Nothing but Receiving
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 22:14–19
So far as the Holy Supper is a confession before men, the communicant proclaims Christ and teaches faith in him, spreading the kingdom of Christ.
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Devotional About Bible
Triumphant Laughter
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Psalm 2:1–6
God laughs at us, at our attempts to triumph through our works, our politics, our religion. He mocks these human attempts at overcoming the troubles of life.
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The Sum of the Matter
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Psalm 51:1–3
The sum of the matter is this, that those persons are saved who place their trust solely in God, not in their works, nor in any creature.
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Proper Attire
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 22:8–14
Faith is the appropriate attire for the wedding of God and his Bride. No one will be admitted to the marriage feast unless they are clothed in Christ.
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Equal Service
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 15:1–6
True service of praise is not established with revenues, laws, and programs. The only true service we all can render him is to praise and to thank him.
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God Wants Us
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 22:1–14
If I gave God all the good works I could, it would be of no use to him; He wants my whole heart; he wants me. This marriage union is accomplished by faith.
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Godly Pity
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Psalm 2:1–2
Don't take offense at people's rage against the Lord or his Church. Simply live your life in faith. Luther did the same. Even when those who called themselves Christians attacked, he commended them to God while he lived faithfully, proclaiming the eternal gospel.
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The Way of Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Psalm 1:1–6
God leads us, not in the way of sense or reason, but in the way of faith alone, even of that faith that sees in darkness and beholds things that are invisible.
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True Man and True God
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 22:41–46
"Christ was both David’s true natural son, of his blood and flesh, and also David’s Lord, whom David himself must worship and hold as God."
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Unity of the Church
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 15:1–6
Christian unity resists sin and everything opposed to the religion of Christ, so the apostle enjoins us to be likeminded according to Christ Jesus.
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The Sin of Ingratitude
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Proverbs 17:13–14
No sin is more abominable to human nature, and of none is human nature less tolerant than the sin of ingratitude, for returning love and friendship with hatred.
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The Evils of Ingratitude
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:3–9
"The devil takes no respite, but whenever the gospel is preached in its purity he mixes with the children of God and sows his tares."
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The Unity of the Church
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:1–6
The unity of the Church does not consist in similarity of outward forms and customs but because it represents one plain, pure gospel doctrine.
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Showing Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:14–16
This earthly life is not for our own sake but instead, our lives and everything we do, must contribute to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Holding Fast in Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Philippians 1:3–6
The apostle implores God that they may increase and persevere in faith. Such is the great value he places upon possessing and holding fast God’s Word.
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A Prosperity of Grace
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Psalm 1:1–6
Blessed are those persons who delight in God's Word, for they will prosper in the Lord's grace. Planted near this stream of truth, their spirits will grow in faith.
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Freely Forgiven
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 18:23–27
The conscience knows its standing with God only through the merits of Christ Jesus. So long as we try to appease God, the conscience is troubled.
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Standing Firmly
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:10–13
It is dangerous to live heedlessly, for the devil is likely to take you by surprise. When you think you stand securely, he is ready to strike you down.
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He Promised
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Psalm 34:19–22
"God has promised me through his Son, and confirmed it through my baptism, that he who hears and sees the Son shall be delivered from sin and death."
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The Old Man
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 17:11–19
"True Christians so live that it is apparent from their lives that they keep God before their eyes and truly believe the gospel."
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One in Ten
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 17:11–19
We are sufficiently warned in the gospel to follow Christ, not the doctrines of men, so that no excuse will help us if we allow ourselves to be deceived.
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Calling Jesus “Lord”
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1–3
All Christians may equally call Christ “Lord.” One may be assured he serves Christ if he can call him “Lord,” for only by the Holy Spirit is he enabled to do so.
