Emanuel Lutheran Tiger Talk

Money. Possessions. Perhaps more than anything else, those things have the power to turn our attention away from what is truly important. Christ wants us to understand that it is our heavenly Father who provides us with those useful resources. But we need to know why our Father gives them: what they are useful for, and what they are not useful for. This week, let us give our undivided attention to what Christ says about the useful resources our gracious Father provides to us. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

In a sense, prayer comes naturally to us. We want, so we ask. We hurt, so we cry out. We are frustrated, so we vent. We are blessed, so we give thanks. What does not come naturally, however, is a proper understanding of the privilege of prayer. Prayer provides the opportunity to bring our will into conformity with God’s will, not the other way around. This week, we give our undivided attention to what God says about this access we call prayer. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Most would agree with Jesus’ teaching that “Few things are needed” (Luke 10:42). We understand that people often confuse their wants with needs. However, Jesus said more. “Few things are needed—or indeed only one.” Now we might object. There seems to be more than one true need. Yet, what Jesus said is true. Because only one thing—the gospel—can create and sustain the faith that makes one God’s dear child and an heir of the everlasting kingdom. We literally need the gospel more than water or oxygen. So, let us listen to Jesus speak, giving him our undivided attention. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

We tend to think of distraction and focus as opposites. If someone is focused, they are not easily distracted by random events and encounters. If someone is focused, every decision about how to spend time and resources is calculated. Apart from Christ, that type of focus spells disaster for our neighbor. We may dismiss the needs of our neighbor, thinking, “If I spend time helping him, that will distract me from other things that need my attention.” Jesus teaches us that he has set us free to live a life of such distraction. We are free to give our neighbor our undivided attention, even if that seems senseless. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.  

Parents spend a lot of time teaching their children a simple phrase to say when someone gives them something: "Thank you!" Those two words go a long way in showing appreciation for what someone else has done. Do we always lead a thankful life as we get older? Do we pause to acknowledge where all our blessings come from? Join us in this 8-week study on Biblical Stewardship starting July 20, as we recognize and give God thanks for all his blessings. 

 

In recent weeks, we learned that everyone who has seen the grace of God will, whenever the opportunity arises, serve as a witness for Christ. However, Scripture teaches that there is also a need for individuals for whom gospel proclamation is their full-time focus. These workers are called by God himself through the Church to proclaim law and gospel in some public capacity. Jesus taught that there will always be a want for such workers. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2). So, this is a topic worthy of our undivided attention. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.