Sorry everyone. I am currently on vacation and am experiencing various technical difficulties. I had fully intended to blog while on vacation, especially since I didn't do it all last week due to being so swamped with work just to be able to take a vacation. It's exhausting just thinking about it.
I think the Lord is trying to get me to SLOW WAY DOWN. Last night when my mother in law was doing her planning each day out thing, I just said, would you be too disappointed if what I wanted to do on this vacation was nothing.
Sometimes we just have to re-charge our batteries. For me, sometimes that means doing next to nothing. Fun? No not really. But usually I am wearing so many hats that I am not sure if I even have the right one on. It is nice to go "hat-less" every once in a while. I guess now is that time. Besides, it is not like I am actually doing nothing. I just don't feel like doing the whole go go go thing on this vacation. I know, I probably sound BORING! But as I told my m-i-l, sometimes, boring is good...boring would be nice for a change.
Perhaps God is telling you to slow down today. Take a few moments, an hour, or all day. REST! PRAY! REFLECT! READ! ENJOY! Perhaps the technical difficulties were a blessing after all!
Thanks for reading and God Bless!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Getting Away for a while
Matthew 14:13
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
This event happened just after John the Baptist was beheadded and news about it reached Jesus. This was His response. Even our Lord needed to "get away" for a bit. And from time to time He would do just that. But it was often only for very little time, as the crowds usually followed Him like in this example. Ministry is an on-going thing. It NEVER stops, and it will not cease until our Lord Jesus comes again. Therefore, I think it is entirely necessary for pastors and church workers to take some much needed time and "get away" from all of it. Take a lesson from our Lord Jesus who saw the necessity and benefit of doing so, even if the crowds did not let Him go for long.
What happens is that we church workers will not be good for anyone if we do not take care of ourselves. And the thing is, we KNOW when we really need a vacation or just a couple days to re-energize and re-focus ourselves. Then we can get right back into it, because it will be waiting for us.
In the example above the context continues in this way....Matthew 14:14
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Not only that, but this is the text where Jesus feeds the 5000. But notice, after all had been fed and their physical needs taken care of, and 12 baskets full of leftovers collected, what Jesus does next....Matthew 14:23
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone... ew Jesus still took some time for Himself, to be alone, to pray. He did so because it was still important for Him to do that before He continued on with ministry. It may have been delayed a bit by the crowds having followed Him, but He didn't just stop and forget about it and continue to go on ministering after He had dealt with these crowds. He needed a little time to reflect, pray, and to be alone first.
We pastors and church workers should take our cue from Him. There may be things that interrupt our vacation or taking some time for ourselves, but it is still important for us to take that time, even if we deal with those things before we take it.
If you haven't guessed I am trying to take a much needed vacation with my family, and have been running into lots of complications. But I am going to just pause and reflect on these things and pray for God's strength and guidance and peace.
Thanks for reading and God bless! Take some time for yourselves too!
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
This event happened just after John the Baptist was beheadded and news about it reached Jesus. This was His response. Even our Lord needed to "get away" for a bit. And from time to time He would do just that. But it was often only for very little time, as the crowds usually followed Him like in this example. Ministry is an on-going thing. It NEVER stops, and it will not cease until our Lord Jesus comes again. Therefore, I think it is entirely necessary for pastors and church workers to take some much needed time and "get away" from all of it. Take a lesson from our Lord Jesus who saw the necessity and benefit of doing so, even if the crowds did not let Him go for long.
What happens is that we church workers will not be good for anyone if we do not take care of ourselves. And the thing is, we KNOW when we really need a vacation or just a couple days to re-energize and re-focus ourselves. Then we can get right back into it, because it will be waiting for us.
In the example above the context continues in this way....Matthew 14:14
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Not only that, but this is the text where Jesus feeds the 5000. But notice, after all had been fed and their physical needs taken care of, and 12 baskets full of leftovers collected, what Jesus does next....Matthew 14:23
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone... ew Jesus still took some time for Himself, to be alone, to pray. He did so because it was still important for Him to do that before He continued on with ministry. It may have been delayed a bit by the crowds having followed Him, but He didn't just stop and forget about it and continue to go on ministering after He had dealt with these crowds. He needed a little time to reflect, pray, and to be alone first.
We pastors and church workers should take our cue from Him. There may be things that interrupt our vacation or taking some time for ourselves, but it is still important for us to take that time, even if we deal with those things before we take it.
If you haven't guessed I am trying to take a much needed vacation with my family, and have been running into lots of complications. But I am going to just pause and reflect on these things and pray for God's strength and guidance and peace.
Thanks for reading and God bless! Take some time for yourselves too!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Technology and God's Word
Yesterday our Gospel reading was the Great Commission from Matthew 28. "Go and make disciples of all nations..."
