"The Sons of David" December 18, 2022

What can three Sons of David teach us about fear and faithfulness?

Third Sunday in Advent -- December 11, 2022

Do you ever have doubts about Jesus? John the Baptist did.

"Bearing Fruit" December 4, 2022

Why is it good for a tree to bear fruit?

"In the Latter Days" November 27, 2022

Why does the world need the church in these troubled times?

"The Legacy of Father Abraham" November 20, 2022

What life lessons can we learn from our father in the faith?

"Sarah: Your Mother in the Faith" November 13, 2022

How does the death and burial of Abraham's wife foreshadow her greatest offspring, Jesus?

"A Faith to Be Imitated" November 6, 2022

A father willing to sacrifice a beloved only son. Sound familiar?

"Set Free" October 30, 2022

Which do you want, slavery to sin or freedom in Christ?

"The Fruit of Omnipotent Grace" October 16, 2022

God is in charge of special deliveries.

"Dining with Jesus" October 2, 2022

See Abraham entertain his three visitors through the eyes of Rembrandt.

"What's in a Name?" September 11, 2022

When God gives someone a new name, it means something.

"The Wells of Salvation" September 4, 2022

Let's see what happens when the Lord sees a distressed person at a well.

"How Can I Be Sure?" August 28, 2022

Have you ever wanted to know for certain that God's promises are true? So did Father Abraham.

Sometimes the answer to the question "Can I get an amen?" is "Not today."

"The Amen of Faith"

"Gifts for the Battle-Weary" August 14, 2022

How does an obscure Old Testament priest reveal to us Abraham's greatest offspring?

Krypto and Jesus: DC League of Super Pets

 

 *** SPOILERS AHEAD ***

When Krypto's best friend, Superman, is going to ask Lois Lane to marry him, the super canine begins to question the nature of their friendship.

It's only through a conversation with a rescue dog named Ace that Krypto learns about the true nature of friendship and love.

As a puppy, Ace had been adopted by a couple with a young daughter.

One day, when the little girl was going to fall down the stairs, Ace grabbed her by the arm to stop her.

When she began to cry, all the parents saw were the bite marks on her arm.

Ace was immediately taken to a local animal shelter, never to be adopted again.

Ace tells Krypto that he wasn't mad at the family, because they were only trying to protect their child.

He then reminds Krypto what they say about dogs: "They love unconditionally, even when it hurts."

Later in the movie, Krypto remembers Ace's words and prepares to use his Solar Paw Punch to save his friends from a super-powered guinea pig named Lulu, even though it will cost him his life.

Someone who loves unconditionally, even when it hurts.

Someone willing to die to save his friends.

Tell me, who does that sound like?

If you don't know, look up John 15:12-13.

"Where Do You Pitch Your Tent?" August 7, 2022

Lot picked a bad location for his tent. How about you?

"He Built There an Altar" July 31, 2022

Why are altars important for us? Let Father Abraham show you.

"Walking the Holy Land" July 24, 2022

Why was it important for both Abraham and Jesus to walk the Holy Land?

"Humbled" July 17, 2022

Let Father Abraham show you how to improve the world.

"Go in Faith" July 3, 2022

Let the story of Father Abraham inspire you when the Lord tells you to leave behind your old ways.

"Fire from Heaven?" June 26, 2022

What is the Christian to do when someone disrespects the Lord?

"Father's Day Gifts" June 19, 2022

View Pastor Engel's sermon to learn about the gifts that the Father gives on this Father's Day.

"What's Your Take on Jesus?" June 12, 2022

Foe, Fan, or Follower. Which one are you?

"Our Word to the World" June 5, 2022

God's Spirit equips us to speak a clear word to a confused world.

"Three Trees" May 29, 2022

Three trees: one brought death, one brought grace, one brought life.

"Walk About Zion" May 22, 2022

What will a guided tour of the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21 reveal about you?

"Out with the Old" May 15, 2022

If you're tired of your old ways, don't worry. We have a God who makes all things new, even you.

"Who Should Open the Scroll? May 1, 2022

Is the Jesus we want the Jesus we need?

"Jesus' Backup Plan"

What has Jesus called you to be? Visit us at www.mlhouston.org to learn more about our church and its ministries.

