(Text: Pastor Bruce Naumann; sung to the tune of TLH #87; see devotion, The Holy Spirit’s Christmas) 1. Joy to the world, the Spirit’s come! Thus we receive our Lord. His pow’rful Word prepares Him room, For His great gifts outpoured, For His great gifts outpoured, For His, for His great gifts outpoured. Read More
Year/Month: 2013/05
Forty days after His resurrection Jesus made His triumphant return to heaven. At an elevated place on the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12) the apostles witnessed the extraordinary, supernatural sight of Jesus being “carried up into heaven” (Luke 4:51). They saw Jesus rising bodily from the Earth to disappear from human view as “a cloud… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Each spring many of our congregations enjoy the special blessing of observing a new class of confirmands witness to the truth of Christ which abides within their hearts.… Read More »Month Archive Read More
Who would not like to see or experience a no-sham, no-scam miracle? Or even perform one? This longing seems to be part of our human nature. Pharaoh, the unbelieving Jews, and Herod all wanted to see some great sign, and Simon the sorcerer was willing to pay money to be able to exercise the power… Read More »Month Archive Read More
Wouldn’t it be nice to have Christmas twice each year? We all love the traditional food, carols, and decorations that go with the season. Giving and receiving gifts is nice too, and remind us of the greatest Gift which God gave when the Christ Child was born. Still, even if the Father had given His… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“Respect Your Mother” is a very nice sentiment—until it appears on a bumper sticker next to a graphic of planet Earth! (I don’t mean to suggest we shouldn’t appreciate the wonderful gift planet Earth is, but to respect it as my Mother? No way!) Mothers are God’s instruments to produce life. While males of our species… Read More »Month Archive Read More
Life In the Gap
Written by Warren Fanning | May, 2013
Post Categories: Series,Studies in the New Testament,
Post Tags: Titus,
Post Categories: Series,Studies in the New Testament,
Post Tags: Titus,
“For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God…holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught…” (Titus 1:7ff) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to those of his household.” (Martin Luther) By way of introduction, isn’t it a remarkable privilege that you were born into a Christian family? From the moment of conception you were swaddled in warm love; for nine months your mother protected you from… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“The Works That I Do In My Father’s Name, They Bear Witness Of Me.” (John 10:25) Please have your Bible open to the Gospel of John chapter 5:1-16. Imagine for a moment that back in in the year 1975 you took sick with some debilitating illness and for the last thirty-eight years you have been unable… Read More »Month Archive Read More
(Last of eight installments) We have seen how believers in the Messiah in Old Testament times experienced the beauty and joy of Christian fellowship. Of course, we find such moments of beauty and joy in Christian fellowship in the New Testament also. We have already mentioned the fellowship enjoyed by the post-Pentecost congregation at Jerusalem.… Read More »Month Archive Read More
(written after graduation 2012) Recently we enjoyed one of the highlights of each year—the closing concert of our CLC’s Immanuel Lutheran High School, College, and Seminary in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Messiah Lutheran Church in Eau Claire was filled to capacity with worshipers who had the distinct privilege to hear both the student body choir and… Read More »Month Archive Read More
West Central Delegate Conference May 28-30, 2013—St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Lemmon, South Dakota Agenda Items: + Examining the Distinction Between Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Regeneration – Pastor James Sandeen + Comparing the Two “Givings” of the Holy Spirit with the Reformed’s Two Baptisms – Pastor Mark Gurath + The Advent of Social Networking:… Read More »Month Archive Read More