Fuel4Thought

Seeing Is Believing

Bible Focus Verse/Intro When he [Barnabas] arrived [at the church in Antioch], and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:23–24 (NLT) Fuel for…

The old, old Story makes us new!

Let us cling to an “old, old story” in this era fixed on what’s new. Across the world, we are increasingly like—but now rapidly exceeding—those ancient Athenians who “would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21, ESV). The information and digital outlets available to us have opened a swirling vortex of telling and hearing new things. Meanwhile,…

Why Go to Church?

COVID guidance is changing! Yeah!! At Trinity you don’t have to mask, and the changes made me think, “Why go to church?” The weekend is coming, and 30 years ago, especially for Lutherans, it meant going to church. Lent begins this week, and I can remember, as a kid, attending service every Wednesday in Lent. Now, for most of you reading my…

The Powerful Presence of Jesus

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little…

Ask the right question this Christmas!

Sometimes it’s all about asking the right question. The Gospel of Matthew records Herod’s interaction with the magi in chapter two. Verse 2 sets the stage, as these travelers ask, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Herod’s reaction shows that he was obsessed…

How Do You See God

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your…

Living in the Light of Christ

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention…

Journeying through James, 2:17-20 – Works Change Lives

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for…

Let’s Seek Him, Hosea 6:3

“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. 2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. 3 Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on…