What part of your life is still "wet cement," not yet set? You've probably asked, "What is God's will for that choice I have to make?" God does speak to your question, but maybe in a surprising way. We’re glad you’re with us today to meditate upon the guidance we receive in Psalm 25 and, even better, to encounter the Guide. If you’re new to us, we’d love to serve you. Feel free to contact us via any method on the back page…or in person today.
The Psalms aren't simply to be read; we are to be immersed in them so that they profoundly shape how we relate to God and each other. Luther called the Psalms a “mini Bible” because in them we receive an overview of salvation history from creation through Jesus' return and the renewal of all things. But the Psalms are more than theological instruction. They're also a medicine chest for the heart and the best possible guide for practical living. The church father, Athanasius, wrote, “Whatever your particular need or trouble, from this same book [the Psalms] you can select a form of words to fit it, so that you . . . learn the way to remedy your ill." Psalms anticipate and train us for every possible spiritual, social, and emotional condition—they show us what the dangers are, what we should keep in mind, what our attitude should be, how to talk to God about it, and how to get from God the help we need. Sounds like a pretty good way to spend our summer…together.
Have you said, "I won't believe it until I see it?" We live in a "seeing is believing" world. So did Elisha. He prayed simply for his servant, "Open his eyes, Lord, that he may see." The Lord's answer changed everything for him. Pray with the people of God this Thursday at 7:00 PM or Sunday at 8:00 or 10:30 AM for the Lord to open our eyes to see the glory of the Lord.
There is real darkness all around, but there is also light—and that light is good, helpful, and powerful. Even though the light and the dark are usually talked about as opposing forces locked in a battle (think Star Wars, Shakespeare, or the sacred books of most religions), the Bible actually has a somewhat different narrative about what the light is, means, and does. Today we’ll explore just that.
When was the last time you received a personal note from a friend or family member you haven't heard from in a while? Typically, it is around Christmas when cards, letters, and family photos are sent and news is shared. Communication in the first century was even more sporadic, but we have a few such personal letters that have been preserved for us. This weekend we will take a look at the two shortest books in the Bible and receive insight from the apostle John on his pastoral relationship with those around him as well as with us today.
To receive 250-word devotions on 2 & 3 John this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
“If there is one thing you remember of me . . .” John is closing out his letter to his family. He could have gotten maudlin and reminisced about the glory days or memories he's had with them, but he closes out his letter pointing them to Jesus. His whole ministry among them was to point them to Jesus, and he closes this letter with things we know and with his ultimate purpose in ministry and writing.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 5:16-21 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
The apostle John reiterates and reinforces a message we know: God hears and answers our requests. The almighty God of the universe who created all things with his spoken word gives you eternal life and hears and answers your prayers, even when it seems as though he isn't listening or answering.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 5:13-15 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
Over the next few weeks, we'll conclude our study of John's epistles. Ever since January, John has taught us how to live in fellowship with God and with his people: obeying, knowing, remaining, testing, loving, testifying and overcoming. Ever-consistent, John will use the conclusion of his letter to bring us back to those familiar doctrines to teach us how to live in this fellowship. Today: the sweet reasonableness of his promises in Christ. We’re glad you’re here to enjoy them.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 5:6-13 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
Your mission is . . .How would you complete that sentence? It sounds lofty and hard to think about when you're consumed by just doing what needs to be done. But it's worth thinking about. Jesus not only gives us all we need for our daily lives to do what needs to be done, but he lifts our eyes to see something beyond, something bigger, like our mission. Last week, Jesus' good friend John began to teach us about God's love for us and our love for each other. Today, he continues with the same themes in 1 John 4:17 – 5:5 to help us answer to the question, "What's my mission?"
