Pierced Feet For You!

The other day a brother in Christ on Facebook posted a link to a sermon on Nahum. The preacher, Steve Brown stated this prophecy is almost totally ignored in the preaching we hear in our time. This is tragic. It is chuck full of wonderful good news of peace!

Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him
who brings good news,
who publishes peace!
Keep your feasts, O Judah;
fulfill your vows,
for never again shall the worthless pass through you;
he is utterly cut off.

(Nahum 1:15 ESV)

This comes at the end of the first chapter. Prior to this we read some of the most terrifying of preaching. This was directed at Nineveh, the city who repented, later turned once again into Our Lord's enemy. And it is to us who are fickle. One is tempted during tough times to turn against Our Father thinking we have to help ourselves. 

We see today that our Adversary still has people who will attack Christ's faithful. When we can we should try to resist it by electing those who believe in religious liberty. However, if it comes down to that being taken away from us Our Lord is still active in cutting off the worthless.

However, the good news is also for those in this city who had not turned against Our Lord and those who repent at this warning. We need not fear when Christ's halting the evil ones in their tracks. 

Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
The LORD has heard my plea;
the LORD accepts my prayer.
All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.


(Psalm 6:8-10 ESV)

And here we see Jesus. His feet were pierced on Mount Calvary. This publishes peace to those who turn from evil self security and trust in him. Turn to Jesus. Trust his good news of peace and live in its peace. Amen.  †

The Books are More Than Balanced For You!!!!

Before the advent of checkbook balancing software and websites provided by banks I used to dedicate one Saturday afternoon to reconciling my checkbook. This was the practice of lining up what I said we had in the account and what the bank said we had in the account. This was a frustrating and painful, head and neck ache pain from bending over the figures, experience that I joyfully no longer have endure.

We have an account with God. This account is always in deficit if we were to look at his requirements for our life and our fulfilling them. We are so far overdrawn we have no way to balance or reconcile the books. So what is to be done?

that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

(2 Corinthians 5:19 ESV)

Our Lord and Savior Jesus came and more than reconciled the books for our past and present sin. The books are reconciled for any and all future sins of which we will commit. This is for each and every person who has lived, is living now and will ever live. That is what the phrase "not counting their sins against them" means. 

How did Christ accomplish this? Out of his deep and abiding love for his created humans Our Father sent Our Lord Jesus to share in our human nature. In obedience to his Father he fulfilled the law for us in order to reconcile us to God as far as the law's requirements. Then to pay for our guilt for past, present and future trespasses bore all our sin to the cross, suffered and died to set us free from the guilt. We are now justified by trusting in the innocent sufferings and death of Our Lord apart from our efforts.

Many object to this and say it will encourage people to sin. In the first place people are sinners and need no encouragement to sin. In the second place if someone is kind to you in spite of your poor treatment of them will you repay this with a desire to keep being nasty to him? Of course not! Out of love and thanksgiving we desire to act like Jesus acted toward his neighbor and his Father in Heaven. Not to repay him rather out of a grateful heart. 

We will blow it and always fall short. But that matters not. For as a kind father, even though he is a sinner, will love and forgive his son or daughter how much more will a Gracious, Sovereign and Loving Heavenly Father love and forgive us.

This is fantastic! 

Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen†

A Proper Defense For You!

I have not been called to be an Apologist. It is almost certain you are not one either. In the United States, presently, we are not hauled before the authorities to present a defense of our faith. Nor should we assume that every unbeliever out there are seeking to destroy or discredit us as depicted in the above representation of Paul before King Agrippa. Over the past 30 years or so Apologetic efforts has gained more and more popularity in some circles as the primary evangelism. Certain Bible teachers are gifted with this even in our relatively persecution free country. Certainly we have a place for this type of proclamation but should never replace the simple proclamation given the Church from Our Lord.

St Peter shows in what instances this should be used;

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
(1 Peter 3:13-16 ESV)

We see that it is when we are under attack and persecution and asked upon what we place our faith. It is a misuse to think one has to give complicated reasoning to an unbeliever when the simple and clear message of Christ is what is needed. Repentance and the forgiveness of sin is what Jesus taught was to be proclaimed throughout the world.

In contrast here is what Christ has told the Apostles those in public ministry and laypersons when they have opportunity is to be proclaimed:

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

(Luke 24:45-47 ESV)

Notice how simple is what saves us. A child can understand it. Most of the time we do not have to start people at square one and give them an extended discourse about the Christian faith. Prior to having the gift of faith, given by the Holy Spirit, he or she will never get it right. We are justified by faith not our perfect understanding of doctrine. Later on comes the teaching.

