The Small Catechism – part 251
Scripture Text: Exodus 33:3
It can be difficult to obey the will of God when we are busy listening to our own voices. This was the case of the people of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness.
The Small Catechism – part 250
Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3
Those called to the ministry of the Word deserve their wages. It is written, but it does not say how much or how well. The closest we can come to an understanding of salary is that those who do so most ably deserve twice as much pay for their labors.
The Small Catechism – part 249
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:1–10
The Beatitudes provide us a sufficient test of those who would be teachers of the Word of God. The rest of Scripture makes it even clearer, but if we looked for evidence of the Beatitudes in the lives of those whom congregations are considering for pastoral call, we would do well.
The Small Catechism – part 248
Scripture Text: Exodus 24:11
Even when facing the fear of God’s wrath, the leaders of the people were able to go up into the mountain of God with Moses and Joshua. How is it that they were able to do such a fearsome act?
The Small Catechism – part 247
Scripture Text: Matthew 4:1–4
When at table, and we consider all of God’s benefits, we must not think only of those things that go into our mouths. We should also give thanks for what comes out of God’s mouth.
The Small Catechism – part 246
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:15–17
Once again this morning, I looked for Corona virus news in the local paper. Specifically, I was looking for news about social isolation and stay-at-home orders.
The Small Catechism – part 245
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:9–14
When we return thanks to God, our gratitude should not be merely for the food and drink we have received from him. We should be thankful for all his benefits.
The Small Catechism – part 244
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 5:6–7
What is your concern, perhaps even an anxiety? Your heavenly Father cares for you, so he shares your concern—though it is no cause for angst in him.
The Small Catechism – part 243
Scripture Text: Exodus 16:22
There are many lessons to be learned in this one verse. Let us learn one: that we may depend upon God for our daily bread, just as that wilderness congregation could.
The Small Catechism – part 242
Scripture Text: Exodus 16:10
It seems, these days, that I am looking forward to going to bed as soon as I wake up each morning. When I was a young man and earlier, a teenager, going to bed was the last thing on my mind
The Small Catechism – part 241
Scripture Text: John 15:9
Jesus wants us to do more than follow him. Following Jesus is the starting point, from which eventually, there must be something more, lest following becomes stiff habit and we hang dead upon the vine.
The Small Catechism – part 240
Scripture Text: John 14:31
“Go to your work with joy” does not mean that you love your work. It means you love the one you work for, and who is with you while you work.
The Small Catechism – part 239
Scripture Text: John 14:1
I used to sing quite softly, especially in worship. Because I was unsure of my voice, I held back for fear of sounding worse to others than I did to myself.
The Small Catechism – part 238
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:51–52
We entrust ourselves this day to the care of the one who will bring us into everlasting day. As eyelids flutter into wakefulness, our sleeping eyes will be instantly awakened.
The Small Catechism – part 237
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:49
Luther encourages us to give thanks for making it through the night. That idea has a little more gravity when there is a global pandemic. So, we should thank God for each new day.
The Small Catechism – part 236
Scripture Text: Exodus 12:42
The ordinance of the Passover provided a way for Jewish people to remember who and whose they are. In this observance, they remembered how the Lord delivered them from more than four centuries of slavery in Egypt.
The Small Catechism – part 235
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:28
I love that Richard Pryor line toward the end of the movie “Silver Streak” when a gunfight has broken out between the FBI and criminals. Bullets are flying everywhere and Pryor, hunkered down behind a 55-gallon drum, has had enough of the chaos.
The Small Catechism – part 234
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
Belief is the key to readiness. Do you believe that you are a sinner? If you do, then you are almost ready for the table. Do you believe that Jesus died to save sinners?
The Small Catechism – part 233
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:18–19
All of our religious devices will never set us free from sin and death. Prayer will not do it, nor will Bible reading, Sunday School, or going to church.
The Small Catechism – part 231
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27–29
I would sit in the pew, trying to decide if I had been good enough in the past week to receive the bread and the wine. Of course, I was not good at all, nor would I ever be good.
Concerning Repentance – part 62
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 3:12–16
We cannot read the law with veiled hearts and expect to find the grace of God. All we sense is God’s displeasure. So, we cannot expect the law to come to our rescue.
The Small Catechism – part 230
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 1:9
The struggle to be righteous is a desperate effort. There have been times when considering my life—my thoughts and actions—I nearly despaired.
The Small Catechism – part 229
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 1:5
How solitary sits the city, how lonely and desolate. This is the lament of Jeremiah over Israel. Jesus grieves similarly over the people because they are without a shepherd.
The Small Catechism – part 228
Scripture Text: Exodus 9:20–21
Be sure you do not get caught out in the field with your cattle. God’s forgiveness is abundantly available—even to pharaohs, even to sinners. Just come in from the storm.
The Small Catechism – part 227
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 3:18
Holy Communion is a turning to the Lord, and in it, we behold his glory. Furthermore, the table is a sort of mirror in which we may begin to behold ourselves as God sees us.
Click Here For Archives