prophet because his book of obscure… LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Joshua Chapters Ten Through Twenty-four Joshua’s Victories And Last Days On any list of successful generals of ancient times, you would be sure to find certain familiar names such as Alexander the Great, perhaps, and Julius Caesar. But there is one name that you probably would not find… LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

When Sinners See Their Lost Condition An Advent Hymn #65 in The Lutheran Hymnal When John the Baptist appeared to prepare the way for Jesus, he said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:2). Jesus likewise began His preaching with the same admonition (Mt. 4:17). The people needed to have their… Appreciating Our Lutheran Hymns Read More

O Jesus, King Of Glory An Epiphany Hymn #130 in The Lutheran Hymnal Many fine hymns have been written during times of great trial, for such times turn us to the Lord’s Word for comfort and strength, with the result that we grow in knowledge and faith. It is not surprising that hymnwriters have been… Appreciating Our Lutheran Hymns Read More

The year 1999 brings us close to the end of both a century and a millennium. The approach of the year 2000 has caused much excitement, with people expecting great changes in our world. Some are hoping for great new things to happen in the next millennium. Others are forecasting fearful things. But as we… He Shall Reign Forever And Ever! Read More

YOUR WORD IS TRUTH The ancient scribes who hand-copied the Old Testament Scriptures showed great reverence for the Word by the strict rules that they followed in their work. For example, they focused on one letter at a time, lest their eyes confuse similiar words; they even counted the letters in each book that they… “Holy Father . . . Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (Jesus in John 17:17) Read More

Christ, the Life of All the Living A Lenten Hymn #151 in The Lutheran Hymnal Believers are at times troubled by past sins, for Satan tries to rob us of our peace with God by reminding us of our sins. And, poor, miserable sinners that we are by nature, Satan has plenty to use against… Appreciating Our Lutheran Hymns Read More

In the last few years we have all seen the t-shirts and decals that say “No Fear.” Those who display this message apparently intend to say that they are bold and courageous, that they have no fear of the things that ordinarily cause fear in others. Perhaps they also intend to embolden and encourage others… No Fear Read More

We Now Implore God the Holy Ghost A Pentecost Hymn #231 in The Lutheran Hymnal Artists and writers often pride themselves on the originality of their works. They like to think that their paintings and novels originate in their minds alone and that they are indebted to no one else for their ideas. In this… Appreciating Our Lutheran Hymns Read More

Sleepless nights can be long. Never does time pass so slowly as when we lie awake at night. It seems as though the darkness will never again give way to light. And it isn’t just the natural darkness that makes the sleepless hours of night seem endless. There is often also a darkness that pervades… AS DAY FOLLOWS NIGHT Read More

How Lovely Shines the Morning Star A Hymn for the Morning #546 in The Lutheran Hymnal There is nothing more ordinary than the rising of the sun and the beginning of another day. It is so ordinary that we may not appreciate a new day as we ought. In fact, the dawning of a new… Appreciating Our Lutheran Hymns Read More