God Protects throughout Our Lives
O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. – Psalm 71:17,18 In this psalm, the writ ..
God Sows the Seed
Olli Rantala, of Siilinjärvi, Finland, and I felt great joy after our Togo and Ghana mission trip in early October, 2019. Our dear heavenly Father had prepared hearts there to receive the precious water of life unto undying souls. We pray that the seed that is sown takes root and thrives ti ..
Repentance and Justification
Installment 11 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) In all cultures, people have always sought God, for God has placed the longing for eternity in people’s hearts. The ..
Angels Among Us
Angels are God’s messengers. There are many examples in the Bible of angels bringing messages to people, such as God’s promise to Abraham, to the virgin Mary, and to the shepherds caring for their flock by night. More than two thousand years ago, the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary, a yo ..
Prepare the Way for the King
Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent t ..
Mary Knew
In my living room, the Christmas tree spreads its familiar light. The tree lights are faint, like a distant inkling of those that already shine in that land of eternal joy. Their light brings to mind that light that shone from the manger. In my living room, a star-shaped lamp shines in the w ..
SFC Summer Services Youth Presentation: Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please Him
You who are sitting and listening here in the sanctuary or out in the yard. Or perhaps you are sitting at a computer in some other place listening to this. Have you pondered the meaning of life and what faith will mean the moment you close your eyes for the last time? Faith Is an As ..
By Faith Alone
Installment 10 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) During the Reformation, Lutheran beliefs came to be categorized as material and formal principles. The formal princ ..
Season of Special Music
First Advent Sunday is only a few weeks away, so we can start thinking of music on that theme to listen to and sing in our homes. In our hymnal, the first eleven songs are Advent songs. Two of them are special to me. The first of these is, fittingly, song number 1: Hosanna, Son of David. Th ..
God’s Grace in Christ
Installment 9 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) Grace distinguishes Christian faith from other religions. We cannot speak of a saving faith without speaking o ..
