Search the Scriptures!

Search the Scriptures like a miner digging for gold.  Once you find a nugget, grasp it.  Trust it.  Take it to the bank.  There is no greater treasure.

Max Lucado, "God is With You Every Day," October 6

Seek yourself only in Christ

In the "Today's Light Bible," Jane Fryer writes, "How do you see your God today? Is He the 'God who is strong enough' to help in all times of need? And do you see yourself as the 'royal priesthood?' He has declared you to be in Christ?"

Seek yourself only in Christ and not in yourself and you find yourself in Him eternally.

Martin Luther, "Luther's Works" - Vol. 42, page 106

Through the Word...

Through the Word, then, the individual is brought into a personal and saving relationship with Christ; through the Word he is brought into personal union with Christ; through the Word he is built up and more and more perfected in Christ; and through the Word the whole body of believers, the church, is gathered, edified, and kept unto the end.


"The Lutheran Pastor," page 24

Mark Twain wisdom

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but the fly comes close!

Walther's Task

CFW Walther was the first president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, first president of Concordia Seminary and a parish pastor to boot! His book, "Law and Gospel" is a classic and one of the first books read by every seminarian.

"Law and Gospel" is comprised of a series of lectures.  Right at the outset, Walther shares his goal with his students:

I wish to talk the Christian doctrine into your very hearts...

The in-between time

Sorry, but I did not note where I found the following...

You live in the in-between time, waiting for the completion, for Easter promise and beginning to come full.  Now you suffer.  Your loved ones die.  Your pets die.  Your plants die.  Cars rust.  Paint chips. Wood rots.  All things are coming undone.  And we carry too many biers out to the cemetery.  But Jesus died, and Jesus lives, and Jesus loves you and will bring you home.  Your day will come...Your children will not be taken from you forever.  Your sorrow will end.  Because our judgment is coming, but Jesus lives.

David Petersen

Fit for prayer?

"Struggling in the midst of conflict or of temptation, therefore, we ought to resist Satan with trust in the Intercessor and say: 'If I am a sinner,' what then? God is merciful.  If I am unfit for prayer because of my sins, well and good.  I do not want to become more fit.  For, woe is me.  I am more than fit for prayer,  because I am an exceedingly great sinner.

Martin Luther
from Scott Murray's "Memorial Moment"
3/8/2013