For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:18-20
A Friend of the Cross of Christ
Are you a friend of the cross of Christ? That might seem like an unusual question. After all, who would want to be friends with a cross? The cross was an instrument of suffering and death. Yet for Christians, the cross is the place where we see God’s greatest love.
The apostle Paul warns us about those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ.” They may not look like enemies. They may be religious. They may be successful. Others may admire them. But their lives are centered on themselves. Their god is their appetite. Their glory is found in things of which they should be ashamed. Their minds are fixed on earthly things.
Does that sound familiar? It can be easy for us to become enemies of the cross without realizing it. Whenever we make our own desires more important than God’s Word, we are turning away from the cross. Whenever we measure our worth by possessions, achievements, popularity, or pleasure, our hearts are looking in the wrong direction. Whenever we imagine that we can make ourselves acceptable to God, we have forgotten why Jesus went to the cross.
The cross tells us the truth about our sin. Our sin is serious. We could never make things right with God by ourselves. But the cross also tells us something far greater: Jesus has made things right for us.
At the cross, Jesus took our sin upon himself. He suffered the punishment we deserved. He gave his life in our place. He did not save us because we were good enough. He saved us because he is merciful. That is why Christians are friends of the cross.
We do not love the cross because suffering is good in itself. We love the cross because Jesus was there for us. The cross is where God’s justice and mercy meet. It is where our Savior paid the price for our salvation.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, teach me to look at the cross and see the heaven you won for me. Amen.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12
Heading Toward the Goal
Where are you headed? That may be a simple question, but it is an important one. Every day, we are headed somewhere. We have appointments to keep, work to finish, errands to run, and places to go.
The same is true of our life with Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote, “I press on.” He knew where he was headed. Yet Paul was also honest enough to admit that he had not arrived. He had not already obtained everything God had promised. That is good news for us because we have not arrived either.
Sometimes we may look at our Christian life and become discouraged. We still struggle with the same sins. We still lose our patience. We still worry. We still put ourselves first. We still fail to love God and our neighbor as we should. If our goal were perfection by our own effort, we would have no hope.
But notice Paul’s reason for pressing on: “because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
Jesus is the reason we keep going. The Christian life is not a race in which we run fast enough to earn God’s love. Jesus has already accomplished what we could never accomplish. He lived the perfect life we have failed to live. He died on the cross to forgive our sins. He rose from the grave to give us the certain hope of eternal life. Through faith, we belong to him.
That changes how we travel toward the goal. We do not press on to become Christ’s own. We press on because we already are Christ’s own.
So today, keep heading toward the goal. When you stumble, hear God’s promise of forgiveness. When you become discouraged, look again to the cross. When you are tempted to turn aside, listen to Jesus’ Word and follow him. When the road seems long, remember where you are going.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep my eyes on the finish line as I follow you through life. Amen.
[Jesus said] “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.” Matthew 21:28-32
Repent and Live!
By sharing this dramatic parable, Jesus was being quite gracious. He was calling his hearers to repentance. These were people who claimed to be willing to obey God but weren’t doing so. They put on a good show. Jesus wanted them to understand that what God is looking for is not lip service. He is looking for repentance. He is looking for people to admit their failure to follow God’s will, trust that he will be merciful, and then truly follow his will rather than merely make empty promises.
As we listen to this parable, remember God is giving us the opportunity to consider which of the two sons we are. Through the Holy Spirit, we are led to see our sin, to repent, to confess our sin, and to trust Jesus as our Savior. Such is the only path that leads to eternal life. May we realize this each day and rejoice in our gracious Savior.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for leading me to repent of my sins. Help me to turn from sinful thoughts, words, and deeds so that I reflect my love for you in all I think, say, and do. Amen.
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1 Better a piece of dry bread with peace than a house full of feasting with quarreling. 2 A wise slave will rule over a shameful son. He will share the inheritance with the brothers. 3 There is a crucible for refining silver and a smelter for gold. In the same way the Lord examines hearts. 4 An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips. A liar feeds upon [1] a destructive tongue. 5 Whoever mocks a poor person insults his Maker. A person who rejoices over calamity will not escape. 6 Grandchildren are a crown for the elderly, and parents are a source of pride for their children.
