This coming Sunday, May 31st, will be our first opportunity for in-person worship since mid-March. Eleven weeks have gone by. May I offer a few thoughts?

1)      We do not resume in-person worship to make a political           statement. Politicians tend to muddy the waters by                       making declarations and threatening other politicians.               We’ve been carefully responding to and following                           guidelines set out by our national and state governments           (4th Commandment) seeking to preserve the health of                 our community (5th Commandment).
     
          Recent political and legal circumstances have paved the               way for the opportunity to resume in-person worship. We seek to do this carefully and                                 thoughtfully, respectfully following guidelines that now come to us from the county, state, and               federal governments (CDC) During all of this time, whether worshiping online or in-person, we               seek to glorify our Lord and Savior (1st & 3rd Commandments).

           Again, our resuming worship isn’t about being Democrats or Republicans, DINOs (Democrats in
           Name Only) or RINOs (Republicans in Name Only). This isn’t a political gambit. It is an
           opportunity to gather together around Word and Sacrament. It’s an opportunity to praise God.

2)      Three words: humility, sacrifice, and patience. Let us seek to put the needs of others ahead of                 our own. Not everyone agrees with your point of view (or mine, for that matter). There will be                   differences of opinion among us about masks, social distancing, how much singing we’ll do, the             rightness or wrongness of the government’s actions during the past couple of months. How do                 we handle such disagreements? If we want to follow the world’s example, we can make a fuss, be             loud about it, and forget about being selfless. We can roar, “It’s my way or else!” Or not…

          If we want to follow our Savior’s example, we’ll speak to one another in love and
          encouragement, be patient with each other, and put selfishness aside. Even if I’m right (at least
          in my own mind), I’ll remember that I’m blessed to be in the presence of my Savior along with
          my brothers and sisters in Christ. Selflessness is key; it’s the Savior’s way. He exemplifies those
          three words together in the most extraordinary ways through his patient, humble sacrifice.

3)      Two more words: empathy and understanding. There are some within our church family who                   will not be returning to in-person worship at this time. They are concerned about their health                   and due to age and/or at-risk conditions, are choosing to worship online. We are concerned as                 well! We offer empathy and understanding to our fellow believers who make this choice at this                 time, grateful that we are still able to walk together and serve together (via offerings and mutual             encouragement) thanks to the technology that enables us to deliver spiritual content (worship &             Bible study) online.

          We look forward to the day when we will be able to gather once again in larger groups without
          restrictions. Until then, we continue to worship online and in-person as we are able. Holy
          Communion will be available during in-person services. Private communion is available in
          member homes or in my office. Please contact me.

I look forward to seeing you at worship this weekend: in-person or online.

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1) “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty. My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord.” (Psalm 84:1,2) “Blessed are those who dwell in your house. They are ever praising you.” (Psalm 84:4)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand


Announcements:
1)      Trinity is planning to return to in-person worship on Sunday, May 31st & Monday, June 1st. Service times will be as follows:  
          -  Sunday, 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
          -  Monday, 6:30 p.m.
A detailed letter concerning this can be found on the home page of our  website and a link found on our Facebook page. It contains information about registering for worship services (to keep the number under 50) as well as the precautions we’re taking to ensure safety.

2)      These are the “reservation” totals as of noon on Tuesday (May 26): Sun, 9 a.m. (41), Sun. 10:30 a.m. (11), Mon. 6:30 p.m. (17). There is an extra service on Sunday, May 31st, for the confirmation students and their families (1 p.m.); we’re expecting mid-40s for attendance.

3)      We’re suspending schedules for greeters, ushers, and communion assistants at this time. A few days before the coming week’s worship, we’ll reach out to individuals who have registered to worship to ask for help with ushering. At this time, only the pastor will be distributing Holy Communion.

4)      Remember April’s 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge? There is a Blessings Jar in the Welcome Center, so bring in those slips of paper when you are able!

5)      With “regular” worship resuming, I’ll be posting just once each week at the blog link at our church website, and Facebook, and email. Look for a “Wednesday’s Encouragement” each week.
​

“Surely I am with you always until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

Is there a more comforting promise? God offers many promises in his Word, but this promise at the end of Matthew may be the most profound. It is certainly needed.

The disciples on the mount of Ascension needed this. Jesus had just completed the instructions concerning his Grace Commission, his command to take grace to people throughout the world through Word and Sacrament. Now, he was going to leave. As the disciples watched, Jesus would disappear from before their very eyes. Against all appearances, he offers this promise, “I am with you always.”