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Knowledge of Sin
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 John 1:5–9
There is no work or merit in the kingdom, but only the acknowledgment of all our misfortune, and the reception of the gospel upon which faith depends
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Behold His Glory
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 17:24–26
"We are not only to be with him, but we are also to come to a clear, bright view of his glory. Here upon earth we have it and recognize it only by faith."
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The Authority to Proclaim
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 20:19–23
All who have been baptized and who believe in Christ have the authority and power to forgive sins in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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Kingdom Comfort
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 9:1–7
"Let us ... remain on the right road to the kingdom of Christ with the words of the gospel which comfort the conscience: Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven."
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Fulfilling God’s Law
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 13:10
"We have need of the law, that love may be manifested; but if it cannot be kept without injury to our neighbor, God wants us to suspend it."
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Pleasing Service
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:17–19
Service is displeasing to God when done without the command and word of God. First comes love, then follows the service that will be pleasing to God.
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The Christian Life
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 17:11–14
The Christian life does not need much doctrine, nor many books. Indeed, the Christian life is wholly contained in faith and love.
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Faith and Love
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: James 2:18–26
Faith is everything and saves us, and on this account we are not idle but labor much for the benefit of our neighbor, for we have enough in Christ.
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Securing the Unseen
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:35–11:1
In the end, we will not see a single thing we would like to have. But faith is the principle by which we secure what we do not see. We must fully trust God...
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Follow the Pattern
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:14–19
Paul urges us to hold steadily to what we have received by walking as he does; shaping their belief and conduct by the pattern we have received from him.
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The Inner Man
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:14–19
Faith in Jesus Christ is nothing but real help and pure grace. God designs to have me as his child in Christ, placed above all things temporal and eternal.
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Appearances
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 17:11–16
Let us guard against everything that makes for only a show, and not reject what does not make a display, so that we do not reject Christ and God.
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The Spirit Within
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 8:14–16
The witness of the Holy Spirit within you is the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word, a confirmation being that you have pleasure and delight in God’s Word.
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Speaking Forgiveness
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 20:19–23
You have the power to speak the Word; whoever believes has forgiveness of sins. If they believe not, then what you speak avails nothing though it be God’s Word.
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Serving One Lord
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:24–25
God would not have us be overanxious for our life, but labor and commend our anxiety to him, so, he does not allow us to have another Lord besides himself.
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Tempting Christ
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1–11
"The eternal Son of God was from the beginning with his church and with the people who received the promise of his coming in the form of man."
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Our Only Help
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 10:30–35
The man who lies half dead, wounded and stripped of his clothing, is all mankind. The Samaritan is our Lord Jesus Christ Cling to him, your only help.
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Adhering to the Word
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:1, 13
We must lay hold of the gospel in such a way that we may stand and say: “Not because a certain one taught, do I believe ... the doctrine itself is right."
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We Are the Widow
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 7:11–15
The widow's misfortune is portrayed here so that we might learn that with God nothing is impossible, whether it be misfortune, calamity, anger, or whatever.
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The Righteousness of God
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 3:19–24
Jesus freely gives me his life with all his works, so that I may appropriate them to myself as a possession that is my own but is bestowed upon me as a free gift.
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Thy Will Be Done
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 22:34–39
"Human nature alone will never be able to accomplish what God requires in this commandment, namely, that we surrender our will to the will of God..."
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The Firm Assurance of Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 7:11–15
The more misery and death are in us, the more richly we may find comfort and life in Christ Jesus, provided we hold fast to him by faith through his Word.
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Suffering Life
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 8:15b–18
What would all the riches and nobility of the world be compared with being named and chosen by God himself, called his son, the heir of exalted divine majesty?
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The Anxious World
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:30–34
Christians need not waver, nor stake their affairs on that which is uncertain, vainly caring for the future, but at all times do that which is right.
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First Things First
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:25–33
Do this for the honor of God and for your own benefit: strive after the great and eternal good. If you attain and keep this, the rest will surely take care of itself.
