1 Chronicles Bible Sketch

Give thanks!

I’m praising the Lord for the opportunity to go to church in person for the first time in three months! Covid-19 stay-at-home orders are slowly being lifted! While we waited for the re-opening, we were thankful for people and technology that brought online forms of worship services and Bible studies. God gives us abilities and ways to carry the mission forward and draw people to Himself.

Rhubarb is in season in Minnesota! Thank God before a meal or after dessert. Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV Bible verse sketch markers doodle hand-lettering.

Thanksgiving is more than general gratitude

Thanking our Creator requires humility because we’d rather think we’re entitled to things. Provisions of food and shelter, protection, mercy, grace, healing and comfort are just a few gifts of God. 

“From a biblical perspective, if body and soul, house and home, wife and children, and the like are to bring us any real satisfaction or joy we must first reckon with the punishment that our sins deserve. Without mercy, without forgiveness and grace, without Christ, there is nothing much to give thanks for since it is all going to be destroyed or sent to perdition.” —David H. Petersen (read more)

Our help is in the goodness of our Lord!

The Holy Spirit works in us so we may listen and look at life’s situations from a full perspective and know God deserves all the glory for everything good.

“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.” Psalm 10:14 NIV

His steadfast love endures forever!

Jesus is Lord. In Christ we receive the mercy and everlasting loving kindness of our Creator.

Chronicles contains ancient genealogies, lessons learned from family history, and prophetic hopes for the future. (watch an illustrated summary)

My church’s sanctuary is designed to optimize acoustics so voices—confessions, prayers, sermons, songs of thanks, praise and all types of musical instruments are beautiful there. Chronicles inspired J.S. Bach (read more)

• Bach Violin Concertos | Classical Baroque Music
• Hymns by Johann Sebastian Bach in the Lutheran Service Book, CPH
  • Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light, LSB 378
  • Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here, LSB 414
  • O Sacred Head Now Wounded, LSB 449
  • O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild, LSB 546
  • A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, LSB 657
  • The Ancient Law Departs, LSB 898

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Father in heaven, to You alone do we owe thanks and praise. read more

Pray: Lord, we cannot see the possibilities of Your big picture of love that endures forever if we refuse to open our eyes. Take away our unhealthy assumptions that we know everything when, in truth, only You are all-knowing and have sacrificed all to save us. Forgive us when we forget and decline opportunities to listen well. Put Your genuine love to work within us to discern when to speak and when silence is effective in order to hear and empathize with others. Put helpful words in our mouths to give Your grace to others. Thank you for understanding and holding us while we endure hard things. Thank you for every gift of goodness. Amen.

2 Kings Bible Sketch

Do not be afraid

Abuse of the innocent, injustice, violence, protests, riots, depression, despair and corona-virus are concerns many of us fear

Individuals in  Minneapolis – St. Paul, Minnesota as well as cities throughout the United States and the world are frustrated and confused about addressing all forms of sin and its consequences

…What a baffling, babbling, cacophony of contradictory craziness. … Jesus has something to say just for you, … “Don’t be afraid.”
—Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison

Click and listen to a sermon and interview: Jesus Doesn't Babble: Jesus brings the Word of peace to those who have grown weary of all the babble. 
 

He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16 ESV
Old Testament Bible verse sketch doodle hand-lettering rubber-stamp art.

“While we live in a world where there are spiritual and other forces of darkness all around us, we nevertheless live confidently as the people of God who are blessed with the ministering of God’s holy angels in our lives. Furthermore, we trust in the triumphant victory of Christ who destroyed the darkness of sin and death in our lives.”
—Rev. Dr. Dennis J. Goff  (read more)


“How do we consider the recent protests sparked by George Floyd’s death in a theological manner? How do we process our own reactions to these events through the lens of the cross?” Listen to Considering Protests for Justice by Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller

Enjoy learning about the Bible with illustrations?

