Connected in The Word 9-22-25
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11
I was inspired this weekend by two things that had nothing to do with one another. The first were words spoken in front of thousands of people, but unfortunately, I am guessing most people did not hear them because there was so much other noise. It was this quote from one of the speakers at the Charlie Kirk memorial. “The only change that matters, is when we repent of our sins – ME, WE! A recognition that the real problem is ME and how fallen I am!” This is the Truth I spoke of in my devotion on September 11th (you can read it at https://connectedintheword.beehiiv.com/). The only answer to our sin problem is to repent and believe the Gospel – The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus!
The second point of inspiration for me this weekend was being present at the marriage of a young Christian man and woman. They were married at an LCMS church down the street from Michigan Tech where they both attended (Thanks be to God for the campus ministry of Saints Peter & Paul Lutheran in Houghton where my daughter is also fed with lots of love and lots of Jesus). Between the church and the reception, I heard many people speak of the faith of these two young people that was rooted in Jesus. We teach our kids that we are all sinners who need to repent, and that there is a God who loves them so much that He gave up His life for them. On the car ride home, I leaned back and told my youngest (16-year-old) that the things he heard at this wedding and reception were evidence that there are still plenty of young people in the world that believe in Jesus even amid all the junk of this world.
There’s a lot of junk and a lot of noise in our world today, but please don’t let it distract you from the Truth. Jesus lived, died, and rose for sinners like ME and sinners like YOU! Luther says it this way, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent”, he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Repent and believe the Gospel – EVERY SINGLE DAY!