When you are privileged to speak with a person who is terrified of his or her standing with God we do not have to defend our faith rather proclaim it. The troubled heart does not need the law for it is doing its job already. Tell them to turn from faith in their own efforts to defeat sin and trust in Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Praying always for God to grant them, and us, with this repentance and faith in Christ.

Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen. †

The Promises of Baptism For You! Part 2

As time goes on and the end of life approaches many troubling things may happen. One of these things is the possibility of becoming so feeble minded that I forget Christ. Through accident, stroke or dementia it may be that I will not recall him someday. What then is my hope should this occur?


Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
(Romans 6:3 ESV)

This is one of the most strong and precious promises Our Lord, through the Apostle Paul, gives us. In Baptism I have already died to sin and are no longer under condemnation for it. Through this gracious gift Our Father has placed his name upon me and all his Baptized children.

This is certainty beyond compare. Rather than false security when a person recalls that through Baptism they are received into the family of Christ it is a strong testimony of firm trust in the promises of Christ. Jesus has linked his death to us in Baptism. We can therefore walk in newness of life forsaking our selfish ways by drowning our inner brat, recalling this strong Sacramental work of Christ for us.

If accident, old age or illness robs a person of his or her recollection of this promise Our Lord certainly does not. He has taken our salvation so seriously he bore our sin to the cross thereby removing condemnation from us. We can hardly expect he would withdraw from us when we are feeble and weak and can not remember him.

Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen. †

The Promises in Baptism For You!

I awoke from a very interesting dream this morning. Not a bad dream at all. Rather it was regarding the generations that will come after me. It has been a long practice of mine, dating back to High School, to pray for my children, grandchildren etc. This was started by my Christian grandparents explaining to me they prayed for me, my siblings and cousins long before we were born.

No why on earth would one do that?

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
(Acts 2:38-39 ESV)

One sees in this section that Baptism is not all about the person Baptized. The strong and precious promises of Our Lord is contained therein. This is glorious for the responsibility for the salvation of us, our spouse, children, grandchildren, etc. belongs to Our Lord. This is good news because we are unable to save them. Who else has this ability? Us? Surely not.

Some will object to this due to the fact that some of their children may reject the Gospel. My answer to this is we do not doubt a promise from God due to the unbelief of others. How is it that we will see a child forsake the church and wander off will never be granted true repentance and the forgiveness of sin in the name of Jesus? Certainly we train our children in the faith in order to keep this from happening but sometimes our hearts will break along with our child's break with the church.

As demonstrated by the innocent sufferings and death of Our Lord on the cross we know he takes the salvation of the sinner quite seriously. It is of great difficulty for a person, upon whom Our Lord has placed his name, to apostatize eternally. It has happened recorded in the letters of the Apostles but it is of heroic effort to accomplish this leaving.

Rather than spend hours and days examining others and whether we can see if they are in Christ we cling to the promises we have in Jesus and live in the peace they give us. Amen. †

God's Love Shown For You!

"What did Jesus do this for?" I have had this question asked of me many times. Depending upon whom a person asks one will get varied answers.

From the Calvinist's leaning person one may hear Jesus did it solely for the Glory of God. While certainly God was glorified in the Crucifixion of Jesus, as spoken in Jesus' prayer recorded in John 17, Our Lord is far from being stingy in what he does. We see in his life he was constantly about his neighbor.


From a person of a Methodist background one may hear it is to make salvation possible. That we must respond to this gracious invitation before it is ours. While we do receive this gift of eternal life through faith this faith is not of our doing. It is not something we work up in ourselves. Rather it is a gift of God and not of any decision or desire on our part. Ephesians 2:8-10

From a person of Roman Catholic training one may hear that he died to get us a jump start toward salvation. That we must complete this salvation through our efforts at works of charity. While works of charity, love, are definitely necessary in the life of a believer they do not add anything to our salvation. Rather they are done as obedient children for a Loving Heavenly Father. Ephesians 2:10

What does Our Lord say, through St. Paul, was the reason for his Crucifixion?

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:6-8 ESV)

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

Let us trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen †

A Proper and Honorable Life With Good Deeds For You!

