This psalm (Psalm 51) is commonly called a “penitential psalm,” and among them all it is the most widely used in church and daily prayers. Whoever first gave it this name, knew what he was doing. … They [Luther’s Roman opponents] have applied this psalm to the penance of works,
Yes, even faith and grace, through which we are today justified, would not of themselves justify us if God’s covenant did not do it. It is precisely for this reason that we are saved: He made a testament and covenant with us that whoever believes and is baptized shall be
The basic atheism is not intellectual rejection of belief in God’s existence. If one cares enough to question about God, there is far more hope for him than if he is indifferent. … The basic atheism is unwillingness to commit our lives to God’s keeping, callousness to God’s demands, the
The Lord be with you This coming Sunday is The Transfiguration of our Lord and marks the end of the Epiphany Season (AKA Quinquagesima). While all liturgical churches recognize the Transfiguration of our Lord, they do not do so on the same day. Some, like the Church of England, celebrate
The zeitgeist is most visible, perhaps, in the frightening shamelessness that marks our age. It shows itself in dress, literature, art, and music – through their expressions of inner disunity and separation from the Creator, and through their appeal to the lowest human instincts. At a deeper level, it can
Pharaoh said of Joseph, “How might we find such a man, in whom is the Sprit of God?” O Lord Jesus, we ought to say of You, “How might we find such a Lord, in whom is the Spirit of God as much as He is in You?” You are
The Lord be with you This coming Sunday (February 17) is the sixth Sunday after the Epiphany (Epiphany 6). We will be using the second setting of the Divine Service configured for Communion. The appointed lessons are Jeremiah 17:5–8; 1 Corinthians 15:1–20; and Luke 6:17–26. The sermon text will be
Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story Author: Ray Keating Paperback 61 pages The pistol packing pastor, Stephen Grant, is back. The former Navy SEAL and CIA agent turned Lutheran Pastor, continues to care for his flock at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church in Long Island. The Assistant Pastor
XXVIII. JESUS Gives Us Good Counsel So That Our Souls Do Not Die of Eternal Hunger, Even As Joseph Does for Pharaoh So That Egypt Is Not Devastated by Hunger (Gen. 41:33) Twice Joseph said, “God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do.” A good friend sends
The Lord be with you, This coming Sunday (February 10) is the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, if you like being wordy. If not, it is Epiphany 5. It is also the Commemoration of Silas, Fellow Worker of St. Peter and St. Paul. While Timothy had delivered Paul’s first letter