Introduction to Fools and Foolishness:
The Consequences of Being a Fool
7 Eloquent lips are [2] not fitting for a fool. How much less lying lips for a ruler! 8 A bribe works like a charm for the person who gives it. Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9 A person who covers an offense pursues love, but one who repeats the matter separates friends. 10 A reprimand impresses a discerning person more than receiving a hundred lashes impresses a fool. 11 An evil person promotes only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool in his stupidity. 13 A person who repays evil for good— evil will never leave his house. 14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop the dispute before it gets started. 15 Acquitting a guilty person and convicting an innocent person— both of these are disgusting [3] to the Lord. 16 Why hand a fool money to buy wisdom, since he has no aptitude for using it? 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of trouble. 18 A person without sense shakes hands to guarantee a loan for his neighbor. 19 A person who loves sin loves conflict. A person who builds his gate high invites destruction. 20 A crooked mind does not find good. A perverted tongue will fall into disaster. 21 The man who fathers a fool has grief, and the father of an arrogant fool will have no joy. 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23 A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to pervert the ways of justice. 24 Wisdom is right in front of a discerning person, but a fool’s eyes wander to the end of the earth.
Avoiding Fools and Foolishness
25 A foolish son is an aggravation to his father and bitterness to the woman who bore him. 26 It is not good to impose a fine on a righteous person nor to flog officials because of their uprightness. 27 A person with knowledge restrains his words. A person with understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even a stubborn fool who keeps silent will be considered wise. He is considered to be perceptive if he keeps his lips shut.
Proverbs 18
1 A person who is a loner seeks his own desires. He fights against all sound judgment. 2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinions. 3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him, and with dishonor comes disgrace. 4 The words from a man’s mouth are deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream. 5 It is not good to show favoritism to a wicked person in order to deprive a righteous person of justice. 6 A fool’s lips enter a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a trap for his soul. [4] 8 The words of a gossip are like delicious food. People gobble them right down. [5] 9 A person who fails to do his work is a brother to a vandal. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower. A righteous person runs inside and is protected. 11 A rich person’s wealth is his strong city. In his imagination it is like a high wall. 12 Before destruction a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. 13 If a person answers before he listens, that is foolishness that brings disgrace. 14 A man’s spirit can endure illness, but who can bear a broken spirit? 15 A discerning heart acquires knowledge, and the ears of the wise seek knowledge. 16 A person’s gift opens doors [6] for him. It leads him into the presence of great people. 17 The first person to state his case appears to be right. Then his neighbor comes and cross-examines him. 18 Casting lots [7] ends disputes and decides between powerful people. 19 A brother who has been wronged is harder to regain than a strong city, and disputes are like a bar across the gate of a citadel. 20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth, his stomach is satisfied. He is satisfied with the harvest of his lips. 21 Life and death lie in the power of a tongue, and those who love to use it will eat its fruit. 22 The man who finds a wife finds a good thing, and he obtains favor from the Lord. 23 A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly. 24 A man with many acquaintances may suffer harm, but there is a loving friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Footnotes
Proverbs 17:4 Hebrew variant listens to
Proverbs 17:7 Or excessive chatter is
Proverbs 17:15 Or repulsive
Proverbs 18:7 Or his life
Proverbs 18:8 Literally they go down to the rooms of the belly
Proverbs 18:16 Or makes room
Proverbs 18:18 This probably does not refer to the Urim and Thummim but to ordinary ways of making a choice, like a coin toss.
24 The path of life leads upward for a person with insight, so that he may turn away from hell [1] below. 25 The Lord tears down the house of the arrogant, but he maintains the property line of a widow. 26 The plans of the wicked are disgusting [2] to the Lord, but pleasant words are pure to him. 27 Someone who is greedy for gain brings trouble to his own household, but a person who hates bribes will live. 28 The heart of a righteous person ponders his answer, but the mouth of a wicked person gushes evil. 29 The Lord is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 A twinkle in the eyes delights the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. 31 An ear that listens to a life-giving warning will find a home among the wise. 32 A person who ignores discipline despises himself, but a person who listens to a warning acquires good sense. 33 The fear of the Lord gives discipline and wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
More Advice for a Wise Son
Proverbs 16
1 A person may have thought things through in his heart, but an apt answer from his tongue comes from the Lord. 2 All of a person’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs motives. 3 Commit what you do to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 4 The Lord has made everything for his [3] own purpose, even a wicked person for a day of trouble. 5 Anyone with an arrogant attitude is disgusting to the Lord. Be sure of this: That person will not go unpunished. 6 Through mercy and truth, guilt is atoned for, and through the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil. 7 When the Lord is pleased with a man’s ways, he causes even his enemies to live at peace with him.
