Pastor's Blog

January 2025

1/15/2025 9:05:54 PM

Receive His Blessings

“This is my body given for you. . . . This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:19-20). Don’t let your eye miss what only your faith can see in the Lord’s Supper: Jesus is giving you a blessing! Martin Luther reminds us that the Lord’s Supper is a work of God, not us.
No greater shame and disgrace can be heaped on the most venerable Sacrament than merely to consider it a good work; for a good work is something I can do to another, and it must be an act I perform. But the Sacrament is not my work but God’s work, with which I merely let myself be served and from which I receive a blessing. (What Luther Says, p. 808)

Receive the Lord’s Supper in true faith that God keeps his promises. Because we take the Lord’s Supper regularly, it can become routine. Or because we may not feel anything miraculous, it can seem ordinary. But because God is at work in the Lord’s Supper, nothing could be further from the truth. We get a foretaste of heaven. We commune with the true God. As God works in the Sacrament, let your heart be thrilled to receive his blessings!

 

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling



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1/8/2025 3:02:41 PM

Despising Correction

If you’re like every other human being, you don’t like to be told that you are wrong. Our sinful nature despises the thought of being corrected. But for us who know Jesus Christ, we are eager to do what is right. We are willing to be told that we are wrong because we do not want to continue down a path of sin. In Psalm 141:5 (NIV) we read: "Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it."

The Psalmist was willing to accept correction because he knew it would benefit him. Your sinful nature will never like being corrected, but we are not controlled by the sinful nature anymore. We belong to Christ Jesus. As a child of God who is eager to do good, accept correction in a spirit of gratitude. You are being led back to the right path. That is something that a Christian will never refuse.

 

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling



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1/1/2025 8:13:10 PM

Number Our Days

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

As we begin a new year, it is good to recall Moses’ words (Moses wrote Psalm 90). We need to “number our days aright.” First, let’s remember that the number of days we will spend on earth is infinity fewer than the eternal days in heaven. The Children of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt was a journey to the Promised Land. The harsh desert in which they lived for forty years was not the destination; the “land flowing with milk and honey” was. Heaven is our real home, prepared for us by Jesus Christ!

But let’s also remember that the days we have in this life are gifts from God to be used in service to him. Don’t waste your days here letting sin be your master. Jesus has freed you from sin so that you can enjoy loving and serving like he did. Sure, you’re busy — everyone is — but don’t let busyness keep you from people who really matter. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time to do everything, so number your days aright and chose what is best and most important. Someone once said, “The enemy of the best is the good.” Focus on what the best opportunities God gives you to serve him! Use the time God has given you in ways that please him. You will not be disappointed.

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling



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All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. ~ 2 TIMOTHY 3:16