"Farther along we'll know all about it,

Farther along we'll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We'll understand it all by and by."

Office Hymn: "God Bless Our Native Land"

Small Catechism: Fourth Commandment

Large Catechism: I 150-157

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Commentary: Theodoret of Cyr, Interpretation of Romans

Daily reading of the Qur'an for Ramadan

http://www.wrestlingwiththeology.org/wiki/index.php?title=Ramadan_5_Reading

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

Luther wrote the words to one of his greatest hymns thinking of the many psalms that talk about God being the fortress for believers. In the second verse, he writes, "With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected; but for us fights the valiant One, whom God Himself elected" (LSB #656.2).

God being a fortress is a great comfort for Christians. Being a Christian is like living inside an ancient, impenetrable fortress. The feeling that no one can come in and take you away. That's Christianity. We are in the great fortress of the valiant One who has promised, "I give them eternal life ... and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28). What greater security could anyone ever had?

This security is yours because not only does Jesus keep you safe in His hands He fights for you against your enemy--the devil. No attack works against the defense made by Jesus. That is a guarantee that was brought to you when He saved you at your Baptism. It's the guarantee that stays with you as long as you live in Him. Amen.  

"Farther along we'll know all about it,

Farther along we'll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We'll understand it all by and by."

Office Hymn: "Oh, Blest the House"

Small Catechism: Fourth Commandment

Large Catechism: I 105-111

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Commentary: Ambrosiaster, Ephesians 6.5.1

Daily reading of the Qur'an for Ramadan

http://www.wrestlingwiththeology.org/wiki/index.php?title=Ramadan_4_Reading

Common Ground - Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART I, SECTION TWO, CHAPTER TWO, ARTICLES 2-3 (paragraphs 422-511)

And the four living creatures ... never cease to say,

St. John's Revelation brings us a picture of the throne room of Heaven. Surrounding God's throne, four living creatures worship God, singing as we do, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, all Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea" (LSB #507.4).

That's the point of creation. "The heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1). The Psalms are filled with encouragement for all God's works to praise Him. Because that is what Heaven is--one eternal worship service, praising God for everything He has done.

Of course, the biggest thing that God has done is give us salvation. We sing "Holy, Holy, Holy" because He has made us holy by giving us the perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus and everything that He has accomplished for us. You have been declared holy by God because Jesus died for you. Think about that as you praise God for how holy He is. Amen.  

"Farther along we'll know all about it,

Farther along we'll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We'll understand it all by and by."

Office Hymn: "Christ Sits at God's Right Hand"

Small Catechism: Third Commandment

Large Catechism: I 79-86

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Commentary: John Chrysostom, Hebrews 19.4-5

Daily reading of the Qur'an for Ramadan

http://www.wrestlingwiththeology.org/wiki/index.php?title=Ramadan_3_Reading

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into Heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into Heaven."

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The words of the angels on top of the Mount of Olives ring true still today. They are words of hope. The disciples had just asked, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (v6). They wanted a bit of comfort so that they could be sure that they had not just wasted the last three-plus years of their lives following Jesus.

What a silly thing to say, we tend to think today. Many say, "If I were living back with the disciples, I would definitely believe Jesus." Don't be so sure. We have twenty centuries of history and tradition forming the basis of our faith. The disciples lived in the moment. Ask anyone who grew up during the Depression or World War II. Many during that time thought that things would turn around very quickly. But they lagged on for years. Living in the moment doesn't provide much hope. In fact, it generally tends to confuse us when things don't add up.

That's why the angels were sent with their message--to give the disciples hope. They wanted to see Jesus' kingdom come. They were told they would have to wait, but that He would return. In fact, He would return in the same way He left--on a cloud. Throughout the centuries, Christians have believed--and rightly so--that they were living in the last times. That they were living during the time that Revelation spoke about. How true that is. We are certainly living in the last times today, but so were the disciples who descended the Mount of Olives after Jesus was taken into Heaven. The last times have lasted for two thousand years and will continue until the Last Day. And through all these days, we still have the same promise and hope: Jesus is coming back! Amen.