This promise is the ideal bookend to his initial assertion, “All authority has been given to me.” Not only was Jesus in charge and in control of all things, he promised to be with his disciples wherever they would go.

Jesus left them physically, visually, but not in reality. We have the same experience. We have never seen Jesus with our own eyes. But he gives us this same promise, “I am with you always.”

We need this promise. Jesus is gone, but not really. He is gone…but is present with us more than ever. He is with us even more powerfully than if he could be seen with our eyes. We live in the presence of our ascended, ever-present, all-powerful Lord. He is in control, in charge, working everything out for our good – wherever we are, wherever we go. There is no place we can go where Christ will not also be. There is no situation so complex or desperate or helpless that Christ can’t work it out into something that benefits us.

The fact that this is not just an isolated throwaway Scripture gives us added assurance. The promise is embedded in the very name of our Savior, when he was called Immanuel, which means, “God with us.” Throughout the pages of Scripture, God’s people are promised God’s presence. At the very end of the Bible, when the book of Revelation describes what heaven will be like, this is what the voice from heaven says: “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)

His presence encourages us to carry out his mission of mercy, his commission of grace. Knowing that he is always with us gives us courage to reach out and confidence to speak…always.

Grateful for grace,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

Announcements:
1)      Trinity is planning to return to in-person worship on Sunday, May 31st & Monday, June 1st. Service times will be as follows:  
        -   Sunday, 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
        -  Monday, 6:30 p.m.
A detailed letter concerning this has been posted on Trinity’s website (www.trinityminocqua.org), Facebook page, and via email to all the email addresses we have in the church office. It contains information about registering for worship services (to keep the number under 50) as well as the precautions we’re taking to ensure safety.

2)      If you’re interested, these are the “reservation” totals as of noon on Thursday (May 21), a full 10 days before we resume worship: Sun, 9 a.m. (28), Sun. 10:30 a.m. (7), Mon. 6:30 p.m. (8). There is an extra service on Sunday, May 31st, for the confirmation students and their families; we’re expecting mid-40s for attendance.

3)      I’ve received several communications (phone, email) from fellow saints who are declining to attend at this time due to “at risk” issues. These are excellent decisions for those individuals and we will continue to make online worship available. May the Lord enable us to continue to extend grace to one another as we seek his saving grace through worship, whether at home or in person.

4)      A word about greeters and ushers and communion assistants for worship: we are suspending these schedules at this time. A few days before the coming week’s worship, we’ll reach out to individuals who have registered to worship to ask for help with ushering. At this time, only the pastor will be distributing Holy Communion.

5)      Remember April’s 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge? Remember my wish for a Blessings Jar in which we could collectively place slips of paper enumerating the many blessings for which we are thankful? Soon, we’ll be returning for in-person worship. There is a Blessings Jar in the Welcome Center, so bring in those slips of paper when you are able!

6)      There will be no “Monday’s Encouragement” posting on Memorial Day.
​

“I am spiritual, but not religious.” This fashionable refrain aims to elevate individual spirituality above what can be found in a church community. Such an emphasis on spirituality enables people to be vague about what they actually believe.
 
Being “spiritual’ is the perfect vehicle for the self-help tendencies inside every human being. Without solid, objective truths, each person can determine how they want to feel and what they want to achieve. The reality is, however, such pursuits do not bring people closer to Christ.
 
Jesus did not say, “Make disciples by teaching people to be ‘spiritual.’” Instead, he declared, “make disciples…by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you.” (Matthew 28:20a)  Jesus affirms that there is objective, absolute truth that nurtures the soul, and that truth is found only in the Bible.
 
Experience-based spirituality offers, roller-coaster-like, a temporary rush of feeling. But such subjective spirituality is an empty shell. With its objective, unchanging truth, the Word of God saves souls. The Law convicts hearts of sin. The Gospel shows the Savior and brings people to faith in that Savior. “The Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15) “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)
 
The penetrating power of the Word of God extends to more than setting us right for life in heaven. It is valuable for life right now: It is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
 
At the core of Christ’s Great Commission (spoken just before his Ascension, which we celebrate tomorrow) is the command to teach everything presented to us in his Word. Everything. Picking and choosing personal preferences are unacceptable. The Bible is not a buffet. The Scriptures are not a smorgasbord.
 