Along that line of thinking, I have been pondering a great deal lately about how much and what technology we in the church use or should be using to the end of spreading the Gospel.
Now I would not consider myself a technophobe at all. I actually like technology, and I am fascinated by all the new stuff they are coming out with all the time (from a safe distance I should add). That is to say that neither can I afford to keep up, nor do I think for the most part that it is absolutely necessary. I don't really want to get caught up in that game of always trying to keep up. It seems to me it would be exhausting, let alone what to do with all of the obsolete stuff. Some of it I think I could figure out on my own. Some of it I would be able to do if somebody just took the time to show me. Hey, I am from the "Show-Me" state, AND I am a visual learner. But some of it I just don't see a need for, or that I would ever use it.
Which brings me to my question for today--How much and what technologies should we be using in the church to do the work that God has called us to do? The majority of the work that I do in the church centers around the Word. I am a Lutheran pastor, and I think that is how it should be. But we use technology to do that. We record the services. We have a website that helps to bring people to the Word and the Word to people's lives. I have this blog, in which I am trying to feed people with God's Word on a regular basis. We use emails and cell phones and computers to do much of the word processing and communication that is done in the church. But I know pastors and churches that make use of so much more technology than that. And I am not saying it is a bad thing. I guess I wonder how far do we go with it? At what point does it go so far with the technology that it no longer resembles church and worship but business and entertainment instead? Something to ponder! Perhaps more on this tomorrow as I think it through.
Thanks for reading and God bless!
Along that line of thinking, I have been pondering a great deal lately about how much and what technology we in the church use or should be using to the end of spreading the Gospel.
Now I would not consider myself a technophobe at all. I actually like technology, and I am fascinated by all the new stuff they are coming out with all the time (from a safe distance I should add). That is to say that neither can I afford to keep up, nor do I think for the most part that it is absolutely necessary. I don't really want to get caught up in that game of always trying to keep up. It seems to me it would be exhausting, let alone what to do with all of the obsolete stuff. Some of it I think I could figure out on my own. Some of it I would be able to do if somebody just took the time to show me. Hey, I am from the "Show-Me" state, AND I am a visual learner. But some of it I just don't see a need for, or that I would ever use it.
Which brings me to my question for today--How much and what technologies should we be using in the church to do the work that God has called us to do? The majority of the work that I do in the church centers around the Word. I am a Lutheran pastor, and I think that is how it should be. But we use technology to do that. We record the services. We have a website that helps to bring people to the Word and the Word to people's lives. I have this blog, in which I am trying to feed people with God's Word on a regular basis. We use emails and cell phones and computers to do much of the word processing and communication that is done in the church. But I know pastors and churches that make use of so much more technology than that. And I am not saying it is a bad thing. I guess I wonder how far do we go with it? At what point does it go so far with the technology that it no longer resembles church and worship but business and entertainment instead? Something to ponder! Perhaps more on this tomorrow as I think it through.
Thanks for reading and God bless!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Volunteering vs Serving in the Church: Is there a difference?
"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.....And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:14-15
The question that I have for you today is this: Is there a difference between volunteering and serving in the church? At a recent stewardship conference I attended, one of our synodical leaders asserted that there is a big difference. It gave me opportunity to pause, observe, and think about how members in our churches are viewing their own work in the church.
The word "volunteer"means one who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service. Now that is not so bad, there is a willingness to undertake some task. However, the definition uses a form of the word in the definition, so we have to look that up too. Voluntary means proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent. This is where we run into the difference when it comes to church work. If one sees themself as merely a volunteer, it kind of takes God out of the equation. It becomes all about me and my will and what I want (or DON'T want) to do. Then all of the control is mine, and I get to decide when I am DONE volunteering for church work.
As was pointed out, this leads to poor stewardship, because it is all about us and what we want, so we are tied down to emotions, and self, and our will rather than serving God and His will for our live and His church with the gifts/talents He has given us. Serving the Lord shouldn't be about us at all, it should be about having that faithful desire to follow God's will and to serve Him and our neighbor, as Jesus, God's Son loved and served us.
I think that when people say and think that they are merely volunteering in the church, they run the risk of falling into the trap of thinking it is my time and my choice and my skills to do with as I see fit. Rather, I believe that we should recognize the gifts that we have and where they have come from; and then I think we should search in His Word as to how we can be good stewards of those gifts, and SERVE God and others to build up the Church and give glory to God. Who needs the "Control?" There is much more freedom in serving the Lord.
So, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! How about you?
Thanks for reading! God's blessings to you and your families. And since I do not blog on Sundays....Happy Father's Day to all those Dads tomorrow! Enjoy your day!
The question that I have for you today is this: Is there a difference between volunteering and serving in the church? At a recent stewardship conference I attended, one of our synodical leaders asserted that there is a big difference. It gave me opportunity to pause, observe, and think about how members in our churches are viewing their own work in the church.
