+ For the Sieberts +
Tune: GOTTLOB, ES GEHT NUNMEHR ZU ENDE (LSB 616, 634)
Louis Bourgeois, c. 1510–61
The victory by God’s own Son
Has, over sin and death, been won.
All graves will be destroyed by Him
When, at the Last, He opens them. Continue reading
“Christ’s death is enough to save even a Christian.” – Rod Rosenbladt
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Read these words “me” and “for me” with great emphasis, and accustom yourself to accepting this “me” with a sure faith and applying it to yourself. Do not doubt that you belong to the number of those who speak this “me.” Continue reading
“‘For
the mountains will depart, the hills will totter, but My steadfast love will not depart from you, and the covenant of My peace will not totter,’ says Yahweh who has compassion on you.” (Is 54:10)
“For God is one, and one Mediator between God and men: the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, which is the mystery at this appointed season.” (1 Tim 2:5–6)
Yahweh’s covenant of peace will never go away, will never waver, fade, fall over, or topple. His compassion is rooted in His own Word and Promise, which He Himself kept. Jesus is Yahweh in the flesh, and His death stands forever and makes permanent peace. We’re in the season of love, peace, and compassion because of what He did for us.
Whenever you encounter Jesus in His Word and in His Gifts of Font, Office, and Altar, He wraps you in His love, mercy, and compassion. We may doubt, we may falter, we may even depart from Him, but He is there immovable, His promises unshakeable, His Gifts ever fruitful, His Word ever true.
A mystery indeed! “If we are unbelieving, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Tim 2:13)
There is one physician (physical and spiritual, born and unborn, God in man, true Life in death, both of Mary and of God, first suffering and then beyond suffering) Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ignatius to the Ephesians VII.2)
God’s Word is a “lamp to our feet, and a light to our path” (Psalm 119). It’s important for Christians to read and listen to His Word, but we need to do it in a way that we understand His Word. Now, this doesn’t just mean “understand” it the way we want to understand it, or the way we think it should be understood, but we must understand it the way God wanted it to be understood. There’s a simple way to do that: context. Continue reading
25 My soul clings to the dust, make me alive according to Your Word.
26 I recount my way, and You answer me; teach me Your statues.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will meditate on Your wonderful things.
28 My soul weeps because of grief, strengthen me according to Your Word.
29 Turn the lying way away from me, and be gracious to me [with] Your Torah.
30 I choose the way of Truth, I establish Your judgments.
31 I cling to Your testimonies, O Yahweh, do not make me ashamed.
32 I will run the way of Your commandments because You enlarge my heart.(Psalm 119:25–32)
The Psalmist talks about the all the benefits of Yahweh’s Word. Throughout Psalm 119 he uses every synonym he can think of to praise Yahweh for His word, give Him thanks for it, and talk about how that Word meets him in his everyday life. There’s power in that Word because it talks about what Yahweh has done and continues to do for the psalmist. Not only that, but the Word itself does something for the Psalmist, it works something within Him. God’s Word does the same for us. Continue reading
