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.
I will raise him up
This promise of resurrection is absolutely central to the Christian faith. In the Nicene Creed, we even say that “the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come” are something we “look for”. It is the end goal of our faith, the primary objective, the thing that we are always directed toward.
True bread
Our physical and spiritual bread are two entirely different things and they meet entirely different (though both critical) needs. When we have both of these kinds of bread, life can be sustained. Jesus tells us where we can find both.
Tough truths and people-pleasers
What can we possibly learn from such a damaged family, a terrible king, and how he corners himself into beheading one of the greatest prophets to have ever lived? Where is the good news in any of that?
Ministry done Jesus’ way
God has graciously given us the gift of faith so that we get to work. That work is to share the good news. Proclaim the gospel. Bring people to faith. We call usually call this work “ministry”.
Peace and quiet
When we face difficult challenges in life, sometimes the best thing is to stop speaking. May we quietly wait for the Lord’s salvation to come in our suffering and, finally, when Christ returns.