Give to Caesar and to God
As Christians, our first allegiance is to God, but we also owe the government obedience, honor, and respect. A few weeks before last fall’s election, a homemade sign on a…
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Give to Caesar and to God
President’s message: Standing on the truth
Pontius Pilate asked the famous question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Pilate wasn’t looking for an answer; he was stating his view that there really is no such thing as…
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President’s message: Standing on the truth
The story of us
The Christian church year is the story of what God has done for us. It is our story to repeat and remember. At the Passover table when generations of Jewish…
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The story of us
Devotion: The world’s leading philanthropist is our friend
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions. . . . But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he…
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Devotion: The world’s leading philanthropist is our friend
Q&A: Were we “created to make a difference”?
I saw a sign that read, “You were created to make a difference.” What is your opinion of that message? What does making a difference mean? God did create us…
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Q&A: Were we “created to make a difference”?
A keeper of random information
Memorizing brings an opportunity to witness and comfort. “Have you seen my keys?” “Mom, where did my Avenger guys go?” Most of the time I can easily answer the questions…
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A keeper of random information
One person at a time
When all the social and relationship issues of our nation came to a head in the summer of 2020, citizens in our nation and members of our synod had mixed…
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One person at a time
Faith and the thinking Christian: Science as a servant
Science as a servant Early one morning, the team gathered on the open plain. Staring at the tower in the distance, they waited. All of their intense, combined efforts over…
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Faith and the thinking Christian: Science as a servant
Confessions of faith: Cheryle and Dana McArdle
Man’s best friend leads to a new friend, a new church, and a renewed faith in Christ. On a routine visit to the dog park with her German shepherd, Cheryle…
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Confessions of faith: Cheryle and Dana McArdle
A thought: The Bible still matters
The Bible is God’s revelation. It’s not speculation. God’s revelation focuses on one person—Jesus Christ. Many have asked why an itinerant preacher two thousand years ago is important to us…
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A thought: The Bible still matters
Bible study: Giving God glory
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” God has given each of us “vocations” (literally, “callings”).…
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Bible study: Giving God glory
Please explain: Does Christian freedom give me the right to do anything?
For a prisoner walking out into the light after a long jail sentence, freedom can be overwhelming. He can go anywhere he wants, but he has nowhere to go: no…
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Please explain: Does Christian freedom give me the right to do anything?
Parent conversations: How can I help my child have an optimistic outlook?
I have seen many calls for 2020 to end so that we can start fresh in 2021. Yet let’s be honest. By the time January 1, 2021, ends, we’ll already…
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Parent conversations: How can I help my child have an optimistic outlook?
Becoming a living sacrifice
A teacher remembers an encouraging message that helped guide her decision to continue studying for the ministry. It’s a tedious job, but one I knew needed to be done. So…
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Becoming a living sacrifice
My Christian life: A Ukrainian mother chooses life
A Ukrainian mother chooses life during dire circumstances. Recently, with much joy, Elizabeth Huida, the daughter of Oleksandr and Khrystyna Huida, was baptized at St. John and James Lutheran Church…
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My Christian life: A Ukrainian mother chooses life
Encouragement along the road
It’s a long road to become a pastor. For Jordan Massiah, it’s 12 years of schooling in three different states over an international border from his hometown of Toronto, Ontario,…
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Encouragement along the road
Meet the editorial staff: James Borgwardt
Forward in Christ’s newest Bible study author is James Borgwardt. Borgwardt serves at Redeemer, Fond du Lac, Wis., where he’s been for nine years. Prior to Fond du Lac, he…
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Meet the editorial staff: James Borgwardt
Worship resource previews new hymns
To help WELS members get a taste of the new hymns that will be included in Christian Worship: Hymnal, the WELS Hymnal Project has released Christian Worship: Hymn Preview. This…
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Worship resource previews new hymns
WELS podcasts: Let the Bird Fly!
Featuring: Let the Bird Fly! Hosts: Wade Johnston and Mike Berg Description: “A podcast about living freely in a world given back to us. When we see the world for…
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WELS podcasts: Let the Bird Fly!
Church launches social media campaign starring Martin Luther
Christ Alone, Dardenne Prairie, Mo., wanted to replace its annual Trunk or Treat with a contact-free option in October 2020. Christ Alone’s members still wanted to interact and connect with…
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Church launches social media campaign starring Martin Luther
WELS news briefs: January 2021
Synodical Council Six new members joined the WELS Synodical Council: Mr. Pete Aisbet (Southeastern Wisconsin District lay representative), Mr. Jake Lemke (Western Wisconsin District lay representative), Mr. Chip Woods (Nebraska…
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WELS news briefs: January 2021
Moments with missionaries: Dan Laitinen
Go and TELL In 2018 WELS World Missions’ Multi-Language Productions had a vision to reach the world with the gospel in a new way. Its vision was to equip people…
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Moments with missionaries: Dan Laitinen
Book nook: Full Accessories of God
Full Accessories of God: The Spirit’s Makeover for Women by DeLyn Wagenknecht is a concise Bible study that takes a fresh, contemporary look at the full armor of God found…
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Book nook: Full Accessories of God
Book nook: 5-Minute Bible Studies for Families
We have reached the season of parenting at our house when kids are being shuttled to activities after school, when a shared electronic calendar becomes a necessity to manage the…
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Book nook: 5-Minute Bible Studies for Families
Q&A: Am I being judgmental if I point out someone’s sin?
I have a friend who is caught in a sin. I care about her, so I try to talk to her about it, but she just says, “The Bible says…
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Q&A: Am I being judgmental if I point out someone’s sin?