Teach. Train. Instruct. Educate. Model the faith of the Scriptures. These are the actions God uses to deliver his grace to people by the means of his powerful Word. Conversely, those who are disciples need to continue to be taught, to listen, and to learn.
 
Only the Spirit-filled Word of God creates true, lasting spirituality focused on Jesus and his grace.
 
Keep growing in Christ,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

1)      Trinity is planning to return to in-person worship on Sunday, May 31st & Monday, June 1st. Service times will be as follows:  
     -  Sunday, 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. 
     -  Monday, 6:30 p.m.
A detailed letter concerning this will be posted on Trinity’s website (www.trinityminocqua.org), Facebook page, and via email to all the email addresses we have in the church office. Expect the information to be available today (Wed., 5/20) Please read it carefully and completely. It contains information about registering for worship services (to keep the number under 50) as well as the precautions we’re taking to ensure safety.

2)      Remember April’s 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge? Remember my wish for a Blessings Jar in which we could collectively place slips of paper enumerating the many blessings for which we are thankful? Soon, we’ll be returning for in-person worship. There is a Blessings Jar in the Welcome Center, so bring in those slips of paper when you are able!
​

A bottled water product named Aquamantra® describes itself as “energy enhanced natural spring water.” If it is energy enhanced, is it still natural spring water? Further investigation of the product reveals the source of the “energy.” Each bottle has a mantra written on it, such as “I am lucky” or “I am loved.” The consumer is supposed to say the mantra, and think it as he drinks it. Aquamantra® is guaranteed to “stimulate your soul.”
 
The product is nothing more than bottled water with uplifting and encouraging words plastered onto it. It’s the power of positive thinking…for a profit. As powerful as the product claims to be, it does have an expiration date. Don’t wait too long to think and drink so-called “enhanced energy” into your soul.
 
There is only one water-connected product that never expires. Jesus instituted Holy Baptism as a means to bring grace to people and to bring people into the family of God. Thus he includes it as a key instrument in his Grace Commission given just before his ascension into heaven. “Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  (Matthew 28:19)
 
In his Small Catechism, Martin Luther explains Baptism this way: “Baptism is not just plain water only, but it is water used by God’s command, and connected with God’s Word.” The power in Baptism is not in the kind of water used, or in the flick of the wrist of the baptizer’s hand. It is not in whether the water is sprinkled or poured, or if the person being baptized is completely immersed. The power is in the Word of God! 
 
God’s grace, his undeserved love, is nowhere more apparent than in Baptism, particularly infant Baptism. When a child is brought for Baptism, it is clear that God does the work of washing away sin and creating faith through his Word. God even puts his own name on the infant as the child is baptized in the name of the one true Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
 
What is true for infants is true for all. Baptism is entirely God’s doing for adults as well. If you have been baptized, you are a child of God. No one can take that away from you. No one can change that status, because Holy Baptism is the work of God. He marked you as his own through water and the Word. You are more than lucky. After all, luck expires. You are loved---loved by God.
 
May God continue to assure you of his love and grace through the fact of your Baptism!
 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
 

1. The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision to lift Governor Evers’ “safer-at-home” declaration has potentially accelerated the timetable for us to be able to resume public worship. Oneida County has also issued updated guidelines. The Elders and I have had extensive discussions about how we may worship, and we’re heading for a decision as to when we will reopen. Please be alert to a possible communication from Trinity (email, letter, website) by the middle of this week regarding the possibility of public worship.

   2.  Remember April’s 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge? Remember my wish for a Blessings Jar in                      which we could collectively place slips of paper enumerating the many blessings for which we are          thankful? Soon, we’ll be returning for in-person worship. There is a Blessings Jar in the Welcome            Center, so bring in those slips of paper when you are able!

We’re examining the Ascension account of our Lord for encouragement and insight. “Jesus approached and spoke to (his disciples) saying, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”  (Matthew 28:18)
 
At every stage of life, we are subject to some kind of authority. Children live under the authority of parents, teachers, schools, and coaches. Employees are subject to employers. All live under the authority of government in its various forms: laws, law enforcement personnel, courts, elected and appointed officials.
 
During this pandemic, we’ve been especially conscious of the authorities under which we live. We have seen how uncertain, conflicting, unprepared, and territorial earthly authorities (all of which have been ordained by God) can be.
 
