Christians live by faith, recognizing the battle between truth and error. 

Jesus warns us that Satan plants weeds (false teachers) wherever the Spirit grows wheat (believers). Christians need to understand this truth lest they are misled by the power and success of false teachers. There is a promise in this Gospel: False teachers will be judged by God and believers will live safely forever in heaven.

Prayer:

O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of your final judgement, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwellwith you in perfect joy hereafter; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

Praise be to the Spirit that we have Paul’s inspired letter to the Colossians!  In it, Paul spotlights Christ as the world’s only and all sufficient Savior from sin!  His message is clear.  His love is unquestioned.  His work is sufficient.  His gift is unmatched!   He is all and is in all!  Christ is the best!!  He’s the only one that can give us heavenly hope.  He’s the only one that bring peace, joy, unity, forgiveness and love!    Read Colossians often and thank God even more that Jesus is your Savior from death and hell!  He loves you and heaven is yours in his redeeming blood!!   

Christians live by faith, thriving on the power of the Word.

Through the power of his Word Jesus creates faith in the hearts of people and through this Word leads people to offer lives of love to God and one another. We pray that the devil never keeps this Word from growing in us.

Prayer:

Blessed Lord, since you have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Pastors Huebner and Hackmann go backwards a week and cover a book that you’ve read previously (twice previously if you’re doing the extra readings).  The letter drips with Joy, contentment, and celebration of unity.  The memorable passages are on every page of this 4 chapter heartfelt and joy filled letter!  “Rejoice in the Lord always!  I’ll say it again, rejoice!”

Christians live by faith, finding rest in Jesus.

A loving God provided rest for physical weariness by creating his creatures with the ability to sleep. But there has always been more to the concept of rest in the Bible than a break from work and labor. God also provides rest for our souls. He gives us relief from sin and a reprieve from the threat of punishment by leading us to trust in his Son. We find our rest in Jesus. 

Prayer:

Gracious God, our heavenly Father, your mercy attends us all our days. Be our strength and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at life's end grant us your promised rest and the full joys of your salvation; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The message of Paul to the Galatians is a precious treasure!  Cling to Jesus and don’t let anything get in the way!  He’s the only Savior and worshipping him and him alone is the only way!   Don’t add works to the salvation equation, because to do so robs Christ of his glory!  Paul masterfully and wonderfully holds up Jesus as the hope and salvation for the Galatians and for you!!  

Christians live by faith, loving God above all things.

Today, Jesus reminds us that Christians often must make difficult choices, but learn to love God above all things. For no matter what we leave behind because of our love for God, in him there is only gain.

Prayer:

God of all power and might, you are the giver of all that is good. Help us love you with all our heart, strengthen us in true faith, provide us with all we need, and keep us safe in your care; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Paul had a close relationship with the man to whom he writes this letter. Probably a man that Paul converted through his preaching, Titus is referred to as “my son” by Paul.  Paul writes to encourage him in his ministry and to build him up in his faith.  One of the “pastoral epistles” that Paul writes to a pastor friend, yet there is plenty for all to soak in from these encouraging words!  Tune in to review the history behind Titus and his home turf, the island of Crete, and then let the truths of God’s word found in this comforting letter be a source of hope and strength for you as well!

The ministry of the Gospel will face opposition.

When we participate in the ministry of the gospel, we can expect that many will oppose us. In today's Gospel, Jesus warns his disciples that those who hate him will also hate them. The persecution we face is subtler than what the first disciples faced or even what believers endure today around the world. But whether our persecutors are subtle or notorious, Jesus encourages his followers: Do not be afraid of them. 

Prayer:

O God, because your abiding presence always goes with us, keep us aware of your daily mercies that we may live secure and content in your eternal love; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Same Page Summer continues with a discussion on the Gospel of Matthew.   For a man that held a job (tax collector) that made him an outcast, God sure used that job and that place in life and the experiences that Matthew had (including his encounter with Jesus and call to discipleship)  to form and flavor his Gospel for the people of his day and for the Church for the rest of time!   The man with the job that everyone hated and caused him to be hated too, became the right man for the job of writing down the truths that Jesus is the King of the Jews all the same the  Savior of the Gentiles.  He’s the one that the Old Testament foretold and the one who could shine the light of God’s love through Christ onto the waiting people of Israel, onto the outcasts and sinners with whom he could relate and onto the Gentiles as well!  Jesus is the Savior of All Nations!!