Follow me
Following God’s voice is better than following all the voices of the world. Whom are you following? Fifteen years ago, the answer to this question would be drastically different than what…
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Follow me
Bringing the Word to Bogotá
Since 2015, the Academia Cristo website, academiacristo.com, has been providing Bible classes, worship services, training for church planters, and other tools for Spanish speakers to study God’s Word. The program…
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Bringing the Word to Bogotá
Colorado church receives relief from fires
“At our final outdoor worship service at Carbon Valley Lutheran we could see the smoke coming across the sky, and by the end of worship we had ash and burnt…
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Colorado church receives relief from fires
Book nook: Your Life Has Meaning
From business success to health to basic activities that give us joy and fulfillment, the events of the past year have—even temporarily—robbed us of what we think makes life worth…
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Book nook: Your Life Has Meaning
Creating digital side doors
Did you know that more than 104 million Americans listened to podcasts in the last month?* This growing number of people are consuming content from more than 1.5 million shows…
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Creating digital side doors
The power of God’s Word
“Don’t ever downplay what God can do through his Word. It’s dynamite, pure dynamite.” When asked about lessons he has learned in his ministry, Mark Cares, founder of Truth in…
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The power of God’s Word
President’s message: Peace on earth—but what kind?
The year was 1914. World War I had thrown the continent of Europe into a conflict that would last for four years and kill or wound more than 25 million…
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President’s message: Peace on earth—but what kind?
Devotion: Like Joseph
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife” (Matthew 1:24). Joseph has become one of my…
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Devotion: Like Joseph
Confessions of faith: Brandee and Jim Cranfield
Lives battling anger and addiction are met by God’s grace. “She’s always taking on another project,” Jim says with a smile. Brandee and Jim Cranfield had spent the morning moving…
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Confessions of faith: Brandee and Jim Cranfield
Advent means waiting
When will he ever come? God’s people wait for Jesus. Wait. It may just be the biggest little word in the Bible describing real faith. A farmer must wait for…
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Advent means waiting
Bible study: Judge for yourself
Judge seems to be a dirty word in our culture. However, the word judge simply means to “form an opinion or conclusion about” something. The Bible says, “Speaking the truth…
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Bible study: Judge for yourself
My Christian life: Teen faces difficult medical diagnosis
A startling medical diagnosis brings a family closer to God. Chronic pain. Constant exhaustion. Medications. Physical therapy. Surgery after surgery. This is the reality for 16-year-old Bailey Seal, member at…
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My Christian life: Teen faces difficult medical diagnosis
Unprecedented
“COVID-19 pandemic, an ‘unprecedented wake-up call’ for all inhabitants of Mother Earth.” “Unprecedented damage by COVID-19 requires an unprecedented policy response.” “Unprecedented!” The word screams at me from the headlines…
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Unprecedented
Please explain: Is heaven going to be boring?
The words of the young woman in confirmation class kind of hit me by surprise: “Heaven just seems like it is going to be so boring!” I have to admit: I…
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Please explain: Is heaven going to be boring?
The book of James: Using the Word of Truth
What different descriptions we have for God’s Word! It is “a lamp for my feet” (Psalm 119:105), the only sure light in a sin-darkened world. It is “fire” and “hammer”…
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The book of James: Using the Word of Truth
Christ’s return is imminent
The day of judgment brings an end to all the world’s evil and trouble. December is upon us. We’ve journeyed through a whirlwind of a year filled with tumult, uncertainty,…
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Christ’s return is imminent
A thought: Happy birthday, Brother!
Birthday parties for family members are most often special events—the candles, the cake, the presents, and then the pictures. Years later we trot out the pictures to remember the young…
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A thought: Happy birthday, Brother!
Christmas glory
The lights, the flames, and the bright Christmas displays are only dim reminders of the great glory of Christmas. Christmas is a time of glory. Consider the glory the apostle…
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Christmas glory
Parent conversations: What if we can’t follow our Christmas traditions this year?
For better or worse, Christmas is filled with traditions. Some of these traditions help celebrate Jesus’ birth—the Christmas Eve candlelight service or the children’s Christmas service, for example. Others may…
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Parent conversations: What if we can’t follow our Christmas traditions this year?
My Christian life: Music as a companion on life’s journey
We all have favorite hymns to sing. They become our familiar friends as we worship and our companions when we experience joy, sorrow, doubts, or trouble. Their familiar melodies and…
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My Christian life: Music as a companion on life’s journey
President’s message: Thankful—even now?
The apostle Paul was under arrest in Rome for the second time. His first arrest had ended in his acquittal and release from prison. The second time would end differently.…
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President’s message: Thankful—even now?
Devotion: But you promised!
“Where are your former mercies, O Lord, which you swore to David in your faithfulness? . . . Remember the scorn with which . . . they have scorned the steps…
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Devotion: But you promised!
Confessions of faith: Brad Harris
While weighing the responsibilities that children bring, a father looks to the church for direction. During his growing years, Brad Harris had some ties to different religions but never attended…
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Confessions of faith: Brad Harris
Q&A: Do I need to read the Bible to have a relationship with God?
I always hear that I should be reading my Bible. I pray every night. Do I really need to read the Bible to have a relationship with God? The natural…
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Q&A: Do I need to read the Bible to have a relationship with God?
Bible study: The need for the Bible and worship
We listen to God’s voice through his Word, that is, the Bible. Imagine you live in a world exactly like our own but with one exception: The Bible does not…
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Bible study: The need for the Bible and worship