It is commendable and expected that one be passionate about one's belief. This is especially true when resisting evil doers in government, business, health care etc. However, we have a kind of passion which is not righteous at all. Peter speaks of this passion:

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

(1 Peter 2:11-12 ESV)

These sinful passions of the flesh seek only to ridicule in an unkind manner those who are promoting wrongdoing in order to do something right.  This takes the form of gleefully promoting political cartoon and other forms of speech which only destroys the person at whom it is directed. Nothing good can come of these expressions, The only thing they do is cause those who are backing the persons at whom they are directed to dig in the heels and not listen to reason. This is what those held captive to the flesh will do anyway to get his or her point across.

For a believer in Jesus to engage in these activities commits violence against our souls. Both those who are making these things and promoting them and those who see them knowing it is a fellow believer doing it.

“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

(Acts 26:2-3 ESV)

Here we see the grand example of St Paul before sinful and unbelieving King Agrippa. He is not railing against him. Rather he defends himself in an honorable fashion giving him the respect due his vocation as king. Later on when Festus accuses Paul of being out of his mind Paul calls him excellent Festus.

If we were honest with ourselves we must admit we have found perverse joy seeing a political cartoon, listening to a talking head's sarcastic personal attacks and have used this destructive speaking ourselves. This is breaking God's command to honor father and mother referring to those Our Lord has called into office. This fleshly response deserves God's temporal and eternal punishment.

But we have good news. Christ came and perfectly obeyed the commandments perfectly and his holiness is given to us as a gift. For the sake of the innocent suffering and death of Our Lord we have this trespass removed from us. Jesus' resurrection is also for our justification.

Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen. †

A Free Life For You!

The life of a Christian is the most free of any other person. Luther wrote :

A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all*

 Our Lord delivers us from bondage to sin as it enslaves others around us. Thus we are free from being slaves.  Yet Our Lord sees fit to place sinful men in leadership positions over us. This is one of the many quandaries in which the Christian finds in life.

St Peter wrote the following;

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

(1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV)

In this we see great freedom but it is also a great challenge. When Our Lord puts into office those who only seek to do good by doing evil it is hard to remain respectful of this leader while beholding his or her wicked deeds. Peter understood this. Our Lord foretold of how he was to die which was similar to how Our Lord died.

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

(John 21:17-19 ESV)

After this prophecy by Jesus Peter still had the faith to write such a thing to those who would be persecuted by the same emperor's subjects. Yet we are the most free. How is this to be understood? Unlike our neighbor who does not believe in Jesus he has enslaved himself to thinking this life is all he has. We who believe in Christ are not under that horrible thought.

We know that Our Lord has purchased us for himself and is our True and Holy Emperor. We also know that the wicked leaders we have are subject to him and will either be granted repentance and forgiveness or face the Righteous Judge in condemnation. With this knowledge we can actually pray in honest concern for our leader's salvation rather than to cruelly speak of this leader which so many in the world do. It is tempting to join in but it is not pleasing to Our Father in heaven and we must always seek his pleasure.

If we are honest with ourselves we must admit we fail miserably with this directive. But we have good news. Christ came to live in perfect obedience to the law and has fulfilled it and it is ended because we are justified by faith due to his death and resurrection.

Let us trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen. †

*THE FREEDOM OF A CHRISTIAN
1520 by Martin Luther written to Pope Leo X

Strange Scripture For You!

Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

(1 Corinthians 15:29 ESV)

This is one of the verses in scripture which boggle the mind. In the early church they really believed what the Apostles taught about Baptism being a means of the Spirit unto salvation. Tradition has it that a family which converted to Christianity would have a dead person who did not convert Baptized so he or she could be saved. This is conjecture so we do not have any evidence that this was the case.

Now that we have the completed canon of scripture what do we do with this verse?

First we look at the close context and see St Paul is proclaiming how Christ has all power over all things. He is referring to a practice not advocating Baptizing one's deceased loved ones. It is interesting that he only reports this but does not condemn it. 

This is spoken by a man who is being persecuted to those who face persecution. When things go this way it is difficult to understand how Christ is therefore victorious. The resurrection is our comfort during times of persecution and also times of illness while shuffling towards our last breath. What wonderful peace this truth gives!

We also see that in the further context:

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

(Romans 3:28 ESV)

We would see that it is Baptism connected with faith which receives the justification. This is not saying that we need wait until a child is old enough to confess Christ. But a person knowing and trusting in the promises contained in Baptism that it saves through the resurrection of Christ has a firm certainty of salvation.

After considering the close and further context it still seems a strange and mysterious verse. It is said that Martin Luther referred to the medieval custom of removal of your hat out of respect for the verse being the word of God. We do not have to totally come to understand strange scriptures forever twisting, conjecturing and troubling ourselves and others with it.

