Posts Posted in January 2025

The Word of Authority – Friday

preparing for The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Series: Lectio Concordia

His Word is verity.

The Small Catechism – part 54

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Leviticus 19:3

God’s promise to be a Father to us demonstrates the importance he places on the role of parenting. It is the first commandment on the second tablet...

Confessions as Missional Engagement with Culture

How modern gnosticism leads to narcissism that need confessionalism.

How modern gnosticism leads to narcissism that need confessionalism.

The Word of Authority – Thursday

preparing for The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Series: Lectio Concordia

The church will continue because of the Word.

The Small Catechism – part 53

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:1–3

Seems right; if I did not respect my dad, he might have killed me! When he got out that paddle, I had cause to wonder. However, this is hardly what the Fourth Commandment means.

The Word of Authority – Wednesday

preparing for The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Series: Lectio Concordia

The church will continue because of the Word.

The Small Catechism – part 52

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Kings 2:10

We are to honor our parents. One of the ways that is done is by respecting, obeying, serving, and otherwise loving them throughout our shared days.

The Word of Authority – Tuesday

preparing for The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Series: Lectio Concordia

The church will continue because of the Word.

The Small Catechism – part 51

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 22:37–40

The commandment to love our neighbor begins at home. We are to love others as we love ourselves—not just loving those closest to us.

The Small Catechism – part 50

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 5:8

The principal way one honors their parents is to care for them in their old age, when they cannot take care of themselves anymore.

The Word of Authority – Monday

preparing for The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Series: Lectio Concordia

The things we thought would last forever are already fading away.

The Word of the Lord – Sunday

The Third Sunday after Epiphany

Series: Lectio Concordia

Biden and Trump have nothing on God.

The Small Catechism – part 49

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 6:3–5

The Sabbath of the old covenant observed God’s completion of creation. The Sabbath of the new covenant celebrates recreation—that people are recreated, or born again, through faith in Christ.

The Word of the Lord – Saturday

Preparing for Epiphany 3

Series: Lectio Concordia

Maybe we're doing it wrongly.

The Small Catechism – part 48

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 3:16–17

What do you depend upon for religious education, for correction or downright reprimand, and for training in virtue? What is it that governs your maturity in the Christian faith? Your opinions? TV shows? Newspapers? Social media?

The Word of the Lord – Friday

Preparing for Epiphany 3

Series: Lectio Concordia

Maybe we're doing it wrongly.

The Small Catechism – part 47

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:13

The reading of Scripture to the congregation is vital. Indeed, the use of Scripture throughout the liturgy is central to our worship. But why is this the case?

The Word of the Lord – Thursday

Preparing for Epiphany 3

Series: Lectio Concordia

Teach your children.

The Small Catechism – part 46

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 10:14–17

Faith comes through the proclaimed word of Christ Jesus, the message of the gospel. It is the good news because salvation comes by no other name.

The Word of the Lord – Wednesday

Preparing for Epiphany 3

Series: Lectio Concordia

"All In the Family" and The Lutheran Confessions?

The Small Catechism – part 45

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:21

It is the Word of God received in faith that makes one holy. The preaching of that Word is vital, whether it is a lector reading the Word aloud, a pastor proclaiming it from a pulpit, or the Holy Spirit speaking through a printed Bible or app.

The Small Catechism – part 44

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 17:17

When we gather around the Word of God, we are separated from the world for a while. For the moment, we are devoted only to God. This is one major way that we keep the Third Commandment.

The Word of the Lord – Tuesday

Preparing for Epiphany 3

Series: Lectio Concordia

Who helps us remember what Jesus said?

January 21

Exodus 10–12

Series: Read the Bible in a Year

Scripture Text: Exodus 10:1–12:51

Day 21 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Exodus 10:1–12:51 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.

The Small Catechism – part 43

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 15:10–11, 18–20

But the Sabbath is a Saturday, not a Sunday, you may argue. Yes, the Jewish Sabbath was Saturday; actually, it was Friday evening until Saturday evening.

The Word of the Lord – Monday

Preparing for Epiphany 3

Series: Lectio Concordia

How may you raise your children in the faith?

Signs of the Savior

Epiphany 2

Series: Lectio Concordia

Is Jesus the good wine kept until now?

The Small Catechism – part 42

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 2:1–3

The Sabbath is a day of rest, a miniature holiday or holyday. This day of rest is to be kept because God not only commanded it, he observed it.

Signs of the Savior – Saturday

Preparing for Epiphany 2

Series: Lectio Concordia

Will God sustain you to the end?

The Small Catechism – part 41

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 4:23

Worship is always the correct attitude. If your conscience, the law, or the devil accuse you of sin, the right response is worship. Do not hide from God, as if you could.

Signs of the Savior – Friday

Epiphany 2

Series: Lectio Concordia

Where is the kingdom of God located?

The Small Catechism – part 40

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:2–3

Let us be clear. God will not hold guiltless the one who takes his name in vain. Yet, the one who calls upon his name in sorrow over that sin will be forgiven.

The Small Catechism – part 39

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 139:19–24

It is easy to notice the faults of others. For example, you will hear God’s name used wrongly — whether as an outright expletive or by swearing by it to gain another’s trust.