There is one authority under which we always live, and to which all other authorities must yield: the authority of Jesus Christ.
 
Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father was imminent. There he would rule over all and control everything for the good of his people. His oversight would greatly support his disciples as they carried out his instructions. Known as the Great Commission, this command to “go and make disciples of all nations” is really a Grace Commission. It is both the command and the power to deliver the grace of God to people of all nations.
 
These words are the perfect preface to this Grace Commission. Jesus’ statement, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” gave his disciples courage and confidence for the task. He would open doors for them and place them in circumstances ideal for witnessing the truth about Christ to others.
 
Jesus is still in authority. Especially now. He is in control. Especially now. He is in charge of all things. Especially now. His ultimate purpose is still to reach all people with his saving truth. Especially now. He assures 21st century disciples of his command over all people and events. Especially now. This fills us with courage and confidence. He gives us opportunities. He opens doors. He places us in situations and circumstances that are optimal for sharing the Gospel. Jesus is doing some amazing things through his Word even during this unique moment in time.
 
Our task? Be ready. Look for opportunities. Act on them with confidence. Remember, all authority has been given to Jesus. He is truly in charge of all things. This is no one and nothing that escape his caring supervision and merciful eye.
 
Jesus as ultimate authority offers added comfort for the challenging times of life. Jesus as ultimate authority over all (even difficulties) assures us that he knows what is best for us and he will see us through. After all, he wants to use us to “go and make disciples.” He has commissioned us to dispense and declare his grace to a desperate, fallen world.
 
May the Lord use us to share his Word,
 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
 
Announcements:
1)  The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision to lift Governor Evers’ “safer-at-home” declaration has potentially accelerated the timetable for us to be able to resume public worship. The Elders and I have had extensive discussions about how we may worship, but no final decision has been made as to when we may resume. This is a fluid situation with new information arriving on a daily basis. Please be alert to a possible communication from Trinity (email, letter, website, phone) around the middle of next week regarding the possibility of public worship.

2)  Meditations: There are two ways you can enjoy the upcoming edition of Meditations which run from May 31 through August 29.
     · The new edition is available to pick up on Monday through Friday mornings—Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00-10:00 am; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 am until noon. We will have them available in the entry way of the school by the office (door 1). We will set out individual books for you to pick up as many as you wish and you can deposit the payment into the box provided. Each is book is $3.00, if you have the means to pay.
     · Another option to receive the Meditations devotional book is digital. This is free from Northwestern Publishing House for the upcoming edition. Go to the NPH website or find this link and fill in your information (name and email address): https://online.nph.net/free-meditations-form. You will receive a new devotion daily.

​The Ascension of Jesus is celebrated 40 days after Easter. That’s just over a week away on Thursday, May 21st. Until then, I’d like to use this space to explore the Ascension account for encouragement and insight.
 
“The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some hesitated because they were uncertain.” (Matthew 28:16,17)
 
Shortly before his ascension into heaven, Jesus instructed his disciples on how to continue to reach people with the Gospel. Matthew’s version of these instructions, known as The Great Commission, is found at the very end of his Gospel.
 
As the reader approaches this familiar Scripture, Matthew includes a detail so stunning it causes us to pause and wonder. It is now forty days after Christ’s resurrection. The eleven disciples had spent considerable time with the risen Jesus since then. Now, as they arrive for their mountaintop meeting with Jesus, Matthew records that “some hesitated.” Let’s put it right out there: some doubted.
 
How could they doubt? They had witnessed the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in Jesus’ life, as well as his suffering, dying, and rising again. They had Jesus right before their eyes, in the flesh. They saw him and spoke with him and likely even touched Jesus. How could they possibly doubt?
 
Christians today know the feeling. God’s Word clearly proclaims the fulfillment of Christ’s saving work and the reality of the resurrection. It is right before our eyes. We hear it with our ears. By grace, we believe it. The splashing water of Baptism and the tangible elements of the Lord’s Supper not only remind us of God’s power, but actually give the very forgiveness won for us by Christ. For many, these are precious truths known all lifelong.
 
And then doubt rears its ugly head.
 
God’s people struggle with the sinful nature, an adversarial Satan, and an unsympathetic world. Challenges and difficulties rise up. Even the most faithful Christians cry out with a sinking Peter, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30) and with the struggling father, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
 
Faith falters. Panic rises. Doubt digs in.
 
