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Colossians 3:1-4, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."Christian, you have been raised with Christ! No longer are you bound to the fading, worthless pleasures of this world. Your citizenship is in Heaven, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Lift up your eyes! Your Savior is not here among the dying things of earth--He is enthroned in glory, ruling over all things for the good of His people.Why then, should your heart grovel in the dust of this poor fleeting world? Set your affections upon the risen Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God, ruling in majesty, interceding for you, and preparing a place for you. The world beckons with its empty promises . . . riches that rust, honor that fades, pleasures that perish. But Christ offers eternal treasures, unfading glory and unspeakable joy!Dear saint, the storms of life may rage, and tempests may threaten, but nothing can snatch you from the omnipotent hand of the Lord Jesus Christ! You are eternally secure in Him.And what of the future? The day is coming when your life will be revealed in the full splendor of the dazzling brilliance of Christ-likeness. O Christian, let this hope sustain you! Every sorrow will be swallowed in victory, and every trial will be forgotten in the light of His presence.Weary pilgrim, fix your mind on Christ, and set your heart on Heaven. Live for Christ, long for Chris
Programa dedicado a explorar algunas de las más notables composiciones creadas para dúos de instrumentistas de música clásica. Producción y selección realizada por Carolina Valdés con la locución de Sergio Morales. Martes a las 12:00 hrs en el 95.1 FM y www.radioudec.cl
“His place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” — Isaiah 33:16 Do you doubt, O Christian, do you doubt as to whether God will fulfil His promise? Shall the munitions of rock be carried by storm? O Shall the storehouses of heaven fail? […]
Godmorgon Växjö repris från 2021
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, one of the most beloved Russian saints of the past few centuries, describes the duties of the pastor towards his flock and of the flock towards their pastor. 0:00 Beginning 0:10 On the Duty of Pastors (Bishops and Priests) 9:02 On the Duty of the Flock Toward the Pastor Text is from "Journey to Heaven: Counsels on the Particular Duties of Every Christian" by St. Tikhon of Zadonsk ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ St. Tikhon writes: For the Pastor: A pastor must without fail teach people, lead them to true repentance, plant the fear and love of God in men's hearts, put the fear of God's judgement in reckless and unrepentant sinners, encourage the troubled and doubtful and those inclined to despair with he mercy of God and the consolation of the Gospel, and root out superstition, schism and heresy. He must draw all this teaching from the wellsprings of Israel, the sacred books of the word of God, and transmit it to the people under him. When people, whoever they may be, commit iniquity and you know it openly, take extreme care not to be silent, but everywhere reprove their iniquity in your speech, lest you be like a dumb dog that does not bark when thieves break into a house and loot it, and wolves fall upon the flock and devour it. Without the help of God, the efforts of the pastor himself as well as those of the people will not be discharged or meet with success. For this reason the pastor has an obligation to pray diligently to God for himself and for the people, that He help both himself and all the people. For the Flock: Because the pastor speaks the word of God, then to whatever he teaches, pay diligent heed, O Christian, and do it. Because many among the people are not men of goodwill and as they do not love pastoral reroof but wish to live according to their own will, they invent and broadcast no little slander against the pastor. Then when you hear such slander and ill report against the pastor, do not believe it and guard your lips, lest you say anything about it to anyone else. _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, one of the most beloved Russian saints of the past few centuries, describes how fitting it is for man to love God and the signs that such love is true and genuine. "Truly is it said by all, 'How can we not love God?'" Text is from "Journey to Heaven: Counsels on the Particular Duties of Every Christian" by St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, p. 1-8 ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ St. Tikhon writes: "Whom shall we love, if not God?" God is the supreme good, uncreated, without beginning, without end, existent, and without change. As the sun always shines, as fire always warms, so God is by nature good; He is and always does good, since there is none good, but One, that is God (Matt. 19:17). O the most beloved and beautiful of God's creation, man, the image of God! He bears it in himself as a royal seal. As the king is hon-ored, so is his portrait. As to God the Heavenly King is due all honor, so to His image, man. God poured forth this goodness on us in our creation, O Christian. How then can we not love God? As we all call Him, God is the Lover of Mankind; then man must be a lover of God. For nothing can be given in return for love but love and gratitude. Truly is it said by all, "How can we not love God?" Love, like every other virtue, must also reside in our heart. For