Bethlehem Lutheran Church
In the light of Easter we can look back and see how God turns ALL our suffering into joy
Gathering the scattered sheep is a powerful Gospel metaphor that taps into the history of Israel even more than the obvious agricultural connection
God has given us certainty that is greater than death
David in his time of suffering saw hope in the suffering of Christ and God’s ultimate deliverance.
The seventh of the seven Penitential Psalms is Psalm 143 which has been attributed to King David. Although relatively speaking, David is the innocent party in his conflicts with Saul, Absalom, and Adonijah, he recognizes that his own sins make him unworthy of claiming any blessings from the Lord. Like a parched land, there is a dire need sapping the life of the penitent. God provides sustenance for the thirsty penitent in the hope of the LORD’S promised deliverance.
True worship isn’t about what we give to God or what we want to get out of it. It’s receiving what God wants us to get out of it.
The sixth of the seven Penitential Psalms is Psalm 130 which was commonly recited as God’s people made their way to worship in the temple in Jerusalem. The penitent’s patient waiting considers the tension between the depth and depravity of their sin and the hope of the Lord’s promised deliverance.
Even though we know the facts concerning eternal life, we still seem to fail the test of living in the present. I fail to rejoice in the Lord always, especially when life goes "wrong" in all kinds of ways. Paul, convinced of his future with Christ Jesus, changed his perspective on how he experienced his life in the present. Not matter what – he could "rejoice in the Lord always." What we know and believe about our future in Christ changes our perspective on life in the present.
Even in the most desperate circumstances, we can rejoice because God is always providing for us
The fourth of the seven Penitential Psalms is Psalm 51. The penitent prays for and from a purified heart. Penitential prayer is always a prayer confessing sinfulness through and through with a desire for renewal, a complete change of heart. From that purified heart, the penitent now prays for renewed service.
We’re always tempted to put our faith and hope in the vehicles of God’s grace rather than God’s grace itself
The 3rd of the seven Penitential Psalms is Psalm 38. Here we discover that the disposition of the penitent is clinging faith, even when the Lord’s hand is heavy upon us. The penitent feels the Lord’s heavy warning of sin even as they cling to the Lord for salvation
When life spins out of control, Jesus is the one thing we can hold onto for dear life
The 2nd of the seven Penitential Psalms is Psalm 32. It is one of the clearest statements of the doctrines of repentance, justification and forgiveness in the Old Testament. It is closely related to Psalm 51. It appears that this psalm, like Psalm 51, was written to express David's repentance after the prophet Nathan had confronted him with his sins of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 12). Psalm 32 clearly contrasts the way in which the world considers a person to be blessed with the way God actually blesses people.
One step at a time, faith in God’s salvation bring us the victory through Jesus’ strength
Ash Wednesday begins the penitential season of Lent: 40 days (not including Sundays) of reflection and sorrow over our sin and its consequences. During this time, we also meditate on what Jesus Christ suffered for us because of our sins and what His perfect obedience to the Father, even unto death on the cross, brings for us. Around the 6th century AD, seven psalms were designated as the Penitential Psalms. These psalms are expressive of sorrow for sin and were especially used during the season of Lent. These seven psalms will be the basis for our midweek Lenten meditations, beginning with the first of these, Psalm 6. According to Psalm 6, What Is It To Be Penitent? A. Penitence is despair over sin. B. Penitence is trust in God’s deliverance.
Like Moses and Elijah but greater, you know Jesus’ departure in Jerusalem won’t be for good
What’s most important in your life? Whatever is 'most important' would be the foundation for your life. It is the core, heart, basis, and center of who you are and what you do. Something of first importance has us coming back again and again because we can’t live without it. It gives us hope for the future. It provides a reason to live.
God’s question was a call for a volunteer to announce His words to the world. Having been cleansed from his sinfulness, Isaiah responded without hesitation: “Here am I! Send me!” God’s question provided an opportunity for Isaiah to show his gratitude for the removal of his sin. In thankfulness, Isaiah was ready to do whatever God wished, even though God had not yet declared what the role entailed.
Jesus’ preaching in the synagogues has an important message that’s so obvious it’s easy to miss
Jesus’ epiphany reveals not only His love for mankind but also His authority as Lord
Jesus incarnation, baptism, and crucifixion connects us to God at the deepest level
In Christ, God fulfills His promises to Simeon and Anna, to you and me, and to all mankind.
Jesus in his incarnation proclaims a beautiful message of our salvation
Jesus’ birth and its significance for us is proclaimed throughout Scripture by prophets, angels, and apostles
It is not because we are smart enough to find Him or holy enough to deserve Him or clever enough to make Him want us. We didn’t decide to come to Christ. He came to us. He graced us. He chose us. He loves us. He forgives us. It Is Jesus who makes Christmas what it is and why it is.
As we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, it is good to ponder the context of His coming. We know from where Christ will come: Bethlehem. But it's more important to know from where peace will come.
The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. We light the pink candle reminding us of the Joy the world experienced at the birth of Jesus even as we rejoice in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah. While the secular world seeks to mimic Christmas joy in the things of this world, our Heavenly Father gives us the reason to rejoice. The reason for our rejoicing is not to be found in our circumstances but rather, it is to be found in the gracious heart of God.
The future of the little baby born in Bethlehem shows us our future as well, a future that adds true celebration to Christmas!
Advent is about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Season seeks to prepare us for His coming in glory on the Last Day. We do this by remembering the historical narrative of His 1st Coming as if we were there, and by receiving His coming today in Word and Sacrament as we recall and proclaim His first coming while we await His 2nd Coming on the Last Day. Advent teaches us a lesson about repentance.
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