The word "volunteer"means one who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service. Now that is not so bad, there is a willingness to undertake some task. However, the definition uses a form of the word in the definition, so we have to look that up too. Voluntary means proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent. This is where we run into the difference when it comes to church work. If one sees themself as merely a volunteer, it kind of takes God out of the equation. It becomes all about me and my will and what I want (or DON'T want) to do. Then all of the control is mine, and I get to decide when I am DONE volunteering for church work.
As was pointed out, this leads to poor stewardship, because it is all about us and what we want, so we are tied down to emotions, and self, and our will rather than serving God and His will for our live and His church with the gifts/talents He has given us. Serving the Lord shouldn't be about us at all, it should be about having that faithful desire to follow God's will and to serve Him and our neighbor, as Jesus, God's Son loved and served us.
I think that when people say and think that they are merely volunteering in the church, they run the risk of falling into the trap of thinking it is my time and my choice and my skills to do with as I see fit. Rather, I believe that we should recognize the gifts that we have and where they have come from; and then I think we should search in His Word as to how we can be good stewards of those gifts, and SERVE God and others to build up the Church and give glory to God. Who needs the "Control?" There is much more freedom in serving the Lord.
So, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! How about you?
Thanks for reading! God's blessings to you and your families. And since I do not blog on Sundays....Happy Father's Day to all those Dads tomorrow! Enjoy your day!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A few thoughts on fasting.
I chose this topic to write on today, because last night at 8pm I had to fast until 8am this morning for lab work I had to get done. If I am being perfectly honest I did a whole lot of complaining about it too! First I complained that the elders meeting went too long (past the 8pm deadline for my fast to begin). Then I complained because everyone in my house was snacking last night. Then I kept looking at the "slow-moving" clock and kept saying, "I'm never going to make it to 8am" As it turned out, there was a long line at the lab with other "fasting" people there, all of us looking equally grumpy. So because of the traffic jam in the lab, it was more like 8:30, and I complained (in my head) about that.
I guess the bottom line is, I like food! And I certainly do not like being deprived of it. I detest those 6 month lab work days because of the fasting. But all of my complaining got me to thinking about why would anyone fast on purpose? What benefits could there be to it? I know it is Biblical, but from a purely human standpoint I don't get it. Luther's small catechism even states-"Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training....fasting can be good training for the will, but God does not COMMAND particular times, places, and forms for this." So according to our Small Catechism, there is no command from God to fast. That settles it for me! And yet I am still curious what the benefit of doing so might be.
Isaiah 58:3-4 [They say]'Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?'
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
and oppress all your workers.
[4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
God sent Isaiah to call God's people to repentance, and in these verses to help them understand the
true character of fasting as an expression of sorrow for sin and an opportunity to have mercy on the hungry.
In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus had this to say regarding fasting: Matthew 6:16-18 "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [17] But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, [18] that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you...."
So I guess there can be some great benefits to fasting, when one does it spiritually in connection with repentance, or to give us thought and lead us to prayer for brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering from hunger, that we may also have compassion on them.
Of course I realize the reason I was fasting last night was much different than these reasons for fasting, but I think my attitude toward fasting could use much improvement, and next time I will spend it in prayer and contemplation instead of whining and complaining!
What are your own thoughts about fasting?
Thanks for reading! Blessings to you from God our Father, and let's be thankful for the food we do have!
I guess the bottom line is, I like food! And I certainly do not like being deprived of it. I detest those 6 month lab work days because of the fasting. But all of my complaining got me to thinking about why would anyone fast on purpose? What benefits could there be to it? I know it is Biblical, but from a purely human standpoint I don't get it. Luther's small catechism even states-"Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training....fasting can be good training for the will, but God does not COMMAND particular times, places, and forms for this." So according to our Small Catechism, there is no command from God to fast. That settles it for me! And yet I am still curious what the benefit of doing so might be.
Isaiah 58:3-4 [They say]'Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?'
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
and oppress all your workers.
[4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
God sent Isaiah to call God's people to repentance, and in these verses to help them understand the
true character of fasting as an expression of sorrow for sin and an opportunity to have mercy on the hungry.
In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus had this to say regarding fasting: Matthew 6:16-18 "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [17] But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, [18] that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you...."
So I guess there can be some great benefits to fasting, when one does it spiritually in connection with repentance, or to give us thought and lead us to prayer for brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering from hunger, that we may also have compassion on them.
Of course I realize the reason I was fasting last night was much different than these reasons for fasting, but I think my attitude toward fasting could use much improvement, and next time I will spend it in prayer and contemplation instead of whining and complaining!
What are your own thoughts about fasting?
Thanks for reading! Blessings to you from God our Father, and let's be thankful for the food we do have!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
God's gifts bestowed on us.