if love does not reside in the heart, then it does not exist. God does not say, "Love, be humble, be compassionate, pray, beseech, call unto Me," and so on, to our lips, but to our heart. Then love, humility, compassion, prayer, and the rest, must reside in the heart. And if it abides in the heart, then it will inevitably appear outwardly like a belch from stomach. A hidden fire gives itself away by its heat, and a fragrant balm by its smell. The true lover of God disdains the world and all that is in the world, and strives toward God, his most beloved. He counts honor, glory, riches, and all the comforts of this world which the sons of this age seek, as nothing. For him only God, the uncreated and most beloved good, suffices. The true lover of God keeps God ever in mind, and His love toward us and His benefactions. We see this even in human love, for we often remember the one we love. So whoever loves God remembers Him, thinks of Him, and finds consolation in Him, and is enrapt in Him. _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!
Sermon given by guest Pastor Eddie DSouza at ElmCreek Community Church in Maple Grove, MN. Scripture: Romans 5:1-11
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time The people in our first reading today, the Israelites, are at a decision point — they need to decide whom they will follow. This ancient Biblical situation is wildly applicable for us today. November 5th is the upcoming presidential election. Everyone is getting so worked up over politics, and we are all guilty of becoming more and more demonizing to anybody who disagrees with what we think. I'd invite you to ask yourself: “Whose side am I on? Whom do I support?” I think you'll be surprised by what ought to be the real answer to that question, O Christian!
Godmorgon Växjö repris från 2023-09-26
Godmorgon Växjö repris
Godmorgon Växjö repris från 2023-09-12
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time We mistakenly think that comfort will lead to happiness…but the human experience proves that those who do NOT regularly push themselves outside their comfort zones experience a slow but sure atrophy of their spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational health, and thus a slow but sure atrophy of happiness and fulfillment. Those who consistently push themselves outside their comfort zones are healthier, happier, more fulfilled people: spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally, etc. (Book: The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter) In today's readings we see Amos and the Twelve pushed way outside their comfort zones to proclaim God's message - they weren't "religious professionals", they were never schooled in this, most of them had blue collar jobs...and yet God chose and sent these individuals to witness to Him. God has chosen and sent you, too, O Christian, as Paul tells us in our second reading. You have been chosen, you have been sent, by the creator of the universe! Will you begin to step outside your comfort zones, push your perceived boundaries, and start experiencing, to a degree you didn't even know was possible, the life God actually has in store for you?!
June 20, 2024 Today's Reading: Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism 2Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:22-23:12; John 18:15-40It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. - Dr. Luther, SC, Baptism 2, Question 1In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What benefits does Baptism give? Baptism now saves you… (1 Peter 3:21) and in it, you are united to Christ's life-giving death and resurrection. (Romans 6:3-4) If you ever need assurance of your salvation, that your sins are forgiven, that you are God's child, and the devil has no claim on you, then turn to the words from God Himself. It is in His words and promises that God reveals to you how much you mean to Him.Baptism defines your life as a Christian. It is not a starting point but the daily reality of your Christian identity. In the waters of your Baptism, the death of your life to sin and your new life united to Christ are present. This paradox of being simultaneously sinner and saint begins. But the comfort of the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation with the words and promises of God joined to the water is the daily reminder as we get up each day and wrestle against our old Adam.The words and promises of God in the last chapter of Mark are of great comfort, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16) This is not meant to cause you to speculate on your faith and worry about you and your place in your salvation. Rather, it is to drive you to Christ, your savior, the One who your forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are founded in. He has rescued you from death and the devil and gives to you His child eternal salvation as the words and promises of God declare.Rejoice in your Baptism, and remember daily that you are a baptized child of God. There is no more peaceful, grander reality than this. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O Christian, firmly hold this gift And give God thanks forever! It gives the power to uplift In all that you endeavor. When nothing else revives your soul, Your Baptism stands and makes you whole And then in death completes you. ( LSB 596, 5)- Vicar Justin Chester, Vicar at Shepherd of the City, Fort Wayne, INAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing.