The antidote for doubt is not faith. Faith is involved, certainly, but it is unwise to look inside oneself to measure the quality and quantity of faith. The antidote for doubt is Jesus. Those among the eleven who still struggled with doubt had come to the right place, to the right Person. They had come to worship Jesus.
 
Believers today follow this example. When doubt dims the light of faith, “fix your eyes on Jesus.” (Hebrew 12:2)  Trust him. Listen to him. Take him at his Word. When your focus is on Jesus, doubt fades and faith grows.
 
Fix your eyes on Jesus,
 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

​It’s a day I’ll never forget. Six years ago this week, while living in Phoenix, a shooting took place near our home. Less than a mile from where we lived, a murder-suicide took place in front of a house at mid-day. A 15 year old boy shot and killed his 16 year old ex-girlfriend, then turned the gun on himself.
 
I knew about it before it even made the local news because I had a child who attended the same public high school that the deceased had attended.  Word travels quickly in the era of digital, social media.
 
There were witnesses, but before anything could be done to triage or patch the wounds, it was determined to be too late.
 
But much spiritual and emotional triage work remained, beginning in my own home. My children didn’t know these two personally, but they knew many who did. And among that peer set (and their parents) there was considerable upset.
 
There were so many questions. Why? How? Didn’t anyone know? Couldn’t anyone have done anything to stop this? So many fears. So much anger over the unfairness to the female victim. Hatred directed toward the shooter. Many vented openly in conversations and through social media. Others quietly brooded over questions that have no answers and allow for no closure. Some coped by attending vigils and raising funds. Others sought guidance from counselors and teachers and clergy.
 
The best “coping mechanism?” It’s a paraphrase of Jesus’ encouragement to his disciples, “Watch and pray.” Here, “Patch and pray.” Stop the spiritual and emotional bleeding with the comfort of God’s Word. Healing will not be instantaneous. Unseen wounds and scars will remain. But faith finds strength and comfort and purpose and healing only in the loving arms of Jesus. Patch and pray, and continue to apply God’s Word. Point people to what God has done for them in Holy Baptism. Point them to the endless personal promises God makes in his Word.
 
This doesn’t sound like much. In fact, it’s all that can be done at such a time. But it’s all that needs to be done. And it must be done, for the sake of precious souls who are hurting, and need healing.
 
King David knew this well, and we find comfort in his words:
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.”
                                                     (Psalm 62:5-8  EHV))
 
God keep you safe in his care,
 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

​I give up! I’ve had it! No more! Enough!
 
I give up trying to control the circumstances of my life so that things will be “better.” Instead, I will remember that God is in control, and he does a better job than I do.
 
I give up trying to make everything work out for my good…Instead I will trust what God tells me, that he makes everything work out for my good.
 
I give up not trusting God to meet all my needs in Christ Jesus. I give up offering him leftovers of my time, talents, and treasure…Instead, I will consider how God does meet all of my needs, then trust him and offer firstfruits of everything he has given me.
 
I give up viewing challenges, difficulties, and hardships as curses or punishments from God…I want to see them as they really are: crosses and blessings that keep my focus on Jesus.
 
I give up grumbling and complaining about the people (and the God) in my life…Rather, I will see them and treat them as amazing blessings from God.
 
I give up trying to be all things to all people. I give up trying to be the me that I think I should be. I give up trying to be the me that others want me to be. I give up being the me I don’t want to be…
 
Instead…I will be the me God made me to be.
 
I need help with this.
 
So…God help me to give up excuses, procrastination, selfishness, sulkiness, and pettiness. With God’s help, I give up seeing everything from my point of view and seek to see things God’s way.
 
I need help with this. God offers plenty.
 
“Do not continue to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you test and approve what is the will of God—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 EHV)
 
Do you see it? The references to God’s Word and its transforming power? “The renewal of your mind” takes place when we’re in the Word of God. There are other places in which to “renew our minds” – or not. Here’s an encouragement to go to the right place for spiritual refreshment, and to do it often! Time in the Word enables us to “Test and approve what is the will of God—what is good pleasing and perfect.”
 
I give up…everything that keeps me from making the “renewing of my mind” through the Word of God a priority.
 
God help me.
 
To God alone be the glory!
 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

Why must we suffer the cross? Not the cross of Christ, on which the guilt of our sins was stoned for. Why must we take up our cross (hardships, burdens, difficulties that cause us to doubt and struggle in faith) and follow Jesus? (Matthew 16:24) How could we call the cross, “das liebe Kreuz,” “the dear cross?”