“After David, Solomon leads Israel to a period of greatness, followed by failure and rebellion. Israel splits into two separate kingdoms, and the story traces the slow decline of both, resulting in destruction at the hands of foreign empires. God sends wave of prophets to hold Israel accountable, but Israel ignores them to their peril.” —The Bible Project  Watch illustrated video summarizing Kings

Lord Jesus, in your mercy, hear our prayer

• Forgive us
• Help us trust Jesus (increase faith over fear)
• Draw us to your Word that we may embrace all you have given us
• Guide us to grow by receiving Your gifts along with the community of a church family
• Bless those who are suffering mental anxiety and pain
• Restore what has been torn down
• Protect and deliver us from abusive evil aggression
• Bring truth and justice
• Bring health 
• Bring healing
• Bring wellness and success
• Bring peace
• Bring hope
• Renew and refresh us
• Fill our hearts with the joy of Your plan of salvation and lead us to share the Good News

Amen.

1 Kings Bible Sketch

Pray for Wisdom

How do we wrap our head around what is going on and figure out what to do?

Guidelines, schedules, rules, governing strategies, relationships, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, and all the mysteries of life—from conception until death—we wonder about how to handle it all. How do we discover what the will of God is?

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 ESV

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil… 1 Kings 3:9a ESV Bible verse sketch doodle.

Wisdom isn’t only knowing facts—it is the ability to apply knowledge in a practical manner that flows from a heart of compassion

In every relationship—personally with God and between individuals in group settings of two or more—what could be more important than to humbly go before God and ask Him to give an understanding mind and the ability to discern between good and evil?

Our enemies are Satan, the sinful world, and our own evil desires. Scripture says they prowl around like a roaring lion and are like a wolf hidden in sheep’s clothing. That means these could sneak up at any time, show up in the least expected places and it is possible we might not even realize they are attacking us, especially if we aren’t spending time in God’s Word. Encountering enemies might happen within:

• our own thoughts
• community
• workplaces
• educational settings
• friendships
• church
• family

Understanding doesn’t come from imagination within ourselves, apart from Christ; it comes from outside of us—only from God who gives it in the Word and Sacraments

Can we get it perfectly? No, we can’t comprehend everything about God. The Good News is that our Heavenly Father, without disappointment or disapproval of us, is pleased we ask Him for discernment and graciously gives us a meek servant heart to see clearly through faith that trusts Jesus. Christ did for us what we cannot do and we can entrust ourselves into His hands when we are afraid.

Resisting temptations and making reasonable decisions is more than using what has been gained through research, books, classrooms or what mom and dad told us. God designed humans with a high degree of complexity. He offers us a Savior and gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide us to accurately discern between good and evil. We are given freedom to either receive or reject Christ.

We should ask God for understanding in everything! We hear His answers by trusting the power of Baptism. God wants all to receive wisdom and make the best of all the faculties He created within us. He provides all we need and wants us to live healthfully.

Scripture

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 ESV

Prayer

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:9-15 ESV

Counsel

But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:26-27 ESV

Friends

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 ESV

Education

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV

Intuition

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13 ESV

Brain

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 ESV

Soul

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, Luke 1:46 ESV

Example

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. Philippians 3:17 ESV

Compassion

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13 ESV

Observation

Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deuteronomy 4:6 ESV

Experience

Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. Job 12:12 ESV

Reason

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

Attitude

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 ESV

Maturity

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14 ESV  

Time

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV

Trials

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 ESV

Testing

Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food? Job 12:11 ESV

Promise of hope in Christ

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV

Wisdom is all about Jesus revealed in the Bible 

When we think we know-it-all and can’t be wrong, we are only fooling ourselves. When tempted to criticize and condemn other people, we should look in the mirror.

“For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b

The only thing that matters is the fear of God—to seek and receive Jesus who saves us from our own foolish ways and makes all things possible.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-17 ESV

Wisdom recognizes we need help. All good things are gifts from God who accomplishes His goals and good purposes for those who love Him. God does not approve of evil, yet He sometimes allows it and can use worldly situations and consequences of sin to draw us to Himself. By faith, we understand this may embody

• bringing us to see our sins, turn away from them, and live in Christ
• experiences of learning the hard way
  
  • from our own mistakes
  • watching others mess up
• acting on Spirit-led motivation to share the Word we have received with all who will listen
  
  • some refuse to listen
  • not everyone who hears will believe
  • when someone hears and believes, this is the work of the Holy Spirit
• asking for help
• forgiving
• waiting
• trusting Jesus
• acknowledging God is in control

Check out these inspiring links…

• Listen or read a sermon: The Good King’s Wisdom
• Watch video overview: The book of 1-2 Kings explained with illustrations
• Listen or read a devotion: The Wisdom of Discernment
• Worship and learn about the false religions of moralism, philosophy, mysticism in contrast to the The Only Way to redemption and life—Christianity—Jesus is full of Grace and Truth.
• Pray for wisdom, then read or listen to the book of Proverbs (31 chapters)

2 Samuel Bible Sketch

Light in dark places changes everything

More powerful than darkness is the Light that delivers from gloom

“For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.” 2 Samuel 22:29 ESV hand lettering sketch doodle.

