Overwhelmed by jesus – grace is like that!
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 reading is Luke 9:32–35, where the Scripture tells of this mountain experience with Jesus:
[32] Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw [Jesus’] glory and the two men standing with him. [33] As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
[34] While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. [35] A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
It was the year A.D. 1271 when Marco Polo, a 17-year old Italian explorer, merchant, and adventurer, traveled to Asia with his father and uncle. Their 24 years of adventures there were later recorded in a book. During that time, Polo incredibly befriended the Chinese Emperor, Kublai Khan, who eventually appointed him as his ambassador to Europe. Marco was about 20 or 21 when he reached Cathay (North China), and for the next 17 years the Polos reportedly even lived in the emperor’s dominions. Polo also claimed to have been the governor of Yangzhou for three years.[1]
Polo’s claims, however, were not received well at home. They invited a storm of controversy and a barrage of criticism from those not familiar with his exploration and discovery of the new worlds. His account, details, and memories of the trip were often questioned and ridiculed. Some argued that he never went to China at all, noting that he failed, among other things, to mention the breathless sight of the Great Wall, the use of tea and chopsticks, and the ideographic script of the Far East. Additionally, contemporary Chinese records showed no trace of Polo.
As Polo neared death at his home in Venice in 1324, his incredible journeys were in question and his reputation in tatters. Friend and foe alike pleaded with him to recant and to withdraw the stories he had told about the lands of the Far East, including China, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Japan. But, even on his death bed, Polo was quoted as saying, “I have not told half of what I saw.”[2]
When you are amazed at something, nothing will prevent you from sharing what you have seen and what you have heard. Marco Polo’s experiences (which today have been confirmed most likely as first hand experiences) opened his eyes to the wonders of the world beyond his imagination. His writings inspired other explorers, including people like Christopher Columbus. The Polos loved the people that they had grown to know. They loved the people that they were privileged to serve. And that love would not let them relent in telling the truth, no matter what it did to their reputation at the time.
In our text, we see that same spirit and even much more. As wonderful as the experiences of travel to a new land might have been, they are nothing compared to being in the glorious presence of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world. In our text, Peter was willing to do whatever it would take to stay in the presence of Jesus. He and the other disciples were overwhelmed by what they saw. They didn’t have a full grasp of what was going on. But Peter knew that he didn’t want it to end. What Peter could not see was, of course, the “big picture.” He had forgotten that this “wonder” had nothing to do with his efforts for Jesus, but everything to do with Jesus’ coming work for him and for all.
I can’t even imagine what it was like that day to see the Son of God with His divine glory “peeking through” His humanity. It must have been awe inspiring! But even that was nothing compared to the coming death and glorious resurrection of the divine Jesus Christ. I believe that Peter could have said what Polo did, “I have not told half of what I saw,” and, he would add, “what I know to be true.”
As you read the Scriptures, especially the Gospels, read them with the awe of the explorer, not the cynicism of the modern-day critic. I pray that you even see a glimpse of the awesome joy that Peter and the disciples knew that day, the awesome, even overwhelming joy of being with Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, in a world of gadgets and P.R., let our eyes and hearts be fixed on Your awesome presence and work for us which is revealed to us in the Bible. By Your Word and Spirit, may we live in the joy of Your presence with us even now through faith, and then one day fully when we see You in glory by sight. AMEN.
One of the cherished notions that typically guides the lives of Americans is that politics and religion do not mix. Of course, there are some areas of overlap that Americans accept and even expect, like a prayer at a presidential inauguration or candidates ending speeches with “God bless America.” But, on the whole, it is taken for granted that there needs to be a clear distinction or even a wall of separation between church and state. People do not want the government telling them what to believe about God, and they do not want the church telling them how to vote. Actually, they do not want anyone telling them how to vote.
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 me and Doctor Everett Piper on The Liberty Action Alert as we uncover why America’s Evangelical churches are lurching leftward—and what this means for Christians striving to be faithful 2 Kingdom citizens.
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.
How can you call yourself pro-life and not support free lunches, open borders, socialized healthcare? Well, you fill in the blank. First, off, such talk is a diversionary tactic, disingenuous. Can we simply agree that we ought not to be killing babies, whether they are in the womb or have been born? It really is that simple.
Listen as Nicole Hunt and I discuss the crucial 'Pro-Life' movement and why now is the time for Christians to rise for the culture and the Church!
In today’s lesson, Jesus talks about some “tough going” that was above and beyond anything we can handle. Every man, woman, and child in this world is on the path that leads to judgment due to our common sin and rebellion against our Creator. It’s a path that even the toughest among us can’t avoid, period. But then here comes Jesus the Christ. Though He was without sin, He chooses to take up our path. And when the going gets eternally tough, the Savior of the world gets going!
“Every day in every way, we’re getting better.” This mantra emerged in the first decades of the twentieth century, a hallmark of the optimistic mindset that prevailed in many circles of academia and government. New scientific discoveries and technological innovations seemed to promise a brighter future. However, two world wars, the Great Depression and the Holocaust shattered that positive view of humanity — at least for a time.
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.
Tune in this week as Dr. Jay Richards joins us to discuss how faith and reason can win the culture war and why Biblical messaging is key in this critical battle!
Our lesson for today comes in the context of another healing event in the ministry of Jesus. It not only demonstrates Christ’s power over all things, but also the power of faith IN HIM amidst all the doubts and struggles that we may be facing. There is so much to learn from the honest confession of the father in this reading. This dad knew what his son needed, but felt helpless in response. He also knew what he needed -- stronger faith. When he meets Jesus, he expresses sentiments something like these:
“I’d like to have great faith, but I know that I’m inadequate, especially now when I need it most. In fact, I’m overcome by circumstances and doubt. Lord Jesus, while I believe, help my unbelief.”
In his letter to the church in Rome, the Apostle Paul writes, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1-2).
With that statement, Paul defines the relationship between Christians and government. Throughout the Book of Acts, Paul invokes his Roman citizenship to make a passionate defense of the Gospel. Instead of shying away from engagement with the governing authorities, he engages them by proclaiming truth. However, he also puts his trust in God’s sovereignty because he knows that the ultimate authority and judge is the Lord, who has allowed those to be in authority so God’s purposes can be accomplished.
Discover why America’s Evangelicals are shrinking in number and influence, and how you can help bring back biblical faithfulness and political engagement by tuning in to The Liberty Action Alert.
There’s a question that many are asking today. Actually, people have been asking questions like that for almost 2000 years. Here’s another one: “How can you believe that Jesus is the only Savior, the one that is the Savior for all people?” You can believe it because there is no one like Jesus. You could try to give me another name or show me another savior, but there isn’t one.
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.
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.