Genuine Faith
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit… Genuine Faith
“Double Honor”
The Christian farmer on his tractor is no less a minister of the Word than the pastor in the pulpit. The only difference is that the Gospel labor of tilling the earth is a little… “Double Honor”
Gnosticism
“If your only tool is a hammer, every problem will look like a nail.” A similar thing could be said of Gnosticism. If you understand what Gnosticism is and how it works, you will see… Gnosticism
Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church West Columbia, South Carolina
Volunteer commitment, Southern hospitality, and dedication to the Word of God have been hallmarks of Holy Trinity since the time of its founding in 1965. Like the rain which comes from heaven, so the Word… Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church West Columbia, South Carolina
Spiritual Distancing
It may end up becoming the 2020 phrase of the year, as it has dominated our lives over these last months. You guessed it: social distancing. Maintaining a safe distance from others who may be… Spiritual Distancing
COVID-19 and Cyclone Aid Sent to Overseas Brethren
In the middle of so much earthly uncertainty, we can be certain of God’s love for us all. It was God’s love for sinners that led Him to send His only Son to pay for… COVID-19 and Cyclone Aid Sent to Overseas Brethren
Pandemic Affects Our African Contacts
We are very familiar with how the global pandemic has affected the U.S. In addition to the threat of the virus itself, other challenges include job loss, school closures, cancellation of life events, and other… Pandemic Affects Our African Contacts
“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS June 2020
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006
Date Hymns Reading Comments
Jun 1 TLH 148 John 18:1-11 Jesus demonstrates His willingness to suffer for our sins.
Jun 2 TLH 150 John 18:12-24 We see the contrast between Jesus’ words and Peter’s—Peter’s that He didn’t know
the Lord, and Jesus’ that He was the Lord.
Jun 3 TLH 159 (LSB 436) John 18:25-27 Peter eventually recognized His sins of denial. May the Spirit grant us to see any sins of denial in ourselves and repent of them.“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS June 2020
Stand in Awe of Our Triune God
COVER STORY – ASCENSION
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” (Psalm 33:8)
When we contemplate the greatness and glory of God, how can we do anything but stand in awe of Him? We stand in awe of His power when we see how He created the whole universe and everything in it simply with His Word. We stand in awe of His love when we consider all the good things He has created for us to use, and how He takes care of us daily. We stand in awe of His grace and mercy when we ponder how He gave His only-begotten Son into death for us rather than condemning us forever for our sins.
There is much to stand in awe of when we consider all the qualities of God, not the least of which is His triune nature.
A couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses came to our door, and I talked to them about the Trinity. They pulled out a pamphlet to show me how artists have crudely tried to visualize the Trinity. There were pictures of three headed statues and other ridiculous things. They suggested that the very idea of the Trinity was ludicrous because there is nothing in all the world like it. How can we believe in something we cannot comprehend? How foolish to think that because human beings can’t relate to the Trinity or comprehend it, it can’t be true. We all believe in light. We know it is real, our lives depend on it, yet the greatest scientists still do not fully understand the nature of light. There are many things we know about it, but we can’t fully explain what it is.
God is so vastly greater than we are that we should not expect to be able to comprehend Him. King David writes, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalm 145:3)Stand in Awe of Our Triune God
God-Given Rights and Responsibilities During the Pandemic
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS — COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The following was written by Pastor Bruce Naumann as a response
to a request posted on an online forum frequented by CLC members.
Dear Christian Friends,
I’ve been asked to provide some brief comments concerning our government’s instructions, during this time of preventing the spread of Covid-19, to refrain from public gatherings. How are we to respond to this, when our Lord instructs us to gather regularly for Christian fellowship?God-Given Rights and Responsibilities During the Pandemic