Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:46) We live in a world where skepticism about religion is higher than it has been at any time in American history. This same phenomenon is even truer in Europe. People ...

And I (John) myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34) Q: What do you get when you cross a Lutheran with a Jehovah’s Witness? A: Someone who likes to knock on doors but doesn’t know what to say if someone answers. There ...

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) We are close to Christmas and this verse reminds us of what is happening in the Christmas event. It is ...

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;     it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,     and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) We often fail to remember that God is persistent. That doesn’t mean ...

 “Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.” (Ezekiel 34:5) The story of Ezekiel and the Valley of the dry bones is one of the most vivid stories in scripture. People picture a vast wasteland covered in bones and looking like ...

The advisors said, “O King, there are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These pay no heed to you, O king. They do not serve your gods and they do not worship the golden statue that you have ...

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.  (Jeremiah 29:7) We often hear politicians say things to us about how we are doing and that should help us decide ...

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) The above verse from Isaiah is often thought of as a Christmas verse. The images can’t help ...

Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:23-24) As a pastor, I believe that every faithful Christian should try to be in worship every ...

(Elijah) went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” (1 Kings 19:4) Elijah is one of the great ...

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew in me a clean and right spirit.” Psalm 51:10 The Psalms express all sorts of feelings. Luther once said that if he could have only one book of the Bible on a deserted island that he wood choose the Psalms. ...

Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me.  (1 Samuel 3:17) Eli was the wise old sage who was entrusted with raising Samuel, a young boy who would grow to be an important leader in Israel’s history. Samuel had experienced voices at night. Eli ...