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.

A Lenten devotion by Pastor Randy Hunter.

How would you complete the phrase above? Would your answer change if the phrase was, "Stop loving . . ."? God turns our hearts toward himself as the apostle John, a grandpa who is concerned for his kids and grandkids, shares a powerful message of hope and life for those who are caught up in desires and loss which consume and destroy. God has a better life for us, and he uses John to help us see what it can be. 

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 2:15-17 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

When we baptize babies at St. Andrew, we often sing "Borning Cry." The hymn tracks God's view of and love for a child from baptism through youth, middle age, and into old age. It's not only an accurate reflection of God's grace, but it reminds us how the Christian life goes, too: in stages. We all hope for growth. In this weekend's section of 1 John, the author demonstrates how the Christian life isn't stagnant. We all hope for growth. And you’ve come to the right place for it: God’s Word among God’s people.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 2:12-14 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

In a press conference 19 years ago, then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said, "There are known knowns: things we know that we know. There are known unknowns: things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns: things we don't know we don't know." The Holy Spirit wants you to know you know God. But how? Hear his inspired word in 1 John 2:3-11 and evaluate your own knowledge of God. After all, that’s knowing him is why we’re here.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 2:3-11 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Listen to a reporter catch a coach on the way back onto the field after halftime: "Coach, what's your plan for the second half?" "Well, they scored more than we did until now, but if we can catch up and then score more than them in the second half, we'll be okay." It's always some variant of, "Here's the problem, and here's the solution." That formula frames our lives from "What shall we have for lunch?" to your current ailment. And even bigger things. Let the Spirit speak to you today in his inspired Word of 1 John 1:8 – 2:2 and answer the questions, "What's the problem? What's the solution?" 

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 1:8 – 2:2 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

The greatest teachers are those who take deep, hard to understand truths and put them in simple, understandable language and examples we can understand. This is a gift God gave to the Apostle John. He uses the contrast of walking in the light and walking in the darkness, two concepts that are easy to understand, especially at this time of year. The example is easy to understand, but the truth behind it is going to challenge us and confront some truths and mistruths in our own lives.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 1:5-7 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

John's letters teach us about Jesus’ love so that we can love Jesus and one another. John reminds us what truly matters—that we know who Jesus is and what he has done for us, that we embrace Jesus’ love for us, and that we share that love with others. The word fellowship sums it all up and describes what we are about as God’s family. Every verse of these short books is packed full of truth about love, life, and God. Some of it is hard truth and some of it is easy truth, but it's all true. May the Spirit bless as he speaks to you through the letters of John.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 1:1-4, the introduction to John’s letters, this week,
Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Until this year, most of us associated 2020 with excellent vision. But no one envisioned that 2020 would unravel as it did. That's the way it is with the future. "What's next?" This year that question prompts fewer vision statements and much less certainty than it did a year ago. That's not a bad thing. Uncertain times have a way of helping us appreciate what is certain. What is certain is God's Word and promise. We’re glad you’ve gathered around them with us today.

Let God the Spirit show you your future. Because of Jesus: it’s a good thing.

To receive 250-word devotions on Daniel 7:13-14, the heavenly courtroom, this week,
Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Salvation prepared for all people
It was in the midst of a worldwide census, political and social upheavals, and the din of Temple worship that the Lord of creation quietly entered his Temple. There was no fanfare or ceremony. He entered humbly, carried by his teenage mother and unnoticed by all except one who had been waiting. We hear the words of the only one to notice the LORD of Glory entering his Temple, who announces peace and salvation for all.

To receive 250-word devotions on “The World’s Greatest ADVENTure: The Promotion” this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

We pray you enjoy the sights, food, family, and gifts of this season. They’re gifts from God. But there’s more, infinitely more, to enjoy. The Baby in the manger grew up to be, as Isaiah the prophet described him, The Suffering Servant. His suffering isn’t incongruous with Christmas. His suffering makes Christmas deeper, more meaningful, and longer lasting. May God bless you with such a celebration tonight and every day.

Crossword fans, what's an eight-letter word for something that is heavier than heaven and earth combined? How about, Immanuel? Isaiah called Jesus, “Immanuel, God with us.” Our ADVENTure continues this week. Let the Creator God of the universe impress you with what it meant for him to become a human being and what it means for you to follow him now and await his return in the future.

To receive 250-word devotions on “The World’s Greatest ADVENTure: The Prophecies” this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Where would you go if you knew it was safe and would be all you hoped for?  What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? Questions like those might churn up our brains, but, of course, they're unrealistic. We can't get rid of doubt. Or can we? Let the Lord's words to our spiritual father, Abraham, help you face the reality of your doubts with the confidence only the Lord can provide. The ADVENTuresome place for him was the promised land. Your ADVENTuresome place is right where you are.