Scripture is true. Have some trouble with a passage? Remove your hat, keep reading and live in the peace scripture offers.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. †

Sweet Words For You!

Sadly many believers in Jesus discount how the law of Our Lord can aid them in day to day activities in their lives. We certainly are not under the crushing curse of the law where either you obey it perfectly or you will die. This is indeed good news for those in Christ. But it is still something that is sweet to those who seek to please Our Father in heaven.

Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
(Psalm 119:97-104 ESV)

This became even more apparent when I was taking a class in ethics. It is amazing the miserable hand wringing one needs to go through using the ethics of our philosophers. It is lamentable as well when looking at these decisions that need be made is how one can justify almost any vile behavior under certain circumstances. We see this played out in our society by both Governments and Corporations. The men and women making these decisions are doing the ethical thing in his or her own mind using these standards.

Now consider, for example, the commandment to honor our father and mother. This works for a peaceful family life when children will seek to do what father and mother require. This can also be taken into the work place when one is out of the parent's home. Obeying the rules regarding times to be ready to work and not taking extra breaks, staying too long during breaks etc. will result in good reviews and possible merit increase. When driving honoring speed limits and stop signs or signals will eliminate one getting a traffic citation which will contain a fine and increased insurance rates.

However, the law always accuses. When one is honest with oneself he or she will admit they have not perfectly honored those who are placed in leadership. But we have good news! For the sake of the innocent suffering and death of Our Lord and Savior Jesus we are not held accountable for missing the mark. Our Father does not grade on a curve so we are constantly in need of this forgiveness. Thanks be to God for this gift of the forgiveness of sin. In addition he was resurrected for our Justification.

And our God keeps on giving. Due to the perfect life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus we have been giving perfect obedience to the law as a gift. We are therefore, by faith, looked upon by our heavenly Father as his dear and perfect children. May the name of Jesus evermore be praised.

Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen . †

Gift of Perfect Love For You!!!!!

Through various means one can hear of the horrendous persecution of our brother and sisters in Jesus Christ. In response a Christian will become horrified about this situation. This is not merely an emotional reaction but it is true Godly affection. We will through this love seek ways to help our suffering brothers and sisters.

How is it that one can have so much concern for those whom one has never met?

The fruit of the Spirit is love........
Galatians 5:22

This genuine concern is not self generated. Nor is it a learned behavior, The natural man does not love as God loves. One of the best statements comparing and contrasting our love from that which God possesses is found in the Heidelberg Disputation of  1518 written by Martin Luther.

The love of God does not find but creates that which is pleasing to it. The love of man comes into being by finding what is pleasing to it.

The strangers mentioned above are not doing anything which pleases us so that we will love this person. However, God's regenerating power places within our hearts this sacrificial compassion so that we will sense the suffering of our brothers and sisters and seek out ways to help.

Our love will never be perfect on our own steam. Due to the perfect life of Jesus his righteousness is placed on us Our Father sees us as his holy children in his dear Son. Our response, although incomplete and partly done in self interest. of helping our suffering fellow Christian is faith in action which will match up our lives with our confession. 

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

(1 John 3:17-18 ESV)

Jesus also bore our failure to love God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves. We justly deserve God's present and eternal punishment for this failure to be as he is. This sin of imperfect love is not laid to our account. We need not use our brothers or sisters as means by which we can complete our salvation. This is the glorious done deal of the Gospel.

Let us trust in this Good News and live in its peace. Amen. †

Gift Of Perfect Faith For You!!!!

And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.
(Mark 6:5 ESV)

This is a the conundrum which faces a Bible believer. How can a Sovereign God be thwarted in his attempts at doing his mighty work. He did law hands on some sick people and healed them. So what was his mighty work that he was unable to do?  Have people believe in him.

Some will maintain that these people were not elect or re probate is the cause. In other words the Holy Spirit was not interested so did not do the entire Holy Spirit job. This cannot be true for later people from his hometown did come to faith.

The only will we have under our own steam is to choose death. It never can be because of God not wanting someone. Scripture clearly teaches he desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4.

Fruit of the Spirit is .........Faith. Galatians 5:22

Our gracious Lord, the Holy Spirit, is the one to give this perfect faith to trust in Christ. Our inner brat rails against it so through hearing the word preached, reading it daily and prayer we slay that brat and be able to wage this battle.

This is not faith to necessarily have things go better for us. It is faith which secures and preserves us in  truth, life and salvation.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. †