We spend our days working for the food to feed ourselves and our families, struggling for higher position, and trying to keep illness and death at bay. These were the very temptations that faced Jesus in the wilderness.
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The pastors of St. Paul's Lutheran Church share Pastor Julie Smith's Advent devotions for Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). Julie, the LCMC Service Coordinator, has written these devotions for Monday through Saturday, December 1–24.
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Day 333 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read 1 Corinthians 5:1–8:13 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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At his coming, Christ will glorify our bodies until they correspond to his own immortal, glorious body, doing all this quite without the help of our works.
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Christians should comfort themselves in the confidence that God will not permit the wrongs to his people to be left unpunished and unavenged.
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The pastors of St. Paul's Lutheran Church share Pastor Julie Smith's Advent devotions for Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). Julie, the LCMC Service Coordinator, has written these devotions for Monday through Saturday, December 1–24.
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If local, state, or federal law change to the degree of demanding that you must not worship on the Lord’s Day, you have but one option, Christian.
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Day 332 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read 1 Corinthians 1:1–4:21 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The last day will come and people will not expect it, even though that day is at the door. Told that these are signs of the last day, still they will not believe.
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Why are you in the kingdom but to be a suitable subject, doing your king’s bidding? But what is his will? you may wonder. He has made this matter obvious, though the details may seem unclear.
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Day 331 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Romans 14:1–16:27 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Day 330 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Romans 11:1–13:14 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Would you be ignoble? Ignore the Scriptures. Would you be honorable? Attend to the weekly service to hear the word of God read and expounded.
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We must know the meaning of Christ’s words: “This is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life.”
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Day 329 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Romans 8:1–10:21 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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To overcome unrest, discontent, and disgust in one's self, a firm faith in God is necessary, for such a faith faith brings rest, contentment and peace.
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Christians worship, not only when commanded, but when there is need. Are you a sinner in need of forgiveness? Worship. Are you thankful? Worship.
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Day 328 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Romans 4:1–7:25 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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We think we are safe begin to drift when we should fear God, always being concerned for our spiritual condition, so that we pray, "Lord, increase our faith."
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On their way to worship, Paul and Silas were hounded by a slave fortune teller, whom they healed of demonic possession, essentially cutting of a flow of money to her owners. For this, they had Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned.
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Day 327 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Romans 1:1–3:31 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
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Take a break. Find respite from the hubbub every day, if you can. It is a great way to honor the First Commandment, to put the Lord first in your day. But certainly take a break on the Lord’s Day.
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May the Spirit of Christ move in you so that you might fear, love, and trust his Father and desire to stand before him in heaven in all his glorious majesty.
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What is the aim of the gospel? That question will guide you in determining if something is a matter of the spirit or a religious observance.
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Day 326 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 27:1–28:31 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Day 325 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 24:1–26:32 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The Holy Spirit moves the heart to begin again to love each day. Christ is full of grace and truth, and through him grace and truth grow in us.
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When we read the law, much less try to keep it, we must also hear the word of grace. The commandments do us no good without God’s grace.
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The gospel should not be preached in a corner, but before all people, whether or not we feel it effective, for it alone has the power to save.
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Day 324 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 21:1–23:35 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Find a way! Speak their language while proclaiming the word of truth. Teach in different ways. Get through to them, especially as pertains to these first commandments.
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Day 323 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 18:1–20:38 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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This is what The Small Catechism does; it teaches us to put on the only righteousness that is effective. It instructs us to fear, love, and trust in God, who alone is our righteousness.
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When tempted, a wise man is watchful, not relying on human knowledge, reason, or feelings, but he remembers God’s Word, and is guided thereby.
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We do well to entrust ourselves to God. He is faithful to strengthen us and protect us from evil. He is faithful to so in this life and save us for the life to come.
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The present time is unquestionably good and golden as long as the gospel of Jesus Christ is faithfully preached and received.
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Day 322 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 16:1–17:34 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Poor Job was tormented by his friends, shunned by his family, and was of the opinion that God was after him. Did he simply complain about his plight? Was he reduced to whining about his tribulations?
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It was no easy matter to believe that the whole human race was to perish, so the world judged Noah to be a dolt for believing such things and ridiculed him.
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Day 321 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 14:1–15:41 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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There is no easier way for the works of God to be demonstrated in our lives than by our calling upon the Father. See the different ways we pray it is so. May your name be holy among us.
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Day 320 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 11:1–13:52 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Regarding our neighbor's condition as our own, we should take upon ourselves their burdens, sins, and imperfections, and bear with them and help them to reform.
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Day 319 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 9:1–10:48 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The world will not allow that it must stand before judgment, but rages against God. Let us take heed that the wrath of God may not also sweep us away.
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In this example of Herod, we may quickly observe what is important to God. Herod was full of himself, wanting people to hear his words.
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Some people, those relying on their own old nature, cannot bear to hear God’s word, let alone understand it. They will not listen, because they are not of God; they do not have a new nature.