I know, I know, I wrote yesterday about marriage, and also that I would continue on that
subject today, but a situation regarding a wedding came up today that caused me to think
twice about blogging on weddings/marriage today, while I am frustrated about it.
SOOOO, instead I thought I would post about another subject that has been on my mind lately....the gifts and talents that God gives to us. This is kind of a stewardship issue. Ok, not kind of, it is!
Every person is given gifts and talents by God. A person doesn't even have to believe in God to
receive such gifts and talents--God still provides to believers and non-believers alike. But that is not the direction I want to go with this topic. Rather, I wanted to write today about using and not making use of the gifts and talents we have been given.
I am a firm believer in that old adage "Use it or Lose it," particularly when it comes to our gifts and talents. If God gives us a good gift/talent, I believe that He expects us to use it. Now granted, sometimes we are not even aware of "hidden" talents that we have. Those must be explored and I think that God helps us to "discover" those hidden talents that He gives to us.
Regardless if a talent/gift is hidden or known, I think we should use them. If we ignore them, or refuse to use them, I think that God can take it away just as surely as He gave it. I hope this is making sense. The Lord our God blesses us with so many things, and we should use them, not only that, but make good and proper use of them. I would say when in doubt, pray about it. Ask for God to show you those "hidden" gifts that you have. Or if you do know a gift or talent you have, ask for God to help you to use it in ways that are pleasing to Him.
I apologize if this post sounds like I am rambling, I just felt like it today!
Thanks for reading, and make use of those gifts and talents to the glory of God!
subject today, but a situation regarding a wedding came up today that caused me to think
twice about blogging on weddings/marriage today, while I am frustrated about it.
SOOOO, instead I thought I would post about another subject that has been on my mind lately....the gifts and talents that God gives to us. This is kind of a stewardship issue. Ok, not kind of, it is!
Every person is given gifts and talents by God. A person doesn't even have to believe in God to
receive such gifts and talents--God still provides to believers and non-believers alike. But that is not the direction I want to go with this topic. Rather, I wanted to write today about using and not making use of the gifts and talents we have been given.
I am a firm believer in that old adage "Use it or Lose it," particularly when it comes to our gifts and talents. If God gives us a good gift/talent, I believe that He expects us to use it. Now granted, sometimes we are not even aware of "hidden" talents that we have. Those must be explored and I think that God helps us to "discover" those hidden talents that He gives to us.
Regardless if a talent/gift is hidden or known, I think we should use them. If we ignore them, or refuse to use them, I think that God can take it away just as surely as He gave it. I hope this is making sense. The Lord our God blesses us with so many things, and we should use them, not only that, but make good and proper use of them. I would say when in doubt, pray about it. Ask for God to show you those "hidden" gifts that you have. Or if you do know a gift or talent you have, ask for God to help you to use it in ways that are pleasing to Him.
I apologize if this post sounds like I am rambling, I just felt like it today!
Thanks for reading, and make use of those gifts and talents to the glory of God!
Monday, June 13, 2011
A Few Thoughts On Marriage
In light of officiating my first wedding of the season, I thought I would reflect on a few things about marriage.
When I do pre-marital counseling, I usually start off by saying marriage is work. I do this just to see the reactions of the couple, so that I know how I am going to proceed. Besides, marriage IS work, but if the work is done right (out of love for your spouse) and consistently, marriage is very rewarding, and a blessing to both persons.
Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Genesis 2:18
What a blessing! God does not want that we should be alone. And furthermore, a spouse is to be a help-mate. I have seen the manifestation of that term over the years, often in some of the most extreme and difficult circumstances. Truly marriage can be a real blessing, as God intended.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
[25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body. [31] "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [33] However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephes. 5:22-33
This is a difficult passage from Paul, and yet it shouldn't be if we merely understand that Paul is making a comparison to Christ and His "Bride"-the Church. Husbands and wives should love and repect and honor thier spouse, just as Christ Jesus loves His Church. This passage is often misunderstood and sometimes despised because of it. But a pastor could do much good by taking the time to explain what Paul is saying. Of course what I have written here about this text is just a start, there is much more to say. Perhaps I will break it down some more tomorrow!
Thanks for reading and may God bless marriage, and you!
When I do pre-marital counseling, I usually start off by saying marriage is work. I do this just to see the reactions of the couple, so that I know how I am going to proceed. Besides, marriage IS work, but if the work is done right (out of love for your spouse) and consistently, marriage is very rewarding, and a blessing to both persons.
Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Genesis 2:18
What a blessing! God does not want that we should be alone. And furthermore, a spouse is to be a help-mate. I have seen the manifestation of that term over the years, often in some of the most extreme and difficult circumstances. Truly marriage can be a real blessing, as God intended.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
[25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body. [31] "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [33] However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephes. 5:22-33
This is a difficult passage from Paul, and yet it shouldn't be if we merely understand that Paul is making a comparison to Christ and His "Bride"-the Church. Husbands and wives should love and repect and honor thier spouse, just as Christ Jesus loves His Church. This passage is often misunderstood and sometimes despised because of it. But a pastor could do much good by taking the time to explain what Paul is saying. Of course what I have written here about this text is just a start, there is much more to say. Perhaps I will break it down some more tomorrow!
