There are all sorts of startling statements in the Bible, aren’t there? For example, Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am,” making the claim that he is eternal, that he’s always existed. That’s startling. Similarly, ...
Are we much different? Do you, like me, sometimes get frustrated with the Old Testament Israelites, particularly that group whom God brought out of Egypt? They had seen such great things! And yet over and ...
There are certain times in life, certain events in life which cause our perspective to change, correct? Perhaps it was graduating from high school (or maybe even grade school), and the recognition that a “chapter ...
It had to be frustrating. God had been so good to the people! He had blessed them in so many ways! But the worship was half-hearted, the offerings were disappointing. Most disturbingly, at least some ...
Prof. em. Forrest Bivens manages Grow in Grace’s mentoring program. In late August he sent a devotion to the mentors; we thought it would be much appreciated by our entire ministerium. Our thanks to Prof. ...
King Herod had thrown a huge party for himself and his guests. As part of it, he “invited” his step-daughter to dance for them. She danced so well that Herod made a rash – and ...
“Did I sign up for this?” I know I asked that question on occasion. You too? The Gospel reading for this Sunday is the end of a lengthier segment. Jesus is about to send out ...
It’s easy as WELS pastors to read the first paragraph of Sunday’s gospel (Mt 7:15-29) and mentally check off this pericope as having no rebuke for us. Jesus urges his hearers to be constantly watching ...
“Give what you command [O Lord], and then command whatever you will.” In St. Augustine’s Confessions, that was his memorable way of capturing this comforting scriptural truth: God himself effectively works in us to will ...
What fears do you, like the two Marys in Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 28:1-10), bring with you to the tomb this Easter week? Perhaps never in our lifetimes has it been as easy to identify a ...
