A meditation presented by Chaplain Pastor Mark Gullerud to the West Central District Delegate Conference of the CLC, Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, Nebraska (May 24, 2011) “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same… Read More »A Christian Support System Read More

During the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., there have been numerous questions asked about this great tragedy. Of all the many questions posed, perhaps the most significant one is: Why would God permit such an evil, horrendous… Read More »A Call To National Repentance Read More

Ever since the great tragedy on September 11th, the single most talked about topic in the news has been the subject of terror or terrorism. On a daily basis without fail the media has been bringing reports to us relating to terrorism. With a banner entitled “War on Terror” posted at the top on the… Read More »The LORD brings an end to the ultimate TERRORISM Read More

“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes,’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment.” (James 5:12) The saying “truth is in short supply” is as true today as in the past. Children of the world… Read More »Your Word Should Be Sufficient Read More

With the passing of each year we observe changes in our lives and in the world about us. While some of the changes are good and beneficial, others are not. Were it not for the assurance of the abiding presence of our unchangeable Lord, our spirits would be greatly distressed and our hearts would melt out… Read More »Our Unchangeable God in an Ever-changing World Read More

Whether it be in the festival or non-festival season of the church year, we enjoy the high honor and great privilege of hearing truly glorious events that took place in the life of Christ. Please do not pass over quickly or regard too lightly this “high honor and great privilege,” because we are living in… Read More »High Honor and Great Privilege Read More

What is fatherhood? What does it mean to be a father? Those interested in learning the meaning of this important role in life would be well advised not to study the current examples of the unbelieving world. By observing the practice of a growing number of men, we might be led to think that fatherhood involves no… Read More »God-Pleasing Fatherhood Read More

NOTE: A meditation presented to the West Central District Delegate Conference Grace Lutheran Church, CLC, Valentine, Nebraska (May 24, 2011) “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers… So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they… Read More »A Conference Opening Devotion Read More

Meditations On Jesus’s Sermon On The Mount Matthew chapters Five through Seven “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means… Read More »Jesus, the Great Fulfiller Read More

At national observances like Memorial Day or Independence Day a predominant theme is patriotism. Patriotism has been defined as devoted love, support, and defense of the fatherland, that is, the land of one’s ancestors or one’s native country. In the carrying out of the theme for these special days, we may hear references made to… Read More »Patriotism And God Read More

The many teachings of God from Genesis to Revelation are precious to believing Christians because they form an unshakeable foundation upon which to firmly establish redeemed lives with God and to possess the certain hope of eternal life in heaven. Since God’s teachings are interconnected, we do not want to give up any of them… Read More »Christ’s Bodily Resurrection – A Foundational Christian Truth Read More

Matthew Chapters Five through Seven “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is… Read More »Looking after the Interests of Others Read More

Forty days after His resurrection Jesus made His triumphant return to heaven. At an elevated place on the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12) the apostles witnessed the extraordinary, supernatural sight of Jesus being “carried up into heaven” (Luke 4:51). They saw Jesus rising bodily from the Earth to disappear from human view as “a cloud… Read More »Where is Heaven? Read More

Good eyesight is highly valued. It enables a person to gaze upon the world and see things clearly. And oh, what a delight to behold the vast beauties of God’s creation and to cast our eyes on those who are near and dear to us! Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where… Read More »The Importance of Good Spiritual Eyesight Read More

September 8, 2013, is National Grandparents Day. Since 1978 our country has officially recognized the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The statute gives the following purpose for the day: “…to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of… Read More »In Honor of Grandparents Read More

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever!” is a familiar prayer expressing our thankfulness to God for the food with which He has blessed us and reminding us to give thanks to God. Such reminders are always in place because, quite frankly, we don’t always remember to return… Read More »“Oh,Give Thanks to the Lord…!” Read More

First of a 2 part Series An essay titled “What place does the church (small “c”) have in a Christian’s faith-life?” was presented to a CLC Pastoral Conference at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Cheyenne, Wyoming, in September, 2013. This is a first of two parts from that essay (abbreviated by the editor). During Israel’s wilderness journeys children… Read More »“Blessings in the Family of God” Read More

An essay titled “What place does the church (small “c”) have in a Christian’s faith-life?” was presented to a CLC Pastoral Conference at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Cheyenne, Wyoming, in September, 2013. This is the second of two parts from that essay (abbreviated by the editor). ACTS OF FELLOWSHIP At the beginning of the New Testament church,… Read More »“The Fellowship of Kindred Minds” Read More

“Teacher, we want to see a sign from You” (Mt. 12:38). With this, Jesus’ enemies demanded a miraculous sign from Him that would prove He was the promised Lord and Christ who was to come and redeem Israel. In response Jesus characterized these sign-seekers as being a part of “an evil and adulterous generation,” saying… Read More »A SIGN OF GOD’S REDEEMING LOVE Read More

Martin Luther is a church father who is highly regarded by Lutheran Christians as well as by individuals in other Christian denominations. He has received such a special standing in our eyes because of the Lord’s blessed use of Luther in bringing important truths of God’s Word to the light of day. For example, there… Read More »Martin Luther And Church Fathers Read More