Signs of the Savior – Thursday

Epiphany 2

Series: Lectio Concordia

Where is the kingdom of God located?

Signs of the Savior – Wednesday

Epiphany 2

Series: Lectio Concordia

In baptism, Jesus identified with sinners.

The Small Catechism – part 38

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 17:29–30

“God told me.” When people say this, they are taking the Lord’s name in vain. They say, “God told me to do this,” so that no one will be able to disagree with them.

Signs of the Savior – Tuesday

Epiphany 2

Series: Lectio Concordia

What is the sign of virgin?

The Small Catechism – part 37

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 10:27

So, we see that taking the Lord’s name vainly does not only break the Second Commandment; it also breaks the First Commandment. For taking the Lord’s name in vain demonstrates a lack of fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

Signs of the Savior – Monday

Epiphany 2

Series: Lectio Concordia

Many came to believe in Jesus because of the signs he did.

The Small Catechism – part 36

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 6:31–33

Why does one need to lie or otherwise deceive in order to receive some necessary thing? God knows what you need, so ask your heavenly Father, and he will provide the needs of the day.

The New Life – Sunday

The Baptism of Our Lord

Series: Lectio Concordia

Listen to today's video to hear the benefits of Holy Baptism.

The Small Catechism – part 35

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 12:14

The Second Commandment deals with far more than using a specific word or words. If you are a Christian, then all you say and do is said and done in the name of God.

The Small Catechism – part 34

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 5:33–37

Too much talk can lead to grand statements, to bragging backed up with oaths. Be content with silence, for the whisper of God may be heard there.

The New Life – Saturday

The Baptism of Our Lord

Series: Lectio Concordia

John came to bear witness to the Light.

The New Life – Friday

The Baptism of Our Lord

Series: Lectio Concordia

Just as God brought Noah and his family safely through the flood, Holy Baptism is that ark that God uses to save you and your family.

The Small Catechism – part 33

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 6:9

The best way to use God’s name properly is in prayer, and the best prayer is the one Jesus taught us. In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray that the Father’s name will be hallowed, or “holied.”

The Small Catechism – part 32

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 6:31–33

We are to use God’s name properly. Because we trust God, we may believe that he will take care of us. Therefore, we do not need to resort to deceitful practices of any sort in order to have our needs met by the Father.

The New Life – Thursday

The Baptism of Our Lord

Series: Lectio Concordia

As Christ was raised from the dead, all those who have been baptized into his death, have been freed from sin so that they may walk in newness of life.

The New Life – Wednesday

The Baptism of Our Lord

Series: Lectio Concordia

As Christ was raised from the dead, all those who have been baptized into his death, have been freed from sin so that they may walk in newness of life.

The Small Catechism – part 31

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:1–6

There are things that people fear, love, and trust above God. People may fear illness, suffering, and death above God. The result can be slavish devotion to fitness or to doctors and medicine.

The New Life – Tuesday

The Baptism of Our Lord

Series: Lectio Concordia

Jesus did what was necessary to save sinners.

The Small Catechism – part 30

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:1–6

Keeping the Ten Commandments is not something that we must do in order to be saved. God does not forgive us because we keep the rules.

The New Life – Monday

The Baptism of Our Lord

Series: Lectio Concordia

Through baptism, God purifies us from all uncleanness and gives us a new heart and a new spirit.

The Small Catechism – part 29

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:5–6

While the effects of sin may linger a while, the steadfast love of God endures forever. That is the idea in the idiom: “a thousand generations.” It is like saying, “a million years.”

Spiritual Blessings – Sunday

The Second Sunday after Christmas

Series: Lectio Concordia

He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west.

The Small Catechism – part 28

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:5–6

Scripture teaches us that children do not pay for the sins of their parents. Nevertheless, they often suffer the consequences. The bad choices we make affect others.

The Small Catechism – part 27

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:5–6

The effects of sin linger. I look at my own parents’ sins every day, as so many are alive in me. I learned those sins from them but they are my sins.

Spiritual Blessings – Saturday

Preparing for the Second Sunday after Christmas

Series: Lectio Concordia

He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west.

Spiritual Blessings – Friday

Preparing for the Second Sunday after Christmas

Series: Lectio Concordia

Christ Jesus has become redemption to us.

The Small Catechism – part 26

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:5–6

The Hebrew word typically translated as “jealous” in Exodus 20:5 can mean zealous, passionate, even outraged — or simply protective. Luther translated it as “zealous” (eifriger) but the major English translations all read “jealous.”

The Small Catechism – part 25

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:5–6

The idea of serving idols (“or serve them”) in verse five is specific to bringing them the service of worship. The NIV translates it so.

Spiritual Blessings – Thursday

Preparing for the Second Sunday after Christmas

Series: Lectio Concordia

Don't play with fire.

The Small Catechism – part 24

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:5–6

Imagine that those who are made in the image of the Almighty God would bow down to figurines of human invention. Ludicrous!

Spiritual Blessings – Wednesday

Preparing for the Second Sunday after Christmas

Series: Lectio Concordia

Don't always look to the physical when counting your spiritual blessings.