Desmenuzamos el romance del momento desde todas las aristas. Ya sabes cuál ! El de #Nodal y #ÁngelaAguilar
This sermon was preached by guest speaker Eddie DSouza. Eddie is from southern India and has just finished his third year of seminary at Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis. For more information about Northfield Community Church in Northfield, MN, go to our website - northfieldcc.org
Our Lord said, "But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment (Matt. 12:36)." Abbess Thaisia, a spiritual daughter of St. John of Krodstadt, served as abbess of a convent in Leushino, Russia. Her autobiography and letters have served as an inspiration to countless souls and are as timely today as they were in pre-revolutionary Russia. -READ the text here: http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/idletalk.aspx -BUY "Letters To A Beginner", a collection of letters from Abbess Thaisia to her nuns: https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/lett.htm -READ Elder Joseph of Vatopedi's introduction to the greek edition of her autobiography: https://pemptousia.com/2016/12/elder-joseph-of-vatopedi-on-the-life-and-personality-of-abbess-taisia-olga/ -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ ______ Abbess Thaisia writes: On this subject I want to write you a few words about the harm arising from the idle talk and gossip so common among you. This is something you yourself don't even notice; you speak too much, without discerning whether it is necessary or unnecessary, profitable or harmful, provided only that something is spoken. It is as if you are afraid of silence, which in fact is a nun's first obligation, the chief condition of her success and the adornment of her whole life. Deeply rooted in people is the love of idle talk, i.e., empty, unnecessary conversations, and it has become a beloved pastime among them. It seems we don't know and don't believe that idle talk is a sin, and a serious sin, which gives birth to a multitude of other sins: quarrels, conflicts, gossip, slander, condemnation, calumny, and the like. One deeply thinking pastor, contemporary to us, writes the following on idle talk, among other things: "How heedlessly, how carelessly we use our words, Which should be highly valued as a great gift from God! But on the contrary, what do we least esteem, if not the spoken word? In what are we fickle, if not in the spoken word? What do we throw out every minute, as though it were dirt, if not the spoken word? O Christian! Value your words, be attentive to them!" ______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/orthodox-wisdom/message
Well, today, as you know, is the last day of 2023, and I want to begin his morning by telling you that the most important thing that you've done with your life in 2023 is to magnify the glory of God. And, the most important thing you can do with your life in 2024 is to magnify the glory God.That's why we exist. That's what we're here for, church! Our purpose is to magnify the glory of God, or we could say the worth of God. Another word for this is “worship.” We exist to be worshipers of God, and that's what I want to talk to you about today in Hebrews 13, verses 20–21.I just want to show you two things in these verses:Worship is the goal.Worship applies to all of life.Let's pray:Father in heaven, we ask now, by your grace, that you would do more in our hearts over the next minutes than we could have expected. Accomplish your will, in Jesus's name, amen. 1) Worship is the goal. Look again at verse 20. Verses 20–21 are the concluding benediction and doxology of the Book of Hebrews. The writer tells us his concluding prayer for us as Christian readers, and he directs all glory to God.Now in most English translations there are about 61 total words here in these two verses, and they all matter, but if we had to distill these two verses down to the main point of what the writer is saying, I think we can do it in seven words:May God equip you to worship him!The subject is God; the object is us; and the main verb is that God is equipping us for a purpose — and that purpose, or goal, is to worship him — but how am I getting worship from verse 21?If you look at verse 21, we don't see the word “worship.” So how can I say that the goal here is worship?Pleasing in His SightWell, I'm glad you asked! It has to do with that word “pleasing.” If you can, try to find that word “pleasing” in verse 21. It's in the second line: May God equip you with everything good that you may go his will “working in us that which is pleasing