Thanks for reading and may God bless marriage, and you!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Holy Spirit: Part 4-The Holy Spirit and Living in & Confessing Faith In Christ
Therefore I want you to understand that....no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:3
It is important to understand that when we confess our faith, we are being led by the Spirit of God who has also given us that faith. We would not do that without the leading of the Holy Spirit. Though it is vital that we confess our faith, (and we do so individually and corporately), in either case we should be aware that if left to ourselves it is not something that we could or would do without the Holy Spirit residing within our hearts. And neither is acting/behaving as children of God.
In fact, quite often outwardly we may not appear holy, and inwardly we may feel anything but holy. But again, our holiness is not a matter of internal feelings or external evidence. Our holiness can only come about because of what the Holy Spirit Works in us. Our holiness rests solely on God's Word and His Spirit in our baptism having made it true, and continuing to keep it that way.
As for confessing the faith that we have been given Paul states in Romans 10-- But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); [9] because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
But it is not just confessing Christ with our mouths that we do with the help of the Holy Spirit, but everything in our faith-walk,including prayer. Read now what Jude writes...(vv20-21)
But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; [21] keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
You see, we rely on the Holy Spirit in so many ways, in ways that perhaps we are not even aware of. I would encourage you to investigate how the Holy Spirit works, by reading about it in God's Word. Don't be intimidated by this, the Holy Spirit Himself will guide your study of God's Word.
Thank you for reading and God bless your journey of faith in Jesus Christ!
It is important to understand that when we confess our faith, we are being led by the Spirit of God who has also given us that faith. We would not do that without the leading of the Holy Spirit. Though it is vital that we confess our faith, (and we do so individually and corporately), in either case we should be aware that if left to ourselves it is not something that we could or would do without the Holy Spirit residing within our hearts. And neither is acting/behaving as children of God.
In fact, quite often outwardly we may not appear holy, and inwardly we may feel anything but holy. But again, our holiness is not a matter of internal feelings or external evidence. Our holiness can only come about because of what the Holy Spirit Works in us. Our holiness rests solely on God's Word and His Spirit in our baptism having made it true, and continuing to keep it that way.
As for confessing the faith that we have been given Paul states in Romans 10-- But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); [9] because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
But it is not just confessing Christ with our mouths that we do with the help of the Holy Spirit, but everything in our faith-walk,including prayer. Read now what Jude writes...(vv20-21)
But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; [21] keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
You see, we rely on the Holy Spirit in so many ways, in ways that perhaps we are not even aware of. I would encourage you to investigate how the Holy Spirit works, by reading about it in God's Word. Don't be intimidated by this, the Holy Spirit Himself will guide your study of God's Word.
Thank you for reading and God bless your journey of faith in Jesus Christ!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Holy Spirit: Part 3-The Holy Spirit's Gifts
Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord
With all Your graces now outpoured.
On each believer's mind and heart;
Your fervent love to them impart.
Lord, by the brightness of Your light,
In holy faith Your Church unite;
From every land and every tongue,
This to Your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung:
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!--LSB 497 (st.1)
The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to His Church. They teach that:
A) the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments freely gives to all Christians the most precious gifts: faith in Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life;
B) in apostolic times the Holy Spirit also gave some Christians the gift to perform miraculous signs and wonders(for example: healings, speaking in tongues, raising the dead).
So what about today? Are we given, or are some given, miraculous gifts from the Holy Spirit to do signs and wonders in the world for God's kingdom? It is an interesting question! While I do think that it is certainly possible that God can and does give such gifts; I also think that there are many who claim to have such gifts that actually do not.
The Scriptures do not teach, however, that God will necessarily give all Christians in every time and place special miraculous gifts. The Holy Spirit bestows His blessings according to His good pleasure.
Whether or not the Holy Spirit grants us such miraculous gifts as these, He does give us the power and ability to share our faith, and the will to do so, which is the will of the Father and the Son. This is what we ask for in the name of Christ.
Come Holy Fire, comfort true,
Grant us the will Your work to do.
And in Your service to abide;
Let trials turn us not aside.
Lord, by Your power prepare each heart,
And to our weakness strength impart
That bravely here we may contend,
Through life and death to You, our Lord ascend.
Alleluia, Alleluia! --LSB 497 (st.3)
Thank you for reading and God bless you!
With all Your graces now outpoured.
On each believer's mind and heart;
Your fervent love to them impart.
