Jesus prays for you? That’s incredible!
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Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are 1 Peter 3:13-16, where the Bible says,
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
There’s nothing more wonderful than meeting a person who is filled with hope, is there? That’s especially true when their hope isn’t merely “wishful thinking.” Real hope comes from a place that is more solid than our best efforts, political desires, or cumulative technological savvy. Such hope is way more certain and enduring than that. Real hope is all encompassing and it’s all inclusive. That’s the kind of hope that Peter is talking about today in the reading. He wants to make sure that you know you can have it because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for you, and for all. He then wants you to get ready to give that hope to others when the opportunity presents itself in the relationships that you have in this world.
So, are you ready to meet that opportunity when it comes? What would it take to do that? Ironically, what it takes most of all is being immersed in the faith relationship that you have in Jesus Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Let His Word dwell in you richly, as Colossians 3:16 says. Remember daily that you have been baptized into His Name, that you are His son or daughter. And in worship remember that you are invited to His Supper where He gives you His body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins, comforting you with His real presence so that you can face whatever comes your way in this world. Being immersed in His gifts will then start to “spill-over” from our lives into the lives of others. It just does.
I watched a new favorite movie this Easter season. It’s called “Risen.” (I love to watch “King of Kings,” “The Robe,” and “The Passion of Christ” every year too.) I highly recommend “Risen.” Throughout the movie, one can see the “spill-over” that comes when you meet people who are filled with the hope of the risen Savior Jesus. This movie is about a fictional Roman centurion who was present at the crucifixion of Jesus. He is called upon to verify that Jesus is dead by finding His body. To do so, he starts to round up Jesus’ disciples. He meets one of them, Bartholomew, and tries to get him to tell “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” even threatening him with death. Bartholomew’s reaction is precious. He smiles. He has such joy and hope in the resurrection of Jesus that even the threats of the centurion can’t take that joyous hope away. At the point of greatest fear, Bartholomew can’t help but “spill-over” the joy that comes from being filled with the hope that comes by faith in Jesus. The movie is powerful because it not only shows the weaknesses of the disciples, people just like us, but also the overwhelming hope that comes from knowing the risen Christ by grace through faith.
So, are you ready to face whatever comes with hope? These days we will often face the skepticism, ridicule, and hopelessness of an unbelieving world. But, incredibly, we will also encounter curiosity and, yes, the faith and trust in Christ that comes by the power of the Spirit-filled words of the Gospel that we speak to others in His name. It’s important to get ready for it all -- for the questions, the challenges, and also for the joyous responses of faith. We live in a pessimistic, yet arrogant world today. What is really needed is humble people with incredible, Christ-filled and Christ-engendered hope. Then, whatever comes, we’ll be ready because, in Him, we already are!
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, this world is a tough place. Sin abounds. But Your grace super-abounds (Romans 5:20). Keep my heart and mind focused on the eternal hope that I have in You. Then also give me wisdom to live hopefully in this world so that others might hear about and receive the joy that comes from living in You. AMEN.
One of my junior catechumens asked that last week. Politics, and political advertising, are wall-to-wall and around-the-clock here in Iowa these days. By “these days,” I mean most of the 10 years since I was called to Iowa. . . . The answer to that question is never short. Instead, I point our members to two basic Scriptures about the relationship of the Christian to government and politics
It’s always a challenge for me to fully understand what Jesus means in Matthew 5:13-14 when He says that believers are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” I don’t think we realize how inept, yet vital, we are to being conduits of God’s preserving and saving message for the world. In a world of constant refrigeration because of electricity and easy illumination where the lights come on and remain on with just the flip of a switch, being called “salt” and “light” can seem rather mundane. But being described with those terms wasn’t mundane then or now.
Last month, former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt. We thank God for his protection, and like many other voices this week, we abhor such political violence, boldly praying to God that virtue and civility might return to our public life together. As Christians, we are called into the middle of the chaos of the world in which we live with the power and wisdom of God’s preserving voice of the Law and His saving voice of the Gospel.
Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).
Join Dr. Seltz and Dr. Victor Davis Hanson as they expose the secular Left’s false promises and explore what it means to be 2 Kingdom citizens in today’s divided world—listen now for powerful insights and a path forward!
Have you heard about the class action lawsuit aimed at a company called Second Chance Body Armor? Second Chance manufactures bulletproof vests for police officers and security personnel. Their products are used by hundreds of police departments throughout the country.
Apparently, several policemen have been killed while they were wearing the vest. Following some independent field tests on several of their vests, a flaw was discovered in some of them compromising their ability to do what they were intended to do, to stop a bullet that was fired at those whom the vest was designed to protect.