Our mighty God is our deliverer and shield

God cares for us so much to offer Holy Light in His Word to expose our darkness and create faith which allows us to 

• honestly see and admit our sinful nature
• constantly work on changing sinful ways
• fight to resist temptation
• know that God’s own Son was born to bear our sins on the cross
• pray and be heard
• take refuge in our Lord above all else
• live joyfully by grace
• have a clear conscience through Baptism into Christ
• care about the welfare of others

Our Creator designed us for perfection, yet—because sin entered the world after the fall—we all lack it. Even faithful people cannot follow His good and loving commands. Coronavirus and other hardships create havoc and doubt.  

Spirit-given faith trusts God’s Word which reveals the one thing we need for our rescue—mercy given through the birth and unjust suffering of our perfectly pure, humble Lord who never did, said, or thought anything wrong, ever. Jesus did the work necessary to save the world from sin, evil, and death—this victory for us is finished. The promise is true. Grace is available for all to receive faith until He returns for His faithful when His glory will be obvious to everyone at the time all will be judged by their faith or absence of faith.

Our gentle Heavenly Father’s sacrificial Love cleanses us from the filthy sin He hates. Christ rose on the third day and ascended to our Heavenly Father where Jesus intercedes on behalf of prayerfully repentant faithful people. Our Creator’s grace flows to us through Christ who completely understands suffering injustice and consequences of sin. He covers

• wrongs we confess
• things of which we are guilty, unaware
• inadequacies
• sins committed against us
• death from COVID-19 and every other cause

All goodness flows through Christ who compassionately heals the wounds and sickness of brokenhearted people. Those adopted by the Holy Spirit receive

• power to discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect
• ability to both receive and give people compassion and grace
• the gift to forgive people just as we receive forgiveness in Christ
• strength to suffer
• patience to wait for joy that follows weeping
• constant growth and development of character
• a healthy heart and soul which trusts the Lord to carry and lead us during difficulties and sorrow
• hope of the glorious heaven prepared for all adopted into faith
• peaceful rest

Two options

1. Receive faith—live truthfully, humbly trusting the transforming Light. 
2. Reject faith—live secretly, remaining arrogantly stuck in darkness.

In Christ, the faithful believer is

• beloved
• holy
• blameless
• pure
• trained for war
• equipped for battle
• strengthened
• great
• guiltless
• delivered from strife
• exalted above the haughty
• delivered from men of violence
• fast, able to leap over a wall
• secure in heights
• protected in a wide open place
• rewarded with eternal life

Be inspired

• Watch an illustrated video
• Listen to a lively discussion
• Hear a tenderhearted sermon
• Read about contempt (opposite of honor and respect) 
• Church Worship and sing to our Marvelous Light
• Bible study …in the darkness of this world, His Light shines all the brighter!

Pray in Jesus’ Name

O Holy Spirit, Light our paths with Your Word. Only in You can we fight against the the darkness of worldly life. Remind us when we fail in thought, word, and deed that Jesus was born to forgive us for slipping. We praise You for the faith You give in Baptism and ask that You draw us to crave Your wisdom in Scripture. How wonderful it is to be sure You are walking with us, picking us up, and mercifully carrying us as You lead us in Truth to receive Your grace. Use our difficult experiences and sufferings to remind us of our connection to the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. Comfort and inspire us to recognize opportunities to shine, unconditionally love, and encourage all those around us who haven’t yet heard, are gloomy, or are lost. Amen.

1 Samuel Bible Sketch

Having great love for all people, God guards His faithful

Despite human evil, we can trust that God’s purpose is to oppose the proud and elevate the humble.

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.” 1 Samuel 2:9 ESV Bible verse hand lettering sketch.

