Every Moment His - Holy Cross Kearney

Isaiah 7:10–25 The Sign of Immanuel [10] Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: [11] “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” [12] But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” [13] And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? [14] Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign...

James 5:7–11 Patience in Suffering [7] Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. [8] You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. [9] Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be jud...

Matthew 3:1–12 John the Baptist Prepares the Way [1] In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, [2] “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [3] For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” [4] Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and...

Matthew 24:36–44 No One Knows That Day and Hour [36] “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. [37] For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, [39] and t...

Exodus 36:2–7 [2] And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. [3] And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, [4] so that all the craftsmen who w...

Following Jesus can be uncomfortable.  As God’s Holy Spirit sanctifies and purifies us, we can often sense a war raging within us as our sin rages against God.  Therefore, it is imperative that you don’t “go it alone.” If you have spiritual questions you should immediately seek out answers from your pastor, church, and through the scriptures.

Reverend Dr. Gerard Bolling, Sr. Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri visits and shares his insights and reflections on Jesus' relationship with sorrow. John 11:35 [35] Jesus wept. (ESV)

Ways of leaving a congregation: Death – the Christian is buried in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection as the church mourns and praises God for His grace. They move from the “church militant” to the “church triumphant.” Transfer – the Christian is given a farewell and transfers his or her membership to another congregation of the same confession. Peaceful release – the Christian leaves t...

Revelation 7:9–17 A Great Multitude from Every Nation [9] After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, [10] and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and...

You can expect that a pastor or other leaders in the church will help you in time of crisis or need. You too are called to care for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pastoral services offered to members (and others in some circumstances) include: Baptisms, marriages, funerals, blessing of homes, prayers of celebration at times of joy, spiritual counsel, communing of the sick or distressed, exor...

Luke 19:1–10 Jesus and Zacchaeus [1] He entered Jericho and was passing through. [2] And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. [3] And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. [4] So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. [...

Romans 16 Personal Greetings [1] I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, [2] that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. [3] Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, [4] who risked their necks for my life, to whom not...

Romans 15:22–33 Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome [22] This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. [23] But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, [24] I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. [25] At p...

Romans 15:14–21 Paul the Minister to the Gentiles [14] I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. [15] But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God [16] to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of t...

Romans 15:14–21 Paul the Minister to the Gentiles [14] I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. [15] But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God [16] to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of t...

Romans 15:8–13 Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles [8] For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, [9] and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” [10] And again it is said, “Rejoice,...

Romans 15:1–7 The Example of Christ [1] We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. [3] For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” [4] For whatever was written in former days was written for our ins...

Pastors are sworn to hold personal information in confidence.  You should feel totally comfortable in confessing personal realities to your pastor knowing that his job is to advise and to pronounce the forgiveness of your sins in Jesus name.  If pastors break this oath they can and should be removed from office.

Romans 14:13–23 Do Not Cause Another to Stumble [13] Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. [14] I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. [15] For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no...

Your pastor is functioning as a servant of God’s Word.  He is at all times to convey what God’s Word says to you.  According to the Bible, Jesus will hold him accountable if he wrongfully advises you about what God says. Your pastor is not worthy of your faith (they are sinful humans), but they represent the God who is worthy of your faith.

Romans 14:1–12 Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another [1] As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. [2] One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. [3] Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. [4] Who are you to...

The Spirituality of the Lutheran Church is centered on the Word and the Sacraments (baptism, the Lord’s Supper, Confession Absolution).  This is where God has placed his saving promises, and nowhere else.  To participate in these things is to participate in Christ.  To exclude yourself from these things is to exclude yourself from Christ.  Refusing to dedicate yourself to the G...

Romans 13:8–14 Fulfilling the Law Through Love [8] Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love does no wrong to...

Romans 13:1–7 Submission to the Authorities [1] Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fe...

3. The official interpretation of the Bible that we use is set forth in the Book of Concord (http://www.bookofconcord.org/)which is a collection of writings by Martin Luther and friends presented by the Lutheran Reformers in 1580. Your pastors have vowed to teach and preach based on this interpretation of the Bible. God doesn’t change, His Word doesn’t change, and therefore our faith doesn’t chang...