Hymn 206 “Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense”
A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (Fourth IN A SERIES) Easter What terrified thoughts and emotions might well torture the mind and grip the heart of an unbeliever facing imminent death! While still in…
When God Walked the Line
[So the Lord said to Abram] “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in…
David Henkel (1795–1831)
LUTHERAN LEADERS As We Approach The 500Th Anniversary Of The Reformation, We Take A Brief Look At The Lives Of Influential And Important Lutheran Leaders And Theologians Everyone knows that to work efficiently, you should use…
Can Someone who Commits Suicide be Saved?
“I’M GLAD YOU ASKED!” (THIRTEENTH IN A SERIES) Pastors Answer Frequently-Asked Questions Anytime someone asks, “Is so-and-so saved?” it is vital that our answer make clear what we mean by the word saved. When the…
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church Cheyenne, Wyoming
A SLICE OF LIFE IN THE CLC Snapshots of Congregations from Around the Church of the Lutheran Confession Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where…
The Moving Gospel
TAKING THE GOSPEL ON TOUR In the first of this four-part series, Director John Reim shares his unique insights into the highly-regarded choral group that is the Tour Choir of Immanuel Lutheran College. The Gospel…
Aid for Victims of India Flooding.
At the end of last year (November and December, 2015), southern India was affected by rainfall totals that had not been seen there in more than a decade. The result was devastating flooding in the…
What If…?
Jesus’ cry: “It is finished!” was completely validated by the angel’s declaration: “He is not here; he has risen” (Matthew 28:6 NIV84). What if . . . ? What if you had been born a…
Bread of Life February
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; [ ] = Biblical Events Remembered
Feb 1 TLH 14 Genesis 45:1-10 Joseph saw clearly how God had overcome the brothers’ evil so that good could result.
Feb 2 [The Presentation of Our Lord] TLH 138 Genesis 48:1-11 God sets the lonely in families. What a blessing for any of us to see our own grandchildren!
Feb 3 TLH 442 Matthew 20:17-28 Let those striving for their own gain first stop to serve others.
Feb 4 TLH 383:1-3 Exodus 1:6-2:10 When His people were in trouble, God raised up His servant Moses to help. Later He would raise up a greater Servant.
Feb 5 WS 728 Matthew 22:23-32 Surely God can raise us from the grave, for He spoke of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as living even though they had died.
Feb 6 TLH 298 Exodus 5:22-6:9 God remembered His covenant even if the people didn’t.
Feb 8 WS 781 Exodus 9:13-35 Pharaoh rejected the LORD in impenitence, but the Word of God produced fruit in others around him (v. 20).
When It’s Time to be Uncomfortable
It’s natural to seek a certain level of comfort. I’m talking about getting and being comfortable. People want to be comfortable in their clothing, in their homes, and in their lives. If we become uncomfortable, then we try to make a change of clothing, or the body position that doesn’t feel right, or the circumstances that we face.
How does this tendency square with the Lord’s outlook in Isaiah 66:2? “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.” We can notice definite times when we should never be comfortable. We can’t afford to be comfortable with any of our sins, especially not with an attitude or habit that the Bible identifies as sinful. Each one will have to take stock of his own heart, attitudes, and actions. For example, are we comfortable in looking down on other people? Are we comfortable in letting unacceptable language tumble out of the mouth without a second thought? Are we comfortable in a routine of attending worship, only to sit there inattentive and hear little of what is said? Are we comfortable with a carefree or careless attitude toward the responsibilities that we have as family members or employees or fellow Christians?
There is a real danger in getting comfortable with sin. Regardless of what the sin may be, if we get used to it, we are making friends with a deadly enemy. If we become comfortable with our sin, we let it attach like an anchor that could sink us spiritually. If we get comfortable with our sin, the devil has an open door to chip away at our faith in the hope that it erodes down to impenitence
and unbelief.
Let’s agree on a healthy attitude of being uncomfortable with our sins. In such a state we are then the person described in Isaiah 66, the person who is “poor and of a contrite spirit.” That means that you’re not only aware of your sin, but also broken by its guilt and in desperate need of God’s forgiveness. That person then is the one on whom God looks favorably, to whom He brings His unfailing love, mercy, and comfort. Yes, God will bring His comfort to the spiritually uncomfortable.