golter's mussings november 2019

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

  • A get-to

    November 07, 2019

    I Have a Confession to Make.

     

    I need to confess to you and be honest.

     

    I remember many a Sunday when I thought, “Do I really wantto go to church”

     

    I knew I didn’t.

     

    But if I was honest and actually said it, I would feelguilty. Because I knew God wants, tells and commands me to go to church. And,if my Lord tells me this, well, it must be for my good.

     

    Yes, preachers own these same feelings, seeing church as ahave-to and not a get-to.

     

    “Oh, my, I have to preach another sermon. I’ll just getthrough it and move on.”

    I’m laughing right now as I’m typing this, for you might besaying something similar.

     

    “Oh, I have to hear another sermon. I’ll just get throughit, through church, and get on with life.”

     

    But, wow, what happens in church is quite something.

     

    Church is the Holy Spirit’s workplace. And once I hear thesinging of the saints, make confession of my sins and hear Jesus words offorgiveness along with my brothers and sisters in Christ, well…my heart isgetting worked on and changed.

     

    I hear the three sacred readings from God’s Book. I hear thechildren’s sermon and the big children’s sermon. I receive without merit HisBody and Blood of and from the Crucified One.

     

    What is not seen by the eye or felt by the heart is the deepdown, inside the soul operating of the Holy Spirit through His Word. God is atwork on me.

     

    He says Himself in Hebrews 4:12. “For the Word of God isliving and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the divisionof soul and of spirit, of joints and morrow, and discerning the thoughts andintentions of the heart.”

    I need to confess to you and be honest.

     

    And, I’m so glad for the habit given to me by my Mom andDad. Church is what you do, come rain or sunshine. It’s for your good.


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

  • What God Says and does Not Say

    November 21, 2019

    A simple review of God’s 66 books reveals basic truths.

     

    God spends very little time on money and budgets. And, whenthe Lord does He warns His people not to love money, to allow money to masteryour soul. “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money,”(Matthew 6:24). Obviously, this must be a big temptation for people.

     

    God also warns: “For the love of money is a root of allkinds of evils,” (1 Tim. 6:10).

    God offers no advice, however, how to make or secure funds.He warns against you making money your god. Priority in life is the big thing.He’s your centering focus of life.

    He does instruct on how to use what He gives to you, namely,to preach the Gospel and to help others in need. And, He makes giving back toHim of first priority. This first-fruit giving to Him indicates that you don’tlove your money more than Jesus.

     

    There is Solomon’s advice that “money answers everything,”(Ecclesiastes 10:19c). This likely is not sarcasm, but the proper use of money.With hard work and God’s blessing, money resources God’s agenda, that is, dailybread, more Christians and to help those in need.

     

    By far, though, God’s main focus of His 66 books is thesalvation of sinners.

     

    By far.

     

    Jesus summaries His work: “For the Son of Man came to seekand to save the lost,” (Luke 19:10).

     

    God’s focus is on you and your salvation.

     

    What God says and does not say preaches.


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran