The Small Catechism – part 259

Scripture Text: Leviticus 25:55

Young people are to learn humbleness and submissiveness to those who already know how to live before God. They learn, not simply by obeying the commandment but by observing the rest of us live in this godly manner.

The Small Catechism – part 258

Scripture Text: Matthew 7:12

It all goes back to the commandments. It always does, the greatest commandment encompassing them all. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

The Small Catechism – part 257

Scripture Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12

There are over 40 million slaves in the world today. Far, far more feel enslaved by the workplace, though that is a far cry from any semblance of truth. Nonetheless, the same word goes for all.

The Small Catechism – part 256

Scripture Text: Leviticus 19:1–4

How many times have we heard it said to us by our parents? Who can say how much good those four little words have done for us? “Because I said so.”

The Small Catechism – part 255

Scripture Text: Matthew 6:8

Our heavenly Father knows of everything we need, but do earthly parents understand everything that their children need? We know the basics, yet some of the real necessities can go begging.

The Small Catechism – part 254

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18

When we do well, we should not be afraid of anything that might bring terror into this life. What is more right and holy, more acceptable to God, than to offer ourselves to him in the living worship of seeking his mercy and grace?

The Small Catechism – part 253

Scripture Text: Matthew 5:27–28

When marriage is rightly considered as a vocation, a calling for life, it is sobering. Would that more couples entered into the estate with a proper understanding of the gravity of what lies ahead.

The Small Catechism – part 252

Scripture Text: Exodus 34:8

See how Moses did not take matters into his own hands—perhaps as he had done when he emptied his hands of the tablets in a fit of exasperation and anger. He soon humbled himself under the Lord’s will, bowing in worship.

The Small Catechism – part 251

Scripture Text: Exodus 33:3

It can be difficult to obey the will of God when we are busy listening to our own voices. This was the case of the people of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness.

The Small Catechism – part 250

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3

Those called to the ministry of the Word deserve their wages. It is written, but it does not say how much or how well. The closest we can come to an understanding of salary is that those who do so most ably deserve twice as much pay for their labors.

The Small Catechism – part 249

Scripture Text: Matthew 5:1–10

The Beatitudes provide us a sufficient test of those who would be teachers of the Word of God. The rest of Scripture makes it even clearer, but if we looked for evidence of the Beatitudes in the lives of those whom congregations are considering for pastoral call, we would do well.

The Small Catechism – part 248

Scripture Text: Exodus 24:11

Even when facing the fear of God’s wrath, the leaders of the people were able to go up into the mountain of God with Moses and Joshua. How is it that they were able to do such a fearsome act?

The Small Catechism – part 247

Scripture Text: Matthew 4:1–4

When at table, and we consider all of God’s benefits, we must not think only of those things that go into our mouths. We should also give thanks for what comes out of God’s mouth.

The Small Catechism – part 246

Scripture Text: Colossians 1:15–17

Once again this morning, I looked for Corona virus news in the local paper. Specifically, I was looking for news about social isolation and stay-at-home orders.

The Small Catechism – part 245

Scripture Text: Colossians 1:9–14

When we return thanks to God, our gratitude should not be merely for the food and drink we have received from him. We should be thankful for all his benefits.

The Small Catechism – part 243

Scripture Text: Exodus 16:22

There are many lessons to be learned in this one verse. Let us learn one: that we may depend upon God for our daily bread, just as that wilderness congregation could.

The Small Catechism – part 242

Scripture Text: Exodus 16:10

It seems, these days, that I am looking forward to going to bed as soon as I wake up each morning. When I was a young man and earlier, a teenager, going to bed was the last thing on my mind

The Small Catechism – part 241

Scripture Text: John 15:9

Jesus wants us to do more than follow him. Following Jesus is the starting point, from which eventually, there must be something more, lest following becomes stiff habit and we hang dead upon the vine.

The Small Catechism – part 238

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:51–52

We entrust ourselves this day to the care of the one who will bring us into everlasting day. As eyelids flutter into wakefulness, our sleeping eyes will be instantly awakened.

The Small Catechism – part 237

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:49

Luther encourages us to give thanks for making it through the night. That idea has a little more gravity when there is a global pandemic. So, we should thank God for each new day.

The Small Catechism – part 236

Scripture Text: Exodus 12:42

The ordinance of the Passover provided a way for Jewish people to remember who and whose they are. In this observance, they remembered how the Lord delivered them from more than four centuries of slavery in Egypt.

The Small Catechism – part 235

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:28

I love that Richard Pryor line toward the end of the movie “Silver Streak” when a gunfight has broken out between the FBI and criminals. Bullets are flying everywhere and Pryor, hunkered down behind a 55-gallon drum, has had enough of the chaos.


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