We all know how hard it can be to not give in when a craving comes. When we get the 'itch' we've got to scratch it! But that's exactly what Paul warns Timothy and the Church of God against when it comes to the preaching of the Word. Don't scratch whatever it comes to mind, instead preach the Word! Preach all of it! Because that alone gives us peace as we center on Christ.

To learn more about Paradise Valley Lutheran Church, visit www.pvlutheran.org

It was the end of an era for Israel. Moses would no longer be their leaders - so this faithful shepherd of God's flock prays that God would give the people another. Leaders are some of the greatest gifts that God gives his Church. But with that gift comes the need for humility from both leaders and those who are led. Praise God for giving us the ultimate humble leader in Christ!

To learn more about Paradise Valley Lutheran Church, visit www.pvlutheran.org

The religious leaders couldn't believe Jesus was spending his time such people as tax collectors and sinners. Didn't he know who they were and what they'd done? It's easy for us to have that same kind of attitude - that Jesus is only for those who have their act together. But as Jesus explains, he's come for those whose hearts are sick with sin, no matter what the outward symptoms look like - including us.

To learn more about Paradise Valley Lutheran Church, visit www.pvlutheran.org

Matthew 28:16-20

On a mountain in Galilee, Jesus set the mission for his Church: Go and make disciples. They were to do that in two ways - baptizing and teaching. They go hand-in-hand. You can't have one without the other. The mission is both. And that's true as an institutional Church and as individual members of the Church. Each of us called to take the Gospel and share it, and we're do it with thouse already in the Church and those who aren't yet.

To learn more about Paradise Valley Lutheran Church, visit www.pvlutheran.org

On the first Pentecost after Jesus' resurreciton, 3000 people became part of God's Church. We'd love it if the same thing happened here! But how does the Church grow? Paul gives the answer in 1 Corinthians 12 - and it's not because of you me. The building of the Church is the Spirit's work, and his alone.

To learn more about Paradise Valley Lutheran Church, visit www.pvlutheran.org