The Bible says Christians are different. Christians are people who believe in Jesus as their Savior. But they often look the same as those who do not believe in Jesus. How are Christians different? The answer is often something internal, attitudes or perspectives that come only from the work of the Holy Spirit in Word and sacrament.

1 Timothy 6:11–12 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Paul gives Timothy, and all of us, some clear direction for a life that loves God. There are things to flee from, and there are things to pursue. To flee means more than casually avoi

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. (Jeremiah 20:9) Jeremiah, the prophet, starts out verse 7 of chapter 20 with an unbelievable statement: You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived. Are we ever let down when we speak the Word? How could Jeremiah say that? Those thoughts came into his head because he had preached and had go