Privacy?
Pilot Knob Lutheran Privacy? 5/1/2024 America is losing her privacy through the advancement of technology. Technology makes it possible to ‘spy’ on individuals, collect personal information and be recorded in many places while in public not to mention who is watching us through home security cameras. If you have an Alexa device has it […]
Wipe Out Israel
Considering recent events in Israel, Iran’s attack with missiles, drones and ballistic missiles, Psalm 83 comes to mind. It is a psalm of national lament in which the author, Asaph, prays for the LORD to intervene against her enemies.
Before the Storm
We are entering the time of year known as tornado season. Tornadoes bring much damage, fear, and disrupt the normal routine of a heathy life. Even if a tornado doesn’t visit your town, severe storms can have similar results.
Strength for Today
I want us to step into the shoes of another person and look at their world through their eyes. This unnamed individual has little or no religious education; there is no God, or at best one that is absent and unknown. The world came into existence through blind chance as did all life. It has no purpose and history is simply repeating itself. Life consists of doing the best you can, doing what good you can for others and at the end of life you cease to exist.
God is Merciful
God Is Merciful. Sometimes I forget, Lord, that You are merciful, offering pardon instead of just condemnation. Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy. (Isa. 30:18)
Jesus’ death in the Old Testament
Last week we discovered the truth about a future resurrection in the Old Testament from the book of Job.
Today, as we approach Good Friday, is there anything in the Old Testament about Jesus (Messiah) being crucified? Yes.
Old Testament and Jesus
In eleven days, we will be celebrating one of the most important Chrisitan holidays of the year, Easter. It is then that we read or hear the resurrection accounts in the four gospels and 1 Corinthians 15. Rarely if at all is the OT referenced, yet the OT refers a great deal to the Messina’s resurrection, suffering and crucifixion without recording the name of Jesus or the word cross.
Pray to Bless
Is there more to total forgiveness? Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. We are to pray and ask God to bless those who hurt us, and those who persecute us. This is truly the key that sets us free.
No Pay Back
Continuing with how do we know if we truly forgave, we consider Joseph’s concern for his brothers, thus far unrepentant and continuing to lie. Genesis 45:2 (Joseph) wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. These are tears of compassion; remember he had been holding back his identity and now no longer could. The last thing he wanted to do was to have his brothers fear him.
Forgive – Don’t Tell
Joseph, the man who had every reason to be bitter and angry was on God’s anvil shaping his character to be used later to serve the nation of Israel and alter the course of history.