Christ For You

A brief look at Revelation 3:14-22 and the sin of apathy/sloth (in Greek acedia).

I broke up the Service of the Word into two parts. Today you will be taken from the Introit through the Collect. You can purchase the book here: https://emmanuelpress.us/books/an-explanation-of-the-common-service/

This devotion is taken from both the Small and Large Catechism on the First Article of the Creed: Creation.

A devotion based on Gerhardt's magnificent hymn, Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me?  You can listen to a beautiful version of the hymn here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoZQbQd3_sU

Can you tell if the Holy Spirit is in a church based on how you feel?  Why did Jesus send us the Holy Spirit?

A devotion from Dr. Martin Chemnitz on anger.

Some news from around the world concerning the persecuted Church. 

A devotion on Nehemiah 4.  What do we want to build? And how do we do it?

 Pastor Jared Melius of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado joins me to discuss Pro-Life issues. Including: Are babies always a blessing?  Do we as Christians have to constantly fight being desensitized to abortion?  Are pro-life marches helpful? Should all Christian seriously consider foster care and adoption?  Links to some resources he mentions - http://www.ctsfw.ne...

A devotion on what the Bible teaches about music and hymns. 

In this sermon, Gerhard shows how Psalm 42:1-2 applies to Christ in His suffering and death, and how it applies to the believer in their suffering. He also teaches us what we should do when we are anxious and afflicted.

A devotion based on the often misunderstood parable of the two sons. It is not about obedience but it is about seeing yourself as a sinner and being received by Jesus. 

I continue reading through An Explanation of the Common Service. This episode takes us from the Invocation all the way through the Preparation. You can purchase the book here: https://emmanuelpress.us/books/an-explanation-of-the-common-service/

Today's devotion is from Martin Luther.  It is his exhortation on worship and unity. 

A devotion based on the hymn At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing. You can listen to the hymn here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_cqTv385Kc

I focused on the Old Testament reading because I think a section of hope that is from the middle of one of the saddest books of the Bible (even called the tears of the world by one commentary) is exactly what we, and our world, needs right now.

A beautiful testimony from Paul Gerhardt to his only surviving son.  What is most important in your life? What do you want to pass on to those you leave behind?

A brief update on a couple of news stories on the persecuted church. And information on the country we are praying for this week - Uzbekistan.

A devotion based on 1 Kings 19 dealing with despair, doubt, and the strength God gives us in the Gospel.

Ed Riojas was kind enough to join me to discuss his art, art in general, art and the church, and art and the Christian, and more.  His websites can be found here - https://edriojasartist.com/ and http://theartcurmudgeon.blogspot.com/

A devotion based on the hymn Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing.

How does the world view the death of the righteous?  How does the Holy Spirit view their death? That's the focus of this week's midweek sermon from Gerhard. 

Some reflections on the importance of the Lord's Supper and the quote, “You go to the Lord’s Supper as if going to your death, so that you can go to your death as if you are going to the Lord’s Supper.”  

I'm reading through the magnificent work An Explanation of the Common Service.  I'm going to try to break it down into 10-15 minute sections each week.  It's an extremely important and helpful book if you want to understand the worship service and the parts of the liturgy. You can buy a copy here - https://emmanuelpress.us/books/an-explanation-of-the-common-service/

What does faithfulness and obedience look like day in and day out? You can get the devotion I used here - https://markvpublications.com/documents/lutherstore.html