February 4, 2025
Friends,
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:11-12).Don’t become sluggish, but instead keep pressing on. These are Paul’s instructions for you. Be diligent in the exercise of your faith. Put your faith to good use.
Think of faith like a tool. It’s a tool that God has given you to live this life and to hope for eternity. It is a tool fit to remedy fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. It is useful for telling the difference between what is right and wrong, good and evil. It is useful for loving what God loves. It is useful for maturing in humility. It is useful for dying a blessed death.
Like most tools, you have to learn how to use it. And as with many tools, it’s easy to become sloppy or lazy and to miss out on the full benefit. It’s also possible to abuse it, to use it the wrong way and maybe even break it.
So, don’t become sluggish! Be diligent, and keep your faith honed. Use it properly! All of that happens through devotion to God’s Word. There he teaches you to trust in him. He sharpens your faith and fills you with knowledge. He gives you his Spirit, so that you are energized in hope. He forgives your sins and grants you a new heart.
All of that is yours through God’s Word, so continue to dive in. Bit by bit, deeper and deeper, layer after layer, make God’s Word your own! This is the way of life!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs
COMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, February 5
9:30 am – Chapel
10:00 am – Bible Study
6:00 pm – Bible Study
7:00 pm – Vespers
Sunday, February 9
9:00 am – Divine Service
10:30 am – Bible Study/Sunday School
11:30 am – Council Meeting