The Bible can be a dark place sometimes….

Consider the story of the man possessed by demons in Mark 5.

He was…

Cut off from all of his family and friends
Not living in his right mind
Self-harming
Tormented night and day
Living among the dead

However, when the demon-possessed man sees Jesus, he runs and falls down before him.

And this is no act of worship.

This is how the demon is compelled to behave in the presence of the creator of all things.

This passage is such a comfort, in that we see that the demons have ZERO ability to stand toe-to-toe with Jesus.

Jesus's authority tackles and wins over even the darkest forces. 📖

And in that, you can take peace and comfort.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#lcms #higherthings #lutheran #demons #jesus

The song is NOT about you….

Did you know that the popular childrens’ song “This Little Light of Mine” is not about YOU?

Nope!

It’s about Jesus!

Jesus is the light that should not be hidden.

The song’s context is taken from Mark 4:21:

Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket? No! Or under a bed and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest. Nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them, pay attention. To what you hear, with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. And still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given. And from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

He himself, as the light of the world, was hidden under human flesh and revealed through his resurrection. 🙌
Jesus is the light of the world, veiled under human likeness and flesh.
And, it will come to light.
But not in how the people or the world or you and I sometimes think it will.
Not in miracles or political kingdoms or in riches and wealth.
But in the glory of the cross.

Ever feel like your life feels just like rocky and inhospitable soil? 🌾

Not made to grow anything….

Maybe because of...

📉 Setbacks at school
💔 Relationship turmoil
😢 Friend drama
💸 Financial mistroubles
🩺 Health issues

You feel...

➤ Weighed down
➤ Hopeless
➤ Isolated
➤ Overwhelmed

You’re not alone! Everyone feels this way at some point growing up!

The truth is...

Jesus continues to sow his seeds in our lives, despite our circumstances. He has the amazing power to transform even the rockiest of soils into fertile ground.

And it’s not up to you.

He’s got you covered (get the soil joke?!!).

HE makes you the good soil.

The world is one of the three great enemies….
The devil
The world
Our sinful nature
Martin Luther reminds us that while it's easy to blame 'the world' for its faults.
But….
We must remember: WE are part of the world.
We're not above the fray.
Every Christian has idols and worldly cares.
And our sins hurt our neighbors, making us part of the problem.
But, the law isn't about pointing fingers; it's about self-reflection.
It's not a "they" problem..
… it's a "you" problem.
And just as the law is personal, so is the gospel.
Jesus isn't here to fix 'them.’
He's here to forgive YOU.
Remember: the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Remember…⤵️

…the church is not for the perfect.

It is for the sinner. ❤️

It is for those seeking healing and comfort.

Just as a hospital is for the sick, the church is for those in need of God’s grace. 🤕 ⛪️

Jesus dined with the tax collectors and the sinners.

Not because they were righteous.

✅ But because they needed healing.

Church is not a sanctuary for saints, but a hospital for sinners.

Come as you are, not because you're perfect, but because you're in need of the Great Physician. 🏥✝️

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#lutheran #lcms #higherthings #unculturedsaints #church

What do I do when I’m struggling?

Let’s look to how Jesus handled struggling when he was being tempted by the Devil in the wilderness.

Jesus dealt with the devil’s temptation not with sheer will, but by grace.

And boy was he tempted!

It wasn’t just the three times we hear about in the Gospels.

But we hear elsewhere in scripture that Jesus was tempted in every way…just like us.

And we also read that the angels ministered to Jesus

When you’re struggling with temptation (and we all do!)...

➤ Hear God’s promises to you in the Scripture

➤ Hear the Word of God preached by your Pastor

➤ Do not be alone, but be near those who will minister to you

“When you’re struggling with temptation, it’s not only about reading the Bible, but also hearing more preaching and being near those who will minister to you.” Goodman

“If you have no promise that it's from God, then run away from it or just stay in the boat and keep fishing like Father Zebedee.

“The words that God would speak to you actually happen.” Goodman