Stop! Before you carve that turkey. Put that fork down! Fold your hands and bow your heads. On this day of National Thanksgiving it is easy to be thankful for the food on the plate and the family that is there to share it with you. But before you say grace and move on, hear God’s Word through Paul to Timothy:
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people… This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.”
Yes that is right, all people. Those government officials that you want to vote out of office. That schoolyard bully. Our nations’ enemies. Pray for them. This is good and pleasing to our Savior Jesus for He gave His life for them as well. Give thanks for that good and perfect gift!
These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Proper 29
The end is near! Will it be chaotic? Dark? What will bring it to an end? You say I need a Savior now. What good will this Jesus do for me?
For those who are in Christ, they need not fear all of the earthly calamity that is happening now. Jesus says, “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” His words of promise and salvation are for all who trust in Him. When you are in Him, eternity is yours.
Stay awake!
Be ever vigilant. One never knows when Jesus will return. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith. He is coming again. Don’t turn your eyes from Him. Don’t let all of the tribulation of this world divert your eyes or lose faith. Stay awake! Salvation is sure and certain in Jesus.
These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.
For those who are in Christ, they need not fear all of the earthly calamity that is happening now. Jesus says, “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” His words of promise and salvation are for all who trust in Him. When you are in Him, eternity is yours.
Stay awake!
Be ever vigilant. One never knows when Jesus will return. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith. He is coming again. Don’t turn your eyes from Him. Don’t let all of the tribulation of this world divert your eyes or lose faith. Stay awake! Salvation is sure and certain in Jesus.
These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Proper 28
Signs are everywhere. They tell us where to turn, what store we are in, and warn us when there is danger. The world is full of signs: The leaves are falling. Wars and worldly strife. Broken families. Wildfires, earthquakes, and hurricanes that tear the world apart and take life.
What do all of these signs have in common? They tell us a change is about to take place. Unfortunately the change isn’t as tame as fall turning into winter. But it is just as obvious. When we see all the pain, suffering, and death, Jesus says these are the beginning of the birth pains.
Not the birth pains of a new earthly child, but rather the glorious return of Jesus to take all who endure in faith to the end to be with himself forever where there is no more pain and, only glorious eternal life.
These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.
What do all of these signs have in common? They tell us a change is about to take place. Unfortunately the change isn’t as tame as fall turning into winter. But it is just as obvious. When we see all the pain, suffering, and death, Jesus says these are the beginning of the birth pains.
Not the birth pains of a new earthly child, but rather the glorious return of Jesus to take all who endure in faith to the end to be with himself forever where there is no more pain and, only glorious eternal life.
These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Proper 27
Jesus talks about money a lot. So much so that one day, Mark records that Jesus sat down and watched the people putting money in the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums while a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins.
Jesus then said, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
She gave all she had to live on. That makes so many of our gifts look tiny in comparison. That’s the giving God requires. And that is the giving Jesus gave. All He had to live on. No, all of His life unto death for you.
These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.
Jesus then said, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
She gave all she had to live on. That makes so many of our gifts look tiny in comparison. That’s the giving God requires. And that is the giving Jesus gave. All He had to live on. No, all of His life unto death for you.
These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.
All Saints Day
We have all seen those commercials that advertise the latest cleaning products. “Get’s out dried in stains, wine, and even blood.” Blood is something to be cleaned out, not cleaned with. But John writes in Revelation 7:
“They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.”
The blood of the Lamb, Jesus, is the greatest detergent of all. It cleanses every filthy stain of sin from our life. Jesus delivers that cleansing blood to us through water and word, bread and wine.
For this we rejoice for those whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Jesus; who’s trust was in the true Christian faith and now rest from their labors in death.
But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia!!
These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.
“They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.”
The blood of the Lamb, Jesus, is the greatest detergent of all. It cleanses every filthy stain of sin from our life. Jesus delivers that cleansing blood to us through water and word, bread and wine.
For this we rejoice for those whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Jesus; who’s trust was in the true Christian faith and now rest from their labors in death.
But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia!!
These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.
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