Wisdom for a King and His Subjects
8 Better a little with righteousness than a large income without justice. 9 A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord makes his steps secure. 10 The king’s lips speak for God, so his mouth should not betray justice. 11 An accurate balance and scales belong to the Lord. He has made all the weights in the bag. 12 It is disgusting for kings to commit wickedness, because a throne is established by righteousness. 13 Kings approve of righteous lips. They love a person who speaks upright things. 14 The king’s anger is a messenger of death, but a wise person can appease it. 15 There is life in the light from a king’s face, and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain. 16 How much better to acquire wisdom rather than gold, and to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver. 17 The highway followed by upright people turns away from evil. The person who guards his way preserves his life. 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit precedes a fall. 19 Better to share a humble spirit with the oppressed than to share stolen goods with the haughty. 20 Whoever gives careful consideration to a matter [4] will succeed, and the person who trusts the Lord will be blessed. 21 A wise heart will be called discerning, and appealing speech increases learning. 22 Good sense is a fountain of life for the person who possesses it, but the instruction given by stubborn fools is stupidity. 23 A wise heart produces edifying speech. It makes a person’s lips more persuasive. 24 Pleasant speech is honey from a honeycomb, sweet to the spirit and healing for the bones.
Advice for a Wise Son
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but it ends up being the road to death. 26 A laborer’s appetite labors for him, because the hunger of his mouth drives him on. 27 A worthless scoundrel constantly plots evil, and from his lips comes a scorching fire. 28 A perverse [5] man spreads conflict, and a gossip separates intimate friends. 29 A violent man entices his neighbor. He leads him on a way that is not good. 30 A person who squints his eyes is plotting something perverse. One who purses his lips has completed some evil plot. 31 Gray hair is a beautiful crown. It is found on the way to righteousness. 32 Better to be patient than to be a hero, better to control your temper than to capture a city. 33 Lots are cast into the pouch, [6] but the Lord determines all their decisions.
Footnotes
Proverbs 15:24 Or the grave. The Hebrew word is sheol.
Proverbs 15:26 Or are an abomination
Proverbs 16:4 Or its
Proverbs 16:20 Or to a word or to God’s word
Proverbs 16:28 Or twisted
Proverbs 16:33 Or lap. It is not clear what this line means. It may allude to the pouch containing the Urim and Thummim, which the high priest wore on his chest.
22 Don’t those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan to do good find mercy and truth. 23 In all hard work there is gain, but empty talk leads only to poverty. 24 Their wealth is a crown for the wise, but the stupidity of fools is just stupidity. 25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a liar breathes deceit. 26 In the fear of the Lord a person gains strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. It turns a person away from the snares of death. 28 A large population brings glory to a king. Without people a ruler is ruined. 29 A patient person has great understanding, but an impatient person exalts foolishness. 30 A contented heart [1] gives life to the flesh, but envy rots the bones. 31 A person who oppresses the poor insults his Maker, but one who is gracious to the needy honors him. 32 A wicked person is brought down by his own evil, but a righteous person finds refuge even at his death. 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning. It can be recognized even among fools. 34 Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin brings shame to a people. 35 A king favors a servant who acts wisely, but he is furious with one who acts shamefully.
More Wise Ways to Live
Proverbs 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise enhances knowledge, but the mouths of fools spout stupidity. 3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, watching evil people as well as the good. 4 A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue shatters the spirit. 5 A stubborn fool despises his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is sensible. 6 The house of the righteous contains great wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the heart of fools—not so. 8 A sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination [2] to the Lord, but a prayer of the upright gains his favor. 9 The way of a wicked person is repulsive [3] to the Lord, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. 10 Harsh discipline waits for anyone who leaves the path, and a person who hates correction will die. 11 Death and Destruction [4] lie open before the Lord— how much more human hearts! 12 A scoffer does not love anyone who corrects him. He will not go to wise people. 13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but a sorrowful heart crushes the spirit. 14 The heart of a discerning person seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity. 15 All the days of an oppressed person are evil, but a cheerful heart enjoys a continuous celebration. [5] 16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. 17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. 18 A hothead stirs up a fight, but a patient person calms a dispute. 19 The way of a lazy person is like a thorny hedge, but the path of upright people is a highway.
