Proof Positive
“Seeing is believing” we’ve heard people say. We know that believing is a matter of the heart. Faith is a gift of God that goes far beyond what our eyes are able to discern. That… Proof Positive
Laboring With Confidence
The gospel with the message of salvation was at the heart and core of apostolic preaching.
If the Church in its ministry — either through its called ministers or through the individual witness of each Christ-believer — is to remain true to its apostolic roots, the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus must remain the focus of what is taught.
In the distressful days in which we live, opposition to the gospel will increase. For our own personal comfort as well as for encouragement to be bold witnesses, we take heart from Paul.Laboring With Confidence
Behold the Glory of the King of Kings
As we come to the close of the Christmas season, we hear once again the remarkable account of how, by God’s guidance and grace, the Wise Men from the East came searching for the one “who has been born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2), so that they might bow before Him and worship Him. In this event we see the beginning of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy regarding our Savior. “The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3).
While it is unlikely that these Magi were kings, they were powerful men in the world who very likely had their place in the king’s court. And yet they were more than ready to fall down before the Child Jesus and worship Him. By faith they recognized the majesty and glory of their Savior and King in the young Christ-Child.Behold the Glory of the King of Kings
Dare to be a Daniel…
Daniel’s Vision of the Messiah
I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him…” Daniel7:13.
This “Son of Man,” theMessiah in human form, came riding on the clouds of heaven. And more than that: “He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.” The term “Ancient of Days” is the prophet Daniel’s special name for Jehovah God, the eternal God. Picture, if you will, the awe-inspiring scene of the Messiah in His state of glory being led and escorted by the angel hosts into the presence of His Heavenly Father, the Ancient of Days!Dare to be a Daniel…
Evangelism and the Book of Acts
How long has it been since you read the Book of Acts? This important book is often overlooked by many Christians who prefer to read the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus or the… Evangelism and the Book of Acts
Our Unchangeable God in an Ever-changing World
With the passing of each year we observe changes in our lives and in the world about us. While some of the changes are good and beneficial, others are not. Were it not for the assurance of the abiding presence of our unchangeable Lord, our spirits would be greatly distressed and our hearts would melt out of fear and worry.
The sure and certain Word of our God comforts us in the knowledge that the Lord Jesus who rules over all things for our sake (see Ephesians 1:22,23) is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), and that He has given us this unfailing promise: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).Our Unchangeable God in an Ever-changing World
God’s Little Christmas Gift Just What We Needed!
One of the time-honored Christmas traditions we love to observe is the custom of exchanging presents. We pay a visit to a local shopping mall (or perhaps surf online) that we might search out and… God’s Little Christmas Gift Just What We Needed!
Berea Chancel Triptych
Berea Lutheran Church, CLC Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota The main focus of Berea’s worship area is the triptych above the altar. The triptych’s design is intended to draw our attention to the cross. The design… Berea Chancel Triptych
The Old Paths
“…God and God alone can teach the truth, for He only is the source and foundation of truth. Hence those who proclaim the Word of God must exercise supreme care that what they preach is the… The Old Paths
The Festival of the Father
He (God) did not give His Son for the purpose of coming to straighten us out.
Of all our customs at Christmas time, gift giving is perhaps the most universal. It may also be the most exciting custom, at least in the minds of children who can’t wait to see what they will get for Christmas. When a gift is received, it’s natural to want to examine it carefully. It is exciting to get something new and to try it out.
However, we don’t want to forget the giver. The gift means so much more when it is given by someone who loves us. While a new shirt or piece of jewelry is nice to receive and a new toy can be fun, the real gift is the love of the person who chose that particular present and paid the price to give it to us.
Isn’t that really what the festival of Christmas is all about? We have received the most incredible gift of all – the eternal, holy Son of God, wrapped in the flesh of a little baby. We rejoice in that gift. He is beautiful and wonderful. We want to examine Him carefully and use Him and find our joy in Him.
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!”
1 John 3:1
At the same time we don’t want to forget the Giver. We can often tell a lot about the heart of the giver by looking at the gift. When we really love and care for someone, we as the givers don’t want to get any old piece of junk just to have something to give. Instead, don’t we spend time searching for something that will be meaningful and will last?
Also, the more the person means to us, the more we will be willing to sacrifice to get something really special, because love knows no bounds. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the love of the giver.The Festival of the Father