The Right Kind of Judging
MEDITATIONS ON JESUS’ SERMON ON THE MOUNT: MATTHEW CHAPTERS FIVE THROUGH SEVEN “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the… The Right Kind of Judging
“…Him?!”
“…Him?!”
That may not have been the exact word that the prophet Ananias spoke, but it does convey his incredulity at the Lord’s instruction.
There is none better to do mission work, to share the gospel
of the Savior with others,
than you and I.
The Lord had commanded the prophet in a vision to go to the place where Saul of Tarsus was waiting for him. But the only type of “waiting for him” Ananias could envision was in line with what Saul was known for doing:
“Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name” (Acts 9:13-14).
It was as much as to say, “…Him?!”
“…Him?!” Ananias saw an enemy of the Savior. But God saw one who would be a great witness to His love, grace, and forgiveness.
Ah, yes! Things had changed concerning Saul since the last time Ananias had heard of him—for now Saul was praying! He was no longer the rabid enemy of Christ and His people that he had been, but he was a “chosen vessel” of the Lord “to bear [His] name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (9:15).“…Him?!”
In Honor of Grandparents
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 strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”In Honor of Grandparents
Christian Education’s Ultimate Goal
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
(Hebrews 10:23)
In general, it is not a good practice to assume that something is true or acceptable! But when the writer to the Hebrews urges us to “hold fast the confession of our hope,”it is assumed that we know what is meant by ‘the confession of our hope.’ It is assumed because the ‘confession of our hope’ has been the very subject matter the Holy Spirit has been communicating for the nine chapters leading up to these words.
The purpose of Christian Education is Christian Education’s Ultimate Goal
Of Ravens, Lilies, and God’s Providence
GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL CARE
It is not unusual for our Tulip and me to enjoy the backyard together. I sip my morning cuppa while gazing at the flowers; our pet cat watches the birds. Even when it’s raining, an assortment of winged neighbors are prone to gather there–some for insects and worms, pigeons for seeds, and an occasional raven or seagull for an offered snack.Of Ravens, Lilies, and God’s Providence
LOOK TO THE SOURCE
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: LOOK TO THE SOURCE
The One Thing Needful
We are all familiar with St. Luke’s account of Jesus’ visit to the home of sisters Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). We recall that while Martha used her God-given gifts in the kitchen, Mary sat next to Jesus, listening to His words. With so much to do, Martha saw this as her service to the Lord, while Mary sat on the sidelines.
Often we too find our lives very busy as we use our God-given gifts and abilities in the specific calling in which the Lord has placed us. It makes for a busy life to provide a safe and secure home—paying the bills, putting food on the table, supporting children in their studies and activities, or caring for the elderly.
Such activities are God-pleasing, and with them we are busy serving the Lord. We might say, however, that this is “Martha busy,” which can result in our neglecting the one thing needful. Remember Jesus’ words to Martha, “’…You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her’.”
How important was this encouragement from the Lord for Martha! She also secured that one needed thing from Jesus, and it was there when she needed it—for when her brother Lazarus took sick, she knew to turn to the Lord. And when Lazarus died, she was confident that he would rise again on the last day. “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:24).The One Thing Needful
GOD’S OBSCURE SAINTS
(First in a Series) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us… GOD’S OBSCURE SAINTS
Baptism: Mere Ceremony or a Sacrament?
Our title may seem at first to be a silly question,
but assuredly it is not.
In the religious world of our day doctrine is no longer a matter of Scriptural integrity but is rather a matter of popular vote. We have seen this for some time and understand well that our Lord says: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…” (2 Timothy 4:3).
Saving faith in Jesus trusts in the Spirit’s clarity, wisdom, and life-giving power. If God says it, that settles it!
Human reason is the driving force behind much of modern theology. Because of it, we see all manner of deadly practices and teachings. Dr. Martin Luther said it well when he remarked that we should poke out the eyes of our reason and hear only what God says. Saving faith in Jesus trusts in the Spirit’s clarity, wisdom, and life-giving power. If God says it, that settles it!
Let us then consider what our Lord says on His precious doctrine of Holy Baptism. “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism…” (1 Peter 3:21a).Baptism: Mere Ceremony or a Sacrament?
Led by God
Moses prayed for it at Mt. Sinai when he said,
“If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.”
Gideon wanted to be certain he had it, so he asked for the signs of wet fleece on dry ground and dry fleece on wet ground (Judges 6:36ff).
King Solomon knew its importance for himself and his kingdom when the Lord appeared to him in a dream (1 Kings 3:5ff).Led by God