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Lutheran Spokesman

The Gospel God’s Grace Comes to Us

DEVOTION – THE MEANS OF GRACE

Ah, summer vacation! Time to get away from the city and enjoy nature around us. There are national and state parks to visit, tents to be pitched, campfires to sit around, and lakes to “get away” to. This time of year it’s not unusual to hear the comment, “I feel closer to God in nature than I do in church.”This doesn’t surprise us too much; after all, nature is God’s handiwork. He is the builder of everything we see around us. It all bears His divine “thumb-print,” if you will. His power is seen in the mighty redwoods of California, the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. On a cloudless night, hints of God’s divine nature can be seen in the belt of the Milky Way and all the starry host. While nature’s grandeur may tell us of the Creator’s great power, wisdom, and eternal nature, it does not bring us His grace or announce His forgiveness. Hiking through the woods will not comfort the troubled conscience with the assurance of sins forgiven. Summiting a mountain will not tell you how to reach that even higher peak, heaven.Read More »The Gospel God’s Grace Comes to Us

TLH 6, LSB 924 “Kyrie, God Father in Heaven Above”

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (THIRTY-THIRD IN A SERIES)

On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through a village where He was met by a group of ten men who were afflicted with leprosy. Not daring to approach too closely—for lepers were forbidden close contact with the general population—they called out to Him from a distance, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13) On another occasion two blind men followed Jesus and cried out to Him, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” (Matthew 9:27)

Their cries for mercy were not in vain. Jesus healed the ten lepers and opened the eyes of the two blind men.Read More »TLH 6, LSB 924 “Kyrie, God Father in Heaven Above”

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS July 2018

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

Date Verse Reading Comments

Jul 2 TLH 392 Psalm 32 King David contrasts the torment of unrepented sin with the blessed sweetness of forgiveness in Christ.

Jul 3 TLH 4 Leviticus 11:29-30, 41-47 God put these food laws in place for Israel to teach them about being holy before Him and to prepare them for Christ Who gave them His holiness.

Jul 4 TLH 577/LSB 965; 2 Kings 2:1-14 The Lord will continue to provide faithful ministers of the Gospel until He comes again.

Jul 5 TLH 310/LSB 713; Psalm 80 When we fall into sin and see the sad result of our failure, we call upon the Lord to restore us and revive us again.

Jul 6 TLH 366 Proverbs 8:1-21 Want to be wise? Respect God and trust in Him. That is true wisdom.

Jul 7 TLH 605/LSB 513; Luke 17:22-30 When Christ comes again, His return will be quick and without warning, interrupting the daily routine of life on earth.Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS July 2018