Luther Gem!

Sometimes I can hardly believe that I get to study the Scriptures for my own encouragement everyday and then share with others what I have learned. What a gift from God! But, as if that were not enough, I even get paid to do this. How humbling! Being the in the Ministry is a gift from God.

I've been reading through Luther's Commentary on Genesis and find gems every time I turn a page. Here's one from today's reading on Genesis 22:16: "By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord."

Enjoy!

"Our trust will be perfect when life and death, glory and shame, adversity and good fortune will be alike to us. But we shall not attain this through speculation; it will have to be learned in trial and prayer... God does not lie when He swears and when He promises the greatest blessings, life, and deliverance from sin and hell, and when He so firmly assures every one of us: 'You, human being, shall surely live, or I Myself shall not live. Hell has been overcome and destroyed for you, or I Myself shall be destroyed and cease to be God. Indeed, in order that you may have no doubt, you have My Son given to you as a gift.'

"To believe these most glorious promises and to expect these blessings from God with firm confidence is true faith. And God wants our hearts to be aroused to this confidence not only by the examples of Abraham and others - and not only by His promises - but also because He has given His own dear Son for us, to be a gift and a pledge of heavenly blessings." Martin Luther, AE 4, page 149

Let us go to the house of the Lord!

"[In Matthew] the Lord Jesus says (11:28), "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." And again (18 [:20]), "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them." And in 28:20, "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." These three passages, which should cause the legs of all devout Christians to run quickly to the Church, were written only by Matthew." Treasury of Daily Prayer (TDP) page 743

From Today's Treasury Reading

"In the kingdom of God it is said: 'Et quacunque potes arte placere, place,' that is, 'Strive with every skill and word, to please your Savior, Christ the Lord.' " Treasury of Daily Prayer, page 743.

This statement, of course, is spoken only to those who are first righteous and pleasing to God through faith in Christ crucified, apart from any of their "skills" or "words". Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebr. 11:6). Those who are in the kingdom of God by faith in Christ, however, will then strive to please with all their "skills and words" their Savior who gave himself up for them as a fragrant and pleasing sacrifice to God (Lev. 4:31; Eph. 5:2).

"Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Timothy4:8 ESV).

Word and Prayer

"Through the Word and prayers we have done many difficult things. By means of prayers we are still preserving peace and are thwarting the efforts and plots of our adversaries. But the godly alone see these things. They have the Holy Spirit and esteem highly those truly spiritual and wonderful works: Baptism, the Eucharist, absolution, constant attendance in one's calling, and obedience to parents and superiors." Blessed Martin Luther, AE 4, p. 142