Faith’s Journey Ends in Our Homeland
STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims…
“What is the proper way to apply water in Baptism?”
“I’M GLAD YOU ASKED!” (THIRTY-FIRST IN A SERIES) Pastors Answer Frequently-Asked Questions This question arises frequently, especially since there are certain denominations who teach that the only valid form of Baptism is by immersion—that is,…
CW Hymn 147, TLH Hymn 207 “For Your Baptism Which Has Saved Me”
What, would you say, is water worth?
There’s no question that, as an element necessary for life, it is of great value. And yet, its prevalence on earth makes it relatively inexpensive. On a rainy day it’s even free.
There are, however, versions which do fetch a higher price. The bottled variety, for example. A liter can sell for around a dollar. And, according to the bottlers, with good reason. Labels often identify it as water that has been “purified.”
So what about the value of water which is even more special? If a dollar is a fair price for water that is purified, what is the value of water that is purifying? Purification, after all, is something desperately needed by everyone, since every person is born impure and has sinned.
Who Alone Answers Prayers? The Lord, He is God!
Read: 1 Kings 18:1-39 From its inception, the nation of Israel was intended to be a people through whom God’s Covenant Promise was to shine forth. After they immigrated into Canaan, however, we read what…
Who Alone Answers Prayers? The Lord, He is God!
Read: 1 Kings 18:1-39 From its inception, the nation of Israel was intended to be a people through whom God’s Covenant Promise was to shine forth. After they immigrated into Canaan, however, we read what…
Heroic Acts of Faith
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt…
“Is it okay to use music by groups such as Casting Crowns or Mercy Me in our worship services?”
There is incredible freedom in the New Testament Church. We are not bound to a certain style of music nor a particular type of worship service. Our brothers and sisters overseas are not required to…
Hymn 493 “Thou Who the Night in Prayer Didst Spend”
Listen to hymn at: http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/493.mp3
Hymn Text: Luke 6:12 ff.Author: Christopher Wordsworth, 1862, cento, alt.
Composer: Dimitri S. Bortniansky, 1822, ad.
Tune: “St. Petersburg”
Public ministers of God’s Word are faced with a challenging task. They bring that Word to bear in a world that increasingly resents it. They must deal with many different people, many different personalities, and many different problems which Satan throws in their way. Without the hand of God at work in their ministries, they would fail in a moment. It is fitting then to pray for all those whose task it is to administer Law and Gospel; including pastors, teachers, missionaries, evangelists, and more. But what do we pray?
The hymn Thou Who the Night in Prayer Didst Spend (TLH 493) begins by reminding us that our Savior Himself prayed all night long before He chose the apostles who would carry His ministry into the world (Luke 6:12). Before any endeavor involving the work of the kingdom, it is good to call upon God (Luke 11:2). Since the ministry of the Gospel is a ministry carried out by human messengers, we pray as Christ did, asking that the necessary workers be sent out (Matthew 9:38). Thou who the night in prayer didst spend / And then didst Thine apostles send / And bidd’st us pray the harvest’s Lord / To send forth sowers of Thy Word.
Forged In Fire
Forged In Fire is the name of a current TV show. Several bladesmiths are given various hunks of steel, and each one is asked to forge and create a knife of his own design. Their…
Initial Inductees into the Hall of Faith
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By…