“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” - 3 John 1:2

John's words remind us that Christians care for the whole person. We pray for one another's health and daily needs, but we also care deeply about the soul. Yet our spiritual well-being does not rest on our strength or circumstances. It rests on Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, rose for our salvation, and continues to strengthen us through His Word and Sacraments.

Our bodies may grow tired, and our days may not always go well. Still, in Christ we possess forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life. Because He cares for us in body and soul, we can bring every need to Him and faithfully care for our neighbors.

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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,


 

Paul reminds the Corinthians of what matters most: “Christ died for our sins... He was buried... He was raised on the third day.” This is not advice for improving our lives. It is good news about what Jesus has already done for us.

Our sins are real, and we cannot rescue ourselves. Yet Christ took those sins to the cross, died in our place, and rose bodily from the grave. His resurrection was witnessed by many, including Paul, who once persecuted the Church. The risen Jesus met Paul with grace and transformed an enemy into an apostle.

That same grace is proclaimed to us. Our faith does not rest on our worthiness or strength, but on the crucified and risen Christ. Because He lives, our sins are forgiven, death is defeated, and our future is secure.

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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

 

Matthew 15:27  Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the masters' table

All the children were sitting on the chancel steps as the pastor led a special message for them. He attempted to communicate his thoughts, but one young lad had his own agenda. He kept raising his hand and interrupted three times, exclaiming: "Yeah, but...." Finally, the pastor chucked his message and went with a new lesson based on the boy's thoughts. That lad was much like the Canaanite woman who was pleading for mercy for her daughter in the verse above.

As we age, we have our own "yeah, buts..." as well. We need to know that the Lord will stop, listen, and respond to our needs. He will say to us as He did to the woman, "Great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire."

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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

 

Psalm 136:23  It is he who remembered us in our low estate.

What is the oldest item in your house? Is it a set of dishes given to you from your grandmother? A vest that your great-grandfather once wore?

It is good to recall the gracious events these items bring to mind. A cross hanging in your bedroom reminds you of the gift Jesus gave us. Yes, through Jesus' self-denying death, He removes our sins of the day and assures us of the peaceful sleep He will give us during the night.

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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

 

Zechariah 9:12  Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

Being in a prison is truly an unpleasant experience. Because of Jesus, however, we have been given a life sentence in a pleasant "prison of hope." His cross and promises give us a living hope, even when life's troubles and problems seem to destroy every possibility of hope.

Life and aging have a way of threatening our hopes. Losses, accidents, illness, and death turn our dreams into nightmares. On the worst of days, however, the cross of Christ still offers hope. We cannot escape this prison of hope, not made of stone and steel, but based securely in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

 

John 16:13  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you in all the truth...

As Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure to His heavenly home, He had a farewell message for them. As He returned to his Heavenly Father, He promised His Holy Spirit. The Spirit would be with them, would teach them, would guide them, and would take care of them. Yes, He would be their Advocate and Counselor!

That's the message for us today. As we draw closer to the end of our days on earth, the Spirit helps us repent, comforts us when we ache, guides us in our pilgrimage, and assists us as we go about witnessing, sharing, and supporting one another. He assures us of our heavenly home.

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

 

Mark 4:8  And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing...

As I grow older, I find myself reflecting on my life and thinking about who made a positive impact on me, especially on my spiritual growth. When you are firmly rooted in your faith, it builds a firm foundation and provides an anchor for you to weather the storms of life that inevitably arrive.

I was blessed with parents who raised me in the Christian faith. They showed the love of Christ to everyone and taught me to place my hope and trust in the Lord. When the seeds of faith are planted and nurtured, faith takes root and blooms!

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,