in his sight.” A lot of times there are words in the New Testament that get their meaning from the Old Testament, and that's especially the case for the word “pleasing” in Hebrews.The word “pleasing” is a levitical word that has to do with worship. We see the word over and over again in the Book of Leviticus in reference to the offerings and sacrifices that people made to God. If the offering or sacrifice was according to what God had instructed, it was said to be pleasing to God, or acceptable to God (the original word could be translated either way). The idea is that God is pleased with the worship.This topic is actually a theme we see throughout the Old Testament. There are two kinds of worship: there is pleasing worship and there is vain, empty worship. We see this distinction right away in the Bible, starting with Cain and Abel. Both brothers brought an offering to God, but God was only pleased with Abel's offerings. Genesis 4:4, “And Yahweh had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.” So there are two ways to go here. There's true worship that pleases God or false worship (so-called worship) that God rejects — and of course we want to be true worshipers. We want our worship to be pleasing to God.In the Writer's MindAnd we know that this is in the writer's mind in Hebrews Chapter 13 because of the immediate context here. We're in verses 20–21, but just look back a little to verse 15. Hebrews 13:15. Follow with me here, verse 15: Through him [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. The writer is talking about worship here. The word “pleasing” is in reference to sacrifices — but these are New Covenant sacrifices. In the New Covenant, our ‘sacrifices' — or our acts of worship — don't involve animals anymore; it's not tied to a certain time and place, but now our sacrifices, according to Hebrews 13:15–16, include things like praise — verbal acknowledgment of God — and love and generosity to others. That is worship pleasing to God. That's what the writer has been talking about in Chapter 13.But not only that, but turn back to Chapter 12, verse 28 for a second. This is just one page back. In Chapter 12, the writer has been describing the greater glory of the New Covenant, and then he says, Chapter 12, verse 28, Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship … And that word “acceptable” is the exact same word for “pleasing.” Pleasing worship. The Big TakeawaySo then, when we see the word “pleasing” in Chapter 13, verse 21, that God is “working in us that which is pleasing in his sight,” we should think about worship. That's what the writer has been talking about. Therefore, I think a short summary of what the writer is saying in verses 20–21 is: May God equip you to worship him!That's the last thing this writer wants to leave us with in this book, in this word of exhortation. I think we should call this the big takeaway from the Book of Hebrews. What else do we do with everything we've seen this year in this book? What is the ultimate difference it should make in our lives that we have seen that Jesus is better, that he is our great high priest, that the new covenant is superior to the old, that we need (and we can!) endure in faith? What's the point of all that? Worship. We want to magnify the glory and worth of God. Worship is the goal.Here's the second and last thing to see.2) Worship applies to all of life. There's a parallel in verse 21 that I want you to see. God's “working in us that which is pleasing in his sight” (which has to do with worship), that parallels and explains what it means that it's God equipping us “to do his will.”One way to paraphrase the first part of verse 21 is to say: God equips you to do his will, which means God does in us what is pleasing to him.Our doing the will of God is the worship of God.The Will of GodNow I know that sometimes we can have a lot of questions when it comes to the will of God — ‘what is God's will and how do we know it?!' And we can get stressed out about this — but the Bible is pretty straightforward here. In verse 21, the will of God is restated as that which is pleasing to God, and as we've seen, what the writer has in mind is worship. We worship God when we do his will.And here is where we need to be really clear about what worship means. If worship is doing God's will — if worship is the goal, if it's why we exist — then we need to know what worship is.Well, worship, now — because of Jesus, because of the first Christmas — is no longer restricted to a certain act in a certain place done in a very stipulated way. We