Lord, by the brightness of Your light,
In holy faith Your Church unite;
From every land and every tongue,
This to Your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung:
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!--LSB 497 (st.1)
The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to His Church. They teach that:
A) the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments freely gives to all Christians the most precious gifts: faith in Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life;
B) in apostolic times the Holy Spirit also gave some Christians the gift to perform miraculous signs and wonders(for example: healings, speaking in tongues, raising the dead).
So what about today? Are we given, or are some given, miraculous gifts from the Holy Spirit to do signs and wonders in the world for God's kingdom? It is an interesting question! While I do think that it is certainly possible that God can and does give such gifts; I also think that there are many who claim to have such gifts that actually do not.
The Scriptures do not teach, however, that God will necessarily give all Christians in every time and place special miraculous gifts. The Holy Spirit bestows His blessings according to His good pleasure.
Whether or not the Holy Spirit grants us such miraculous gifts as these, He does give us the power and ability to share our faith, and the will to do so, which is the will of the Father and the Son. This is what we ask for in the name of Christ.
Come Holy Fire, comfort true,
Grant us the will Your work to do.
And in Your service to abide;
Let trials turn us not aside.
Lord, by Your power prepare each heart,
And to our weakness strength impart
That bravely here we may contend,
Through life and death to You, our Lord ascend.
Alleluia, Alleluia! --LSB 497 (st.3)
Thank you for reading and God bless you!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Holy Spirit: Part 2-The Work of the Holy Spirit
"Grant that Your Spirit's help To me be always given
Lest I should fall again And lose the way to heaven.
Grant that He give me strength In my infirmity;
May He renew my heart To serve You willingly."-LSB 703 "How Can I Thank You Lord"(st 4).
Sanctification- to make holy. Or as one of my confirmands this year put it...."to HOLIFY." I like that!
Would it be appropriate then to say that the Holy Spirit then is restoring us to God's original intention with creation of man? Is the Holy Spirit restoring to us the "image of God"?
Col. 3:9-10 "....seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
"The Holy Spirit sanctifies me(makes me holy) by bringing me to faith in Christ, so that I might have the blessings of redemption and lead a godly life."-LSC (AC Art. 3).
The bad part, the part that we have great difficulty with is that, as Luther states: "By nature I am spiritually blind, dead, and an enemy of God, as the Scriptures teach; therefore, "I cannot by my own reason or strength beleive in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him."-LSC (AC Art. 3, Q.157)
But the good part is "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel (see yesterday's post on The Holy Spirit and the Word), enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the true faith."
Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
[11] Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
[12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Thanks for reading, and may the Lord our God continue to strengthen you in His Word, by His Spirit!
Lest I should fall again And lose the way to heaven.
Grant that He give me strength In my infirmity;
May He renew my heart To serve You willingly."-LSB 703 "How Can I Thank You Lord"(st 4).
Sanctification- to make holy. Or as one of my confirmands this year put it...."to HOLIFY." I like that!
Would it be appropriate then to say that the Holy Spirit then is restoring us to God's original intention with creation of man? Is the Holy Spirit restoring to us the "image of God"?
Col. 3:9-10 "....seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
"The Holy Spirit sanctifies me(makes me holy) by bringing me to faith in Christ, so that I might have the blessings of redemption and lead a godly life."-LSC (AC Art. 3).
The bad part, the part that we have great difficulty with is that, as Luther states: "By nature I am spiritually blind, dead, and an enemy of God, as the Scriptures teach; therefore, "I cannot by my own reason or strength beleive in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him."-LSC (AC Art. 3, Q.157)
But the good part is "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel (see yesterday's post on The Holy Spirit and the Word), enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the true faith."
Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
[11] Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
[12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Thanks for reading, and may the Lord our God continue to strengthen you in His Word, by His Spirit!
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Holy Spirit: Part 1-The Spirit and the Word
"God wants to give the Holy Spirit through the Word, and without the Word He does not want to do it." -Martin Luther
It is quite clear that the Holy Spirit and the Word of God go together. That is a fact brought out by what the work of the Holy Spirit is--"calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth." 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. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. [15] All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15
Luther also states that he would not deny that it is possible for the Holy Spirit to work without and apart from the Word, but contends that it has no practical value for us, who are tied to the Word. So the Holy Spirit, true God, works through the means of grace, namely the Word, because we need that Word to be given faith, and to sustain that faith until Christ comes again.
And we do need the Word, which tells us about God, it tells us of our sin and need for Christ Jesus, and comforts us with the knowledge of what God has done for us (in the way of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life) in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, working through this holy Word "that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing we may have life in His name."
More on the Holy Spirit throughout the week, as we in the Church make preparations to celebrate Pentecost Sunday.
Thanks for reading, and may God-Father, † Son, and Holy Spirit bless and keep you all!
