(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.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.”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, ESVA Christian Support System
“And there was great joy in that city” Acts 8:8
“He went on his way rejoicing” Acts 8:39
What is it that makes Christians joyful?
Next to the joy of forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation in Jesus Christ, surely one of our greatest joys is to hear about or witness for ourselves the great joy that comes to others when they hear the good news of Jesus Christ: His life, death, and resurrection for the salvation of mankind.Great Joy
Exodus Chapters 15-17 (with your Bible in hand)
The Children of Israel were navigating uncharted paths. Never before had the descendants of Abraham been such a great nation. Never before had God delivered a people from bondage as He had Israel from Egypt. Never before had any of these people been led through a wilderness by the one true God appearing in a column of cloud and fire and speaking through His prophet Moses.Sing a New Song Daily
I believe that God has created me and all creatures.He has given me my body and life…
In these words from Luther’s Small Catechism we state our belief that God the Father used His almighty power to bring all things into existence. The crowning stage of His creative handiwork happened on day six when He fashioned the first man, Adam, from the dust of the ground and the first woman, Eve, Human Life… A Precious Gift of God!
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 pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least
of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;
but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes
and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20)Jesus, the Great Fulfiller
He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ” (Luke 13:6-9)Advent – A Time for Penitence
I got to thinking about some of the Christmas greetings we hear and use.
Out in the world it has become controversial to use a truly Christian Christmas greeting. We hear people exclaim “Happy Holidays!” with great exuberance, but that greeting rings artificial for the child of God.Thoughts About Christmas Greetings
Dear reader, please have Luke 1:5-25 before you
“Silence is golden” is the old saying.
To a frazzled mom with noisy, active little ones, it is a golden time when the children are put to bed and the house is quiet. For a teacher after a long day, it is a golden time when the students go home and the classroom is silent.A “silent” lesson in the promise of Christmas
