St. John's Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI

"Jesus’ Invitation to Find Community in Him," Luke 5:17-26 In the world, there are "insiders" and there are "outsiders."  While in the Church we discourage thinking in terms of "insiders" and "outsiders," we do well to think about those people who consider themselves "outsiders."  We also do well to repent for every time that we have made others feel like "outsiders."  Frequently, the process of moving from an "outsider" to an "insider" in the Church includes others praying for us, inviting us, and welcoming us into the "household of faith" (as Paul calls the Church in Gal. 6:10).  Does it break your heart that people consider themselves "outsiders" before God?  It breaks His heart.

"Created for Community," John 17:20-26 The church is not a place to which we go, but a body that we are gathered into.  Too often, people's "mouths have runneth over" and feelings have been hurt.  The result is that the strengthening community to which God has brought us into through our baptisms has been fractured.  As he prepared for his death, Jesus prayed that his followers might all be one as he and the Father are one.  Through the power of Jesus' death, we have been reconciled to the Father and that same power can reconcile us to one another.  We need one another more than we realize - it is a God-given need for community.

Isaiah 6:1-7, "A People of Unclean Lips" A sinful man standing in the presence of the Holy God, Isaiah prepares to be struck down.  Instead, God in His mercy cleanses him and declares him clean.  Through the washing of rebirth in Holy Baptism, our Father has cleansed us and daily washes away the sins of those who are repentant for the sake of Jesus in Whom the Spirit has caused us to trust.

Genesis 11:1–9, "The Towers We Build" The people at Babel saw their own accomplishments as the greatest good in this life and so they started to build a worthless tower in order to "make a name for themselves."  Frequently, in our own lives we look to our accomplishments, wealth, and possessions for a sense of meaning and value.  For those who find their value, meaning, and security in what God has done for them in Christ - they need never worry that these things may be taken from them.  In Christ, an eternal name has been made for them - "redeemed."

The Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus told the disciples they would receive to counsel and encourage them in the dark days ahead has been received by the baptized.  Although we can very often feel alone in a dark and depressing world, the Holy Spirit continues daily to forgive our sins, enlighten us with His gifts, and keep us in the one true faith.

This is joining of Pray at the Close of the Day, and our other online programs.

James 1:22–27, "Forgetting What We Look Like" Through the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ your sins have been paid for - all of them.  The Word of God which announces that we have been saved by this most precious gift not only saves us by giving us faith in Jesus but also changes our hearts and transforms our lives.  The devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh would gladly lure us back into our previous lives of death, but God through His Word continues to tell us who we are and Whose we are.

Special thank today to Pastor Rick Sears of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Janesville for this mornings message.

Isaiah 40:25–31, "God pays attention to us." Many of our founding fathers believed in a god who was like a watchmaker who created a world, wound it up, and went away.  This view promotes our ability to dictate the terms of our lives without interference from God, but in the end, it leaves us in despair as we face a cold and indifferent world - seemingly alone.

The weekly online prayer service.

Ezekiel 34:11–16, "God is seeking His sheep who have been scattered." Do you ever feel like you have lost touch with God?  Do you ever feel like you have lost touch with God's Church?  Our God is a god Who seeks out His people - wherever they are - that He might restore and care for them.

So You May Believe (John 20:19-31) It is commonly asserted that we are living in the Post-Truth Era - when facts are considered less important and objective truth is denied.  Plain facts being overpowered by impassioned rhetoric is hardly anything new, however, what does appear to be new is the popular acknowledgement that people are free to choose what they will believe despite all evidence to the contrary.  Although it is the Holy Spirit Who causes those who believe in Jesus to do so, Christianity doesn't ask people to "will" themselves into believing anything.  Instead, the Holy Spirit causes us to believe what has been done, seen, and experienced.  

John 20:1-18, "Hope for Those Who Grieve" Most of us, unfortunately, know first-hand the pain and despair that Mary Magdalene felt as she searched hopelessly for where Jesus' body had been taken.  While we may be able to account for the bodies of the departed in our lives, nonetheless, we feel the bitter pain of separation knowing that our loved ones have been taken from us.  We marvel at the unbridled joy that Mary must have felt when she saw Jesus alive from the dead.  While we wait for the day of the resurrection of all flesh, when we shall see again alive those who have died in the Lord, may the risen Jesus Whose true body and true blood are received into your mouth in the Lord's Supper fill you with hope as that day draws closer.