“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:37-39 ESV...

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.- 1 John 4:8-10 ESV...

“[John the Baptist] said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “you brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘we have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. —Luke 3:7-9 ESV...

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation of our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. - 1 John 2:1-2 ESV...

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 ESV This Thanksgiving, I give thanks to God for the readers of this column: you. ...

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. ...

“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations… And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” - Mark 13:9-10, 13 ESV...

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.” - Psalm 146:3-4 Hmph. That’s strange. The sun rose Wednesday morning post-election. I for sure thought that everything would be do-or-die come Tuesday night. Guess not. What a reminder: Jesus is still Lord of His creation. No matter who is in office or voted into office, Jesus still reigns...

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus….” - Romans 3:21-24...

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ...

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ...

“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” — James 5:19-20 I am a fan of Broadway musicals. ...

“These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. - Psalm 104:27-28 ESV Our bible passage gives us a fantastic picture of the life of receptivity. ...

“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” — James 3:5-6 ESV...

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the road, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” - Deuteronomy 6:4-7...

“Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, ‘whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’” - Proverbs 9:1-4...

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” - Ephesians 5:15-18...

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” - Hebrews 11:1

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish… The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!” - Psalm 146:3-4, 10...

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.” - Ephesians 1:7-10...

“An [Jesus] called the 12 and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in their belts - but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics… so they went out and proclaimed that the people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them” - Mark 6:7-9, 12-13...

“[Jesus says:] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” - Matthew 6:33-34...

“[Jesus says:] If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. ” - Mark 3:24-26...

“Observe the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. …” - Deuteronomy 5:12-14a That was quite the storm! In the early hours of Sunday, May 26 those winds came through and made a mess of things in Sikeston and the surrounding area. ...

This Sunday, my parish - Concordia, Sikeston - is recognizing and celebrating the Holy Trinity. This First Sunday after Pentecost closes out the first half of the church year that begins annually with Advent right after Thanksgiving. The first half of the church year focuses on Christ’s first coming, birth, life and ministry, death, resurrection, ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. ...

“And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” - Luke 24:50-53...

“Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.” - Genesis 45:1-3 ESV...

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the Vinedresser… I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:1, 5-6 ESV Recently, my wife got us involved with a money management tool. ...

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” - John 10:11, 14-15 ESV...

“Then [Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” - Luke 24:44-47 ESV. ...

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more.” - Psalm 16:11 ESV Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! Easter blessings be yours this April. The (western) church once more observed the Lord Jesus’ resurrection on March 31. The alleluias put away for Lent came back in full at the sight of an empty tomb. God be praised for Christ’s resurrection...

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” Psalm 22:1 On Friday March 29, Psalm 22 was read by many congregations during their Good Friday services. Psalm 22 gives us a glimpse into the human experience of suffering, despair, and yet trust in God’s faithfulness. ...

“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD, even the King of Israel!’” John 12:12-13...

“7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the eople. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who’s bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” Numbers 21:7-9 ESV...

“And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:1-2 In the Ancient Near East, God laid out “rules of the house.” Like parents today who lay out boundaries and guidelines for house rules, God did similar with Israel...

“... but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been givenv to us.” Romans 5:3-5 ESV...

“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And [Jesus] was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” Mark 1:12-13 ESV The Gospel reading for the first Sunday in Lent (Feb. ...

“And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.” Mark 9:7-8 ESV For many churches across Christendom, this coming Sunday, Feb. ...

“...and they found Him and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for this is why I came out.” And He went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” Mark 1:37-39 ESV...

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue to sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” - Romans 6:1-4, ESV...

“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him” Mark 1:16-18 (ESV)...

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased!” (Mark 1:11 ESV). What wonderful words of encouragement! These words are of the Father speaking to His Son, Jesus, in the Jordan River at Jesus’ baptism. To “dot the I’s and cross the T’s” of God’s Law, Christ went into those muddy waters to be baptized. ...

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you!” (Isaiah 60:1, ESV) Talk about a wake-up call from Isaiah! Have you ever experienced such an abrupt jolt? The kind of awakening that leaves you stirred, fully aware of your surroundings?...