Arrogance is wickedly blinding. 

Pride and other sin left unchecked may cause

• false confidence in knowledge, good works, charity
• denial or ignorance of one’s own sinfulness
• grudge bearing
• blame-shifting
• unhealthy sense of entitlement
• insensitivity to everyone else’s thoughts, opinions, desires, and needs
• tendency to hurl rude insults
• distortion of truth
• misleading self and others
• tempting people
• refusal to forgive people who’ve genuinely apologized
• inability to receive forgiveness which others desire to offer
• mental, physical, emotional and spiritual harm to self and those near
• death

Scary, right? Can everyone identify guilt of something on this list, to a degree, perhaps if only in thought? Death is inevitable to even seemingly pious men and women.

The ungodly can take comfort in our Rock of Escape. God, to save us from His wrath, gave His Son to be crucified to atone for the sin of the world. In our sinful nature, we receive this by faith.

• God’s Word provides faith in our Savior who, for our redemption, perfectly—without one single sin of His own, but because of our sin—faced all kinds of temptations, pain, suffering, took an unfair penalty of death on the cross, was bodily raised on the third day, ascended to Our Father in heaven, and lives now in the hearts of all who believe this and are baptized. 
• The Holy Spirit works trust to believe we can take refuge in Christ’s victory over sin, death and betrayal and provides encouragement to live as people loved by God.
• Scripture shows us God’s good design for creation and how He wants us to live. The Word doesn’t make us able to live to the perfection of this design; yet, it provides necessary faith which humbles us to admit failures, wrong actions, thoughts, inadequacies and teaches us to do our very best to turn away from repeating these.
• Only Christ delivers us from death. No one one saves themselves or others from the entanglement of idols (putting self, other people, activities and things higher than love for God). Doubt weakens believers who constantly need to reach out for help through
  
  • prayer for strength and wisdom to trust and share the Gospel
  • worship and staying in the Word in a variety of ways
  • nourishment at the Lord’s Table (for now, during corona virus restrictions, we patiently wait and focus on our need to be saved by the body and blood of Christ)
  • safe environments to grow and preserve our faith in the company of caring, respectful Christians
• Brokenhearted, repentant people of faith
  • have certain hope in anticipation of glory to come in the next life
  • find joy in life, even in suffering because it prepares for the future
  • cling to the Lord who, in mercy, understands the needs of all people and provides all good things for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being
  • thankfully, seek to help and forgive others just as Christ helps and forgives them
  • are spared, protected and delivered from sin, evil, and death
  • have patient confidence that God is using for His good purposes, even what Satan intends for evil
  • worship God in light—His power of spirit and truth 

We all face (or will face) troubles in this life. Now, we live in a state of grace until the Last Day when life as we know it ends and each person will be in one of two final and eternal destinations:

1. the faithful have tears wiped away, gloriously at home with Jesus in heaven
2. unbelievers cut off in darkness with Satan, the father of lies, in hell

Check out these video, audio and art files

• Overview: 1 Samuel
• Running Scared? Trust the LORD
• Lord Save Me From My Friends

Pray in the Name of Jesus

Dear Lord, you know my need before I even ask. Guard me in Your forgiveness and keep me in faith. Amen.

Ruth Bible Sketch

Family, work, future

 

“The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” Ruth 2:12 ESV Bible verse sketch hand lettering with blue sky and barley.

Ruth

Ruth is my mom’s name. She was full of love, joy and strength—these flowed from her faith which trusted God’s mercy and grace to save us. Our Creator gifted Mom with valuable talents and a peaceful, generous, meek, patient and kind personality. Because of sin in this world, tears and difficulties were mixed into the happy times of her life. I don’t doubt that she prayed often about my wandering ways. She inspired our family and others. Her work was important. She was the spiritual leader of our home where she prepared us physically, mentally and emotionally to spread our wings and fly toward our Lord in the direction He calls each of us to follow Him. Dad was a godly man of integrity and Mom worked closely with him in the crop production and seed cleaning business on the farm where God supplied our daily bread. Just as all repentant sinners who trust the Word are promised an eternal future together with Jesus who is alive, the Holy Spirit kept Mom in faith until our Heavenly Father took her Home to live with Him!

