Grace Alone Online

Everyone thinks the world is ending soon because of signs here and there.  These signs have been around since the time of Christ.  People become afraid, however, when they fear the world is coming to an end.  for Christians, it is a time of rejoicing.  Why?  Simply because we have waited 2000 to be with our Lord and truly live in His kingdom.  Nothing can harm us; nothing in this life as He has been victorious over all things, including death.  "Fear not, little flock, for I give you the kingdom."

a Mighty Fortress - Psalm 46.  Luther found great comfort in the words of this Psalm.  His life was plagued by, well, the Plague, Islamic invaders on the borders of Germany, the Pope breathing down his neck, and his own personal illnesses.  1520s were not a good decade for Luther.  Yet, in the middle of all of this, surrounded by enemies on all sides, he and the German princes found great solace in the words of this Psalm so much so that he wrote "A Mighty Fortress" - the hymn of the Reformation.  Yet, in the hymn he never names the Pope, the Turks, the Plague or anything else so mundane.  Why might that be?

What's your Angle on Angels? Is your angel "acute" angel?  Kidding aside, do you believe that angels exist?  what do they do? does each Christian have one?  Are they there to serve us?  We hardly mention, study or recognize angels in Scripture.  Not that they want to be recognized, but they have had a very important mission given to them by God throughout history.  Seen or unseen, they are God's messengers to do battle or to comfort, but whatever it may be, they act only according to God's will and direction.  You have been ministered to them a number of times without knowing it....or...perhaps you have acknowledged their presence.  By the time we realize that their protective hand has been upon us, it's too late to see them or acknowledge them.  We see angels' work only in hindsight, when everything is suddenly clear that "something" happened.  Faith is 20/20 vision interpreting what has happened in hindsight.  Here I share the occasions I am certainly aware of when angels were present in my life, and I encourage you to examine those times in you life when they were most likely there for you.

Are you content with your worship?  Is contentment what praise and worship is all about?  Some people love to go to worship because the music is "lively" or "energetic".  They LOVE the music; it energizes them.  They jump, laugh, sing la-la-la and enjoy themselves.  It's an uplifting experience.  Psalm 33 is a Psalm about worship and you'd be surprised at what it has to say; that is, if you are one of those who go to church just to get a high and feel good during the week.  Contentment in worship should be about the content.  Find how the content of worship can make you content for the rest of your life!

SCHOOLED!!! A popular phrase that means "you been taught!"  God teaches too.  He teaches through his Word.  And the basics of His teaching is the aim of our Catechism.  Catechisms are instructional booklets that bring students and new Christians the basic teaching of God in Scripture.  It is a guide to Christian living.  How have you been schooled by God?  What did you affirm as your faith when you stood before your congregation?

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked...."  this Psalm opens the Psaltery with advice that we all should take note of.  Walking in the pathway of God's counsel is difficult.  Producing fruit pleasing to God demands God's counsel and not that of the world.  Psalm 1's message is basically "Don't take any wooden nickels!"  But, the key is how to recognize the difference between good counsel and evil counsel?

The alarm goes off at 7:00AM.....time to go to church. You hit the snooze bar.  It's the opening of the NFL season and your team is on at what time?  Time that you go to church....so.....you get a beer.  you'll go next Sunday.  As a child, I always went to church with my family.  for some, however, it is a chore - not a priority.  The question comes up...do you HAVE TO go to church on Sunday?  The alternative question is WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO?  What stopping me!?  Psalm 122 says, "I was glad when they said, 'Let's go to the temple of the Lord'."  There is something more than what you see going on in Sunday church worship.  Listen.....

"You've got Troubles ... I Do Too. But you've got a friend in me."  A song from Toy Story tells us that we all have troubles.  And, sometimes, a friend can help us through.  But where do you go when those troubles seem insurmountable ... and God seems so far away that it seems He does not hear you.  If you feel the weight of unanswered prays, when God seems so far, this Psalm is for you.  Asaph, the writer of Psalm 77 gives us a model to follow in the face of insurmountable anxiety.

What?  No, there is no mention of bellybutton in the Psalm but your bellybutton does have everything to do with the same problem King David was having.  Everyone has a bellybutton, and it's there for a reason.  Who you are depends on it.  Listen in.