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 4:17-5:5 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
Love is . . . How would you finish that sentence? Or better yet, in how many different ways might you finish that sentence? Such an activity would be interesting, but even more interesting is how God himself defines love. We’re glad you’re with us today to seek a biblical definition of love, appreciate God’s love for us, and to ask his help in extending his love to others.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 4:7-16 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
Airlines now proudly announce a "temporary change" to their food and beverage service. Some consultant advised them not to say, "We've canceled our food and beverage service," or, "We're not giving you anything." Why? Because our words matter. Nowhere is that truer than in the Bible. In the section of 1 John before us this weekend, John tells Christ-followers to test the spirits. How? In the first four verses of 1 John 4 he teaches us four words to help us do that. We’re so glad you’re with the people of God seeking the Holy Spirit's gift of faith through the words of God. If we can serve you in any other way, please let us know. May God bless your worship.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 4:1-4 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
In a time of reason and relative morality, our hearts can sometimes lead us astray. Sometimes our hearts lead us into guilt and regret or the converse pride and arrogance. The one thing we can trust and believe with all our heart is the gospel. This week God reminds us through the apostle John that we are his and he is much greater than our understanding of him.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 3:19-23 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
30,000 people were crucified the year Jesus was crucified. The heart of each person crucified stopped beating. Jesus’ heart stopped too. But there’s a difference. Three days after Jesus’ heart stopped, his heart began to beat again. That’s a difference you can live with. Join us to worship him on Good Friday and on Easter Sunday. Celebrate his heart for you.
30,000 people were crucified the year Jesus was crucified. The heart of each person crucified stopped beating. Jesus’ heart stopped too. But there’s a difference. Three days after Jesus’ heart stopped, his heart began to beat again. That’s a difference you can live with. Join us to worship him on Good Friday and on Easter Sunday. Celebrate his heart for you.
A Maundy Thursday devotion by Pastor Kelly Huet.
Today we begin our Holy Week journey to the cross and empty tomb. Jesus' passion begins with his ride into Jerusalem. As Jesus makes his triumphant entry, he teaches us about his heart for worship, which is then reflected in our worship of him.
A Lenten devotion by Staff Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad
I love my home. I love the ocean. I love my spouse. People use the word love for all kinds of things; sure, they're all loves. But what distinguishes Christian love? How do you know you know Christ's love? John gets us to the answer. Enjoy your time today with brothers and sisters; together we’re becoming more convinced of Christ's love and more able to love as he did.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 3:11-18 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
This week the apostle John by God's direction starts getting into some deeply personal and introspective concepts that at the core ask, “Where do you find your identity?” You likely can offer a quick response, but John helps us see our need to confront and acknowledge where we've allowed our identity to slip, that we might fully live and abide with God.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 3:4-10 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
A Lenten devotion by Pastor Kelly Huet.
Have you ever watched a dog chase a car and wondered, “What would he do if he caught it?” You know what he’d do. Nothing. He’d just walk away and go chasing after another car. Does your life ever feel that way to you? We chase after things or the next stage of life and either they elude us or they don’t satisfy us. Let the Spirit’s words through John show you a way off the hamster wheel. We’re glad you’re here to meet God in his Word and worship today.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 2:28-3:3 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
A Lenten devotion by Pastor Steve Soukup from St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Drive carefully. We can wait.
That's a billboard outside Minneapolis for the Wilbert Company. They make burial vaults. You may call it tasteless advertising, but they're right. Certain truths are irreducible and universal. Death is one of them. What other truths would you put in the category of "core?" How about this: truth. Once again the saints of God have gathered in God's house to seek his truth, encourage one another and glorify him. Welcome to the party.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 2:18-27 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
A Lenten devotion by Pastor Jon Bilitz from Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel.
When are you dogmatic? Never! That word almost always means something negative. To be dogmatic and uncompromising about your personal opinions and beliefs makes one hard to live with. You could be wrong. But John writes to the church of his day and our day that there is a time to be dogmatic, a time when there can be no compromise. The reason is not to make you hard to live with; but because you have eternal life.
To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 2:18-27 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.