The Scripture reading for today is John 2:23-25 which says, " Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all...
John 1:1-18 reads In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life...
Today is the feast day of St. John the Evangelist and Apostle. St. John was one of the first disciples of Jesus, one of the sons of Zebedee. He was the only Apostle to stay with Jesus at the cross, and was gifted by Jesus to take care of St. Mary after Jesus' death. After the Ascension...
1st John 4 says, "7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us...
Psalm 118 prays, "Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in...
In the Smalcald Articles, Dr. Martin Luther of blessed and holy memory, asserts the work of the external Word of God saying, "Accordingly, we should and must constantly maintain that God will not deal with us except through His external Word and sacrament. Whatever is attributed to the Spirit...
In the Large Catechism, Luther confesses, "Therefore, when I urge you to go to confession, I am simply urging you to be a Christian" (Large Catechism Tappert 460.32). Here Luther is speaking about private of personal confession and absolution. He urges every Christian to take hold and use this...