GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (Please read 1 Kings 19:1-18 for context.) Elijah was feeling tired and dejected. To him, all his devotion and hard work in serving the Lord seemed to make little difference.… When God Comes with a Still Small Voice
STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s… The Calculation of Faith
A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-FOURTH IN A SERIES)
When do Christians give thanks?
Initial answers would likely include mealtimes, happy times and moments of success. It’s relatively easy to express appreciation to God when something pleasant is at hand or in hand. But what about those times when things seem to get out of hand, when a serious hardship lingers, when uncommon difficulties become common? Could such times ever be filled with thanksgiving?
The inspired apostle left no room for doubt. In his first letter to the Thessalonians he directed the people of God to give thanks “in everything.” (I Thessalonians 5:18) Since all things are under the direct control of a Lord Who loves us and wants only the best for us, it is fitting to thank Him not only during times of peace and pleasure, but also during turmoil and trouble. We are assured that the Lord “is righteous in all His ways.” (Psalm 145:17) He always has reasons for doing what He does and for allowing what He allows. Christians throughout the ages, therefore, have been led by the Spirit to express gratitude also during uncommonly difficult times—Christians such as Martin Rinckart (1586-1649).TLH 36; LSB 895 “Now Thank We All Our God”
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have… Palm Prints
STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the… Faith’s Certain Hope Concerning Things to Come
“I’M GLAD YOU ASKED!” (THIRTY-SECOND IN A SERIES) Pastors Answer Frequently-Asked Questions I’m not sure why some churches hire their pastors, but I can show why we call ours. Our forefathers used the phrase von… “Many churches just ‘hire’ a new pastor, but CLC churches ‘call’ a pastor. What is the difference?”
A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-Third IN A SERIES)
Although there was some congregational singing before Martin Luther’s time, there is no disagreement that during the Reformation in Germany, the laity were transformed into the “singing church.” New hymnals were published as fast as printers could set up their Gutenberg presses. New hymn texts were written at a rapid pace as the treasure of the Gospel, God’s grace in Christ Jesus, was revealed to those who had long been in darkness.TLH 377, LSB 555 “Salvation unto Us Has Come”
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT There was an old Lay’s commercial that challenged, “Bet you can’t eat just one.” The implied message was that their potato chips were so good that eating just one was… One Is Not Enough
STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac… The Height of Faith and Love
