Trinity Lutheran Church and School
Missouri Synod - Sawyer, Michigan

Pastor Kendall Schaeffer   

Through all this year, as part of my devotional reading, I have been also reading books that will help me grow and develop in my faith and my  vocation.  They come from different faith backgrounds and different eras.  What a blessing this has been to me in my faith-walk.  None, however, has been more important than those that led me into God's Word once again and in prayer for you, God's flock.  In all of this I have also had an opportunity to reflect.  I looked at what Luther had to face at the time of the reformation and how the Church grew through one who was willing to take a stand for what Scripture clearly taught.

Luther was reading Romans when he came to the realization that it is by faith alone through the grace of God that brings us to salvation.  It is a free gift of God for everyone who believes.  Our faith is shown in our daily living.  What does our witness on Monday or Thursday or Saturday say about our relationship with Jesus?

We read in Matthew 10:32-33 whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven.  Do we continue to profess Jesus every day?  Do we live our faith?  St. Paul reminds us in Romans 1:16a I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

Opportunities to serve our Lord abound.  We do not need to be a Luther or a Paul.  Remember, however, that both of them failed.  Paul persecuted the early church members.  Luther purchased indulgences.  He promised a saint that if his life were spared he would become a monk.  And he battled the accepted teaching of Rome even as he struggled with the picture of God that the church of the day held out.

God continues to lead.  We have God Who blesses us with life each day.   We have a God Who has again poured His provision into our lives and into our world.  Sure, there are struggles along the way.  They are sent to confirm the faith to which we have been called; they are sent to strengthen us in our walk with a living Lord.

Are we faithful?  Do we live using the blessings given?  Do we share the hope and forgiveness that are ours in Christ Jesus?  What a blessing!  What a joy!  Let's keep serving together as we share in the hope we have received for years to come!  And may it be the cross of Christ that guides us!

Your fellow  servant of Jesus.

Pastor Schaeffer                                                                                                                              
Proverbs 16:3

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.