Newer Isn’t Always Better, But this Time It Is Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Jeremiah 31:31 Old is not necessarily bad, nor is new necessarily good. When God promises to...
God’s Workmanship For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 After his beautiful description of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, Paul then describes us as God’s workmanship. The Greek word here is the word “Poema.” It is...
We Preach Christ Crucified For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 The...
God’s Love for Sinners But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 In Romans 5, St. Paul describes our condition at the time at which Christ died for us. Weak, ungodly, sinners, even enemies of God are the...
A Broken Heart for Valentine’s Day (Ash Wednesday) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17 Valentine’s Day falling on Ash Wednesday provides a great opportunity to teach about the condition of the human heart. On this...
God’s Care for Older Adults Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. Psalm 71:9 Congregations invest a lot of time, energy, and financial support in caring for children and youth. Schools and youth groups, staff members and teachers...
The Savior of All Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is...
A House of Prayer for All Nations And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— these I will...
Jesus’ Mercy for Those in Need Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. Luke 4:40 Our Lord Jesus is revealed to the people...
A Place Where Children Are Welcome Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14 A church can be an intimidating place for parents with young children. More than anything else, parents are concerned about...