If the apostles had promised to teach no longer about Jesus, but did so anyway, they would have taken the Lord’s name in vain. They would have lied in the name of God.
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Day 303 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 17:1–18:43 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Don't take offense at people's rage against the Lord or his Church. Simply live your life in faith. Luther did the same. Even when those who called themselves Christians attacked, he commended them to God while he lived faithfully, proclaiming the eternal gospel.
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The keeping of the commandments, so far as it depends upon us, begins with controlling the tongue. The Apostle James said that the tongue is a restless evil, so we must try to give it a rest.
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Day 302 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 14:1–16:31 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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God leads us, not in the way of sense or reason, but in the way of faith alone, even of that faith that sees in darkness and beholds things that are invisible.
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Day 301 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 12:1–13:35 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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"Christ was both David’s true natural son, of his blood and flesh, and also David’s Lord, whom David himself must worship and hold as God."
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Conversely, when the First Commandment is not observed, the other commandments will be broken. See how quickly, even after Gideon says God will rule the people, they put their trust in an object.
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Christian unity resists sin and everything opposed to the religion of Christ, so the apostle enjoins us to be likeminded according to Christ Jesus.
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Day 300 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 10:1–11:54 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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It needs saying again, that a particular idol is always lurking nearby. We need to be aware of it so that we may give it a good kick behind us.
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Look to the lowly apostles. None of them was high or mighty in the ways of the world. They were mostly fishermen, but because they put their trust in the Lord, God made them fishers of men.
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Day 299 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 8:1–9:62 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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No sin is more abominable to human nature, and of none is human nature less tolerant than the sin of ingratitude, for returning love and friendship with hatred.
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"The devil takes no respite, but whenever the gospel is preached in its purity he mixes with the children of God and sows his tares."
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Day 298 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 6:1–7:50 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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If you would trust anything in this life, trust that which has been from the beginning, that truth which continues to flow down to us today.
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Gathering together, likely for prayer and the latest word from the apostles, those earliest disciples were probably considered fools by those in the streets of Jerusalem.
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The unity of the Church does not consist in similarity of outward forms and customs but because it represents one plain, pure gospel doctrine.
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Day 297 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 4:1–5:43 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Day 296 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 2:1–3:38 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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This earthly life is not for our own sake but instead, our lives and everything we do, must contribute to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Just as Joshua exhorted the Israelites to choose whom they would serve, Deborah pressed Barak to trust the one God, fearing him more than Jaban, the Canaanite king, and his commander Sisera, with all his troops.
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It may seem, at first, that God’s offer is not so friendly, for we see readily enough in the commandment, the threat of his wrath if we disobey. And how can we not disobey?
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Day 295 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 1:1–80 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The apostle implores God that they may increase and persevere in faith. Such is the great value he places upon possessing and holding fast God’s Word.
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Day 294 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Mark 15:1–16:20 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Blessed are those persons who delight in God's Word, for they will prosper in the Lord's grace. Planted near this stream of truth, their spirits will grow in faith.
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Because God is a loving Father who cares for those who believe in him, we owe it to him to esteem him above all else. Yet, even those who do not believe are obliged to honor him, simply because he is God.
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The conscience knows its standing with God only through the merits of Christ Jesus. So long as we try to appease God, the conscience is troubled.
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Day 293 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Mark 14:1–72 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Because God is a loving Father who cares for those who believe in him, we owe it to him to esteem him above all else. Yet, even those who do not believe are obliged to honor him, simply because he is God.
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Day 292 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Mark 12:1–13:36 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The news had traveled throughout the land, how God had fought Israel’s battles. Country after country, and city after city were terrified of Israel’s approach. Still, the king of Jerusalem dared defy God’s will by asking four other kings to help him with their armies at their sides.
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It is dangerous to live heedlessly, for the devil is likely to take you by surprise. When you think you stand securely, he is ready to strike you down.
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First, let us deal with the common misconception that because my father or mother sinned, I and my children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren will pay for their transgression.
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"God has promised me through his Son, and confirmed it through my baptism, that he who hears and sees the Son shall be delivered from sin and death."
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Day 291 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Mark 10:1–11:33 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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If you have ever watched someone incise a single letter into slate, you can imagine how long it took Joshua to engrave the whole law on the altar at Mt. Ebal.
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"What Paul terms being enriched “in all utterance” ... is having the comfort of faith in Christ and of invocation and prayer ... the Word of God ... Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the Commandments and the Creed."
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Day 290 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Mark 8:1–9:50 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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We want it, and we want it now. Furthermore, we want what we want, not that which is given. This is a depiction of children, but when adults act that way, it is an indictment.
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Day 289 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Mark 6:1–7:37 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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"Since Christians, by the grace and Spirit of God, are now renewed in this image of God, they are so to live that soul and spirit are righteous and pleasing to God through faith in Christ..."
