Our Bible Lessons each have something to do with patience. 

The Prophet Malachi – the last OT Prophet – reveals that even God’s patience has limits.  Judgment is Coming. When persecuted we should pray for patience and thank the LORD that we are counted worthy to suffer for Him. God’s patience ran out for those who rejected the Savior when He came…the evidence is in the fact that not one stone remains upon another.

New…we human beings are enthralled with new, especially the newest and the greatest things. If you don’t think so, just wait until the next new I-Phone comes out and people lose their minds. 

Our Gracious Creator God has promised new too. New Relationship, New Heavens — He promises us a new heaven and a new earth, a new relationship with God by faith, and a new life without sin and death. Glimpse of New — In the Revelation, the Apostle John was given a glimpse of New in Christ. Nothing Old in New — Jesus tells us what that New Life will be like…and what it won’t be like.

When it comes to real love and mercy…we don’t even compare to the LORD God.  It’s truly evident in our Scripture Lessons.

In the OT Lesson — The LORD God distinguishes Himself from every example by forgiving sin and showing Himself a God of Love.

In the EP Lesson — The Love of God surpasses every example of human love.  God sent His priceless treasure to die for enemies…so great was His Love.

The LORD came to seek the lost.  Even those hated and cast off by society as unlovable and not worth saving.

The Roman Church of Martin Luther’s day – and our own – teaches that men can make satisfaction for (make up for) sins by their actions and by obedience to certain church made rules and activities.  This is not what God’s Word declares. 

• The Israelites broke God’s Law.  God sent His Son – not to establish new rules to live by – but to save sinners from sin. 

• Christ has fulfilled God’s Law.  We sinners are warned not to return to what can only condemn us.

• Jesus set us free from sin and from death.  We rely upon Him alone for Heaven.

Are we sometimes too quick to give up on things?  Do we easily despair?  We surely have examples in our Bible readings today that emphasize persistence.

Jacob was persistent in wrestling with God, seeking blessing from Him. We should be persistent in seeking  blessing from God too.

The Apostle John urges us to be persist in praying to our Heavenly Father.

Even the Lord Jesus Himself calls upon us to be persistent in prayer.  It’s rather plain that we should not be so quick to give up, but continue to ask our God, who can change things.

In about a month and a half (gasp) we will, as a nation, celebrate Thanksgiving Day. As Christians we don’t only give thanks to God one day a year, but every day. It is proper to give thanks to God…like Noah, after spending nearly a year on the ark. It is proper to give thanks for the power of God’s Word which enables us (through the Holy Spirit) to live for Him. It is proper to give thanks that God has cleansed us of sin…as he once cleansed a leper of his disease.

Pastor Paul Agenten will be joining us from the Upper Peninsula to encourage us from God’s Word on Sunday September 21st at 2pm.