“Ruth means…“fullness.” Where God has made empty, He has prepared to make full once again. Even as we confess the God who empties and makes bitter, we confess also the God in Christ who sweetens, fills, and restores.” —read more from the post The Commemoration of Ruth by CPH

“The Book of Ruth relates a beautiful story in the history of King David’s family, illustrating how God guides history for the sake of His people. He works through suffering and redemption to preserve His people and to welcome the nations. These aspects of the Book point to the birth of Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, who descends from Ruth and Boaz. Though the Book of Ruth is not a love story, it beautifully illustrates the Lord’s enduring love for you. As you read Ruth, consider how the Lord calls you to show love and faithfulness to your family and your neighbors, for whom Christ lived and gave His life.” —The Lutheran Study Bible by CPH (highly recommended for insights and devotional commentary which helps to grow in faith and apply God’s Word to life)

• Great stories of the Bible: Ruth (learn more)

Join in for music—voices singing, trumpet, guitar and organ—speak the Word out loud, pray, and listen at my church online to the 14 minute sermon Seeking the Savior for Comfort (at 27 minutes into the video). Replay this one hour service as often as you want, subscribe, and come back often for new content! 

Together, we seek Jesus. The key to life is faith. This gift comes alive though the Bible. Church is a hospital for sinners. When we’re sick, we call a doctor, when we have a toothache, we call a dentist—when we are curious about matters of life and death, we call a pastor. Learn how to receive faith by the work of the Holy Spirit in Baptism—watch videos about Baptism.

1. receive faith
2. repent and return to faith
3. learn and grow in faith
4. go forward in the comfort of faith

While we follow COVID-19 restrictions, we lean on the Triune God in whom we take refuge. 

Until we die or He returns (whichever comes first), He is allowing us to creatively stay connected and participate in this life by trying new things! We can

• pray
• watch worship and Christian education videos
• read daily devotional material out loud to “hear” the Word
• listen to Christian podcasts
• sing along to sacred music

We pray: Lord, Your will be done. Thank you for providing for all our needs as You mysteriously work things, in every situation, together for Your good purpose. Give health, healing, wisdom and guide us through all hardships of life. End the coronavirus that we may return to regularly receive all the benefits of attending church together again to

• learn with friends at classes
• worship as a family of believers
• receive Communion (watch videos about the Lord’s Supper)
• enjoy community activities
  

Links for growth and enjoyment

• Bible
• Bible Project
• Bible Study & Worship
• Daily Devotions
• KFUO Radio
• Sermons & Reflections
• Speaking of Jesus
• Study Bible

If you use a phone to read this blog, look for and tap “view web version” to see the full page which doesn’t show up on the mobile version.

Judges Bible Sketch

Seek Truth. Expose, fight, flee the mean, ugly, emotionally painful, physically harmful evil which stems from lies and temptations to sin.

Creation is impacted by the ugly effects of sin which surround us—corona virus pandemic, natural disaster, fear, broken relationships, doubt, guilt, sadness and more…

• Sin caused death
• What is sin?

People have or may become sick, sadly, many will die even though we wash hands, honor six-feet, use masks, develop treatments and vaccines to battle the corona virus COVOD-19.

Spiritually, we prepare for our earthly death because in the long-term big-picture, our story is not over then. Safe are people who are cleansed in Christ who took our punishment. In quarantine, midst this pandemic nontraditional Holy Week, let’s self-reflect on our lowest state. May we receive an overwhelming awareness of our own individual failures, weaknesses, need for our Creator’s provision for us—daily repent, take refuge in our Savior; then, last but not least, give thanks to Him in all circumstances!

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:5 ESV Bible verse sketch—an artistic rendition: portrait of the state of humanity since the original fall into sin.

“The Lord provides for the tribe of Levi, and with that, the author proclaims with praise that that the Lord has kept all of His promises. We are not to become attached to the things of this world as though they have lasting value. The Lord provided the Levites with earthy cities that anticipated a better city, a heavenly one (Heb 11:16). Likewise, He promises that as we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness through Christ, He will grant us what we need for this life (Mt 6:33). • Heavenly Father, release us from worries and undue attachment to earthly things, so we might find our true joy in You and the enduring city awaiting us through Christ. Amen.” Luther’s Study Bible, CPH (learn more)

Our spirit may be willing to put God and others first, yet in reality, we are too weak to make it happen. 