One of my junior catechumens asked that last week. Politics, and political advertising, are wall-to-wall and around-the-clock here in Iowa these days. By “these days,” I mean most of the 10 years since I was called to Iowa. . . . The answer to that question is never short. Instead, I point our members to two basic Scriptures about the relationship of the Christian to government and politics
Discover the legal, cultural, and faith-based perspectives on educational choice and parental rights in the latest episode of The Liberty Action Alert—listen now!
When we take God’s Word and try to “domesticate” it, as if it were something we could add to, alter, improve, or manipulate in our futile efforts to fulfill it, we do as the Pharisees did, only to be unmasked and exposed by Jesus. Such confusion creates a false religion based on human rules and works. Jesus says clearly, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” Replacing God’s Word with human observances is empty at best and, at worst, destructive to the eternal life and salvation God desires us all to have as His free gift
How can an informed Lutheran talk about violations of conscience? How do we speak about our religious liberties? What if our neighbor asks us to explain freedom of religion? Here are some questions you might hear and ways to respond.
The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.
The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.
Discover how “secular blasphemy trials” are challenging freedom and faith abroad and at home—don’t miss this eye-opening episode!
I tried to come to grips with the depth of the questions and the issues that are at hand in our text for today. Think about it. There is Jesus in the flesh, the Savior of the world, teaching a group of followers and disciples. Just when Jesus starts to lay things on the line, calling people not just to some generic faith, but faith IN HIM, many who had followed began to leave. This prompts His question to His disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Wow! That’s almost too hard to imagine.
I remember well holding my youngest daughter in my arms the day after she was born. But I do not remember thinking, “This is not bone of my bones or flesh of my flesh.” My only thought was that the Lord had given me this girl and that I was her father.
Discover why Bible-believing Christians must reclaim their voice in the public square in this week’s powerful episode of The Liberty Action Alert with Cheryl Chumley.
As we think about our text today, we need to be reminded again of the situation that we are in. We are seeking to live the life that we’ve been given by God. But it’s a strenuous one, full of challenges, opportunities, and even dangers. No matter our perceived expertise, there is one thing that finally matters for the climb.
“What is marriage?” It seems like a silly question. But its one our society is vigorously fighting about. For thousands of years, and for all of recorded history prior to the year 2000, societies around the world recognized that marriage was an exclusive relationship of faithful permanence between one man and one woman, who vowed to remain together until death parts them.
Dive into the debate on political unity with David Harsanyi and explore its implications for Christians on this week's Liberty Action Alert.
What do you seek for your life so that it might be what God intends it to be, an eternal one, full of love and grace? Do you seek something that’s merely “shiny?” Do you seek things like the “bread and miracles” that even the religious people of Jesus day yearned to see? Or do you seek what God offers, a reconciled relationship with the one who created you and redeemed you in the person and work of Jesus Christ?
Former President Donald Trump has survived an assassination attempt. We thank God for his protection, and like many other voices this week, we abhor such political violence, boldly praying to God that virtue and civility might return to our public life together. As Christians, we are called into the middle of the chaos of the world in which we live with the power and wisdom of God’s preserving voice of the Law and His saving voice of the Gospel.
Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).
Join Congressman Robert Aderholt and Senator James Lankford as we discuss the Supreme Court's decisions on life issues and their impact on our society.
This world is a frightening place. So much so that even the most seasoned among us can become unhinged at the challenges before us. Just ask a veteran who has been in combat. Just ask a policeman who must patrol the cities at night. Just ask a person struggling with illness, disease, or the loss of a loved one who meant everything to them. Those are comparable to the fear the disciples of Jesus felt one dark evening on the Sea of Galilee.
There are times when the church’s teaching on an issue sparks discussion and controversy because there is some debate over the precise meaning of critical words or ideas in the teaching. Other times, a doctrine of the church generates keen discussion and disagreement because the teaching is exceedingly plain and clear but difficult to practice. The church’s teaching about divorce falls into the latter category.
The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.
The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.
Discover the challenges and opportunities of promoting the message of life in today's America with Dr. Seltz and Montana Senator Steve Daines on The Liberty Action Alert.
Perhaps someone you know or someone in your child’s school has come out recently as transgender. School districts, government leaders, doctors, counselors and ubiquitous popular media are teaching us all, including many in the church, false and unhealthy ideas about what it means to be human.
Discover why Timothy S. Goeglein believes more parochial and private schools lead to a better society—listen now!