It is quite clear that the Holy Spirit and the Word of God go together. That is a fact brought out by what the work of the Holy Spirit is--"calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth." 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. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. [15] All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15
Luther also states that he would not deny that it is possible for the Holy Spirit to work without and apart from the Word, but contends that it has no practical value for us, who are tied to the Word. So the Holy Spirit, true God, works through the means of grace, namely the Word, because we need that Word to be given faith, and to sustain that faith until Christ comes again.
And we do need the Word, which tells us about God, it tells us of our sin and need for Christ Jesus, and comforts us with the knowledge of what God has done for us (in the way of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life) in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, working through this holy Word "that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing we may have life in His name."
More on the Holy Spirit throughout the week, as we in the Church make preparations to celebrate Pentecost Sunday.
Thanks for reading, and may God-Father, † Son, and Holy Spirit bless and keep you all!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
THE GREAT COVER-UP: Guilt and forgiveness.
But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. [2] The rich man had very many flocks and herds, [3] but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. [4] Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him." [5] Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, [6] and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." [7] Nathan said to David, "You are the man! 2 Samuel 11:27-12:7
David knows! He knows he has done wrong, and yet he tries to cover it up. He thinks he is home free. We understand this. We know how it is. Why this goes all the way back to Adam and Eve--the first two who "covered up." Genesis 3:7-8 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. [8] And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
When will we learn. Nothing is HIDDEN from God. He knows our thoughts, our words, our deeds, even before they spring up within us and come forth out of us. We can't "cover up" what we have done, or left undone, and hide it. God knows! But we try, oh how we try!
You have heard the saying, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when 1st we practice to deceive." There is much truth to that statement. And just as it is true, so is it true that the more we try to cover up our sins, the deeper and deeper the hole that we dig for ourselves, and quite possibly-the more people we hurt in the process.
But we do not have to try the GREAT COVER UP, because Christ Jesus Himself clothes us in His own righteousness, effectively covering our sin-all of it. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.... Isaiah 61:10
David was jolted by just 4 three-letter words, "YOU ARE THE MAN." When we are confronted with our own sins, may we turn to the Lord, who IS gracious and merciful, and REPENT of our sins and be coverd up in Christ's own righteousness!
Thanks for reading and God bless your day today!
David knows! He knows he has done wrong, and yet he tries to cover it up. He thinks he is home free. We understand this. We know how it is. Why this goes all the way back to Adam and Eve--the first two who "covered up." Genesis 3:7-8 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. [8] And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
When will we learn. Nothing is HIDDEN from God. He knows our thoughts, our words, our deeds, even before they spring up within us and come forth out of us. We can't "cover up" what we have done, or left undone, and hide it. God knows! But we try, oh how we try!
You have heard the saying, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when 1st we practice to deceive." There is much truth to that statement. And just as it is true, so is it true that the more we try to cover up our sins, the deeper and deeper the hole that we dig for ourselves, and quite possibly-the more people we hurt in the process.
But we do not have to try the GREAT COVER UP, because Christ Jesus Himself clothes us in His own righteousness, effectively covering our sin-all of it. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.... Isaiah 61:10
David was jolted by just 4 three-letter words, "YOU ARE THE MAN." When we are confronted with our own sins, may we turn to the Lord, who IS gracious and merciful, and REPENT of our sins and be coverd up in Christ's own righteousness!
Thanks for reading and God bless your day today!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Thoughts on the ascension....:Part 3
[45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46] and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things. [49] And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." [50] Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. [51] While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. [52] And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53] and were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:45-53
"Ascension Day is the coronation celebration of our Lord as He is proclaimed to be King of the universe. Jesus' ascension to the Father is His entrance to the greater existence beyond the confines of time and space, being no longer bound by the limitations of His state of humiliation. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, which Luther correctly taught is everywhere, having again taken up the power and authority that were His since before time. Yet our Lord is present with us who remain bound by time and space. He is with us as true God and true man, exercising His rulership in the Church through the means of grace which He established: His Word and Sacraments. We mortals in those means of grace can grasp the King of the universe and receive a foretast of the feast to come"-(Treasury of Daily Prayer, p.302)
When Luke writes "You are witnesses of these things," he is writing it about the other 10 disciples of Jesus. However, the same applies to us who believe. We are fed with Word and Sacrament--the ways our Lord Jesus has chosen to "come to us," and strenghtened in Him through these means, we are also Christ's witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Notice how Luke in his Gospel, describes the response of the disciples to Jesus' departure to heaven....And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53] and were continually in the temple blessing God. It doesn't say they were sad. It doesn't say that they sat around doing nothing and waiting for Him to return. They WORSHIPED HIM, and returned with GREAT JOY! Then they were in the temple blessing God continually. What a response.