Advice for a Wise Son
20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother. 21 Stupidity delights a person who lacks sense, but one who has understanding stays on course. 22 Plans fail without advice, but where there are many advisors they succeed. 23 Giving an apt response with his own mouth makes a person happy, and a word at the right time—oh how good!
Footnotes
Proverbs 14:30 Literally a healing heart
Proverbs 15:8 Or is disgusting or is repulsive
Proverbs 15:9 Or is an abomination
Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon
Proverbs 15:15 The word celebration refers to a feast which includes drinking.
1 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scornful son does not listen to a reprimand. 2 From the fruit of his mouth a person eats well, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence. 3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life. Whoever opens his lips carelessly ruins himself. 4 The appetite of a lazy person craves things, but he gets nothing. The appetite of hardworking people is fully satisfied. 5 A righteous person hates everything false, but a wicked person causes disgrace and shame. 6 Righteousness guards a person who has integrity, but wickedness perverts a sinner. 7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing. Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth. 8 A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man does not hear a threat. 9 The light of the righteous brings joy, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 10 Insolence produces only strife, but wisdom resides with those who take advice. 11 Wealth gained out of thin air [1] shrinks, but wealth accumulated by steady work grows. 12 Hope delayed makes a heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13 The person who despises a word of instruction will pay the price, but the person who respects a command will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life. It can turn someone away from the snares of death. 15 Good sense yields grace, but the way of the treacherous is unchanging. [2] 16 Every sensible person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays stupidity. 17 A wicked [3] messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. 18 A person who ignores discipline ends up with poverty and shame, but one who conforms to correction will be honored. 19 A desire that is fulfilled tastes sweet to the soul, but to fools it is disgusting [4] to turn from evil. 20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. 21 Trouble pursues sinners, but goodness repays the righteous. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. 23 The farmland of the poor may produce much food, but it may be swept away by injustice. 24 A person who withholds his rod hates his son, but one who loves him administers discipline promptly. 25 A righteous person eats until his appetite is satisfied, but the stomach of the wicked is always empty.
More Wise Ways to Live
Proverbs 14
1 A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. 2 Whoever walks in the right way fears the Lord, but a person who is devious in his ways despises him. 3 In the mouth of a stubborn fool there is a proud rod, [5] but the lips of the wise protect them. 4 Without cattle the manger is empty, but a great harvest is gained by the strength of an ox. 5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes lies. 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom yet finds none, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person. 7 Keep away from a foolish person, since you will not learn anything from his lips. 8 The wisdom of a sensible [6] person is that he understands his way, but the stupidity of fools is deceptive. [7] 9 Fools scoff at the idea of guilt, [8] but favor is found among the upright. 10 A heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger can share its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will thrive. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it is the road to death. 13 Even in laughter a heart can ache, and the end of joy may be grief. 14 A backslider [9] will be satisfied with his ways, [10] and a good man will be satisfied with his. 15 A gullible person trusts anything, but a sensible person considers his steps. 16 A wise person fears and turns from evil, but a fool is rash and overconfident. 17 A short-tempered person acts foolishly, and a schemer is hated. 18 Gullible people inherit stupidity, but sensible people embrace knowledge. 19 Evil people will bow down to good people, and wicked people will bow at the gates of the righteous. 20 A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but those who love a rich person are many. 21 A person who despises his neighbor is sinning, but one who is kind to the oppressed is blessed.
Footnotes
Proverbs 13:11 Or dishonestly. A variant in the versions is too quickly.
Proverbs 13:15 Or inescapable. The Hebrew reads the way of the treacherous always flows (that is, it is enduring). The translation above attempts to make sense of this difficult reading without emendation. Common emendations are to add the word not to the sentence (the way of the treacherous does not endure) or to change enduring to hard.
Proverbs 13:17 Or an unreliable
Proverbs 13:19 Or an abomination
Proverbs 14:3 The meaning of a proud rod is uncertain, but there is no textual support for the common emendation, a rod for his back.
