EVIL CANNOT PREVAIL!
When our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, there was a certain glee among His enemies, for in their minds they had accomplished their goal of being rid of Jesus. But as the Passion history suggests,…
“Judge Not…” — and the Lutheran Reformation
The Reformer on “Judging” God-pleasing Judging: “You must understand this in such a way that it does not take away the right of the man in the public ministry of preaching to judge matters of…
In memory of Pastor Paul F. Larsen
Pastor Paul F. Larsen August 24, 1932 – August 2, 2013 The Scripture passage “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9) comes to mind when one contemplates the…
October 2013 Announcements
Great Lakes Pastoral Conference October 1-3, 2013 Calvary Lutheran Church Marquette, Michigan Agenda: + New Testament Exegesis: Romans 4:14ff—Pastor Thomas Schuetze + Old Testament Exegesis: Essayist’s choice—Pastor Bruce Naumann + Homiletical Topic: Essayist’s choice—Pastor Michael…
“…Him?!”
“…Him?!”
That may not have been the exact word that the prophet Ananias spoke, but it does convey his incredulity at the Lord’s instruction.
There is none better to do mission work, to share the gospel
of the Savior with others,
than you and I.
The Lord had commanded the prophet in a vision to go to the place where Saul of Tarsus was waiting for him. But the only type of “waiting for him” Ananias could envision was in line with what Saul was known for doing:
“Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name” (Acts 9:13-14).
It was as much as to say, “…Him?!”
“…Him?!” Ananias saw an enemy of the Savior. But God saw one who would be a great witness to His love, grace, and forgiveness.
Ah, yes! Things had changed concerning Saul since the last time Ananias had heard of him—for now Saul was praying! He was no longer the rabid enemy of Christ and His people that he had been, but he was a “chosen vessel” of the Lord “to bear [His] name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (9:15).
Gifts of the Spirit
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through
In Honor of Grandparents
September 8, 2013, is National Grandparents Day.
Since 1978 our country has officially recognized the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The statute gives the following purpose for the day: “…to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”
CLC PASTORAL CONFERENCE DEVOTION • June 16 2013
(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).
Announcements
Minnesota Area Pastoral Conference Berea Lutheran Church Inver Grove Heights October 8-9, 2013 Agenda: + Old Testament Exegesis, Habakkuk 1:7ff —Pastor John Johannes + New Testament Exegesis, 1 Timothy 3:14ff —Pastor Mark Tiefel + Islam: …
Jesus Heals the Centurion’s Son
THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST “…The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.” (John 10:25) “Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, ‘Lord,…