The Third commandment says, "Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it." When is the Sabbath? Well, the Sabbath was originally the 7th day...
The Joy of Family. There are many things that God gives us as daily Bread and as 1st Article gifts. WE are given clothing and shoes, food and drink, land, animals, government, good weather, good reputation, good friends, good health, faithful neighbors, and the like. However, the greatest daily...
In the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 11, the criticism of the circumcision party against St. Peter is recorded. St. Peter responded to the accusation, "You went to the uncircumcised men and ate with them," by recalling the account of His vision and his meeting with Cornelius. Peter then replied...
In The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 8, we hear of the account of St. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. This is a wonderful text that helps guide both pastors and layman alike in what the point of the ministry is all about. For St. Philip went up to the Eunuch and asked him, "Do you understand...
Maybe it would've been good for Simon if Sir Paul McCartney would've been there singing, "Can't buy me love," when Simon offered to purchase the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the Acts of the Apostles records saying, "Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the...
The Second Commandment says, "You shall not misuse the Name of the Lord your God. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His Name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks." God cares...
What does it mean to have a joyous marriage? Does it mean that husband and wife never argue? Is it that compromise is never a thought because both parties are always holding their tongues and just living with something they hate? What does a joyous marriage look like? Is it constant smiles...
"A joyful heart is good medicine," so says Proverbs 17:22. What does it mean to have a joyful heart? Well, the rest of verse 22 says, "but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." A joyful heart is the opposite of a crushed spirit. A crushed spirit is a despairing soul, one who has no...
For our Liturgy reflection today we are looking at the Creed, specifically the Nicene Creed and why we confess it during the Divine Service. There are three ecumenical or universal creeds, the Apostle's, The Nicene, and the Athanasian Creed. However, the creed that is associated with the Divine...
We are going to start a new series today based on the Catechism. Both the Small and the Large Catechisms of Dr. Martin Luther, of blessed and holy memory, are not to be read once and then tossed to the side, but rather should be [art of our daily diet when it comes to the Word of God and...