Peter kept the BIBLE in the forefront.
Peter kept the BIBLE in the forefront.
Times of refreshing came to someone.
Times of refreshing came to someone.
Our Amazing God…
The Pentecost devotions remind us of the crucial role of God the Holy Spirit in our individual Christian lives. The same Spirit is wonderfully active in our wider work as a synod, as explained in the following words in the Board of Missions report to the June Convention.
The Miracle of Pentecost Continues
If I were to ask you what the greatest miracle of Pentecost is, what comes to mind? The sound coming from heaven as of a rushing, mighty wind? Probably not so much. The tongues appearing to be fire that sat upon each of the disciples on that Pentecost morning? It’s likely more of us think of that miraculous sign since it happened only on that special Day. Many may think of how the apostles (whose mother-tongue was Aramaic)
Seized By The Spirit
When I was around twelve years old, I was walking home on a dusty Dakota road because the family tractor had quit on me. A neighbor stopped to give me a ride. Not much later he started gesticulating and speaking gibberish. I crowded the door, ready to bail out if necessary. Then suddenly he stopped the unusual actions and noises. Looking at me, he smiled and told me not to be afraid. He explained that he had been grabbed by the Spirit and was just speaking in tongues!
The Holy Trinity
“…Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” Matthew 28:19–20
We learned from our pastors in Confirmation Class that God is triune. We also learned that the word triune means ‘three in one.’ We believe that God is triune because He has revealed that to us in His Word, the Bible—not because we can comprehend this truth or fit it into our little heads.We would do well to remember that God doesn’t ask us to comprehend Him, but only that we take Him at His Word and trust Him. The triune nature of God is a truth that can be appropriated only by faith. Jesus describes God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is God (2 Corinthians 1:3); the Son is God (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:8-9); and the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4).
Children of God By Grace Alone!
As we read in the Gospel of Luke chapter 1, when the eighth day came for Zacharias and Elizabeth’s new baby boy to be circumcised, it was assumed that he would be given his father’s name, according to the custom of the times.Such was not the case here—not even close! When Zacharias had been struck speechless for his unbelief regarding his fathering a son in his advanced age, we are told, “They all marveled” when Zacharias wrote: “His name is John” (Luke 1:63).
God’s Sacred Institution
It happened one hundred years ago on April 15, 1912. The newly commissioned steamer, the RMS Titanic, struck an iceberg and foundered in the north Atlantic Ocean. Among the passengers was an elderly couple, Isidor and Ida Straus, who had been married forty-one years. As the doomed ship sank slowly but surely into the sea, Isidor and Ida were seen standing near a lifeboat. The officer in charge urged them to climb on board, but Isidor refused to do so as long as there were women and children still remaining on the ship. Isidor urged his wife to get into the lifeboat, but she declined. “We have lived together for many years,” she said. “Where you go, I go.” They were among the drowning victims of the Titanic disaster.
Looking after the Interests of Others
Matthew Chapters Five through Seven
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your Yes be Yes, and your No, No. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Matthew 5:33-42
Apologetics
Apologetics — Should We Even Be Doing This?
“The Bible needs no defense.” “God’s Word will take care of itself. So who are we to think that our puny efforts and inadequate reasoning could help defend God’s almighty Word?” On the other hand, since God also promises to give us our daily bread, should I therefore say, “Since what God says will always come to pass, who am I to think that the Lord needs me to provide for my family?” Or even: “Why evangelize? Does God need me to preach His Word when He could have the rocks cry out if He so chose?” (Luke 19:40)