14 Without guidance people fall, but in many advisors there is safety. 15 Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger leads to trouble, but one who hates to shake hands [1] remains secure. 16 A gracious woman takes hold of honor, but ruthless men take hold of riches. [2] 17 A merciful man benefits his own soul, but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh. 18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. 19 Just as righteousness leads to life, pursuing evil leads to death. 20 Perverted hearts are disgusting to the Lord, but his favor rests on those whose way has integrity. 21 Be sure of this: An evil person will not go unpunished, but the children of the righteous will escape. 22 The beauty of a woman who lacks moral judgment is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. 23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good. The hope of the wicked leads to fury. 24 One person scatters his wealth, but it still increases. Another hoards it unjustly, but this leads only to poverty. 25 A person who spreads blessings will be enriched. One who gives a refreshing drink will be refreshed. 26 People curse the person who hoards grain, but a blessing rests on the head of one who sells it. 27 Whoever searches for good seeks favor, but whoever pursues evil will find it. 28 Whoever trusts his wealth will fall, but righteous people will flourish like green plants. 29 Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind, and a stubborn fool will be a slave to a person with a wise heart. 30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and one who harvests souls is wise. 31 If a righteous person is paid back on earth, how much more a wicked person or a sinner!
More Examples of Righteous Behavior
Proverbs 12
1 A person who loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid. 2 A good person will obtain favor from the Lord, but he will condemn a schemer. 3 A person cannot be made secure by wickedness, but the roots of the righteous will never be uprooted. 4 A wife with strong character is a crown to her husband, but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones. 5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouths of the upright will save them. 7 Wicked people are overthrown, and they are no more, but the house of the righteous continues to stand. 8 A person is praised for the good sense that he speaks, but a person with a twisted heart will be despised. 9 Better to be underestimated and have a servant than to pretend to be wealthy and lack bread. 10 A righteous person understands the needs of his livestock, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel. 11 A person who works his land will have enough food, but whoever pursues fantasies lacks sense. 12 A wicked man covets the fortress [3] of evil people, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. 13 The rebellion on his lips is a trap for an evil person, but a righteous person gets out of trouble. 14 From the fruit of his lips a person is filled with good, and the labor of a person’s hands returns to him. 15 The way of a stubborn fool seems correct to him, but whoever listens to advice is wise. 16 A stubborn fool immediately lets his annoyance be known, but a sensible person overlooks an insult. 17 Whoever breathes the truth proclaims righteousness, but a lying witness is deceitful. 18 Some people wield reckless words like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips are established forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20 Deceit lies in the heart of those who plot evil, but for those who promote peace there will be joy. 21 No disaster will strike a righteous person, but wicked people are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are disgusting to the Lord, but those who act truthfully gain his favor. 23 A man who is shrewd conceals his knowledge, but the hearts of fools broadcast stupidity. 24 Hardworking hands will rule, but laziness results in forced labor. [4] 25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but a good word brings him joy. 26 A righteous person guides his neighbor, [5] but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 A lazy person does not roast his game, but a diligent person uses his wealth wisely. 28 In the path of righteousness there is life, and there is no death in following this path. [6]
Footnotes
Proverbs 11:15 Or make a deal
Proverbs 11:16 The Greek text has a longer double proverb here: A gracious woman takes hold of honor, ⎣and she who hates virtue sets up a throne for dishonor. The lazy become destitute,⎦ but ruthless men take hold of riches.
Proverbs 12:12 Or net. The verse is difficult and the meaning is uncertain.
Proverbs 12:24 Or leads to debtor’s prison
Proverbs 12:26 Or is cautious in friendship or works to learn about his friend
Proverbs 12:28 The translation follows the main Hebrew reading. A variant in some Hebrew manuscripts and the ancient versions reads and another path leads to death.
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“Every minister of the gospel needs encouragement,” says Kevin Walker, director of staff ministry at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. “So a once-a-year conference provides the opportunity for […]
In late August, Daniel Kroll and Stephen Gerling and their families arrived in Dakar, Senegal. They are the first WELS missionaries to serve in this area. As WELS works to […]
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God has entrusted the young people of our synod to the spiritual care of Christian parents, pastors, teachers, youth leaders, and fellow believers. At […]
Karl R. Gurgel, the tenth man to serve as president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, was called home to heaven on September 13, surrounded by his wife, Barbara, (pictured […]
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., is investing in a building project for blessings now that have impacts into eternity. Earle Treptow, seminary president, describes why this is the moment […]