• Sins may be
  
  • unrealized
  • known
  • subtle
  • obvious
  • physical
  • mental
  • emotional
  • spiritual
• Sins are deeply damaging to
  
  • ourselves
  • those we love
  • people we don’t know
• No one is immune to
  
  • sinning
  • sins committed against them
  • the effects of all sin
• Sin is difficult to
  
  • own up to
  • confess
  • ask to be forgiven
  • turn from
  • expose
  • correct
  • prevent
  • forgive
  • forget

Arrogance and pride make us blind and deaf to

• to have compassion for others’
  
  • weaknesses
  • needs
  • innocence
  • voice
  • emotions
• our need to take responsibility for our faults, but rather
  
  • blame-shift
  • make excuses
• our need to forgive people, preferring to
  
  • hold grudge
  • stop communicating
  • stop listening
  • isolate self
• the seriousness of
  
  • our own flaws
  • our need for personal confession
• the fact that
  
  • redemption in Christ is necessary
  • earning our own redemption isn’t possible
• blessings available in
  
  • Bible study
  • mental health counsel
  • help for substance abuse
  • receiving forgiveness 

It is possible to blatantly reject God without sorrow.

We aren’t robots—we may resist God’s generous desire for all to be saved. Unbelief causes sin to fester into an infection which desensitizes conscience—turns the cold heart hard. Grace and hope abound until the Day of Judgment when those who are apart from Christ enter eternal separation from God (hell) because of their

• defiance of God’s Law and Gospel
• irresponsibility to change bad behavior
• frigid tendency to lie
• stony refusal to confess sin
• rigid resistance of the Holy Spirit

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:11 ESV

Thankfully, God provides The Way to live forever!

God’s Word in the Bible for us to read or hear reveals His purpose of Christ suffering at the cross unto death, His descent to hell and bodily resurrection by which He successfully washed away the sin of the world and defeated all evil. By grace, our Creator supplies victory—eternal life for all who receive the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith which trusts Truth.

“It all rests on Christ…The babe whose birth we celebrate came to give us grace. And He wants us to be completely certain of it, because it rests totally on Him.” — Pastor Harrison (read the post here)

Healthy living is nurtured by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration for us contained in The Bible. In our struggle against temptations, we can rely on Christ’s Word and Spirit to

• discern truth from lies
• maintain, build, strengthen, grow faith
• identify our sin, confess it and do our best to stay clean (even though we cannot do this perfectly as Christ did)
• receive grace to move forward, forgiven
• constantly pray His Word
• give confidence to share the faith
• discover how to help each other
• lead us to do God’s will
• provide a way out of temptation so we can endure it
• put praise for Him in our mouths
• encourage brothers and sisters in Christ
• be free from false guilt as parents to communicate His anger over children’s disobedience
• encourage us to plant “seeds”and pray unbelievers will receive faith
• work faith to bring us to Christ

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.’” John 8: 42-47 ESV

Mercy and promises in Christ

• the Light in whom all will be judged when He returns on the Last Day for those living in Truth and the believers who have gone before them
• who sees each heart of repentant believers viewing all sin as repulsive, knowing their Savior bled and bore the horrible punishment they deserve
• who protects, defends and delivers us from evil all who take refuge in Him
• whose sacrifice is finished and made us right
• who forgives—declares not guilty all who repent and trust Him
• in whom believers are never separated
• with whom believers will enjoy an eternal paradise

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Give God glory for GRACE—God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 ESV

“It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” Luke 13:19 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father, refine and renew us. Help us let go of selfish grumbling, unhealthy controlling and manipulative manners. Forgive us for each and every sin Jesus took upon Himself in His suffering at the cross, paying the price to buy our salvation. Our faith trusts the certain hope that You will eventually destroy all evil and wipe away our tears. As the Holy Spirit trains us to live in Light and frees us to generously see others as You see them, having great value, fill us with your mighty power to care. Equip us with patience, kindness, and confidence to tell others about the relationship you want with everyone. Show us how we may serve You and others in Truth. Amen.

God is faithful to fulfill His promises. Don’t neglect the Holy Spirit’s nudging that would have you cling to Jesus. Peace ✝︎

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