Wrestling with Theology

The seventh and final daily devotion on the "O Antiphons." O Emmanuel, our king and our Lord, the anointed for the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

The sixth of the daily devotions on the "O Antiphons." O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, the cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save us all, whome You formed out of clay.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34) Today's Trouble We're only guaranteed today. When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we ask for our daily bread to come to us today. Whatever we need in order to make it through today. We're not promised tomorrow. Being anxious about what's going to happen tomorrow...

The fifth of the daily devotions on the "O Antiphons." O Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) Seek First God's Kingdom As with the First Commandment, we should always seek after God's Kingdom in everything we do. How are my actions today seeking after God's kingdom? How were my actions last night seeking after God's kingdom? Am I striving to increase in God's blessing of right...

The fourth of the daily devotions on the "O Antiphons." O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.

The third of the daily devotions on the "O Antiphons." O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage: Come quickly to deliver us.

The second of the daily devotions on the "O Antiphons." O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Matthew 6:28) Lilies of the Field With all the talk of anxiety, Jesus comforts us with just how '''VALUABLE''' we are to God. God takes care of the entire universe. But He pays special attention to '''US'''. We're not just little blips on Hi...

The first of the daily devotions on the "O Antiphons." O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (Matthew 6:27) Add an Hour? Anxiety is a dangerous weapon Satan uses to bring us down from the security our lives typically find in Christ. Anxiety can come from the diagnosis of an illness. It can come from the death of a loved one. It can come from filling out the family medical history form at the doctor. We can go through...

The Tabernacle is erected at the bottom of Mount Sinai on the first day of the first month of the second year of Israel's history. Also, a review of the book of Exodus at the very end of this Digging Deeper broadcast.

"Do not be anxious about your life." (Matthew 6:25) Don't Be Anxious Jesus' words this morning are definitely easier said than done. Who within the sound of voice has '''NEVER''' gotten anxious? It's impossible. You could even say Jesus was anxious in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39)....

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:24) Two Masters It's hard for two people to sit in a chair with arms. Sitting on one another's lap makes the situation more uncomfortable. There is only room for one to sit comfortably. The tightest chair is the thron...

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. (Matthew 6:22-23) Lamp of the Body The eye allows either the light of the Gospel or the darkness of sin into your soul. While Jesus reminds us that it's what comes out of a person that makes them unclean (Matthew 15:11), what we allow...

Liturgical Date: Third Sunday in Advent Calendar Date: December 13, 2020 Location: Triune God, Brooklyn Center, MN Order of Service: Divine Service 2 Hymns:  #334, "O Lord, How Shall I Meet You" #344, "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry" #347, "Comfort, Comfort Ye My People" Sermon Theme: All Flesh Is Grass Sermon Text: Isaiah 40:1-8 Other Lectionary Readings:  1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Matthe...

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth ... but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven ... for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21) Where's Your Treasure? Where's your treasure? What do you give value to? Your family? Your church? Your job? Your hobbies? All of these are great and valuable things. But these treasures cannot be your highest prize. St....

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces ... But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. (Matthew 6:16-18) Fasting Fasting is a commanded spiritual discipline designed to promote meditation. Jesus doesn't say, "If you fast." Jesus says, "When you fast." Jesu...

Wednesday Night Warriors December 9, 2020 Xcel Energy Center, Minneapolis, MN Justin Credible vs Brett Wayne Sawyer 'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs Billy Gunn Mance Warner vs 'Dangerous' Doug Gilbert Great Kabuki vs Jushin Liger Bullwhip on a Pole Match: Buzz Sawyer vs 'Dirty' Dutch Mantell World Tag Team Titles Match: Dangerous Duo (c) vs Terry Gordy & Mystery Partner Television Title Match: Brick...

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15) Forgive Forgiveness is often one of the hardest Christian practices to master. By nature, we don't want to forgive. But we want to be forgiven. We want to hold people accountable until...

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. (Matthew 6:6) Pray in Secret Prayer can happen anywhere. It doesn't have to be a public prayer in worship. It can be a private prayer. You in your room before going to bed. After waking up in the morning. In the waiting room or at the bedside of a loved one in the hospital. In the car while you're driv...

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners ... And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their many words. (Matthew 6:5-7) Proper Prayer In the congregation I attended in high school, there was a deacon whom I dreaded seeing listed as the closing...

Liturgical Date: Second Sunday in Advent Calendar Date: November 13, 2016 Location: Trinity, Slayton, MN Order of Service: Prayer & Preaching Hymns:  #348, "The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns" #508, "The Day Is Surely Drawing Near" #355, "O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide" Sermon Theme: Elijah Is Coming! Sermon Text: Malachi 4:5-6 Other Lectionary Readings:  Romans 15:4-13 Luke 21:...

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. (Matthew 6:3-4) Left and Right Give generously. These are Jesus' words to you this morning. "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). You cannot be cheerful if you're k...

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:1) To Be Seen Are you an exhibitionist Christian? Do you like people to see how righteous you are? Do you like to get a pat on your back for your religiosity? Then Jesus has strong words for you. You have already received your rewa...