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Keeping The Wells Unblocked!

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Most kids are curious, and I was no different. When I asked my father why a certain pasture which we passed almost every Sunday had a small fenced-off area serving no apparent purpose, he explained what could not be discerned at a distance. A spring of water was being protected from cattle which in the past had blocked up the water’s flow with their trampling hooves.

Isaac was confronted by a similar situation (recorded in Genesis chapter 26). There was a famine in the land, and Isaac was living in Philistine territory by permission. Despite the famine, Isaac’s herds increased, and his planted crops yielded bountifully. The Philistines, envious of his wealth, filled in all the wells his father Abraham had dug there in the hope of limiting Isaac’s power. Then they demanded that Isaac vacate the area.

Membership Has Its Privileges

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We understand and appreciate the difference between a church denomination or congregation and the Church—the spiritual Israel, “the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints” (The Apostles’ Creed).

Through membership in our local congregations the Spirit strengthens us in the Christian faith through His Word and Sacraments; there we praise and worship Him together; there we gather with like-minded believers to encourage and build one another up in our holy faith.

Christ-believers understand their Lord’s directive to “go to church” (Colossians 3:16, Romans 10:17; Hebrews 10:25) as coming from His unconditional love for their spiritual welfare.

But let us consider that, first and foremost, we are at the same time

Forerunners Of The Reformation

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This month and next we look at some of the people who preceded the Reformer, Dr. Martin Luther (1483-1546). They might be called “forerunners” of the Reformation, for through them the stage was… 

Consumer-Driven Or Spirit-Drawn?

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I am a typical consumer. If a new grocery store opens down the street and advertises lower prices, I’ll abandon my old store without a second thought. After all, saving fifty cents a gallon on milk… 

CLC PASTORAL CONFERENCE DEVOTION • June 16 2013

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(Editor’s note: CLC Missionary Matthew Ude was chaplain for the June 2013 CLC General Pastoral Conference at Immanuel Lutheran College, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and devotions such as this were shared with the pastors.)

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”  (Romans 12:10, ESV)

What this Bible passage says is clearly something we need a little work on, so I would like everyone to stand at this time and hug the persons sitting next to you (pause).  

GOD’S OBSCURE SAINTS

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IMMANUEL LUTHERAN COLLEGE CHAPEL MEDITATION (Second in a Series) “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John… 

Baptism: Mere Ceremony or a Sacrament?

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 Dove_webOur 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).

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for… Father

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“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from
the Father of the heavenly lights.”  (James 1:17, NIV)

This passage from the New Testament epistle of James describes our heavenly Father as the source of all the good things we enjoy during the time of grace He grants us on Earth.

If we were to draw up an itemized list of God’s good and perfect gifts, it would overflow onto many pages. For a starter, just think of the “daily bread” items which Dr. Martin Luther enumerates in

Clinging To and Confessing the Truth

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What is more important, the salvation of men or the glory of God? Some people set aside the glory of God, claiming that they are very concerned about the salvation of men. However, if you… 

A Remembrance of Sin— a Remembrance of Him!

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 What comes to mind with the word
Boston?

Before the horrific event that occurred two months ago, a person may well have associated that city’s name with the Tea Party or the marathon or even the music group popular in the 70s and 80s.

That was until April 15, 2013! Ever since then what people will associate with the city of Boston has drastically changed. That was the date those bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston marathon, killing a few and seriously injuring many others.

What comes to mind with the word
sacrifice?

The divinely inspired author of the epistle to the Hebrews tells us what the answer would have been among the Jews in the centuries before Christ. In their sacrifices there was a constant reminder of sins (10:3). Year in and year out—even day after day—countless animal sacrifices on the altar at the