The Vitamin- February 26th

Willing?
Mark 1:40-41 NIV
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." {41} Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"

After reading this verse, I’m inclined to spend more time talking about the leper than Jesus. I’m impressed with his approach. He comes to Jesus with a dire need. Leprosy was a death sentence. He drops to the ground and though the text says he begged, his words sound almost matter of fact. “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

The leper was right. It’s a simple statement of fact. The question? Was Jesus willing? Jesus had compassion. Jesus always has compassion on those who suffer, but sometimes it’s God’s will to heal and sometimes it isn’t. In this case Jesus was willing, but back to the leper. His request is dripping with both confidence and humility. He knows that Jesus has the ability and he leaves the matter to the Lord’s discretion.

When it comes to earthly matters take a lesson from the leper. Be bold and confident in your prayers and leave room for God’s will to be done. We all want God’s will to be done…isn’t that why we’re praying in the first place?

Blessings on your Thursday!

Pastor Prigge

THIS SUNDAY AT VICTORY
BRING YOUR BIBLE TO CHURCH! Lutherans talk a lot about the Word. Let’s get into it.

8 and 10:45 a.m. Worship – Moments From Mark – Willing to Heal?

9:30 a.m. Bible Study – Know What You Believe: More about the Church. What it is and isn’t etc. Good stuff. You’ll want to be here.

The Vitamin- February 18, 2009

A Moment From Mark
Mark 1:34 NIV
“and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

We don’t talk a lot about demons these days. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist. This may amount to speculation, but one could argue that the devil has adapted his modernized his approach. Drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, the idolization of human reason, non-Christian religions. Whatever the devil is using, his goal remains the same. He wants you with him in Hell.

In this verse from mark Jesus healed the sick and drove out many demons. He’s done it for you and He’s done it for me. In Baptism God forgives our sins and claims us as His own. (Acts 2:38-39) The Holy Spirit takes up residence in us and the devil cannot be where the Spirit of God resides. There’s a portion of the liturgy for Baptism that was historically known as ‘the exorcism’. ‘Do you renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways.’ Sound familiar?

Christ has cast the devil and his power out of you. We are now forgiven and free through faith in Christ to lives that glorify Him.

Get busy!

This Sunday at Victory
8 and 10:45 a.m. Worship: Moments From Mark Part 2 – Jesus Heals and Preaches

9:30 a.m. Bible Study: Know What You Believe – The Bible’s teaching on the office of Pastor

See ya then!

2012

Some say Nostradamus foretold it.

Some say the Mayan calendar predicts it.

The Bible teaches that no one knows when Christ will return.

2009 Lent Series

"Between Now and The End"

(beginning Ash Wednesday- February 25 09)

The Letters to The Churches

"Remembering Our First Love"- Feb 25

"Faith, Not Fear"- March 4

"Two Faithed"-March 11

"Hold On"-March 18

"Wake Up"- March 25th

"An Open Door"-April 1

"Eating With Jesus"-Maundy Thursday, April 9th

The Book of Revelation reveals much of what will happen before the return of Jesus to earth. That revelation contains seven letters to seven ancient churches. What God writes to them He also writes to us as we look forward to the day of Christ's return.

The Vitamin-February 4, 2009

LEAVE BOLDLY

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

These verses from Hebrews follow what is known as the great ‘Faith Chapter’ of the Bible. Hebrews 11 defines faith and lists many examples of people whose faith was evident in their lives. Hebrews 12 encourages us to take faith based action inspired by their legacy.

This Sunday, we’ll conclude the ‘One Month to Live’ series with an encouragement to ‘Leave Boldly’. If I discovered I had 30 days to live I guarantee I would do whatever I could to leave some kind of godly legacy. I would witness, I would give, I would sit my kids down and make sure they knew what Christ means to me. Heck, I don’t really know what I’d do, and that concerns me.

God has blessed us with life. It seems fair that He would expect us to live intentionally. When you die, what will be left behind? Children, family, friends who will be inspired by your faithful Christian life??? A financial gift that will be used for some cause in God’s kingdom??? If you’re saying, ‘I don’t know! I don’t know!’ Then join the club. I really don’t know right now what my legacy will be, but I know I want it to point to God. If you were to die in a month, how would you be remembered? What would be left behind as a testimony to God’s grace in your life. Think about it. Then act on it. More to come this Sunday.

Pastor Prigge

This Sunday at Victory

8 and 10:45 a.m. Worship – “One Month to Live – Leave Boldly”

9:00 a.m. Snacks and fellowship

9:30 Bible Study – “Know What You Believe” a review of Lutheran Christian teachings you should already know (but may not).