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The Gracious Offer
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 18:9–14
The preaching of the precious gospel offers God’s grace and mercy in Christ, which is offered to condemned sinners without any merit of their own.
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The Sooner the Better
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:26–27
If overcome by wrath and led to rashness, do not continue in it, do not harbor it, but subdue and restrain it, the sooner the better.
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The Chief Good
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 10:25–28
To love God with all the mind is to cleave to him who is our chief good, to do nothing against his will, to take nothing except what is pleasing to God.
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The Sin Remover
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 1:29
If you would be freed from your sins, do not chastise yourself with them, but seize Christ, the one who has taken your sins upon himself.
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The House of God
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 19:45–46
"Wherever God’s Word is preached, there is God’s own true house, there God most certainly dwells with his grace. Wherever his gospel is, there..."
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Craving Riches
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 6:10
Love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. Through this craving some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
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The Bold Faith of Lepers
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 17:11–13
The lepers went boldly to meet Jesus, certain that he could heal them. Standing in firmness and sincerity against doubt, they confidently prayed.
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The Consolation of Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 8:12–17
You need no longer be afraid of condemnation because of your unworthiness for you have the consolation of faith, the assurance of grace.
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Trusting the Gospel
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Mark 7:31–35
Faith grows out of the Word of God, producing the good fruit of love and mercy and all manner of godly care for one's neighbor.
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Faithful Suffering
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 5:6–10
"It assuages and comforts the sufferer beyond measure to know that he does not suffer alone, but with a great multitude."
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That Which Makes for Peace
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 19:41–42
God has opened the treasures of his holy gospel to us, so we may learn his will. Will we believe and know peace or disbelieve and suffer wrath?
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Nothing More
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 17:3–5
"We should therefore despair of ourselves and pray to God for faith as the apostles did. When we have faith we need nothing more..."
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Evident Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 7:21
Once we have been baptized into Christ and believe, his will is that we should then live accordingly, obeying God and doing what is commanded.
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God’s Dollar
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Mark 8:4–6
"Christ commands the disciples to set the loaves before the multitude, by which he shows that he will administer his work and gifts through the instrumentality of human agencies."
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Blessed Ears
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 13:15–17
What would it help the critics of Christ if the gospel was preached twice as clearly as it is? They are so deafened by their own conceits that they can hear nothing else.
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No Other Gods
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Exodus 20:1–3
"When we come before God the Father, Christ will say: Father! Although they have not wholly fulfilled thy law, yet I have done so, let this be to their benefit because they believe in me."
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A Cup of Cold Water
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 John 3:14–18
"Oh, how heavy and terrible the impending judgment for those who have denied to Christ the Lord, in his thirst, even the cup of cold water."
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That They May Hear and Believe
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Mark 7:32–35
Luther uses the this story to illustrate how office of ministry brings the Word to people so that they may hear and be given faith to believe.
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The Heavenly Force
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 3:5–11
The Spirit impresses Christ and his works upon the heart, making it a true book which does not consist in tracing mere letters and words, but in true life and action.
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Faith Bears Fruit
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 7:15–20
Good works do not make one pious or good. One must first be good and pious at heart. The tree must first be there to bear the fruit.
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Exercise Judgment
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 7:15
So much of what false teachers' have afflicted the church with in recent decades is easily overcome by exercising judgment through the Word.
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Trusting God with the Future
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Mark 8:8
No one thinks of saving for posterity, but live as if they rejoice in destroying everything at once. Yet in all this destruction God will nevertheless help us.
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God Will Take Care of You
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Mark 8:1–2
"All who faithfully cling to the Word of God will be fed by God; for that is the nature and power of faith, which flows alone out of the Word of God."
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Eternal Delight
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 8:22
Our eternal life, attained through faith in Christ. will be to know God, delight in his wisdom, and enjoy the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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Worthy of Your Calling
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:20–4:1
"The chief thing that should influence a Christian’s outward walk is the remembrance of his calling and appointment by God."