Do you believe in the promises of the Lord? He has promised to always be with us. He has promised to be present for us in Word and Sacrament, His means of grace in the Church. And He has promised His Holy Spirit, which we receive in Baptism. And Jesus has also promised to return again. For that we wait in hope, and joy, and worshiping Him.
Thanks for reading, and God's blessings to you today!
"Ascension Day is the coronation celebration of our Lord as He is proclaimed to be King of the universe. Jesus' ascension to the Father is His entrance to the greater existence beyond the confines of time and space, being no longer bound by the limitations of His state of humiliation. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, which Luther correctly taught is everywhere, having again taken up the power and authority that were His since before time. Yet our Lord is present with us who remain bound by time and space. He is with us as true God and true man, exercising His rulership in the Church through the means of grace which He established: His Word and Sacraments. We mortals in those means of grace can grasp the King of the universe and receive a foretast of the feast to come"-(Treasury of Daily Prayer, p.302)
When Luke writes "You are witnesses of these things," he is writing it about the other 10 disciples of Jesus. However, the same applies to us who believe. We are fed with Word and Sacrament--the ways our Lord Jesus has chosen to "come to us," and strenghtened in Him through these means, we are also Christ's witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Notice how Luke in his Gospel, describes the response of the disciples to Jesus' departure to heaven....And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53] and were continually in the temple blessing God. It doesn't say they were sad. It doesn't say that they sat around doing nothing and waiting for Him to return. They WORSHIPED HIM, and returned with GREAT JOY! Then they were in the temple blessing God continually. What a response.
Do you believe in the promises of the Lord? He has promised to always be with us. He has promised to be present for us in Word and Sacrament, His means of grace in the Church. And He has promised His Holy Spirit, which we receive in Baptism. And Jesus has also promised to return again. For that we wait in hope, and joy, and worshiping Him.
Thanks for reading, and God's blessings to you today!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thoughts on the Ascension...: Part 2
Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, [2] until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3] To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. [4] And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." [6] So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7] He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." [9] And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
It is interesting to me how this is tied in with yesterday's blog from Matthew 28. Namely, v8 of Acts 1 being related to Matthew 28:19. To make disciples of all nations is to be witnesses of Christ and His love "to the ends of the earth." I encourage you to read the book of Acts to see how this is fulfilled by the apostles.
But on to the business at hand, that is, Christ's ascension. Besides the promise that He gave to the 11 in Matthew 28 to "be with you always," Jesus promises somehing here in Acts as well, just before being lifted up and ascending into heaven. He promises the Holy Spirit to be sent to them, and also with Him, power. What kind of power? Power to be His witnesses....to the ends of the earth.
What has always struck me in this text is that the disciples of Jesus are just standing there staring up into the sky. There is no sense of urgency there. I suppose I would have been right there doing the same, had it been me. The urgency doesn't come until the angel standing there in their midst gives them the business about it...."Why do you stand looking into heaven?"
If you want to get technical, the real urgency doesn't come until Pentecost, when the promised Holy Spirit comes upon them and emboldens them to be Christ's witnesses.
How important was it that Jesus ascend into heaven? Jesus' Words in John's Gospel, chapter 16, give us the importance of His departure to the Father's right hand in heaven....John 16:5-7
But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' [6] But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Tomorrow on the Day of Ascension, I will write some more about the importance of Christ's Ascension using chapter 24 of Luke's Gospel as a guide.
Thank you for reading and have a blessed day!
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, [2] until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3] To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. [4] And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." [6] So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7] He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." [9] And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
It is interesting to me how this is tied in with yesterday's blog from Matthew 28. Namely, v8 of Acts 1 being related to Matthew 28:19. To make disciples of all nations is to be witnesses of Christ and His love "to the ends of the earth." I encourage you to read the book of Acts to see how this is fulfilled by the apostles.
But on to the business at hand, that is, Christ's ascension. Besides the promise that He gave to the 11 in Matthew 28 to "be with you always," Jesus promises somehing here in Acts as well, just before being lifted up and ascending into heaven. He promises the Holy Spirit to be sent to them, and also with Him, power. What kind of power? Power to be His witnesses....to the ends of the earth.
What has always struck me in this text is that the disciples of Jesus are just standing there staring up into the sky. There is no sense of urgency there. I suppose I would have been right there doing the same, had it been me. The urgency doesn't come until the angel standing there in their midst gives them the business about it...."Why do you stand looking into heaven?"
If you want to get technical, the real urgency doesn't come until Pentecost, when the promised Holy Spirit comes upon them and emboldens them to be Christ's witnesses.
How important was it that Jesus ascend into heaven? Jesus' Words in John's Gospel, chapter 16, give us the importance of His departure to the Father's right hand in heaven....John 16:5-7
But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' [6] But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Tomorrow on the Day of Ascension, I will write some more about the importance of Christ's Ascension using chapter 24 of Luke's Gospel as a guide.
Thank you for reading and have a blessed day!
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