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Day 288 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Mark 4:1–5:43 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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"True Christians so live that it is apparent from their lives that they keep God before their eyes and truly believe the gospel."
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Lest we lose sight of our theme, we are considering how all good gifts come from God. We do not take them; we receive them. Some of the Israelites snatched blessings from Jericho’s dead.
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Day 287 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Mark 1:1–3:35 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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We are sufficiently warned in the gospel to follow Christ, not the doctrines of men, so that no excuse will help us if we allow ourselves to be deceived.
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Of course, the risk is that the First Commandment be turned into a business venture. If you just do this or that, it might be promoted, then God will give you whatever you desire.
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One cannot think of himself any more highly than to think he is fit to do what only God can do. God helps us in our human weakness, comforts us in our consciences, and saves us, not only from our sins, but also to eternal life.
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All Christians may equally call Christ “Lord.” One may be assured he serves Christ if he can call him “Lord,” for only by the Holy Spirit is he enabled to do so.
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Day 286 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 26:1–75 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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There is no work or merit in the kingdom, but only the acknowledgment of all our misfortune, and the reception of the gospel upon which faith depends
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All good is from God, as well as through him, and returning to him. He gets the credit: all the credit. I do not get the glory, nor do you. Government does not get the praise, nor its politicians.
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Day 285 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 26:1–75 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Day 284 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 24:1–25:46 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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"We are not only to be with him, but we are also to come to a clear, bright view of his glory. Here upon earth we have it and recognize it only by faith."
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There is no greater idol, no hollower false god, than self. When we puff ourselves up with religious pride, we should remember that only emptiness may be inflated
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Minerva is the Roman counterpart to the modern idol of work and industry. There is nothing wrong with a day’s work or of being industrious.
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All who have been baptized and who believe in Christ have the authority and power to forgive sins in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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Day 283 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 22:1–23:39 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Day 282 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 20:1–21:46 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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You may be certain that God will abandon the one who trusts in himself — to himself. If a person takes pleasure in his own striving, if he finds consolation in his devotion, if he is confident in anyone but God, he will discover himself undone.
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"Let us ... remain on the right road to the kingdom of Christ with the words of the gospel which comfort the conscience: Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven."
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"We have need of the law, that love may be manifested; but if it cannot be kept without injury to our neighbor, God wants us to suspend it."
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We should, without any difficulty, be able to expect from God alone all good things, for he has given us the greatest gift already. He has provided for us forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life through his Son.
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Day 281 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 18:1–19:30 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Where does your help come from; from whom should you expect any assistance? To place your hope and trust in anyone but God is idolatry.
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Service is displeasing to God when done without the command and word of God. First comes love, then follows the service that will be pleasing to God.
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Day 280 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 15:1–17:27 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Balak is exasperated at the realization that he cannot have his own way. He tried three times to coerce Balaam to curse God’s people, yet God blessed them three times over.
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The Christian life does not need much doctrine, nor many books. Indeed, the Christian life is wholly contained in faith and love.
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Day 279 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 13:1–14:36 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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See how unhappy King Balak is, with his godless insecurities. He will only be happy if millions of Israelites are cursed. Balaam also seems less than pleased, if the New Testament commentary has anything to offer.
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Faith is everything and saves us, and on this account we are not idle but labor much for the benefit of our neighbor, for we have enough in Christ.
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Day 278 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 11:1–12:50 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Day 277 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 9:1–10:42 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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In the end, we will not see a single thing we would like to have. But faith is the principle by which we secure what we do not see. We must fully trust God...
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What do you want: Balak’s fortunes, or God’s blessings? We get in trouble when we want more than we need, more than what God has promised to provide.
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Paul urges us to hold steadily to what we have received by walking as he does; shaping their belief and conduct by the pattern we have received from him.
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The story of Balaam can be confusing. We might be tempted to take his side against God, unless we understand that God allows us to pursue those things we truly desire.
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Day 276 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 7:1–8:34 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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This is the whole point of the Catechism: to instill a standard of teaching to which our hearts may be conformed and confirmed. Then at all points in life...the Spirit may remind us that there is something—someone—at work within us.
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Faith in Jesus Christ is nothing but real help and pure grace. God designs to have me as his child in Christ, placed above all things temporal and eternal.
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Day 275 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 5:1–6:34 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The Catechism is meant to accomplish two things: expose our sins, and reveal God’s grace. These very things may be easily overlooked if we view Catechism as a class one takes to memorize a little booklet.
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Let us guard against everything that makes for only a show, and not reject what does not make a display, so that we do not reject Christ and God.
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Day 274 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Matthew 1:1–4:25 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The witness of the Holy Spirit within you is the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word, a confirmation being that you have pleasure and delight in God’s Word.
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Have you ever tried to help your child with algebra homework? First, you have to learn it yourself. Second, you dare not help today but then, not help again until weeks later.
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Day 273 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Malachi 1:1–4:6 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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