already saw that the writer of Hebrews calls praising God and doing good to others sacrifices — and we can do those anywhere. Now what we're doing together here is worship — we gather here every Sunday for corporate worship, but I'd actually argue that the most unique thing going on here is not the worship, but it's the mutual edification. It's that we're worshiping God together, which builds one another up. That's the one thing happening right now that won't be happening tomorrow when we're not gathered. But the worship continues. You come into this place as a worshiper of God, and you are commissioned out of this place as a worshiper of God. We are worshipers of God wherever we can do the will of God — that's everywhere and anytime. Worship applies to all of life.But now, practically, what does that mean? How does worship in all of life look? It looks like Jesus. It means that we are radically centered on Jesus and we are Christlike from the heart.Centered on JesusJesus is the one who changed the meaning of worship forever.Remember the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the well. This is in John 4. She brings us the topic of worship, because there was a dispute about true worship, so she asked Jesus, Where is the place of true worship? And Jesus basically said, It's not a place anymore, it's me. Now that Jesus has come, all true worship is focused on Jesus himself. He is both the way to God, and the ‘place' where God's presence dwells. And we certainly see this in Hebrews!Just think of the ways that Jesus transformed Old Covenant worship. All the pieces of Old Covenant worship are now fulfilled in him: Jesus is the temple; Jesus is the high priest; Jesus is the sacrifice. It's like Jesus became the entire worship service.True worship now is radically centered on Jesus … but it's not just centered on him, it means that we actually become like him. Becoming Like JesusTurn back to Hebrews 10 for a minute, and we're going to end on this. I think this passage in Hebrews 10 brings it all together. If you can, follow along with me in Hebrews 10, starting in verse 4: 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world [which is what we celebrate at Christmastime!]when Christ came into the world, he said, [to God]“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,but a body have you prepared for me;6 in burnt offerings and sin offeringsyou have taken no pleasure. Now that word for “prepared” there — “a body you have prepared for me” — that's the same word that's translated “equip” in Chapter 13, verse 21. God equips us to do his will. God ‘equipped' Jesus with a body. And being equipped with a body, verse 7: 7 Then [Jesus] said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.' Now listen to how the writer explains this, verse 8, 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. In other words, the old way of worship is over. The new way of worship is do the will of God.Verse 10, 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. So worship is centered on Jesus — you can't worship God apart from Jesus — but also worship now means that we become like Jesus. We do what he did.A Living SacrificeJesus completely surrendered himself to the will of God — “I'm here to do your will.” “Not my will, but yours be done,” he said, even with loud cries and tears. Jesus completely surrendered himself to God, which means that his whole life was a sacrifice that was pleasing to God.And now for us, through Jesus, we do the same. Through Jesus, like Jesus, we also surrender our lives to the will of God. There's no wonder the apostle Paul says what he says in Romans 12:1, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual worship. To be a living sacrifice is New Covenant worship. That is our calling. That's what it means to worship God. Jesus was the ultimate living sacrifice, and we, in him, become living sacrifices, completely surrendered to the will of God. Absolute SurrenderThere's a South African pastor from the 1800s named Andrew Murray, and he wrote a classic book, some of you may have heard of, called Absolute Surrender. My pastor growing up gave me his copy of the book years ago when I was trying to discern God's will for my life, and there's a key section in the book when Murray is talking about exactly what we're talking about here. Listen to this. Murray writes, Jesus gave up his life to God, and he thereby taught us that the only thing that life is worth living for is to give it back to God even unto death. If you take your life and spend it on yourself, even partly, you are abusing