Tag: Pastor Morehouse

Why Lent? Jesus answers and says, “God is gracious and merciful”

When members of this congregation studied the Book of Joel quite some time ago, we learned of some valuable biblical-historical realities. Among them was, that prior to the section of the Book we heard from today, God gave a clear call to repentance to His then sinning people. Their sins against Him were primarily from following other gods. But they also included not respecting their fellow Israelites, those who were called to be their brothers and sisters in the Faith. He told them He would, should they not repent, bring hordes of locusts upon them. …For more, click on the title above.

God’s will becomes ours to hear in the proclamation of His Word

Sower Went Out to Sow mural in Brasov, Romania

In our Collect prayer for the day, we heard the centuries-old emphasis for this middle Sunday in the pre-Lent season. First, we gave thanks that God has sown His holy Word among us. Second, we petitioned Him to prepare our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who continues to work through the proclamation of God’s Word. Third, we indicated why we are here in part, that is, to diligently and reverently hear God’s Word, to keep it in good hearts… to the end that we will all bring forth spiritual fruit with patience. Fourth, because we all have sinful natures clinging to us, we asked God to use that Word to keep us from yielding to our sinful desires, to subdue them in us, that we might continue to comfort ourselves with [His] grace and continual help. …For more, click on the title above.

Please place upon us innocent blood

Jonah and the Whale by Polly Castor

“O YHWH! Do not let us perish for this man’s life,
and do not place upon us innocent blood, for You, O YHWH, as it has pleased You, You have done

Think about that prayer. It, in part, reveals what would happen in time, when One would be cast into the depths of death for you. t declares how helpless you are to do, say, or offer anything that could take the Holy God’s wrath from your unholy self. Today’s Words foreshadowed that which God, in the Person of the Son, would offer to Himself to buy you back from sin, death, and hell. They ask God to not account sinners guilty of the blood of the Innocent Man. …For more, click on the title above.

In that day, God beautifully began to fulfill His prophecies

A Marriage Feast at Cana by Jyoti Sahi

Hear again the Promise of the Lord to His Church as we continue to remember the appearances of our Lord in our human flesh, as God says:
“In that Day, I will cause to raise up the fallen booth of David, and I will repair the breaches in it, and its ruins I will cause to raise up, and I will rebuild it as in days of old…

From that, we are being called to cling to God’s promises, even when He doesn’t seem to give answers. Why? Because, as today’s texts show, He is always faithful to His Word. …For more, click on the title above.

Jesus, the Father’s Chosen One, in whom He delights

Baptism of Jesus by Sadao Watanabe

Today’s Gospel reading certainly lays the groundwork for pastors answering the plea to see or hear Jesus. When we ponder the Lord’s Words that frame the Epiphany weeks, His appearance should become clearer to us. We begin that by considering how the Sundays of this season of growth and new life began today. We heard the Voice from Heaven say something like this:
This One remains My Son, the Beloved, in Whom I (am) well pleased. …For more, click on the title above

He received her into His eternal presence

I am The Way, The Truth, The Life by J.&R. Lamb Studios

She (June) whom God, through His Word and Sacraments, empowered throughout her mortal life to stand firm in the Faith, has begun to receive the inheritance Jesus died to grant her.

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