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Led by the Spirit
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 8:12–14
"To be 'led by the Spirit of God' means to be given a heart which gladly hears God’s Word and believes that in Christ it has grace and the forgiveness of sins."
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The Sinful Conscience
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 5:4–8
"Not until Peter considered himself unworthy did he become really worthy. Just because you are a sinful person you must the more trust in God."
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Without Distinction
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 6:35–36
"Christians must not seek their own, but look at all alike, whether friend or foe, as our heavenly Father does. Without such mercy, there is no true faith."
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Bold Peace
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Philippians 4:6–7
"There is peace, strength and comfort in the heart, so that the heart cares for no evil, is really bolder and more joyful in its presence than in its absence."
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The Majestic Command
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 6:21–22
Noah kept his eye on the majesty of him who gave the command. That was enough for him, even though the command seemed absurd or impossible.
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Eat What Is in Front of You
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 6:21–22
God performs his miracles along the lines of natural law. Looking for bread from heaven, rather than by human means, tests God and is a sin.
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A Constant Dying
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 8:12–13
Christians have help and strength to resist and mortify sin. and must constantly put to death the flesh lest they be put to death by it.
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Our Sufficiency
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 3:4–6
It is a glory that every preacher may be able to say with full confidence that he trusts God for teaching and preaching truly the Word of God.
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Bless the Work of Our Hands
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 5:4
Christ keeps aloof from the lazy, unfaithful idlers who will not do as they have been commanded, and will not keep their hands and feet from straying.
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On Being Useful
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 5:4–10
Christ has not come to make you afraid, but to remove your sins and distress from you. “Fear not,” he speaks to your heart, and to the whole world.
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The Curse of Humanity
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 6:6–10
The curse of humanity is they shall never be satisfied and must endure heartache and everlasting destruction through the things they have coveted.
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No Worries
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 15:3–7
If you only remain under Christ's protection and lie still upon his shoulders, you need not be troubled about sin, death, or hell, for he defends you.
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God Remembered
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 7:23–8:1
No life is so difficult as the life of faith, depending only upon the promises of God when the who world seems to say, "God has forgotten all about you."
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Revelation of the Divine
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 11:33–36
Scripture shows us that in God there are three persons — not three Gods or three kinds of divinity, but the same undivided, divine essence.
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Our Neighbor’s Honor
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 15:1–5
We are to cover the shame of our neighbor with our own honor and piety, not cause wounds caused by gossip that we cannot heal.
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Helping Sinners
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 15:1–2
"We should rebuke and deal with the sinner in earnest; yet we are not to despise but sincerely to love him."
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The Humble Gospel
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1–3
"The tongue of a minister — the language he employs — must be of that simplicity which preaches naught but Christ," and brings him the glory.
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Misdirection
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 24:36–43
We are not to be deceived by so-called ghosts, which are not souls but instead, demons bent on misdirecting a believer's focus on the living Christ.
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The Inclination of the Heart
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 8:20–22
Even pious people can scarcely stand firm, often being entangled by gross sins and natural corruptions, for original sin is complete lawlessness.
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Intolerant
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 John 3:13
We teach all to trust in the grace of God, not in their own worthiness, and to render him gratitude for his grace. This is intolerable to the world.
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The Divine Reminder
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 6:15–16
Although the Christians senses within himself the presence of evil thoughts and lusts, yet his faith and the Holy Spirit remind him of his baptism.
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Blind to Grace
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Psalm 33:4–5
God showers his gifts on an ungrateful world, whose people go about their lives as though sight and hearing were due them. And so, we miss God's grace.
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Stewards of the Gospel
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1
Christians do not follow pastors; they follow Christ Jesus. Pastors preach the gospel, a message that leads lost sheep to the one who saves them.
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The Righteous Man
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 6:8–10
Noah is called “just” because he first believed, then “perfect” (“upright”) because he walked in the fear of God and conscientiously avoided sins.
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