Asides

January 3
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Uncategorized Aside

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1, KJV)

How’s this for a New Year’s resolution: Enthusiasm for worship with others?

A lot of things conspire to dampen our enthusiasm for worship with others: The sermon doesn’t engage us; the hymns seem random; and — truth be told — the other folks at worship don’t seem to keen to be there, either.

No matter. Perhaps a clue to David’s enthusiasm for approaching the place of corporate worship is found in the preceding psalm (Psalm 121:2): “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

For all of God’s gifts to us, gratitude and praise is the only appropriate response. In the words of an old song of the church, “count your many blessings; count them one by one.  Count your many blessings, see what God has done!”

Resolve to fill every day of 2015 with gratitude and praise, and look forward to worship with others!  Happy New Year!  – Luther

NY

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January 2
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Uncategorized Aside

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18, NIV)

I was reminded of the importance of keys when I had asked a neighbor to enter our house while we were away. He couldn’t get in, though, because I had neglected to give him the keys.  Because he didn’t have the house keys, he was unable to help.

The book of Revelation reminds us that because of the Living One, the grave has been robbed of its victory; the death has been deprived of its sting.

As disciples of the Living One, we need not fear death or punishment for our transgressions because He holds the keys.  Therefore, death cannot keep any of us down; nor can Hell keep any of us in.  – Luther  

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December 31
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Uncategorized Aside

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25, NIV)

Jude’s benediction — his letter’s final words — are a fitting close to this year.

There are things we’ve done this year that we wish we hadn’t done; there are opportunities we’ve left unexplored, but we need not despair: It is Jesus alone Who is able to present us to the ultimate Judge “without fault and with great joy.”

None of us knows what the New Year holds, but we need not despair: He is able to keep us from stumbling, both now and forevermore! – Luther

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