Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Reformation Day reminds us of the central article of the Lutheran faith: the work of Christ alone appeases God’s wrath and redeems the sinner’s debt, here and eternally. Without such freedom from sin and death, we have no lasting place in our Father’s house. But with such freedom the Church stands strong with Christ’s saving work at the center of her teaching and practice.

We pray that by His grace He may keep us in this truth against all enemies, especially the fundamental flaw of human religiosity…to believe that salvation depends in part on our own effort.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

That awesome honor give us an “earnest desire and ambition” to fulfill what God has planned for us and revealed to us in His Word

The joy and peace to which Paul refers are gifts from God. Each was given to us in our Baptism and each has been a part of our faith life ever since. The fruit of joy and peace is contentment in everything through Christ who gives us strength.

Paul encourages Christians to set their minds first on Jesus and then everything else - including joy, peace, and contentment - follows.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Nothing can keep God away from His people

The harder you try to be humble, the less humble you become. Why? You cannot achieve humility by trying. Trying to be humble puts your focus on yourself rather than others. It makes the self the center and depends on self-effort.

Truly humble people are those who never think about it. Their minds are elsewhere. Paul encourages Christians to set their minds first on Jesus and then everything else - including humility - follows.

God’s statement that His thoughts and ways are not like ours both accuses and comforts us

Bethlehem Lutheran Church