Upon the death of the Reformer, Dr. Martin Luther, differences arose within the Lutheran Church—a name assigned to those who held the doctrines he had taught from Scripture.
Consequently in 1577, the Formula of Concord, the defining confession of the Lutheran faith and teaching, was written as an effort to settle disputes that had arisen. Thousands of Lutheran Read More »What is Truly Lutheran
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they Read More »Stay Healthy
In the Bible we are told how Naaman, the commander of
the Syrian army, came to Elisha the prophet to be healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5).
Elisha did not even come out of his house to meet Naaman but sent a servant with a set of simple directions. Naaman was to go to the Jordan River and there wash himself seven times.Read More »Simple Words—Great Gifts
By the time candidates for public office have thrown their names into the ring, they have already thought things through long and hard. They know from previous election cycles just what to expect on the campaign trail, especially when running for the presidency. Knowing what is ahead, they have to decide if they want to go forward in spite of all. Read More »A Lenten Devotion “Jesus … went forward” A Lenten Devotion “Jesus … went forward”
“Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.”
2 Timothy 2:15
Our text is one of the verses of the 53rd chapter of Isaiah which we often associate with the Lenten season. Read More »A Lenten Devotion
It’s not only around Valentine’s Day that we hear about love. Throughout the year we hear and/or use the word ‘love’ in any number of contexts.
“Love is a many splendored thing.” — “I love your new haircut!” — “I’d love to see them get into the playoffs.” — “I love Moose Tracks ice cream.” — “I love you, Mommy.” — “I’d love to see that guy get what’s coming to him!” — “I love You, Lord Jesus.”
The word ‘love’ is often over-used, abused, and misunderstood in the English language. Is it any wonder that our God chose the more precise verbiage of the Greek language to express the love we receive from Him and the love with which we respond to His love?Read More »In This Is Love…
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
2 Timothy 3:10-17
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,Read More »How to stand fast in an evil day
(Matthew 3:16-17)
The church season known as Epiphany is largely misunderstood and to a certain extent even ignored.
Unlike the seasons of Advent and Lent, Epiphany is not marked with special services in many churches. There are no special Epiphany sales at the department stores nor are there any special Epiphany family dinners which relatives drive great distances to attend.Read More »Behold, the Son of God
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ”(Galatians 3:26-27).
is what it is called in our legal system when an event occurs that is entirely outside of human control. Floods, tornados, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and the like are natural disasters for which no human being can be held responsible because they’re considered “acts of God.”Read More »A True Act of God
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 mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:1-4, ESVRead More »A Christian Support System