it. You are taking it away from its noblest use. O Christian, learn from Christ that the beauty of having life and will and body is that you can give it to God, and that then God will fill it with His glory … Christian, do you want a life of fellowship with God, and of glory and power and joy, even here upon earth? Remember, then, that there is but one way to secure it. Give your life up to God. That is the one way. That is what Christ did. (Absolute Surrender, 25). Many of you, as we have prayed for our church in this new season, we have prayed for increased surrender — and this is what we mean. Increased surrender is a life of all-consuming worship. Increased surrender is to be a living sacrifice.This is not just for an hour and a half on Sunday morning, but you're a living sacrifice over lunch this afternoon, and when you're putting your kids to bed tonight, and when you step into the office tomorrow, and when you think hard about challenges in front of you …You're a living sacrifice when you do good work, not half-hearted work, but excellent work as unto God, not man.You're a living sacrifice when you show kindness to the people around you, and when you speak words of grace, and when you wake up early to read God's word and to pray.You're a living sacrifice when you do the uncomfortable thing for a purpose bigger than comfort, and when you steward your body well, and when you are generous with your time and resources, and when you endure in faith even as you're surrounded by the whirlwind of suffering.You're a living sacrifice when you testify of a joy down deep in your soul, even though the fig tree may not blossom … even though the cancer may not go away.When you are a living sacrifice, when you are surrendered to God like Jesus, through Jesus, it means simply that you belong to God. Every part of us and all that we have is his, and we want to magnify his glory and worth in everything. That's why we exist. It's the most important thing that we've done in 2023, and the most important thing we can do in 2024.Father, would you make us to be, as individuals and as an entire church, make us to be a living sacrifice. Overcome with the joy of being yours, and through us, would you magnify your glory in these Twin Cities? Be pleased with our lives of worship, through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.
November 2, 2023Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism: Baptism Part 4Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 13:1-18, Matthew 13:1-23What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Baptism is supposed to make your life harder. Actually, it's supposed to end it. Kill you. That's the best thing it can offer. Death with Jesus. Life with Him too. But we only focus on the second part. Usually to our detriment. We imagine the baptized life as God's holy children to be cleaner. Better. Wholly devoted to Him and His service. Instead we lose a war with ourselves every day. Because the Old Adam wasn't drowned once. He has to die daily. Old Adam daily drowns. He must be a strong swimmer. Paul might say it better than Luther. St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six: “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Romans 6:4).” The Lord throws the dirt on you while you still claw at the coffin. Because He loves you. He loves you enough to bring to nothing the things that will kill you, and unite you to the death that actually saves you: Christ's. Old Adam's struggles are found in trying to live by chasing things that kill. And we won't stop, even after receiving His forgiveness, life, and salvation. So He nails us to the cross with Jesus in our Baptism. Throws us into the tomb with Him, and keeps throwing dirt on us every time we claw our way out. Because death with Jesus yields life with Jesus. Daily. Daily you are made new. Holy. Daily you are tied to salvation. Your last mistake, the same one you made daily for as long as you can remember and wish you could forget? That's forgiven. Daily. Because you're baptized. Remember it. Daily. Make the sign of the cross. It doesn't forgive you. It reminds you of the forgiveness you can't escape in your Baptism. Because God won't stop pouring out mercy. Daily. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O Christian, firmly hold this gift And give God thanks forever! It gives the power to uplift In all that you endeavor. When nothing else revives your soul, Your Baptism stands and makes you whole And then in death completes you. (LSB 596:5)- Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.
