The Lord reigns
God’s people can live with complete confidence in our Lord’s complete authority over all things, His redemptive work which we are privileged to participate in, and His return as judge and king over all the world.
Confidence in calamity
Because of Christ, we have confidence in God’s presence, we hold firmly to the hope we have because it is a sure hope, and that meeting together as God’s people is critical as we daily live out our faith.
Less is more
Our world says more is more. Our culture says more is more. Churches can say more is more. It’s pretty hard to swim against such a strong tide, yet that is exactly what Jesus calls us to today. He says: less is more.
The real GOAT
In sport, we talk about the “Greatest of All Time” or “GOAT” in terms of statistics or achievement. Jesus challenges this idea of greatness, showing us that true greatness is not about achievement or accolades, but sacrifice and service.
Wisdom from above
We are continuing on our journey through the Book of James, picking up the end of chapter 3 and the start of chapter 4. Here, James describes for us what true wisdom is, and just how different worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom are.
Small but mighty
Like a ship's rudder or a spark that starts a bushfire, the tongue has immense power to influence and to destroy, but also to bless.
Living faith
God produces faith in us by His Holy Spirit through the specific means of Word and the sacraments. That faith, just like anything that is living, needs to be sustained and kept alive. Thankfully for us, the same Spirit that produces faith also sustains it.
Real religion
Today, we begin a five-week stretch in the Book of James. His letter, written to Gentile Christians scattered all around the Middle East, addresses some things that are very relevant for us even today: religion, who God is, and who we are.
The moment of truth
The world is turning away from Jesus more and more. As people walk away from Him and from His Church, He asks us: “Do you want to leave me, too?” May the Spirit give us the same faith that Peter had: “Lord, to whom can we go?” Even though, from our perspective, the way forward is unclear and uncertain, may we stay with Him and follow where He leads, knowing that He is the true bread from heaven that gives life to the world.
Walk this way
Paul points out to us that we should walk carefully because the days are evil, that understanding the Lord’s will for us will help us to walk on the right path, and that being filled with the Spirit will influence our walk of life in Christ.