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Day 318 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 7:1–8:40 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The righteousness of the law cannot provide confidence of mind. What does avail is God’s imputation of righteousness for Christ’s sake through faith.
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Day 317 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 4:1–6:15 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The disciples of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch. Some say that this means “little Christs.” If so — if Christians are those who would imitate him — their lying would immediately bring dishonor to the name of the God whom they follow.
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"There is a twofold reason for you to receive the Lord’s Supper. It means gratitude and praise for Christ, and grace and solace for yourself."
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The one who trusts in God will rejoice even if the whole world should burst upon his head. Such a person would stand unmoved amid the falling ruins.
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Day 316 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Acts 1:1–3:26 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The worst way to take God’s name in vain, is to say or believe that favor from God is received in one’s own name, his own reputation — in other words, by the merits of what he does.
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Jesus uses the Name in a doubly devout manner. Not only does he teach what his Father sent him to teach, he gives God the credit too. Jesus’ teaching depended on the reputation of the one who sent him.
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Day 315 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read John 19:1–21:25 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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"We need to cling to God and pray: Merciful God, thou hast permitted me to become a Christian, help me to continue to be one and to increase daily in faith".
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Day 314 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read John 16:1–18:40 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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If you would change the world, believe, preach, and live the gospel. This is how God has subdued the nations and you, through his Word. Go!
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Jesus taught us in the Fifth Petition of his prayer to trust in God for forgiveness of our sins. Human nature reasons that our suffering is caused by God no longer loving us, and that there must be a reason for the loss of his care.
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The external word or preaching is a means through which we receive God's grace, the forgiveness of sins, and the righteousness of Christ.
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Why is it that God is so concerned with words, that we speak the truth and use his name, his reputation, with care? Words, true words, create life. They create faith in Christ Jesus, which leads to eternal life.
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Day 313 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read John 13:1–15:27 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Day 312 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read John 11:1–12:50 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Fear is a good thing. But we say that we do not want our children growing up, fearing the Lord. We want them to fear hot stoves, bad influences, and other harmful things, but not to fear taking the Lord’s name in vain.
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The entire Scriptures were written for our learning. All Christians should make daily use of this book filled with God's word through which they find comfort.
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Pure and strong faith requires one to cast away all feelings, understanding, and reason, to trust in Christ's word, be satisfied with it, and feel secure in it.
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Day 311 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read John 9:1–10:42John 10:11 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Everywhere one turns, there are lies and deception. In the modern age, we call it spinning the truth, and thereby, we even lie about lying. People claim to no longer lie, but to simply spin the truth.
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Day 310 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read John 7:1–8:59 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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So far as the Holy Supper is a confession before men, the communicant proclaims Christ and teaches faith in him, spreading the kingdom of Christ.
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Wickedness exists because people want things their way. They want what belongs to another, or they want but will not work. They want their own will be done, not, “Thy will be done.”
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God laughs at us, at our attempts to triumph through our works, our politics, our religion. He mocks these human attempts at overcoming the troubles of life.
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Have you ever noticed in the Old Testament the convention of capitalizing the word “Lord,” or sometimes “God”? These indicate a place where the consonantal name of God, YHWH...
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Day 309 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read John 5:1–6:71 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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The sum of the matter is this, that those persons are saved who place their trust solely in God, not in their works, nor in any creature.
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Name-calling, threats, imprisonment, and murder are bad enough but when they are done under the cover of religion, these things are contemptible.
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Day 308 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read John 3:1–4:54 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Day 307 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read John 1:1–2:25 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Faith is the appropriate attire for the wedding of God and his Bride. No one will be admitted to the marriage feast unless they are clothed in Christ.
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Micah stole a great sum of money from his mother, then returned it because he feared her curse. She then dedicated it to the Lord, evidently hoping to amend the curse that ended up being upon her son.
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True service of praise is not established with revenues, laws, and programs. The only true service we all can render him is to praise and to thank him.
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Among the crowds was a royal official who believed Jesus. While he took Jesus at his word, the rest seemed to need a show of it: signs and miracles.
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Day 306 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 23:1–24:53 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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As one would imagine, there are stark differences between Samson and Jesus. Samson took whatever his flesh desired. Jesus wanted what his Father willed. Samson killed to get what would not come to him naturally.
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Day 305 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 21:1–22:71 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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Do not be terrified of sin but call to mind your baptism. Comfort yourself that God covenanted to forgive your sins and not condemn you for Christ's sake.
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If I gave God all the good works I could, it would be of no use to him; He wants my whole heart; he wants me. This marriage union is accomplished by faith.
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Day 304 of Read the Bible in a Year: Read Luke 19:1–20:47 in your favorite translation, and solve today's Word Search and jigsaw from today's Scripture.
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See how near the Samaritan woman was to missing the grace of God. Old wounds and deep pride kept her from speaking the truth.
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