The cross is everything that I suffer as a result of my connection and faithfulness to Christ and his Word. At the heart of this suffering is the denial of self. The cross isn’t just suffering, the cross isn’t simply the aches and pains of life that all endure from time to time just by being human. It’s not just by itself sickness, financial reverses, disappointment from family and friends. In and of itself it is not even death or the fear of death. All people go through these things whether they are Christians or not. It’s real life. But all of these things may become crosses however. They become a cross, each in their turn, when they tempt me to doubt the love of God. They become a cross when they make it difficult for me to trust the promises of his Word that he will never leave me or forsake me.

WELS Professor Daniel Deutschlander has written and spoken extensively on this topic. A couple of excerpts:

“The cross of suffering on the outside and the consequent anguish on the inside is necessary as a preparation for the hearing of the gospel and for a clinging to the gospel; it is our cross which drives us again and again to his cross. That’s why our Fathers called it das liebe Kreuz, the dear cross. And that sums up so much of our life as Christians.” (Daniel Deutschlander, “Don’t Be Afraid! Cheer Up! It’s the Cross!” p. 14. Accessed at http://www.wlsessays.net/files/Deutschlander%20Cross.pdf)

Also from Deutschlander’s essay: “In his sermon on the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt and then their return to Israel (Matthew 2:19-23), Johann Gerhard notes:
​
Behold, such alterations God still gives to his own. He lets them experience much and great anxiety, but then he helps them again. And all such things he does for this reason, that we should seek rest for our souls in him, not in outwardly good circumstance. For in this life no good circumstance is permanent. Therefore we should also not depend on it without heart, nor seek rest for our heart in it. Rather the internal foundation of our soul should purely and only depend on God; then the rest of our heart will not be disturbed by our outward circumstances.

Gerhard has captured the essence of the Theology of the Cross. The Christian’s life is a life of one on a roller coaster. Nothing in it is ever durable or permanent. Nothing in it is absolutely reliable. At no time can the Christian finally say: At last! I’ve made it! Soul, take thine ease! You have triumphed over all your sins and temptations and won the victory over every temporal fear or need. No, such is not and this side of the grave never will be the Christian’s lot.” (Deutschlander, p. 1)

Don’t be afraid! Cheer up! It’s the dear Cross! As you take up your cross and follow Jesus, He holds you in the palm of His hand.

In Christ,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

Been to Babylon? The ancient city of Babylon, located in the heart of modern day Iraq, has a well-known and fascinating history. It once housed the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World in ancient times. All that’s left today are ruins and dust…and echoes of modern day warfare.

For the Israelites of the Old Testament, Babylon meant exile, fear, and dread. When Nebuchadnezzar first laid siege to Jerusalem in 605 BC, he began exiling young Jews to Babylon. Among these was Daniel. Likely only a teen at the time, Daniel would never return home, though he lived well into his 80s.

Life as Daniel knew it changed forever. But he refused to allow the exile in Babylon to change him. He knew who he was. More importantly, he knew to Whom he belonged. Read the book of Daniel. It’s only 12 chapters. But it’s loaded with encouragement for those who live in Babylon.

Babylon? You’ve likely never been to Iraq. I haven’t. But we’ve been to Babylon. There are times when the address on the mailbox of life simply reads…Babylon. We’ve endured the exile of despair, doubt, death, perhaps even depression. Life can fall apart at a moment’s notice. Just one thing – a relationship collapse, a financial challenge, a heath difficulty, the current pandemic – can cause everything to change so quickly. Suddenly, we’re in a strange and dangerous place – afraid, uncertain, lost. The dust and ruin of Babylon has swallowed up many a soul.

But it doesn’t need to. Not if we remember who we are in Christ, and to Whom we belong. Scriptures that proclaim, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength,” (Philippians 4:13) and “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9b) are more than mere platitudes. They’re power-packed promises from the Lord who created and redeemed you.

It doesn’t matter where we are, even if it seems like an extended Babylonian exile. What matters is who we are, by grace, and Who is with us.

In a sense, our entire life on this earth is a journey through exile, through Babylon. You may be in “Babylon” right now, but not for long. This isn’t our permanent dwelling. We’re headed for home above with Jesus, away from exile, sustained by the love and mercy of Christ.

God be with you,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand