built on a rock
- By Pastor Michael Geiger, Crosspoint Church, Georgetown, Texas, (WELS)April 24, 2024Luke 24:30 “When he (Jesus) was at the table with them (the disciples), he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Do you spend time in the Bible for…
- By Pastor Josh Hayden, Living Rock Church, LuverneApril 17, 2024One of the privileges of being a father of three young children is the ability to watch some cartoons with them every once in a while. The other day, my two youngest were watching a show called “Wild Kratts,” a show about two brothers who feature different wild animals. On this show they were introducing kids to the basilisk lizard (feel free to google it now to see it.) The Kratt brothers were…
- By Manda Steensma, NextGen Pastor, Rock River Community Church, LuverneApril 10, 2024Are you one of the lucky ones that has had braces? Or maybe you currently have braces like me. Yup, braces as an adult. It’s funny how kids respond to them. “Oh, you have braces?” I think instead they want to say, “You’re old. Why do you have braces?” Why braces? Because something needs to be fixed. Was that too simple? Okay, some reasons then: overbite, underbite, open bite, spacing,…
- By Pastor Andrew Palmquist, Bethany Lutheran Church, LuverneApril 03, 2024In the news an Illinois man was released from prison after serving nearly 30 years for murder. A fresh examination of DNA evidence proved he wasn’t the killer. “I feel vindicated,” he said. To be vindicated is to be cleared of guilt or to be proven right. At Easter who needed to be vindicated? Our Lord. On Good Friday it sure looked like Jesus was wrong. He was put on trial by Jewish leaders…
- By Pastor Praveen Muthsuamy, Hills United Reformed ChurchMarch 13, 2024In the first six verses of Psalm 139, David talks about God’s omniscience, which basically means God sees and knows everything. David does not use the technical term omniscience, but he praises God for his thorough knowledge of him. In verse 1 David says, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” David confesses that God knows everything about him. Then he goes on to use what we call as…
- By Rev. Dr. Steven Voris, First Presbyterian Church, LuverneMarch 06, 2024Of the many different types of verbal and nonverbal prayer, intercessory prayer is the type that is pure love. There isn’t anything wrong with praying for oneself or praying for a close family member or friend. Jesus prayed for himself in John 17:5. However, when we pray for someone we don’t know, or for a troubling situation far away that doesn’t impact our daily lives, then that intercessory…
- By Pastor Walt Moser, First Baptist Church, LuverneFebruary 28, 2024At the heart of Christianity lies a symbol that transcends time and culture: the cross. Christians around the world hold the significance of the cross beyond its physical form; it embodies the very essence of their faith. Its importance is multifaceted, representing sacrifice, redemption and hope. At the core of the Christian message is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who willingly…
- By Pastor Joe Steenholdt, Christian Reformed Church, LuverneFebruary 21, 2024John Ch. 20 recounts Jesus’ resurrection and post-resurrection appearances, which reaches a crescendo when the previously doubting Thomas is finally able to see the resurrected Jesus with his own eyes — the very one who had been crucified and laid in a tomb. Now Thomas is able to proclaim his beautiful confession of faith, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). It is after this that the author John…
- By Pastor Jeremy Wiersema, Reformed Church of SteenFebruary 14, 2024A few weeks ago, I received some good news. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law had a baby boy. He was their first child and this was wonderful news. I shared with many people that I became an uncle again. I was excited for them and I was happy to see our family grow. I am sure that my excitement at this good news doesn’t come as a surprise to any of you. Good news is good news and we love…
- By Pastor Nita Parker, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, HillsFebruary 07, 2024“Created to Be” is the theme for the summer program at Shetek Lutheran Ministries for summer 2024. Our theme verse is Psalm 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” In our Bible studies each day we will be looking at passages that show God’s love for us and how He knows us intimately. The verse before our theme verse, Psalm…
- By Pastor Josh Hayden, Living Rock Church, LuverneJanuary 31, 2024What is Christianity? Is it just a doctrine or your theology? Is there no need to get up out of your pew or seat? Is there no need to care for the least of these? What is Christianity? Is it a Sunday morning symphony? Where everyone can sing their hymns in harmony? Yet not grow in love and unity? What is Christianity? Is it loving your neighbor and the lost? Is it an energy-packed conference…
- By Pastor Bob Junak, Rock River Community Church, LuverneJanuary 24, 2024Have you ever wondered what would happen if everyone read the Bible every day? Probably not. Just imagine how much the community of Luverne could be changed simply by reading the Bible. However, there is a common trait so many people share. The trait is, most of us live the way we’ve always lived. See, we’ve created habits, we’ve created patterns, and we’ve created structure in our lives that…
- By Pastor Andrew Palmquist, Bethany Lutheran Church, LuverneJanuary 17, 2024Like many of you, our family was hunkered down inside during the brutal cold temps and dangerous windchills our community experienced over the weekend. Our church’s leadership wisely decided to cancel services and classes on Sunday morning so families could stay safe and warm at home. I shudder to think of having car trouble out in the extreme cold! A great blessing our family enjoyed (pastor…
- By Pastor Phil Booe, St. John Lutheran Church, LuverneJanuary 10, 2024Moses reveals in Genesis 4 that the fall of mankind into sin begins with Satan — the accuser — masked as a crafty serpent sowing seeds of doubt into Eve’s mind. “Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” he asks. This clever question plants the idea that God’s word is unreasonable, even unjust. The serpent tempts Eve to doubt God’s word and elevate her own moral…
- By Pastor Joe Steenholdt, Christian Reformed Church, LuverneJanuary 03, 2024As a child, I wished I could be just like Superman. That means I would be super strong with steel abs and the ability to fly, and outside of kryptonite, not much for weaknesses. He was like the superhero of superheroes, with all the superhuman abilities wrapped into one man. There is not much he couldn’t do to defeat the bad guys. The way we typically imagine strength and success, it’s no wonder…
- By Pastor Walt Moser, First Baptist Church, LuverneDecember 27, 2023In just a few days a new year will start, 2024. Somehow changing one digit in the year makes us feel like there is a new beginning. Now it is 2024! 2023 is gone, it is history, and we can start fresh, to change patterns in our lives. Depending on who you read or listen to, they will either tell you to make New Year’s resolutions or that New Year’s resolutions are not important, don’t even think…
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