To receive 250-word devotions on “The World’s Greatest ADVENTure: The Promised Land” this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

God met Abraham and told him to get out. Get up and go. He sent him and his family on an adventure that involved great risk but on account of which we would receive great blessing. Meeting God changes us into people of mission, willing to leave what is comfortable in order to love and serve others with what is necessary. Here's your great adventure: because God risked coming to earth through Abraham's offspring, you are called to take a risk and bless others. God calls you his child and calls you to follow him and bless others.

To receive 250-word devotions on “The World’s Greatest ADVENTure: The People of the Promise” this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Throughout history there have been some truly epic adventures written and recorded. This Advent, we are going to pause and focus on The World's Greatest ADVENTure, the arrival of God's son. The World's Greatest Adventure kicks off this weekend with God's Perfect Plan. 

To receive 250-word devotions on “The World’s Greatest ADVENTure: The Perfect Plan” this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Thanksgiving is a bit different this year all the way around, but what is not different is our thanks to God for the blessings he's given. Romans 8:28 is one of the best-known passages in the Bible and also one of the most difficult to understand, but fleas can help us. Isn't that just like God to use a common little thing to help us see the greatest things?

Me? Enemies? How so? Okay, so no one is shooting at you (most of us anyway). But in spite of the nice people and good neighbors around us, this world is still fallen—and evil. Jesus didn't come to earth to eradicate evil. For him to do that he would have had to destroy us.  Jesus came to destroy enmity—the thing that comes between God and us and between us and each other. It would cost him everything, but that's how Jesus gives rest. The rest Jesus gives changes how we respond to enemies. Today we conclude our Esther series. Queen Esther finally got relief for her people. But her people, the children of Abraham, would get relief for the world by one descendant: Jesus. We'll hear her story but worship our rest-giver Jesus. 

To receive 250-word devotions on Esther this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

What's the first question you ask when you meet someone new? “What do you do?” “Where do you live?” “What are you studying?” Or what happens when the shoe is on the other foot and someone says to you, "Tell me a little about yourself." Whatever our answer is, we consider that our identity. It's how we see ourselves and how we'd like others to see us. This week we are asking the Spirit to teach us through the inspired words of the Book of Esther. In chapter five, two people state their identity. But those who know that the point of the Bible is Jesus will expect to find a different, better, identity in him. If that's you, you won't be disappointed.

To receive 250-word devotions on Esther 5:1-14 this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

What's the first question you ask when you meet someone new? “What do you do?” “Where do you live?” “What are you studying?” Or what happens when the shoe is on the other foot and someone says to you, "Tell me a little about yourself." Whatever our answer is, we consider that our identity. It's how we see ourselves and how we'd like others to see us. This week we are asking the Spirit to teach us through the inspired words of the Book of Esther. In chapter five, two people state their identity. But those who know that the point of the Bible is Jesus will expect to find a different, better, identity in him. If that's you, you won't be disappointed.

Welcome to St. Andrew LUTHERAN Church. But why? Who decided that we should be called Lutheran? I recently overheard a conversation that went like this: "Are you Catholic?" "Oh, no, I'm Christian." The Catholic Church is a Christian denomination, as are the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Evangelical Free denominations, etc. So, why Lutheran? Obviously, it has to do with a man named Luther, but he didn't invent a church or a doctrine. In fact, while he was alive, he forbade people to call themselves Lutherans. So how'd we get here? And what does it matter? How we got here is interesting, but it matters because it's life changing. The gospel is meant to be.

About 3,000 years ago, King David had a vision for a ministry expansion, but there was a problem. He held before the people of God a solution. We have a vision for expanding our ministry, too. Our challenges may be different from his, but the solution remains the same. Together, let us seek God and celebrate his presence in this final week of our four-week Fields Are Ripe series.

You've seen the pictures, heard the phrase, and watched the videos. Now we hear Jesus explain and encourage us to open our eyes and see The Fields Are Ripe for an eternal harvest. We will see how God prepares us for the harvest through the Service and Outreach ministry taking place through St. Andrew.

Fields Are Ripe—Nurture: When we learn facts, history, or about important issues in society, we benefit. But when we receive the gospel, we are blessed. The church's purpose is to proclaim the gospel so that the Spirit can provide spiritual blessings: forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. St. Andrew has always been about growing in the Word. We've learned a thing or two about how to do that, but we're always looking for new ways to connect people with the Word. Today we worship the God who has given us his Word, and we gain a fresh appreciation for our nurture ministries.

Why do you worship? It would be fun to survey everyone who comes to St. Andrew to get the answer to that question. This weekend, we'll listen to both those who come to St. Andrew to worship . . . and those who don't. The Fields Are Ripe for St. Andrew to pursue God's vision for our worship. We'll sing about it, listen to God's Word about it, pray about it, hear from our Staff Minister for Worship about it, seek unbelievers through it, and ask God to teach us about his plan for each of us to support our worship ministry.