"Jonah, the Resurrected Prophet" April 17, 2022

How Does Jonah's experience prefigure the Easter resurrection?

"What Is Your Legacy?" April 10, 2022

Your life shapes the generations that follow you.

"Remember Not" April 3, 2022

God had done great things for His people, but the best was yet to come.

"When the Prodigal Relapses" March 27, 2022

How will the father react when his son repeats his wrongs?

"Our God in Times of Disaster" March 20, 2022

How would Jesus have us respond to news of disasters and atrocities?

"Which Jerusalem Are You?" March 13, 2022

Jesus lamented over Jerusalem. Does He lament over you?

 

What's happening at Messiah? Check out our weekly online newsletter at 
https://mailchi.mp/9a521bf4e350/messiah-lutheran-march11-enews

"What's in Your...Wilderness?" March 6, 2022

Jesus' time in the wilderness gives us hope for our wilderness trek.

"How the Lord's Servant Dies" February 27, 2022

How does the death of Moses help us take our final breath?

"Jesus' Table of Blessing"

There's a place for you at Jesus' table.

It’s Getting Beastly Out There

On Tuesday Gabriel Comfort Dog and I worked at the funeral of Harris County Precinct 5 Cpl. Charles Galloway, who was killed in the line of duty while conducting a traffic stop.

We have also heard of other law enforcement officers being killed or injured in the line of duty this past month.

So far in 2022, Houston homicide statistics have outpaced Chicago.

In fact, crime is on the rise throughout our country, whether it’s “smash and grab” theft, physical assaults, or murder.

There are numerous factors contributing to the spike in crime, but I’d like to remind you of one that you don’t hear about on the evening news.

I believe that the underlying cause of the mayhem in our cities is explained in Revelation 13, what I consider to be one of the most ominous chapters in the Bible.

In Revelation 13 we read:

And [the dragon] stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising out of the sea... And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.

I realize that Revelation is a challenging book and what I’ve quoted here may not make a lot of sense to you. That’s all right.

I will attempt to clear some things up.

Revelation 13 describes a scene in which Satan (the dragon) calls forth two beasts, one from the sea and the other from the earth.

The beast from the sea is portrayed with characteristics (“the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth”) that are drawn from Daniel 7. Those same animals are used to illustrate different historical empires, specifically the Babylonian, Medo-Persian and Greek empires.

The fact that the beast in Revelation 13 is based on a description of ancient empires indicates that this beast represents earthly political institutions and secular systems such as government, education, economics, and the like.

Keep in mind that this beast is under the control of the dragon, Satan.

In other words, Satan accomplishes his purpose of waging war against God’s people (Revelation 12:17) through the use of the systems of the secular realm.

To put it plainly, I believe that Satan is exploiting the criminal justice system (which is under the authority of the beast from the sea) to wreak havoc in our society.

Satan is the one who is creating fear and chaos among law abiding citizen through the increase of crime and violence that we are seeing. Through this beastly ally Satan is pulling the strings of public policy that puts criminals back on the streets and cops and citizens in the hospital or the morgue.

As a result, good people are being victimized by felons, families are being destroyed by violence, and lawlessness is becoming the norm in many communities.

Our God is a God of peace, not violence, and He wants His people to experience peace. We are urged to pray for leaders so that “we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:2).

When peace is replaced by chaos and fear, God’s desire is being thwarted and Satan’s desire is being achieved.

So I urge you to indeed pray for the leaders who are responsible for our public safety. Pray that they might serve the public good and not their personal political and social justice agendas.

Pray also that our true enemy, Satan, might be hindered and that his beastly ally might be hobbled. Always recall the words of St. Paul: We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Satan may be the real enemy who works through this world’s systems to achieve his evil goals, but his final defeat has been assured. He has been vanquished by Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

"The Shedding of Innocent Blood" January 23. 2022

Innocent blood has a voice. That voice cries out to God. And God answers.

"Why Water into Wine" January 16, 2022

What is the meaning of the first of Jesus' many miracles?

"Let's Do Things God's Way" January 9, 2022

If you have regrets, here's some good news from God.

"The Sons of David" January 2, 2022

Jesus, the true Son of David, at an early age was already devoted to His Father's will.