October 12, 2023Today's Reading: Daily Lectionary: Nehemiah 9:22-38, 1 Timothy 6:3-21But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)In the Name of Jesus, Amen. Your life should reflect who you are in Christ, all of your life. You are baptized and empowered to live life accordingly. This is what Paul means by godliness. Living a Christian life is far more than simply being a faithful Sunday morning worshiper. The strength and source of living a godly life is Jesus. The Divine Service is where we are plugged-in, so to speak, to Him. Without Jesus there is no godly life. What does your life look like outside of the Divine Service? Is it God pleasing? Godliness is keeping God at the center. It is keeping His Word before our eyes, in our ears and upon our hearts daily. It is reflecting that Word in our words and works of love towards God and neighbor. Why does Paul instruct Timothy to preach and teach about godliness with contentment? And to charge Christians to live a holy life fleeing from sinful desires and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness? For these reasons: for the sake of true joy, peace and contentment and that we may not lose what we already have been given freely in Christ nor cause others to stumble and fall away. We don't worship or live a godly life for compliments. Your godliness in no way atones for sins and gains salvation. However, Jesus' perfect life of godliness and death does… atone for your sins and saves. God wants us to have good things, he “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” However, He doesn't want us to fall into faith destroying snares. The temptations of riches, power and worldly desires are always ready to entrap us. Satan uses such things to drive us away from Jesus. O Christian flee from those things! Godliness that finds its joyful source in the righteousness of Jesus, freely given, provides a life of contentment. We give thanks for all that God has provided in this life, whether little or an abundance. And how much He has given! What the world considers good and needful is most often just the opposite, hurtful and detrimental to faith. There is only one thing needful for you and that is Jesus, your crucified and risen Savior. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing, Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 34:9, 10b; 23:1,3)-Pastor Preston Paul is pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Almena, WI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.
The words of Richard Baxter are earthy, moving, and convicting. He echos the truth, that we can begin to enjoy God's rest as we seek Him foremost. Baxter in "The Saints Everlasting Rest" brings us to tears, and He laments in the voice of God: "How must we offend our dear Lord when we give him cause to complain, as he did of our fellow idolaters: "My people have been lost sheep; they have forgotten their resting-place. My people can find rest in anything rather than in me. They can delight in one another, but not in me. They can rejoice in my creatures and ordinances, but not in me. Yea, in their very labors and duties they seek for rest, but not in me. They had rather be anywhere than be with me. Are these their gods? Have these redeemed them? Will these be better to them than I have been, or than I would be?" If you yourselves had a wife, a husband, a son, who had rather be any where than in your company, and was never so merry as when farthest from you, would you not take it ill? So our God must needs do." He then urges us: "O Christian, follow thy work, look to thy dangers, hold on to the end, win the field, and come off the ground before thou think of a settled rest." His words are sober to my soul. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheyne Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard www.frponprayer.com freerangeprayer@gmail.com Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries Instagram: freerangeministries All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition. For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com Our podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram Season 005 Episode 070
Remember, O Christian, the world is thy vessel not thy home.
Daily Devotional Sunday "Little Easter" Every Sunday in Lent is considered a "little Easter." a time to celebrate the Lord's resurrection and spend time praising God. So, in keeping with this, our Sunday devotionals will be traditional Easter hymns. Take a moment to sing these with your family or by yourself. If you like, listen to the song on your computer or phone. But be sure to spend time rejoicing and praising God for our new life in Jesus Christ. He Lives By Albert Ackley 1. I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today I know that He is living, whatever men may say I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer And just the time I need Him He's always near. He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today He walks with me and talks with me Along life's narrow way. He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart, You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. 2. In all the world around me I see His loving care And though my heart grows weary I never will despair I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast The day of His appearing will come at last He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today He walks with me and talks with me Along life's narrow way. He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. 3. Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, Lift up your voice and sing Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find None other is so loving, so good and kind. He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today He walks with me and talks with me Along life's narrow way. He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. . https://www.findnewhope.com Our staff and leadership employ what's called the “S.O.A.P. Method”. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Each day, we read one or two chapters of Scripture and focus on one particular verse. We make some observations about how that verse touches us, discern how it applies to our lives, and offer a prayer related to what we have read. - Rev. Dr. Vicki Harrison -- Donate via PayPal to support the podcasts and the Technical Arts Ministry of New Hope! https://goo.gl/o2a9oU Subscribe at: http://www.findnewhope.com/soap (813) 689-4161 keywords: devotional, bible study
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